Rosé wine is a versatile and refreshing choice of wine that deserves a spotlight. This delightful wine dances the line between the robustness of red and the crispness of white wine, giving us the best of both worlds. Its charm lies in its diversity, as it comes in a range of hues and flavors, from subtly dry to deliciously sweet. The journey of Rosé starts in the vineyard. Winemakers carefully select red grapes, often Grenache, Syrah, or Pinot Noir. They then crush these grapes and let the skins mingle with the juice for a short time, imparting a blush
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate and appreciate the mothers in our lives. While flowers and chocolates are traditional gifts, why not surprise her with a bottle of fine wine? Here are the top three wines to make her day extra special. First on our list is the Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label. This outstanding champagne from the renowned French vineyards is the perfect toast to Mother’s Day. An elegant blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, it offers a bouquet of white fruits, vanilla, and brioche. On the palate, it reveals a harmonious balance of complexity
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is not considered a major holiday in Mexico, however, the day has evolved into a significant cultural event in the United States. It has become a popular occasion for celebrating Mexican-American heritage, often involving lively festivities and traditional Mexican cuisine. The story behind Cinco de Mayo dates back to the mid-19th century when Mexico faced heavy debt with European countries. In response, France, led by Emperor Napoleon III, sought to establish a French empire in the Americas and
Wine cocktails have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. These drinks are a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy wine, with a variety of flavors and styles to suit every taste. Let’s take a closer look at wine cocktails and some of the latest trends in this exciting and growing category of drinks. Mixologists combine wine with spirits, juices, or fruits to create wine cocktails, which can be enjoyed as an aperitif, a digestif, or as a refreshing beverage on a hot day. While any type of wine can be used to make
Argentina proudly boasts its position as the leading producer of world-renowned Malbec wines. Originating in France, the Malbec grape found its true home in Argentina, where it flourishes in the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza, Salta and San Juan. The unique terroir and ideal climate lend Argentinian Malbecs their distinctive characteristics. Deep purple in color, Argentinian Malbecs tantalize the palate with a rich, full-bodied profile. Aromas of ripe black fruits, such as blackberries and plums, intermingle with notes of vanilla, and chocolate creating an unforgettable sensory experience. Moderate acidity and velvety tannins contribute to the wine’s smooth, balanced finish. Malbec
Argentina, the fifth-largest wine producer in the world, offers a rich and diverse range of wines that reflect the country’s unique terroir, traditions, and innovative winemaking techniques. Blessed with a variety of microclimates and altitudes, Argentina’s wine regions span from the sun-soaked plains of Mendoza to the high-altitude vineyards of Salta. Malbec is Argentina’s flagship grape and it reigns supreme, producing full-bodied, fruit-forward wines with flavors of ripe black fruits, chocolate, and vanilla. The country’s wine portfolio extends beyond Malbec, showcasing other noteworthy varietals such as Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and the aromatic white grape Torrontés. Mendoza
Setting up a home bar can be a fun and exciting project for anyone who enjoys entertaining guests or simply wants to create a space to unwind and relax after a long day. Here are some tips to help you get started on setting up your own home bar. Firstly, determine the space where you want to set up your bar. It could be a corner of your living room, a spare room, or even an outdoor area if you have one. Once you have decided on the location, measure the space and plan out the layout of your
The Espresso Martini is a classic cocktail that has been gaining popularity in recent years, thanks to its unique blend of caffeine and alcohol. This tasty beverage is perfect for anyone who wants a little pick-me-up while enjoying a delicious cocktail. Here’s everything you need to know about the espresso martini, including a recipe for you to try at home. To make an Espresso Martini, you will need the following ingredients: To start, brew a shot of espresso and set it aside to cool. Fill a shaker with ice and add the vodka and Kahlua. Once the espresso has
The Negroni, a simple yet sophisticated classic cocktail, has been around for over a century and continues to grow in popularity with each passing year. It is a perfect example of a cocktail that has stood the test of time. The Negroni consists of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Bartenders typically serve it on the rocks, garnished with an orange peel. The cocktail has a strong, bitter flavor profile, which may not be to everyone’s liking, but for those who enjoy a bitter cocktail, this is a perfect choice. Count Camillo Negroni, a regular at the Caffe
The Aperol Spritz is a popular Italian cocktail that has gained worldwide fame in recent years. We can trace the origins of the cocktail back to the early 19th century, when the Austro-Hungarian Empire ruled over parts of northern Italy, including the region of Veneto where it was first created. It was in the early 20th century that the cocktail really began to take shape. Inspired by a popular French aperitif that they aimed to adapt with a distinctly Italian flavor, the Barbieri brother, Luigi and Silvio creat Aperol, a bitter orange liquer, in 1919. The original recipe for
The Bourbon Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail with a rich history that dates back over 200 years. It originated in Louisville, Kentucky, a bustling center of commerce and trade in the early 19th century. The cocktail was created to showcase the local spirit, bourbon, which was gaining popularity among American drinkers. The first recorded mention of the Old Fashioned cocktail was in 1806, in The Balance and Columbian Repository, a newspaper of the time. The recipe called for a mix of sugar, water, bitters, and spirits, which could be either brandy or whiskey. As the cocktail evolved over
My first batch of homemade Limoncello was about 20 years ago. I had a grand plan to bottle it up for Christmas gifts for friends and family with my own private label. Unfortunately, the Limoncello was awful. Truly undrinkable. Recently, through the magic of Flipboard, I came across on article at The Spruce Eats talking about the joys of Italian Liqueurs and how to make several of them. Having made terrible Limoncello before, I decided to try again. The article shared a recipe for homemade Limoncello that I used as the basis for the batch that recently went into
We are expanding. Fancy a Drink is now available as Roku channel. We can be found three ways. On your Roku device by searching “FancyaDrink” Online at the Roku channel store by searching “FancyaDrink” You can download the channel to your Roku account from the web at: https://my.roku.com/account/add/FancyaDrink Please let us know what you think. It is a work in progress and we will be adding more “how to make cocktails” videos soon.
