Out & About: Upcoming Events

• Friday, July 24: Today is National Tequila Day! Mad Dog & Beans in the Financial District is handing out the agave spirit for free if you RSVP here, although if you have the dough, also check out Mayahuel for well-made tequila and mezcal cocktails.
• Sunday, July 26: In celebration of July Good Beer Month, Bike to the Bars encourages cyclists to roll together from one crafty beer bar to the next. Meet at d.b.a. Brooklyn at 2 p.m.
• Sunday, July 26: ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, an epically melodic Texas band, performs on the Williamsburg waterfront. Show starts at 2 p.m. with Black Lips, HEALTH, and Grupo Fantasma, at East River State Park, 90 Kent Ave. (at N. 8th St.) Free.
• Sunday, July 26: 3rd Ward is turning 200 pounds of hog into pork tacos for all at its 2nd Annual Pig Roast and Dance Party. A $9 plate will get you two tacos and two sides, and there will be drink specials at well. The event goes from 4 to 9 p.m. at 195 Morgan Ave., Bushwick. RSVP events@3rdward.com

Dizzy Recap: Rosangel Throwdown

Earlier this week I attended a cocktail competition put on by Gran Centenario for their latest product, Rosangel, a hibiscus-infused reposado tequila. Held at Kingswood downstairs in the West Village, the throwdown attracted a packed crowd while eight or nine bartenders battled for cash prizes. In between contestants, Kingswood's house bartenders handed out Rosangel concoctions such as lavender margaritas. Subtly sweet and floral, the Rosangel posed a complex challenge to the competing bartenders, who were allowed to bring their own special ingredients. Each had four minutes to prepare at least two drinks, one to give to the thirsty audience and one to present to the half-dozen judges. It was a more-than-pleasant surprise when Ben Clemons of 33 Libations was awarded first place for his salsa-inspired cocktail featuring Rosangel, muddled watermelon, elderflower and hibiscus tea-infused agave syrup, cilantro, lime juice, and serrano chiles. He inverted a lime wedge to float in the cocktail with an additional shot of Rosangel, a move that seemed to impress the crowd. Second place went to Allan Katz, beverage director of Fatty Crab, who mixed Rosangel with Meyer lemon juice, pomegranate brandy, apricot syrup, a Thai chile-absinthe tincture, and a chile sugar-salt rim. Paolo Votano of On The Rocks NYC came in third with Rosangel and muddled red grapes, ginger and cardamom-infused agavey syrup, cinnamon liqueur, elderflower liqueur, and topped with Veuve Cliquot. The judges had such a hard time deciding that they also awarded a fourth-place prize to Zach Sharaga, owner of Louis 649, who mixed ruby red grapefruit juice, honey syrup, egg white, and sage with Rosangel, garnishing the drink with Peychaud's bitters and a sage leaf. I really don't envy the judges at these sort of things since there were so many delicious drinks to choose from. Other competitors included Jason Littrell of The Randolph, Liz Green of Bar Candy, Javier Rey of La Zarza, and Hal Wolin of A Muddled Thought. If I didn't catch your name, my apologies, I blame it on the tequila.

Introducing: The Manhattan Cocktail Classic

"The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind."--Humphrey Bogart

Positive repercussions from Tales are already spilling over as New York cocktail enthusiasts rejoice over today's launch of The Manhattan Cocktail Classic. Spearheaded by Lesley Townsend (formerly of Astor Center), the event is officially planned for May to coincide with World Cocktail Week, but a preview event will be held Oct. 3-4 as well. Historical seminars, tastings, and parties are planned, and expected participants include the city's top cocktail and culinary talent. The announcement was quickly snatched up by the Diner's Journal in The New York Times, so it's clear this event will garner the attention it deserves. The idea of New York hosting its own cocktail fete apart from the ill-fitted New York Bar Show is really exciting!

Dizzy Recap: Tanteo Celebrates Mexican Art

Last week, Tanteo Tequila held an event at Milk Studios in Chelsea to announce the winners of its Mexican-inspired art competition as well as educate drinkers about the brand. Tanteo, founded by former financier Jonathan Rojewski in 2006, offers three varities of infused tequila: jalapeno, tropical, and chocolate.

