Any extra CASH laying around?

Tequila Herradura, one of the oldest and most respected 100 percent blue agave tequila brands since 1870, announces the launch of its exclusive Buy-the-Barrel program, an exceptional opportunity for tequila connoisseurs to order their very own Herradura Double Barrel Reposado. When bottled, each barrel yields approximately 240 bottles of specially crafted tequila reposado aged for an additional month, ensuring every ounce captures flavors and notes directly drawn from the selected barrels.

Connoisseurs have the option of traveling (at their own expense) to the Hacienda near Guadalajara, Mexico, to select their own Herradura Double Barrel Reposado. Once chosen, the tequila is placed in bottles adorned with personalized labels, including the purchaser’s name, number and bottling date. The barrel itself then is varnished, branded and shipped with a framed certificate of ownership. Price per barrel is approximately $10,000 and the order process takes about 45-60 days.

The all-natural aging process, rooted on 140 years of dedication to the craft and tradition, begins with 100 percent blue Weber agave rested in toasted oak barrels for 11 months, creating Herradura Reposado’s distinct color with a cinnamon and oak aroma that provokes a rich and smooth taste. To enhance this tequila, it is matured for an additional month in a new toasted barrel handmade specifically for this extra aging. This process provides the tequila’s uncommon smoothness and complex flavor notes of cooked agave, dried fruits and sweet brown spice.

“We are proud to introduce Casa Herradura’s first Buy-the-Barrel program, which embraces the tequila aficionado and includes them in our celebrated selection process,” said Mark Bacon, director of Casa Herradura Tequilas in North America. “We felt it was important for us, as a tequila institution, to share the art of making this fine spirit with our valued customers, such as Emmitt Smith. We believe this program provides a great opportunity to partake in an unrivaled experience with our supporters as they select a unique expression of our tequila.”

The Drunkest States in America

Photo by wickenden

 Can YOUR State Hold it's Liquor??
 
 This fall, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) released a comprehensive study of alcohol consumption per capita for every state in the U.S. as of 2007. Essentially, the NIAAA gathered up data on alcohol sales for each state and then divided it by census population numbers, including any person 14 or older (can’t forget all those underage drinkers). The results are broken down into consumption of beer, wine and spirits, so you can learn if people in different states are more likely to be beer guzzlers or wine snobs.

Keep in mind that these numbers are based on alcohol sales in each state, so we can’t say for sure who is drinking what, just what people are buying. The original study listed alcohol consumption in terms of ethanol (or pure alcohol). So we crunched some numbers to get you data in terms you can drop in to cocktail party conversations. Here you’ll find how many gallons of alcohol are consumed by the average person in each state, and how many cans of beer (16 oz.) and bottles of wine (25 oz.) that translates to.

America Gets Its Drink On

In 2007, the average American bought 31.6 gallons of alcoholic beverages. This amount has been rising gradually since the start of the decade, with the biggest growth occurring in the amount of wine and spirits being purchased. In 2000, for example, the average American purchased just more than 12

bottles of wine, while in 2007, they purchased 15 bottles.

Still, the majority of alcohol consumption is from beer. The average Americans bought 26.9 gallons of beer in 2007, which works out to be about 215 cans (if each cans was 16 oz, or one pint).

10 MOST SOBER STATES:

10th Least Drunk State: Ohio

Ohioans may have one of the best party schools in their state and love their college football, but apparently they are better at moderating the amount of alcohol they drink than most other states in the country. Way to go, Ohio. You've got class.

Total Alcohol Consumed: 32.6 gallons per person

Beer: 236 cans per person

Wine: 9.9 bottles per person

Spirits: 1.1 gallons per person 

 

Morning Coffee with a Kicker - Kahlua

     Here I sit at my desk - seeking inspiration for the day.  Ah, to write about liquor and spirits for a living - I am truly blessed!

     Today, it just isn't "hitt'in me," inspiration that is, so I reach for  my morning cup of Joe.  WHAM-O! It hits me!  WRITE ABOUT A COFFEE BASED SPIRIT!

Everyone knows the most famous of these is KAHLUA.  But do you REALLY know Kahlua?

Kahlua is a rich, dark brown coffee liqueur made from the finest Mexican coffee, with fine cane spirits and a hint of vanilla. It also contains sugar,

Make Blood Orange Liquer

 

• 4 large blood oranges
• 1/2 carton of fresh strawberries
• peel and juice of 1/2 meyer lemon
• 6 cardamom seeds
• 3 cups vodka
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cups water

step one: peel blood oranges using a sharp knife, making sure to remove all pith (this will add bitterness to the liqueur).  cut into large chunks place in a large bowl. quarter strawberries and place into bowl with blood oranges.  peel lemon, making sure to avoid including white pith, add peel to bowl and squeeze juice from lemon into bowl as well.

 
 



step two: using a muddler or a large spoon, mash orange, strawberries and peel together, releasing as much juice as possible.

step three: transfer juice and pulp from bowl into an airtight jar or jug.  add cardamom seeds and vodka.  let sit for two weeks, shaking periodically.




step four: after the two weeks are up, strain the mixture using a colander and cheesecloth.


step five: heat sugar and water to create a syrup.  let it cool, then add strained liquid to syrup.
step six:  it will taste great immediately, but it’s best to allow to infuse for another 2-4 weeks before enjoying.

DRINK an Oreo Cookie? Yes you can!

Oreo Cookie Cocktail recipe 

1 oz creme de cacao

1 oz Kahlua Coffee Liquer
1 oz Bailey's® Irish cream
1 splash vodka

Mix the kahlua, creme de cacao, and bailey's in a cocktail shaker full of ice.   Shake vigorously and strain/pour into a martini glass.  Use an oreo cookie as a garnish for the rim.

Cocktails for a Girls Night Out!

Favorite Girls' Night Out Cocktail Drink Recipes

There are a few favorites and crowd pleasers that women prefer. From cosmos like the girls drink on Sex and the City to icy blended drinks or sangrias, try some of the following recipes that will keep everyone happy.

 

White Strawberry Sangria

1 (750ml) bottle of dry white wine (Pinot Grigio, for example)
1/2 cup strawberry schnapps
1/4 cup sugar

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Ice
Whole strawberries
In a 2-quart pitcher stir together wine, stawberry schnapps, and sugar until sugar dissolves. Add sliced strawberries and chill for 1-4 hours. Serve over ice. Garnish with whole strawberries.

More scrumptious recipes after the break.........

Bring'in home the Bacon! Bacon Cocktails?

Unbelievable - but true - you can make your OWN Bacon Flavored Vodka!

Fat Washing Process for Bacon-Infused Liquor

Fat washing process for bacon-infused Vodka

Fat washing is a method used to instill the flavor of a fatty substance, such as bacon or ham, into liquor. The meat is added to liquor and infused for a time, then the liquid is chilled and the fatty portion, which floats to the top, is then removed.  

Alcohol bonds to fat and sugars easily and fat washing is fairly simple. Though keep in mind that low-sodium bacon doesn’t work as well. When executed properly, fat washing leaves behind the taste of the bacon, but doesn’t retain a greasy taste or texture.

Here is a step by step