Update: New Cocktail added Today (8/7) – The Negroni Being sheltered in place or simply staying at home can be difficult, it can be boring and it can be repetitive, however, it is good for our collective well being. The Three Bottle Cocktails Series aims to upend the boring and ease the difficulty just a bit. Since it is good for our mental health to laugh and carry on a bit, let’s have some fun. A great way to do so is to enjoy an evening cocktail. Being shut in as we are, however, may mean that we are
Made by Alta Winery in Napa, California, “Oso Malo” Cabernet Sauvignon is an exquisite red wine. The Alta Vineyard sits on Atlas Peak at 1,7000 feet in elevation. Typically, more direct sunlight and more extreme temperature changes grapes impact the grapes grown at higher elevations. The fruits’ thicker skin, which leads to stronger tannins and higher color concentration is a result of this direct sunlight and temperature swings. “Oslo Malo’s” deep rich, purple color and bold flavor represents this grape growth pattern well. The tastes of of oak, bittersweet dark chocolate and black cherries are the most noteworthy aspects
At its core, the Manhattan is a spirit forward cocktail based on Rye, Bourbon or Whiskey. We at Fancy A Drink are big fans of this cocktail anytime fo year. Enjoy one of these recipes: >>Manhattan >>Black Manhattan And be sure to watch the Fancy A Drink step-by-step video on how to make one at home.
The Clementine Whiskey Sour is a radical take on the classic Whiskey Sour. The Whiskey Sour is simple, delicious, balanced. It is also very versatile in that we can mix up the ingredients to form something unique or seasonal. The basics of the Sour are spirit (whiskey), sugar (simple syrup) and citrus (lime or lemon typically). The Clementine Whiskey Sour takes the straightforward Whiskey Sour a step further and adds in a seasonal citrus. In this case, the clementine. If you are a fan of more spirit-forward cocktails, then keep the clementine to one per drink. If you like
The Grave Digger is an excellent Bourbon based winter cocktail when it is cold outside and warm inside. This version of the Grave Digger uses Bourbon as the base spirit and red wine as the secondary alcohol. We have mixed up slight variations of this using Rye in place of Bourbon and even hard cider in place of the red wine. Have fun, mix and match the ingredients but most importantly, enjoy the cocktail and stay warm. Find the recipe here.
Start the weekend off right with a Colonial Gimlet. My grandmother wrote this recipe down for my grandfather in the 1980s. As a result, I’m certain he took this hint and made that exact cocktail for her. The note has survived time and recently made its way to us here at Fancy A Drink and we now bring you both the photograph and recipe. The recipe can be found here and we hope you enjoy it. We will be making our Colonial Gimlet with BUMBU (The Original) Rum.
Fancy A Drink has launched our wine section. We will be reviewing wines, introducing you to new wine regions and even offering you wine through our partners. Stay tuned for the first posts coming soon.
With it being 15 years or so since Prohibition ended and the end of WWII was near, Gin was all the rage in the ’40s. Here we present two classic 3 Bottle Cocktails from that time: the Gin Fizz and the Gin Sour. Simple ingredients: Gin, Simple Syrup, Lemon, Bitters. That’s it. Enjoy and let us know what you think. All photos taken by the author from the book, 3 Bottle Bar by H.i. Williams. 1943
Instead of celebrating one fun day in May; an opportunity to enjoy several Margaritas perhaps, we propose that we make May, Margarita de Mayo. In this way we have an opportunity to enjoy this rich, flavorful and diverse beverage all month. We suggest the Classic Margarita made up of Tequila, Lime and Triple Sec or going with the Mezcal Margarita or the Paloma. All wonderful and definitely each worth their own day or week in Margarita de Mayo. And yes, we have suggested this before. We hope that by continuing to advocate for a monthly celebration, it will happen.
