Spirited Cocktails » Editor’s Notes

Wild Times

Josh — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:47:17 +0000

I’ve had a crazy year. Some may even call that an understatement. It’s been a year packed with radical change, both personal and professional, which has often kept me from my duly appointed drinking rounds. Though let’s be honest: I’ve still managed to sneak in a few cocktails here and there.

I certainly can’t complain. I’m as happy as I’ve ever been, with the small exception of the sadness that comes from the reduced frequency at which I see my friends in the cocktail world. But life is good. And those friendships – for which I am truly grateful – are steadfast, and shall perservere.

So while I haven’t written here nearly as often as I’d like, know that as 2011 comes to a close, all is well, and there’s more to come. I wish you and your families a holiday season filled with health and happiness, prosperity and peace. May we all share a drink in 2012.

Until then, (with Pappy van Winkle 20yr in hand) cheers to you.

-Josh

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Beautiful Combinations: Tequila & Chartreuse

Josh — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:58:16 +0000

I have a confession to make. I don’t love tequila.

I know. “For shame!” you shout. “Blasphemy!” But it’s true. All things being equal, I would always prefer a cocktail with gin, rum or whisky over the agave spirits (which includes mezcal as well…gasp!) It may be that my palette tends more towards the sweet or bitter vs. the savory flavor or smokiness of tequila. Or it may be that many years ago, at my 22nd birthday bash, a kind benefactor started buying my friends and I shots of tequila to celebrate (no doubt the best brand available at our college-town dive bar), and I ended the night sicker than I had ever been (or since).

So maybe my dislike isn’t fair. Of course I know that there are far superior brands than the one that ruined the day after my 22nd birthday. In my defense, I’ve been working to break myself of this dislike, and I’ve found a terrific way to easy myself back in. The beautiful combination that is tequila and green chartreuse.

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The Way to Go

Josh — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:15:50 +0000

Last night, I joined hundreds of Ray Deter’s friends and fans, along with his family, to pay tribute to Ray with a New Orleans-style Second Line march. (Deter died on July 3rd after a bicycle accident.) Musicians from New York and New Orleans led the gathered crowd from d.b.a., on First Avenue and Second St, around the block past Marble Cemetery where Ray will be laid to rest, then through the East Village to 6th St. between Avenue B & Avenue C, where Ray lived.

I took a moment to capture just a short piece of video, to give you a sense of the atmosphere of the occasion:

It was easily the most touching send off I have ever experienced. It surpassed the cliche, and truly was a celebration of Ray’s life. I wish this tradition existed more often outside of New Orleans. In my mind, it’s the way to go.

Many gathered back at d.b.a. after the march to toast Ray’s memory. Good beer was free flowing, as I’m sure Ray would have liked it. EV Grieve has more photos of the gathering.

Cheers,
Josh

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A Toast to Ray

Josh — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:56:47 +0000

I’d like to take a moment to remember Ray Deter, owner of the famed beer and whisky bar d.b.a. here in New York and in New Orleans. Ray passed away this past Sunday, July 3rd, as a result of injuries he sustained in a bicycle accident last week.

I wasn’t around when d.b.a. burst onto the scene in New York in the 90′s, but by all accounts, Ray – and his partner Dennis – in many ways transformed drinking in New York. They were pioneers in helping to introduce the craft of beer (and later whisky) to a city that had been languishing in mass-produced malted water for far too long.

I came to really know d.b.a. much later, through my good friend Simon Glenn, who hosts Tchoup Shop – a pop-up New Orleans barbecue in the backyard of d.b.a brooklyn every Sunday during the summer. I went to d.b.a. for the good food and friends, but found a wonderful community of people, and a new appreciation for truly good beer. I’m grateful for both.
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We’ve Got a New Look

Josh — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:40:06 +0000

You may have noticed that we have a new look. (Though if you’re reading this by RSS or e-mail, maybe not. Click here.)

After over two years of writing Spirited Cocktails (granted, somewhat intermittently), and having created the site on my own from a canned template, I thought it was about time for a more professional look that was in line with what we do. I turned to the expert guidance and skill of Orion Harbour of FromNoise, who masterfully crafted what can only be described as a complete identity for Spirited Cocktails. I think he’s done a damned fine job.

Let us know what you think of the new look. Questions, comments, tirades, etc. all welcome.

