Category: spirrits

Nook Kitchen to host Don Julio cocktail dinner

Wine dinners are pretty common in the restaurant world but the last few years have seen special dinner menus paired with beer and spirits. Tequila has become a popular pairing for dinners and Nook Kitchen in downtown Phoenix is hosting a 5-course Don Julio cocktail dinner on Wed. August 2nd.

The dinner will pair Don Julio tequilas that are aged and rare on some courses with a menu that is inspired by the cuisine of tequilas home state of Jalisco. The menu is as follow…..

First Course:

Grilled nopales and lengua de vaca consume

 

Don Julio Reposado,

Himalayan salt cordial,

kaffir lime oil, cayenne flake

 

Second Course:

Chef LaRosa’s deconstructed Chili Relleno Poblano, Oaxaca queso, tomato chili chutney, tequila pomegranate gastrique

 

Don Julio 70 Clara Anejo,

dry orange curacao, spanish dry vermouth,

blood orange sour

 

Third Course:

Watermelon, tequila & lime shaved ice

 

Fourth Course:

Braised pollo de muslo, maiz de la calle, maseca, mole, frijoles negros a la hoya

Don Julio 1942,

fermented masa, tamrindo,

guanabana liquer, fresh lime

 

Fifth Course:

Mexican inspired chocolate flan cinnamon, cumin, chocolate

house made tepache (traditional Mexican fermented pineapple drink)

 

The cost for the dinner is $55 plus tax and tip per person and will begin at 6p.m.

The downtown Nook Kitchen is the 2nd location of the popular Arcadia restaurant and is house off the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn at 15 E Monroe St, Phoenix. (602)258-1037 http://nookkitchen.com/

 

 

Bartenders mix it up for Bar Brawl at Jade Bar

A little friendly competition is always good to keep us on our toes and even more so in the Phoenix restaurant community as we find ways to make the summer go by quicker. Jade Bar at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa will host a friendly Bar Brawl for 8 local bartenders to show off what they do best….make delicious cocktails.

Every Sunday at 8 p.m. from July 16th – August 6th two bartenders will go head to head to see who will advance to the Semi-Finals on August 13th & 20th with the two winners advancing to the Championship on August 27th where the new “Bar Brawl  Champion’ will be crowned.

Bar brawl

Each weeks head to head competition will use specific spirits and ingredients for cocktails that will be judged by a panel of local judges.

Eddie Aces, Jade Bar’s Head Mixologist will emcee the event each week with locals and resort guest invited to cheer on the bartenders while DJ Hybrid will be providing entertainment. A special menu of “Bar Brawl Bites” will be available for purchase for happy hour prices during each weeks competition. There is no cost to attend the Bar Brawl.

The Bar Brawl Champion will be awarded a fun-filled trip to Austin City Limits. Previous winners have included Kyle Mason of Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia and Keifer Gilbert of Crudo and Counter Intuitive.

The 8 bartenders competing will be

  • Piroose Hajizadeh-Amini, Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
  • Kyle Landry, Crudo
  • Liza Loewenhagen, Cobra Arcade Bar
  • Alex Knight, Culinary Dropout
  • William Luddington, The Ostrich
  • Gavin Pena, The Clever Ko
  • Rando Shields, Shady’s Fine Ale’s and Cocktails
  • Sam Penton, Counter Intuitive

and their head to head competition will be

  • July 16 – Pena vs. Hajizadeh-Amini
  • July 23 – Lowenhagen vs. Knight
  • July 30 –  Shields vs. Luddington
  • Aug.  6 –  Landry vs. Penton

 

 

 

 

 

Arizona Straight Bourbon from Elgin Distillery wins gold

An Arizona distillery is making a name for themselves on the spirits and distillery map. As repeat winners of the Arizona Distillery of the Year,  Arizona Craft Beverage also is celebrating their gold medal winning Arizona Straight Bourbon from Elgin Distillery.

It was the second Distillery of the Year awarded from the New York Spirits Competition to Arizona Craft Beverage, Arizona’s first licensed distillery. The award was announced in May.

Their Arizona Straight Bourbon started collecting gold medals across the country, first at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition then in New York where the Distillery of the Year was also awarded.  Then back west to the Los Angeles International Spirits competition for their 3 gold medal.

In limited distribution around Arizona, the bourbon retails for $65 (375 ml) the bourbon and can be found at the distillery, as well as Total Wine, Old Town Ale House in Casa Grande, Lucidi in Peoria and Hacienda Del Sol in Tucson.

Starting in August you can have it shipped directly to you. http://www.azcraftbev.com/