It’s not exactly a winter wonderland out there yet. These slushy streets, all this gray and gloom. If it’s keeping you from getting in the holiday spirit, here’s an idea: let’s get some holiday spirits in you. Ryan Martinez-Garcia is our man for seasonal cocktails this yuletide. He’s been playing the shakers at Bradstreet Neighborhood Craftshouse, where they serve the … [ Read more]
3 holiday cocktail recipes with Bradstreet Neighborhood Craftshouse
Bachelor Farmer Cafe adds cocktails
North Loopers pining for The Bachelor Farmer’s erstwhile brunch service were happy to see the open-faced sandwiches and pastries make the transition to Bachelor Farmer Cafe, which opened in January of this year. Well, glory be. Now the cocktails have returned as well. “It’s a cool opportunity to bring back the things people loved,” says Casey Underkofler, … [ Read more]
New From Dashfire: Orange, Spiced Apple, J. Thomas Bitters
You may have seen the shelf displays from Dashfire Bitters growing ever-larger in recent months. Lee Egbert is adding new tinctures and bitters faster than we can shake a daiquiri. Here are three of his latest releases for all your autumn imbibing: Orange: The flavor of these new orange bitters are completely different from his bourbon barrel-aged flagship … [ Read more]
Drink a Negroni this weekend for charity
Negroni Week is coming to a close—but you still have a two days to get out and drink some bitter red cocktails for a good cause. Check out the 19 Metro-area restaurants serving Negronis (and their own riffs on the classic gin-Campari-vermouth formula) this week and the charities they’re supporting in the process. A few highlights: Our … [ Read more]
Mix This Now: Brandy cocktail recipes
As part of our look at why brandy seems to be bringing up the rear of the local, small-batch spirits craze, we put together a few cocktail ideas that incorporate the spirit. For starters, a good mixing brandy like Raynal XO ($30) is an able stand-in for whiskey in most cocktails. Heck, even your dusty … [ Read more]
The Lunch Party Download
Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam are not from Minnesota. They are East Coasters, hailing from Pittsburgh (Rico) and Philadelphia (Brendan). They’ve visited the Twin Cities a handful of times. Brendan even lived in St. Paul for a few months, a few years ago. They know their way around the W.A. Frost and St. Paul … [ Read more]
Craft Cocktail: The AKA
Photos by James Eastman We often refer to bitters as the salt and pepper for your cocktails. So let’s add some über-literal seasoning to your cocktails this issue with a batch of black pepper bitters. You’ll want to use quality peppercorns (Penzey’s here in town is a good source, or splurge on the exceptional Tellicherry Black … [ Read more]
Eat This Now! Beef Tartare at Tongue In Cheek
It’s either a surge of joy or pangs of regret. It’s that feeling when you see a plate leave a kitchen destined for another table. You’ve already ordered, and there it goes. It’s so beautiful. Depending on whether or not it’s what you’ve ordered, your night has just taken a turn. That’s why it’s our strategy … [ Read more]
Beer & Wine Cocktails at Lowry Hill Dunn Bros.
When asked if I prefer Starbucks or Caribou, my answer is Dunn Brothers. The difference among the chains, for me as a black coffee drinker, is Dunn Bros. roasting their beans in-house. But as a cocktail drinker, there’s a new difference maker at the Lowry Hill Dunn Bros. Owner Sanjeev Azad has developed a casual bar … [ Read more]
Craft Cocktails: The Boulevardier with Cherry Vanilla Bitters
By Erik Eastman, Easy & Oskey Photos by James Eastman The Negroni has been enjoying a moment of resurgence recently, and with good reason. What’s not to like about the combination of bitter Campari, sweet vermouth, the crisp snap of a quality gin and an orange twist. As the seasons turn, and your football viewing, … [ Read more]