This is now a thing. This week is a Mezcal Margarita as we have discussed before here at Fancy A Drink? Next week, perhaps a Mezcal Sour? You can also follow us on Instagram. Here is your Mezcal Monday recipe.
We have hyped the Corpse Reviver #2 a lot here at Fancy A Drink as it is definite favorite. That said, any ghoulish cocktail to keep you warm on this Hallow’s Eve will do this morning. We recommend you try both the Sazerac and the Negroni. Enjoy and Happy Halloween.
Oktoberfest in Munich ran from September 22 to October 7 and, while the festivities have been over for a while there, many of its related American celebrations are still going strong through next weekend. The festivities in the US feature some similarities and many differences. The Oktoberfest beer, which is a Märzen/Festbier style, can be found in both Munich and the US. Naturally, beers such as Bud Light and Coors Light, which are available at many US celebrations, are not on the beer menus in Munich. The Festbiers that are seasonally available in the Fall in Munich, and quickly
Fall has officially, definitely arrived in most parts of the country. And with the seasonal change, comes our annual migration from Beer, Rosé, White Wine and Vodka spritzes to the base spirits such as Whisky, Tequila, Gin and Mezcal. Today, let’s talk about Whisky and why blended is best and how to pair Bourdon with food. Enjoy!
We here at Fancy A Drink are big fans of Italian Liqueurs; specifically Amaro Averna, Campari, Cocchi Americano, Aperol and Fernet-Branca. As we are heading into the weekend, we thought we would highlight some of our staff’s favorite cocktails made with these Italian beauties. Interestingly, with the exception of Averna, each of these Liqueurs here was created and first consumed in Northern Italy, approximately four hours from one another in Novara, Asti, Padua and Milan. Averna was developed at the complete other end of Italy, on the island of Sicily. Amaro Averna was invented in 1868 on the island
During Prohibition, good Gin was hard to come by. Americans, ever the entrepreneurs, distilled Gin in their own bathtubs. It was not necessarily very good but it was good enough with a bit of lemon thrown in to revive the corpse when necessary. This is the origin story for the Corpse Reviver #2. Enjoy this before your Saturday evening dinner or Friday evening cocktail at home after a productive week. Salud! Find the recipe here.
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the US dating back to the late 19th century. While today it is considered the unofficial end to the summer, it originally was made a holiday to celebrate and recognize the contributions of workers, laborers, to the prosperity and strength of the United States. As we get together with friends and family this weekend to enjoy one last summer bbq, let’s raise a class to ourselves and our ancestors for the long hours and effort everyone has put forth to make this country great. In honor of this day, we here at
August 10 is Skyscraper Appreciation Day To celebrate, we’ll give you a drink called the Skyscraper, but if you’re thinking of the tall Manhattan by that name, we’re throwing you a curve ball. We’ve already covered the Manhattan and several bourbon drinks, so it’s time to mix it up. Too much? You can shake this drink. First, here are a few notable skyscrapers for you to celebrate. The world’s first skyscraper was the ten story Home Insurance Building in Chicago, which was built in 1885. This building is not tall by today’s standards, but it changed the way cities
Many of us have done it. If you’re young and ready to party and someone shows up with booze, we drank it. This decision invariably did not end well. Whether it was doing something ill advised or just feeling lousy the next day, the choices of drink did not yield positive results. At some point, it is time to mature your drinking tastes and habits. We here at Fancy A Drink believe 25 is a great age to start. So, here’s a short list of drinks to skip once you’re north of 25. Everclear. It’s not common for someone
The Summer Ale Spritz cocktail was created by Rael Petit in the Hollywood Hills. The master mixologist is originally from Switzerland and is renowned for his work in New York City. The story of how Petit ended up in the Hollywood Hills to create this drink is unclear as he works at Delilah in New York City. There is also a West Hollywood location so it is impressive to think he may have just been on vacation at his bar’s LA location and he was still creating new drinks. This beer cocktail brings together the lemon and wheat flavor
Fourth of July drinks for guests…and hosts…to enjoy The Fourth of July is this Wednesday. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the United States, we remember hosting parties on this date in past years and spending a lot of time behind our own bar making drinks for guests. Hosting is a lot of work and you usually miss out on at least some fireworks and fun. To help our readers who are hosting Fourth of July parties this year, we want to share a simple, delicious punch recipe so you can step away from the bar and
A lot of us had an experience with tequila in our young lives that may have happened to steer us away from it. Tequila is not to be shied away from just because of a bad night in high school or college. The right tequila can be sublime. It’s very nice to sip with a decent sized block of ice in a glass. Don Julio Blanco and Don Julio Reposado are not very pricey and they are tasty, just by themselves. Lime is a decent addition to cut it just the right amount. Margaritas are also a very popular
