By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

One of the essentials in any well-stocked liquor cabinet is Italian maraschino liqueur. Not to be confused with the bright red American mara-SHEENO cherries, the liqueur is called mara-SKEENO and is nothing like the American product. Hailing originally from Dalmatia, it’s made with the marasca cherry, the real Italian cherry. Best of all, this classic spirit not only enlivens your cocktails but your dinner table as well. I am never without a bottle in my liquor closet.

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By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

The newest single malt Scotch on the shelf is an interesting dram, both in flavor and for what it says about the Scotch industry. For some years now, we have offered superb bottlings of Ardmore from several independent bottlers such as Gordon & MacPhail, Duncan Taylor and Whisky Galore, and Signatory. Ardmore has never been available in America in an “official�? distillery edition; as with many rare malt distilleries, the only way to get any was the independent bottlers. But for the 110^th anniversary of the distillery, there is an official debut in America, called Ardmore Traditional Cask with a 46% abv, non-chill filtered version that happily promotes its “unique, Highland peat-smoke.�? Well, puff away…

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Second Chance Merlot 2005
$9.99S Aisle 6A

This wine has a lot of really great key components that make it a no brainer to pick up today. First its a softer Merlot, the tannins are rather low for its young age and the big juicy ripe fruit really is on point. Second its from Paso Robles, California which is a masterful location for Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet, Merlot and spicy Zinfandel. Third the vintage, it is not a bad thing at all to be backed by the 2005 vintage. The world is filled right now by wine champs from this super hero vintage. Finally fourth is the price, $9.99. I think that’s enough said.

Food: Grilled steaks, bbq chicken or the classic cheese burger.

Cheers,

Danny Gold

LEMONDROP LEMONADE

12 ounces vodka

3 ounces Cointreau orange flavored liqueur

1 - 25.4 ounce bottle Lorina sparkling lemonade
Mix ingredients in a pitcher filled with ice.  Rim glasses with lemon wedge and dip in sugar.  Garnish with a lemon wedge.

“I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day.”  -Frank Sinatra

-Jay Dickerson, EQ at The Party Source

Breadeli

Take and bake artisan flatbreads.

Try these Italian style, hand stretched olive oil enriched doughs. They’re made in three varieties- garlic and herb butter, basil pesto, and aged cheddar cheese with tomato relish. Bake and serve hot as an ideal accompaniment with salads, pastas, soups, and dipping sauces. Try topped with your favorite pizza fixings and just bake!

Happy Eating!

Michelle Wylie
EQ Assistant Culinary Director
EQ the cooking school @ The Party Source
Live. Laugh. Learn.
859-291-4007

D’ Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne 2006
$12.99 Aisle 7A

The Hermit Crab in my opinion is the best white wine from Australia under $20. This wine always has amazing press behind it and was highlighted as a Wine Spectator top 100 wines of the year in 2007. Apricots and peaches segue into a plump, rich, dense palate that says au revoir with an almond finish. D’arenberg always delivers an interesting twist on delicate French varietals.

Food: Lobster or monk fish, sushi and grilled fruit such as pineapple glazed shrimp and apricots topped with goat cheese.

Cheers,

Danny Gold

A guava margarita recipe was given to me by one of our regular EQ guests.   She tried one in a local restaurant and thought I would like it.  I changed a couple of things in the recipe she gave me and really like the way it has turned out.  You can definitely taste the flavor of the jalapeno without all of the heat.  

JALAPENO GUAVA MARGARITA

1 bottle (750ml) tequila (100% Agave)

1 cup orange flavored liqueur

2 seeded jalapeno, seeded and sliced lengthwise

1½ cups lime juice

3 cups guava nectar

Place 2 whole jalapenos & tequila in a container. Cover with plastic wrap & set aside 1 day. Strain the tequila and discard jalapenos. Pour tequila into a pitcher or large punch bowl & add lime juice, orange flavored liqueur & guava juice. Stir to combine & chill in the refrigerator. Slice the remaining jalapeno thinly. Serve in glasses with salted rims, if desired, with a slice of jalapeno floating in the drink or on the rim of the glass.

“One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.�?  -George Carlin

By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

Perhaps after this early heat wave, dear reader, you are ready for a summer cocktail. Last week we talked about Italian bitter liqueurs, and how refreshing they are in this Cincinnati heat. And Tequila margaritas and gin and tonics will surely hit the sun deck any day now. But don’t forget the other white spirit: rum. No other spirit—except our native Bourbon whiskey—is so closely connected with American history as rum. And nothing mixes up a summertime sip like great white rum. We have some terrific rums that stand out from the pack, imported for us by Mr. Ed Hamilton, the “Minister of Rum�?. La Favorite and Neisson distilleries are rhums agricoles from the French island of Martinique. Protected by the same laws that govern French wine, these ultra-pure, small-batch rums are some of the best we’ve ever tasted.

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The weather is finally warmer and it is perfect for outdoor gatherings of family and friends.  We recently had a class here at EQ celebrating Cinco de Mayo, in which we featured this recipe as a nice greeter for the evening.  It was well received, so here is my recipe. 

SANGRIA

1 bottle dry red wine
¼ cup dark rum
¼ cup orange flavored liqueur
½ cup pomegranate juice
2 tablespoons sugar
2 large oranges, sliced thin crosswise
2 large lemons, sliced thin crosswise
2 medium apples or pears, peeled, pitted and cut into slices
1 cup (8 fluid ounces) club soda

Combine all the ingredients except for the club soda in a large punch bowl or serving pitcher, mixing well. Refrigerate overnight. Immediately before serving, mix in the club soda for added fizz. Ladle into cups with ice cubes.

“Drinking doesn’t make you fat, it makes you lean….against bars, tables, chairs, and poles.�?

-Jay Dickerson