Another fun evening was had by all last Friday night at Krohn Conservatory.  Not only did we shake some great cocktails and eat some fantastic appetizers, Diana Hoffman and Gary from Kama Salsa taught us some sexy salsa dance moves and Hannah Eaton from Mitchell’s Salon and Day Spa dazzled us with slick tricks for stylish summer party hairstyles and make-up.  The swag bags were filled to the brim with hand fans from the Bitty Breeze, Sunglasses, a sample bottle of Taste of Florida Mango Real Fruit Mixers and Hypnotic, mints, lip balm and coupons.  Check out the event photos and join us for our next Girl’s Night Out @ Krohn Conservatory on October 9th for “How to Host a Wine Tasting Party” presented by  Amy Tobin , party planner extraordinare.

See you there!

Connie Volker
EQ Event and Marketing Director

by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

Considering the wealth of American microdistilleries we carry at The Party Source, I suppose I should not have been surprised when a couple of amazing little bottles showed up on our doorstep from Bowling Green, Kentucky. But I was surprised–probably you heard my jaw when it hit the floor–not only to find an artisan distiller in Kentucky, but the first commercial red abisnthe in America. G0 Kentucky!

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by Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

The Party Source is not only one of America’s biggest and best liquor stores. We’re also one of the most patient. French Alpine elder trees only make so many flowers, and collecting the little buggers by bicycle is understandably time-consuming. So to those hordes of Greater Cincinnatians who requested St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur over the past 14 months, we shall attest your serenity in the face of a distinct lack of elderflower flavor. Now, the wait is over, and this shockingly good liqueur is available for your cocktails, your parties, your peace of mind. Someday, we will all remember where we were when we first tasted St-Germain.

From the heavy, cut glass Art Deco-inspired bottle to the carefully balanced drink within, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur is a future classic among the world’s liqueurs. The elderflower notes are fresh as a bouquet on your wedding day, the aroma lifting effortlessly from the glass. In the mouth the liqueur is light yet intensely flavored; the sweetness is never cloying. And what St-Germain does in cocktails is unbelievable. It makes a superb match with everything from rye whiskey to Tequila to smoky Scotch. Gin and sparkling wine is a natural with St-Germain; our bartender here in the EQ jay Dickerson likes it with cachaça . It’s hard to make a bad cocktail with this stuff.

St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur  $35.99

If you enjoyed last night’s Zootini at the Cincinnati Zoo, you were not alone!  Jay Dickerson, EQ Bar Chef did a great job creating, mixing and shaking these cocktails just for you!  Let us know which was your favorite!

Cheers!

Connie Volker

EQ Event and Marketing Director

Manatee Melon Martini
1½ ounces tequila
1 ounce  melon liqueur
½ ounce orange flavored liqueur
½ ounce lime juice
2 ounces sour mix

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass.

The Watering Hole Hpnotiq® Martini
2 ounces Hpnotiq® liqueur
1 ounce coconut rum
2 ounces pineapple juice

Combine all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain into a martini or cocktail glass and serve.

African Violet Martini
2 ounces raspberry vodka
½ ounce Chambord
1 ounce grape juice
½ ounce lime juice
Lime wedge

Shake with ice and strain into a well-chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Sihil’s Martini
2 ounces rum
½ ounce passion fruit liqueur
½ ounce simple syrup
1 lime wedge
2 ounces pineapple juice
Mint leaves

In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint, simple syrup, and limes.  Add ice, rum, passion fruit liqueur, and pineapple juice.  Shake vigorously and strain into chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with mint sprig.

Zootini Martini
1½ ounces bourbon
½ ounce maraschino liqueur
Dash grapefruit bitters
1 teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice
Maraschino cherry
Ginger ale

Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add all ingredients except ginger ale and shake. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

As part of our restaurant series, Woodford Reserve’s repeat appearance last night at EQ was spectacular.  Executive Chef Mark William’s first trip to the EQ was a treat for the SOLD OUT class.

Great food was complimented by tasty drinks expertly mixed by Mary Perkins, Woodford Reserve’s Brand Events Coordinator.  Check out the drink recipes below.  If you missed this class, they’ll be back.  In the meantime, treat yourself to other top restaurants classes at EQ. Hurry, these classes book FAST!

A New Woodford Manhattan

2 parts Woodford Reserve
1/2 part Sweet Vermouth
1/2 part Grand Marnier
4 drops Peach Bitters

Serve up or on the rocks. Garnish with cherry or orange curl. Enjoy

Woodford’s New Old Fashioned

2 parts Woodford Reserve
1 part Cherry Juice
2 parts Lemon-Lime Soda

Serve on the rocks

The first Amy Tobin’s Girl’s Night Out: A Girl’s Guide to Cocktails event sponsored by EQ was held at Krohn Conservatory last Friday. What a fun night!!! Check out the event photos below. come back next week for more photos of the event!

If you missed this one, please join us on March 6th at Krohn Conservatory for Girl’s Night Out: Say Cheese! Fun French Wine, Fromage and Fashions!

Registration Required EQ@The Party Source 859-291-4007

See you at the Krohn!

Connie

By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine and Spirits Manager

In this inaugural season, we’re pleased to welcome a patriotic new gin, one that beats the English at their own game as Philadelphians have been doing since 1776. Bluecoat Gin–proudly labeled “American Dry Gin”–comes from Philadelphia Distilling, a crafty little distiller that is spreading its own spirit of brotherly love.  I love the Bluecoat package nearly as much as the flavor, using organic juniper as well as other organic botanicals, including all-American citrus. It is carefully distilled five times to arrive at a properly potent 94 proof. Philadelphia offers as well a 100% rye vodka called Penn 1681, mashed and distilled from scratch at the distillery, and an artisanal absinthe Vieux Carré. Look for reviews of the other spirits in the weeks to come.

Bluecoat Gin 750 ml $25.99

Bluecoat Gin 50 ml $2.99

This summer’s Wine’d Up Wednesday’s were such a hit that we decided to celebrate yet another day, Tuesday. No one talks much about Tuesday’s and our new series, A Toast to Tuesday, aims to change that.

A Toast to Tuesday is your chance to gather with friends for an informal, unguided cocktail and hors D oeuvre tasting. We’ll feature 4 cocktails paired with 4 tasty tidbits and send you home with the recipe for each. Reservations are required and the gathering is limited to the first 36 to sign up.

The next Toast to Tuesday is Tuesday, November 18^th – Register at EQ online.

This past Tuesday we kicked off our first Toast to Tuesday with a tasting of four Presidential Drinks.

We fell in love with the Obamatini – full of exciting ingredients – a true nod to change.

The McCain Maverick tasted like a classic margarita – nothing exciting, but a cocktail you can count on to satisfy your thirst drink after drink.

If you like a Manhatten, the Biden Gaff would have been the drink in which to cast your ballot.

To finish the evening on a sweet note, guest had the pleasure of sipping the I Can See Red Russia from My House cocktail. Aka Sarah’s Sweet Sipper.

We had so much fun planning this event on Election Day. If you have any theme ideas you’d like us to use for A Toast to Tuesday drop us a line! We’d love to hear from you!

Connie Volker, EQ Event & Marketing Director

Jay Dickerson, EQ Resident Bar Chef

Recipes for each drink are listed below. (more…)

By Jay Erisman, EQ Wine & Spirits Manager

With the thermometer soaring to a ridiculous 96 degrees this weekend, I know what I’ll be reaching for in the shade: a bottle of Aperol, Italy’s amazingly appetizing rhubarb bitter liqueur. Aperol claims that over three million Italians drink it every day. I think they’re on to something…

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