Happy Summer Solstice! Today is one of the longest days of the year. Summer is officially here. Get out and enjoy the pleasant weather, but don’t forget to celebrate the season with a nice, refreshing cocktail. To get the Summer started off right, we’re going with a delicious spin on the Mojito. The classic Mojito was created in Havana, Cuba, though some cocktail historians say the Mojito is derived from a 16th century drink known as “El Draque”, named after Sir Francis Drake. One theory behind the name Mojito is holds that name is related to “mojo”, a Cuban
June 19 is National Martini Day. The history of the drink goes back to Manhattan. Forget about James Bond for a moment. Picture yourself walking in to a Manhattan Club. Even if you’ve never been in New York City, you are sharply dressed. The bartender notices you. You want a cocktail. Have a Martini, it is National Martini Day after all. The Martini is steeped in controversy. It might be with gin and vermouth. It might be with vodka and vermouth. The history is not quite as clear as you might find with the bourbon or whiskey drinks, that
Have a beer this weekend. Weissbier is the best for Summer. If you happen to be in the Munich area, go to Andechs. It’s a Benedictine monastery where they’ve brewed their own beer since 1455. If you’re there, don’t get a mass (1 liter) because there are quite a few beers to try. Their Weissbier is exceptional. You walk up a hill for about an hour to get to the Biergarten, but it’s worth it. There’s a hint of citrus. It’s served cool, but not ice cold. You taste the care that was invested in the brewing process with
June 14, the US Army’s birthday Since we know you’ve been keeping up on our articles, you already know that June 14 is National Flag Day and National Bourbon Day. It’s also the date the US Army celebrates its birthday! When the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year on June 14, 1775, the US Army was born. We thank all who have served and are serving in the US Army. We’ve recommended the American Flag to celebrate National Flag Day and the Manhattan to celebrate National Bourbon Day. If you
June 14 is National Flag Day and we thought we’d give you a fun way to celebrate. National Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the US flag on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Flag Day is also significant as the day the US Army celebrates its birthday. President Woodrow Wilson first established Flag Day on May 30, 1916 and it was immediately celebrated in various communities across the country with parades and festivities. The oldest continuing parade in the country is said to be in Fairfield, Washington, where revelers have celebrated the flag since 1909.
Celebrate the Weekend of Negroni week with, of course, the iconic, somewhat bitter, Italian classic. Of course, if you are up for an Italian adventure, several variations exist as well. Try one of the following, for example: –>Replace the Gin with Prosecco or Sparkling White Wine –>Replace the Campari with Aperol –>Replace the Vermouth with Lillet Have fun, enjoy, Salute! Negroni – the classic
June 14 is National Bourbon Day. Bourbon is originally from Bourbon, Kentucky and distilled from one of the states two primary crops; corn. Bourbon sales have increased sharply in the past several years and was often a featured drink in the swanky advertising offices of Mad Men. While Roger Sterling and Don Draper usually drank their bourbon straight, we thought we’d suggest a cocktail to help you truly getinto the spirit of National Bourbon Day. The top three bourbon cocktails for this celebration are the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned, and the Bourbon Rickey. Our top pick for this fine holiday
While the words “Russia” and “Moscow” may be tainted to some these days, the Moscow Mule is still a perfect Spring and Summer drink. In a copper mug or not, this cocktail is straightforward to make and perfect for a warm afternoon or evening. Recipe here.
February 22nd is National Margarita Day (though, any Thursday will generally do just fine). To the surprise of no one, the exact lineage of National Margarita Day is a bit clouded in mystery, however, it is clear the goal; enjoy a refreshing Margarita with friends and family. Salud! The Fancy A Drink staff’s consensus favorite modification to the classic Margarita is to substitute in Mezcal for the Tequila and up the amount of lime juice (unsweetened). The Mezcal brings a nice smokiness and the additional lime takes away some of the sweetness. The Mezcal Margarita can be found here
If I were committed to silence, this would definitely by my drink of choice. A great balance of Rum and the Aperol make this drink infinitely enjoyable. It works well made in bulk or batching as well (just don’t over-ice it) so you can enjoy the cocktail and the party. Recipe can be found here: fancyadr.ink/recipe/bitter-monk/
To get started, you should have the following tools in your home bar: 1 oz jigger (to measure the liquids) Shaker Strainer Bar spoon Wine opener Bottle opener Cocktail glasses You can have some fun with glasses and additional tools later as there is no shortage of fun to be had and money to be spent. But for now, save some of that cash for good spirits and proper mixers (which we will cover in a separate post).
And why not? Mix up the base spirit a bit in this classic and let us know what you think. Try this recipe from Liquor.com! https://fancyadr.ink/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Rum-Old-Fashioned.mp4
