Spot-Light: Lantern’s Keep

When the Light’s on…

The rushing crowds and frenetic energy of Midtown Manhattan can be electrifying for newcomers and tourists, but if you’re among the horde of area worker bees, it’s actually more frazzling than anything. For a respite from the madness, duck into the Iroquois Hotel on West 44th Street and head straight back to Lantern’s Keep. You’ll step into an intimate (seats 30 people) turn of the century Parisian salon with a beautiful working fireplace, dim lights and romantic settees.

If the calm ambiance doesn’t help you breathe a sigh of relief, the retro-inspired cocktails- many crafted by head bartender, Theo Lieberman- will definitely do the trick. They’re all decidedly simple in construction because Theo (who’s like the Doogie Howser of mixology) likes the idea of someone enjoying a drink at the bar and then being able to go and make it at home. If your drink happens to require a straw, look forward to sipping from a stainless steel spoon straw, and don’t be surprised if you order the same drink twice, but the glasses aren’t identical. Lantern’s Keep uses a rotation of vintage glassware, some of which comes from Theo’s personal collection and all of which is stored in a chiller until it’s time to come out and play.

Those who enjoy a refreshing tropical tipple will delight in a Regal Rum Rickey. It’s tart, tangy and quite tasty.
Recipe:
2 oz Flor de Cana 7 year
.75 oz simple syrup (equal parts sugar & water)
.85 oz lime juice
Mix ingredients in a shaker and serve in a Collins glass.


My personal favorite was the Stay Up Late (from the Stork Club, 1946). Unfortunately I managed to drink the ENTIRE glass of complex, citrusy goodness without snapping one photo. However, Here’s the recipe:
1.5 oz Beefeater Gin (Their well gin for shaking)
.5 oz cognac
.75 oz lemon juice
.75 oz simple syrup
Shake, pour into a Collins glass, top with soda and garnish with an orange wedge and a cherry.
I recently attended a press event at Lantern’s Keep and joked to a table mate that it seems like the kind of place a man might bring his mistress. She replied, “I’d bring my husband here.” I upped the ante and suggested that she have him meet her and then pretend to be a mistress. Though the vibe is calm and chic, for some reason, there’s a slight air of mischievous sensuality in the air. Maybe it’s the lingering scent of grapefruit zest (ask Theo about his love for the fruit).

Technorati Tags: Bar Reviews,New York Bars,Stylescrybe,Iroquois Hotel,Lantern's Keep,Theo Lieberman,Cocktail Recipe,Flor de Cana Rum,Beefeater Gin,cocktails
Blogger Labels: Bar Reviews,New York Bars,Stylescrybe,Iroquois Hotel,Lantern's Keep,Theo Lieberman,Cocktail Recipe,Flor de Cana Rum,Beefeater Gin,cocktails

Booze Clues: 6 Drinks to Try on the 4th of July

 

Red, White & Booze

Fireworks, flags and fun… Independence Day is on its way, which means the smell of barbecue will fill the air. This year, instead of washing down your burgers with a cold beer, sip a patriotic-looking cocktail (or 5).

 

Voga Sparkler

No 4th of July celebration is complete without sparklers. Some prefer holding sticks with sparks flying off one end, but I’m more in favor of something sparkling in my glass. This cocktail is refreshing and slightly sweet, but not too strong for light drinkers.

 

Recipe:

2 oz. VOGA Sparkling Pino Grigio

.5 oz. vodka

.5 oz. Raspberry Liqueur

.5 oz. Soho Lychee Liqueur

 

Method:

Combine vodka, raspberry liqueur and soho lychee liqueur in the bottom of a champagne flute.Top with VOGA Sparkling Pinot Grigio

 

 

Belvedere Liberty Summer Punch

 

Perhaps you’re entertaining this weekend. You’ll be able to spend more time with your guests and less time behind the bar if you prepare a pitcher or two of punch ahead of time. This tangy, tart treat is strong enough to keep things festive but not fuel drunken fights.

 

Recipe:

10oz Belvedere Vodka

15oz cranberry juice

2.5oz lemon juice

3.5oz Aperol

5oz orange juice

Dash of bitters

Dash of simple syrup

 

Method:

Add all ingredients to a jug and stir. Garnish with orange slices and lemons.

 

Xante 4th of July Frozen Berry

A frozen treat is a great way to beat the summer heat, and it’s even better when it’s spiked with something Semi-sweet.

Recipe:

1 1/2 oz of Xanté 

1 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice

Strawberries Fresh or Frozen

Dash of sugar to taste

Blend with ice

***Photo credit: Rodrigo Londono- Catapult 13 Creative Studios

 

 

 

Sailor Jerry Back Yard Tea

 

Who doesn’t love a little sweet tea with their hot dogs and potato salad? This version gets a kick of extra flavor (and fun) with the addition of spiced rum.

 

Recipe:

2 parts Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

1 part iced tea

2 parts lemonade

 

Method:

Add ingredients to in ice-filled highball glass and garnish with a lemon wedge

 

Flor de Cana Firecracker

If complex flavors are your forte, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one. The slight spiciness of the rum, combined with the biters and dash of absinthe make it a prime choice for night time sipping.

Recipe:

2 oz Flor de Caña 7 Year Rum

.5 oz Simple Syrup

3 Dashes Peychaud Bitters

Dash Lucid Absinthe

Red Grapes

 

Method: Salt rim of small glass. Add Flor de Cana, simple syrup, Peychaud Bitters and Lucid to shaker with ice. Strain into glass. Garnish with red grapes.

 

 

UV Blue Bombsicle

Remember Bomb Pops… the blue raspberry, cherry and lemon icee on a stick that turned your tongue and lips blue, but tasted so good they were worth Smurf mouth? Well if you got rid of the cherry, and made it into a drink, this is what you’d have.