Cheers,
Josh

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The Fight Over Painkiller

Josh — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:20:31 +0000

A few weeks ago, during the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, I told you about my visit to Painkiller. After only a year in business, this Lower East Side tiki bar has become an instant classic, and a favorite among bartenders and cocktailians around the country, myself included.

Well, as you may have seen on Twitter or Facebook yesterday, Painkiller has found themselves in a legal dispute over their name. Pusser’s Rum, a brand based in the British Virgin Islands, claims a trademark to the name Painkiller, and filed suit in federal court against the bar’s owners claiming irreparable harm to its brand, unfair competition and unfair business practices. You can read all about it via The LoDown or Robert Simonson.

The result: Painkiller’s owners – Giuseppe Gonzalez and Richard Boccato – have agreed, according to The LoDown:
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Interlude: The Emotional Impact of a Manhattan

Josh — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:40:31 +0000

Editor’s Note: I meant for my next post to be a wrap-up of my time at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic with a recap of the British Invasion event at Eleven Madison Park. I promise – that’ll come next. First, I wanted to share this long-overdue story, as it was relayed to me by my good friend Michael this past holiday season. Michael and I worked together years ago, and have stayed in touch via Facebook, talking mostly about food, drink and guitars (mutual interests, all). I found Mike’s story to be a very touching tribute, and a commentary on the emotional energy that can be unleashed by taking a drink in your hand and raising it to one we love, so I wanted to share it with all of you.

As told to me via e-mail by Michael Feuda, December 24, 2010:

Growing up, I have vivid memories of my Dad and Uncle Al (twin brothers) mixing up Manhattans every Thanksgiving and Christmas. My sister and I were always curiously drawn to watching them, mainly because of the little jar of maraschino cherries. I remember my Uncle poking one with the little plastic buccaneer’s sword, and handing it to me, only to roll in laughter as my sister or I tried it; watching our faces as the bourbon-soaked cherry burned going down our throats. I also remember thinking to myself, “How could anyone ever drink that? It tastes horrible.”
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Heading to San Francisco

Josh — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:51:10 +0000

In yet another attempt at increasing the frequency with which I post, I’m trying to lower the gate a bit for posting, not requiring myself to have an entire recipe or review, but allowing myself to just post thoughts or random missives (which I generally restrict to Twitter). I’m hoping it keeps things here a bit more consistent, and makes it easier for me to write a bit more frequently.
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Kansas City Cocktails: The Rieger Hotel and the Resurrection of Manifesto

Josh — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 19:13:54 +0000

As a cocktail enthusiast, I feel very lucky to live in a city like New York. New York and San Francisco (along with a few other cities like Portland and Seattle) have certainly led the modern cocktail revolution, and having regular access to bars like Milk & Honey, Death & Co., Clover Club and so on can easily lead one to take high-quality cocktails for granted, and perhaps even (unfairly) doubt the ability of other cities to hit the mark in terms of quality and creativity.

But I do love being proven wrong.

On a recent trip to Kansas City, I had the privilege of meeting Ryan Maybee. When I reached out to Brandon Cummins of the Lush Life team, a native of the Kansas City area, for suggestions on where I should visit while in town, Brandon assured me that Ryan was the guy to see. I found Ryan behind the bar at The American restaurant – a fixture of Kansas City dining, but not really where Ryan belongs. Over a Ward & Precinct cocktail he prepared (bourbon, housemade grenadine, lemon and orange juice, and Angostura bitters), Ryan told me the story of Manifesto.
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A Visit to Maker’s Mark

Josh — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:45:49 +0000

Recently, I had the privilege to visit the Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, KY. In this post, I’d like to share my experience, what I saw, what I learned, and what I tasted. In the interest of full disclosure though, I’d like to tell you right up front that the folks at Maker’s Mark did pay for the travel expenses for my visit (my airfare and hotel for one night). I was not financially compensated in any other way.

With that out of the way, I hope you’ll indulge me. I’m about to geek out about whisky.

If you’ve never been to a whisky distillery, stop what you’re doing (well, finish reading this post, then stop what you’re doing) and book a trip. The greatest concentration of distilleries in the US is in Kentucky, along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The process of making whisky is fascinating, and while not everyone enjoys it the way I do, I find the smell of a distillery intoxicating (even before I’ve had anything to drink!)
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