Before I made my way to the bar, I was taken aback by the stunning views that the eighth floor of Milk Studios offers. The sun was close to setting over a picturesque Hudson River, people were milling about on the Highline below, and I could even see into the hot pink salon of Diane Von Furstenberg's penthouse. I decided to start with a tasting led by Rojewski. He said after spending several years traveling and surfing in Mexico, he wanted to indulge his culinary passion with an artisan tequila. It took him a year and a half to perfect the flavors, infusing 100 percent agave blanco tequila with raw, natural ingredients.

On its own, I found the tropical version (mango, pineapple, and guanabana) best suited for sipping straight. I could imagine drinking it with ice and a splash of soda water. The fruit flavors were authentic, and there was just a slight hint of jalapeno. Rojewski said the recipe was based on the fruit sold at traditional Mexican carts, which is often sprinkled with chili powder or sliced jalapenoes. The other two flavors, jalapeno and chocolate, worked better in mixed drinks, in my opinion. The jalapeno worked especially well in a margarita that was served, providing just the right bite to balance the lime and agave flavors. The chocolate flavor is not as sweet as you would think—it's inspired by mole sauce and has more of a raw cocoa taste, making it appropriate in a dessert cocktail.

Speakeasy Cocktail Consultants worked the bar while La Esquina provided nibbles. Artwork by Michael Pribich, Martha Clippinger, and Doraelia Ruiz stirred conversation, and each artist was awarded $500. Guests were rewarded too, with stylish Tanteo tote bags filled with t-shirts, flash drives, and Tanteo minis in each flavor. I think a lot of people left this event with a great impression of this emerging brand, and hopefully, of Mexican culture as well.

Dizzy Recap: The New York Bar Show

If you ever wanted proof of the clash between the crafty cocktail world and the superficial land of clubdom, it was at last week's New York Bar Show, an annual food and beverage trade show. Nonetheless, buzzing through aisles of drink samples and girls in bikinis at Jacob Javits Convention Center certainly isn't the worst way to spend an afternoon. I had hopes of bringing you some news of hot-off-the-presses, must-try spirits or fancy bar gadgets, but alas, I really didn't learn anything new. What I did absorb (besides several sippy cups of tequila, gin, pisco, absinthe, beer, and vodka) is that the mixology side of the bar business has a long way to go to educate mainstream consumers that it's worthy of as much attention as the pretty girls who pour your shots. Leading the cocktail teach-in at the Bar Show was the non-stop presentation by the New York chapter of the U.S. Bartender's Guild. When I strolled by, I found mixologist (and talented photographer) Elba S. Giron mixing the Joie de Veev cocktail, of all things, while mixologists Jonathan Pogash and Jason Littrell handed out information and chatted with passersby. Other highlights included: Mekhong Spirit of Thailand cocktails, Pisco Sours with Gran Sierpe, and Daiquiris with Don Q Rum courtesy of James Menite of Porter House. Workshop sessions (which I didn't attend) featured mixologists such as Gary Regan, Charlotte Voisey, Junior Merino, Tad Carducci, Brian Van Flandern, and Martin Miller's brand ambassador Jon Santer. Entertainment came in the form of ice luges, beer pong, Hustlers Club girls, and an inflatable bull (which was just for display, I think). Whether or not this show was the right place to spread the good word of fresh-ingredient cocktails or not, props must be given to the USBGNY for putting in the effort. I would love to see more of a cocktail culture presence next year, or perhaps a separate event will emerge. Check out this video of Jason Littrell at the Bar Show making a Southside using Bols Genever.

Out & About: Upcoming Events

 

• Tuesday, June 9: Museum Mile, 6 to 9 p.m., Fifth Ave. between 82nd St. & 105th St. This year's 31st annual festival kicks off on the steps of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum with an opening ceremony at 5:45 p.m. at 89th St. & 5th Ave. Free.
• Tuesday, June 9: Yamazaki Single Malt tasting from 7 to 9 p.m. at Louis 649, 649 9th St. Grand Ambassador Gardner Dunn will be pouring the 12 year, 18 year, and a special rare bottling not yet available. Free.
• Thursday, June 11: Happy Hour from 5 to 6 p.m. at Hudson Terrace, 621 W. 46th St. Free well drinks, Bud, and Bud Light. Hosted by Metromix every Thursday this month, rsvp to metromix@hudsonterracenyc.com before 3 p.m. the day of. Free.
• Sunday, June 14 & Monday, June 15: The New York Bar Show, from noon to 6 p.m. both days at Jacob Javits Center, 38th St. & 11th Ave. More than 300 bar, nightclub, wine, and spirit exhibitors, as well as flair bartenders, cocktail contests, and demos by top mixologists will be on view. Tickets are $40 for the exhibition; $100 to attend world-class seminars.  
• The Highline is open!
• Also, if you were curious as to what went down at the Jazz Age Lawn Party (sadly, I didn't make it), Metromix has a stunning photo gallery of all the lovely vintage garb--sartorialists, indeed!

File Under: Sipping & Swinging

Dizzy Recap: Veev Taste, Test, Tally

"Work is the curse of the drinking class."--Oscar Wilde

I just started a new day job, so it's taken me a bit longer to post updates here than I would like, but the good news is, I will be able to afford more drinks now. In the meantime, I'll keep covering all of the events I don't necessarily have to pay for, like last week's Veev tasting at Delicatessen. I brought a couple of friends to the atrium lounge at Deli, which made for a lovely after-work setting with its wraparound green leather sofa and abstract mural. Four different cocktails were passed around for a popular vote on which gets to be on Deli's menu for the month: Order of the Amazon, Brazilian Elixir, Toast of the Amazon, and, the winner, Joie de Veev (Veev, muddled ginger, orange liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup). The cocktails all provided that "summer cooler" taste without being overly sweet, and the added antioxidants somehow took the guilt out of imbibing. Naturally, the brown paper gift bags handed out were filled with eco-goodies such as a mini of Veev, biodegradable plates by VerTerra, and all-natural PopChips. If you swing through Deli this month, be sure to check out the Joie de Veev:

1 1/2 oz. Veev

3/4 oz. orange liqueur

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

3/4 oz. simple syrup

1 large slice of ginger, diced

crystallized ginger, for garnish

Muddle the ginger and simple syrup in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add Veev, orange liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and shake well with ice. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with crystallized ginger.

File Under: Sipping & Swinging

This recession is causing many of us to make touch choices, and unfortunately, that often means less money is patronizing the arts these days. One way to raise money for a good cause is to throw a damn good party--after all, who doesn't want to take their mind off this economy? This Sunday night (May 24), if you have $30 to spare and you're in the city for the holiday, you should make a hop, skip, and jump over to the Dreamland Gala fundraiser in Carroll Gardens. Starting at 9 p.m., Michael Arenella and his 12-piece Dreamland Orchestra will perform during this speakeasy-themed night of music, dancing, cocktails, and treats. Don your best Roaring Twenties getup, sip from an open bar with top mixologists courtesy of Hendrick's Gin and D.O.C. wine shop, and nibble complimentary gourmet charcuterie from Stinky Brooklyn. Oh, and should you have the luxury of a few more dollars to spare, there will be a silent auction featuring delights such as vintage items, cigars, and custom hats. All of the money raised will go toward the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island June 6-7, which will feature daylong jazz performances for a mere $5 admission.

Dreamland Gala, 9 p.m. Sunday at The Green Building, 450 Union St., Brooklyn.

Dizzy Recap: World Cocktail Day

Between birthdays and my first road race, it's taken me a hot minute to recap last week's World Cocktail Day fundraiser at Pranna, and I think my liver's still quaking. About 20 star mixologists and hundreds of thirsty followers celebrated the grand bittered sling in style. Invitees were ensured a dandy buzz as teams of five bottle-rockers served drinks each hour of the event. Some planned ahead and brought their own syrups, while others mixed drinks impromptu.

Here's a rundown of the tipples I tasted: Gary Regan's Plymouth Pull (Plymouth Gin, Gran Marnier, Navan Vanilla Cognac, Angostura bitters), Simon Ford's blueberry cocktail (Plymouth Gin, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, muddled blueberries, lemon juice, simple syrup, sparkling sake), Jason Kosmas' Tom Collins (Plymouth Gin, lemon juice, aloe juice, simple syrup, soda water), John Lermayer's gin cocktail (Plymouth gin, muddled cucumber, ginger juice, lemongrass syrup, lime juice), Leo DeGroff's Jezebel (muddled strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, Sagatiba cachaca, lemongrass syrup, honey, lime juice), Erin Williams' Cointreau Cup (Cointreau, muddled mint, cucumber and strawberries, Hendrick's gin, lime juice), Charlotte Voisey's Hendrick's Smash (Hendrick's Gin, Angostura bitters, mint, agave nectar, lime juice), Aisha Sharpe's tequila cocktail (El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, muddled pink peppercorns, Navan Vanilla Cognac, grapefruit juice, lemon juice), Misty Kalkofen's Tap Treasure (El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, maple syrup, Navan Vanilla Cognac, Angostura bitters, lemon juice), Julie Reiner's Clover Club (Hendrick's Gin, homemade raspberry syrup, dry vermouth, egg white, lemon juice), Audrey Saunder's Plymouth Mojito (Plymouth Gin, muddled mint, simple syrup, Pernod), Dale DeGroff's louched Pernod Absinthe, David Wondrich's adapted Old Fashioned (made with choice of Hennessy Black or 10 Cane Rum, Angostura bitters, dash simple syrup, lemon twist), Allen Katz's whiskey cocktail (Yamazaki 12 Year Single Malt, Domaine de Canton, Gary Regan's Orange Bitters, simple syrup, lime juice, sparkling sake), Gardner Dunn's whiskey cocktail (Yamazaki 12 Year Single Malt, tamarind syrup, agave nectar, lemon juice, ginger ale), Naren Young's Pisco Punch (Pisco, pineapple gum syrup, lime juice, lemon juice), and several others, including drinks by Ben Clemons, Andy Seymour, and Jamie Gordon, although my notes got a little illegible at that point. It was a fantastic evening in honor of the artistry and talent responsible for the cocktail renaissance. Check out my Flickr page for more photos by Bobbi Misick.

Dizzy Recap: Hendrick's Croquet Tourney

Props must be given to Metromix for their thorough coverage of Tuesday's 2nd Annual Hendrick's Gin Croquet Tournament, which invited top bartenders to compete on a pristine lawn in the Financial District while donning whimsical vintage sportswear. I wasn't there, but Ben and Gardner were, although they were pretty tired from celebrating Ben's birthday the night before. Even so, gin cocktails were had (all in a hard day's work), as were cucumber sandwiches. Congrats to the team from Macao for coming in first place. It's great to see a mainstream site like Metromix digging into the cocktail niche, and they also had a photographer at last night's World Cocktail Day fundraiser, which I will be recapping here as well, as soon as my headache clears and the photos are ready. 

File Under: Sipping & Swinging

If you're looking for an alternative to a sweaty, packed happy hour where you spend more time trying to get the bartender's attention than actually enjoying your drink, mix up your routine with the Night Time jazz and cocktail event at The Night Hotel every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. through June 2. Crooner Marcus Goldhaber and the Jon Davis Trio, featuring: Jon Davis (piano), Pat O'Leary (bass), and Willard Dyson (drums) perform syncopated standards along the lines of Frank Sinatra that will transport you a world away from the bustle of the Theater District. I was there with a friend last week, and we both agreed that the hotel lounge's black-and-white setting paired with the jazz would make for a great date. The cocktail menu is more of the sweet, clubby variety (Sparkling White Grape Cosmo, Chocolate Truffletini), but I had the Citrus-Berry Mojito (Barcardi Limon, fresh raspberries, mint) and was happily sipping away. The performance was stirring and nostalgic, and it was refreshing to see musicians so comfortable in their element.