 

Recipe:

1 part UV Blue

3 parts lemonade

 

Method:

Combine with Ice in a highball glass. Garnish with lime or cherry.

Technorati Tags: 4th of July cocktails,summer cocktails,cocktail recipes

Booze Clues: What Cocktails to Serve at your Oscars Party

 

A Toast to The Stars Shining

You and your friends have seen this year’s blockbusters. You’ve debated their merits and chosen your favorites.  If you’ve decided to throw an Oscars viewing soiree, you may be wondering what to sip as the Academy makes its opinions known. Here are a few nominee-themed cocktail suggestions.

Bombay Sapphire Royal Tea (The King’s Speech)

 

2 oz. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin

1 oz. Earl Grey Tea Infused Simple Syrup

1 oz. Fresh lemon

1 oz. Egg white

¾ oz. Fresh lemon juice

½ Rock Candy

2 Dashes orange bitters

Topped with a Bitter Orange Espuma*

Combine gin, tea infused simple syrup and lemon juice in a shaker over ice, shake vigorously.  Double strain into a tea cup.  Beat espuma mix until thick and foamy, spoon into tea cup, on top of Sapphire mixture.  Put a pinch of tea leaves in center, garnish with a stick of orange bitters rock candy on the side of the tea saucer.

Black Ice (Black Swan)

3 oz. Cointreau Noir

Ice cubes

Pour over ice and enjoy

Dobel Jab (The Fighter)

 

1 1/2 oz DOBEL Tequila

1/2 oz Creme de Cassis

1 lime wedge

Ginger beer

Combine DOBEL tequila, orange curacao and vermouth with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Friend Me Punch (The Social Network)

2 oz. Flor De Caña 7-year Grand Reserve

4 sugar cubes

3 green cardamom pods (can be found at any spice shop)

3oz. club soda

1oz. lime juice

1 oz. grapefruit juice

1 dash of Regan's Orange bitters

Dissolve the sugar cubes in 1 oz. of soda water (this generally involves muddling to help process). Muddle the cardamom pods with the sugar cubes. After the sugar cubes and cloves are muddled/dissolved, add the rest of the ingredients one at a time and stir as added. Add ice once all of the ingredients have been added and stirred. Stir the punch until it is chilled.

Cheers!

(Stay Tuned for an upcoming Red Carpet Shoe Recap!)

 

Technorati Tags: Oscars cocktails,cocktail recipes,Flor de Cana Rum,Dobel Tequila,Bomba Sapphire Gin,Cointreau

Booze Clues: What to Drink While Watching the Golden Globes

Glamour in a Glass

Having friends over to watch the Golden Globes? Wondering what to serve you guests? Here are a few suggestions, inspired by some of the night’s big screen nominees:

Inception: Those who are into the mind-bending thriller genre will be rooting for Leo Dicaprio & co. Serve them a Lucid Dream Stealer.

It’s a traditional absinthe drip. Pour cold water over 1.5 oz. Lucid absinthe.  Stir and enjoy the trip. *Note, it’s a flavor similar to licorice, but MUCH stronger. Not for those with timid taste buds.

 

Black Swan: Ahhh the graceful, yet disturbing psyco-thriller… and who can forget the kiss between Natalie Portman & Mila Kunis? Serve those who fancy the ballet flick a Dobel Tequila Twisted Swan.

1 1/2 oz Black Raspberry Liqueur                                1 oz DOBEL Tequila
1/2 oz amaretto liqueur
Shake DOBEL Tequila & amaretto with ice. Strain into chocolate rimmed martini glass.
Shake vodka with ice & layer into martini glass

The Social Network: Where would we be without good old F-B… without an easy way to share thoughts, info and recipes? Your communally-minded guests will enjoy a Flor de Cana Zuckerberg Zinger. Feeling really social? Make it a punch.

1 oz  Flor de Caña 7 year-aged rum
1 seedless Watermelon
One good pinch of Cayenne pepper
4 Sugar cubes
1 oz  Lime juice
1 oz Club soda                                                 Dissolve the sugar cubes in 1 oz. of club soda. Add and muddle several 1-inch pieces of watermelon. Finally, add the rest of the ingredients one at a time and stir as added. Chill.

Good luck to all the nominees! Check back soon for our red carpet shoe review!

 

Technorati Tags: cocktails,cocktail recipes,Golden Globes,Inception,Black Swan,The Social Network

Don’t Mess With Me Monday: Sam Edelman Winsford Booties

 

A Hot Toddie for a Haute Hottie

Mother Nature gave some people a white Christmas this year, and dumped loads of snow on others just in time to screw with their Monday morning commutes. You’re not the type to let that stop your show, though. It’s a good thing shearling styling is a shoe staple this season. These Sam Edelman Winsford ankle boots (available via DNA Footwear for $209.99) are the perfect partner in the battle against the treacherous terrain and temperatures. The lug sole provides traction, and the 1.5 inch platform will keep the salt and grimy build up on the street from ruining your shoes. The 5 inch demi wedge heel might be a tough balancing act for some, but it’s a cake walk for you, and the fact that it’s a bit chunky only makes it better. Then there’s the clog-like detailing and furry ankle accent, which provide a rugged, yet cozy look.

Tonight when you wet your whistle, you’ll want to warm it, too. Chase the chill from your bones with a Spiced Hot Toddy made of spiced Flor de Caña Nicaraguan rum, boiling water butter and a cinnamon stick. It’s a smooth, soothing, slightly spicy way to end your day. Plus, the Flor de Caña is strong enough to keep your street cred with your drinking buddies. That means if you drink too many, you may be teetering on those 5 inch heels. Remember, there’s ice on the ground, and your backside definitely won’t enjoy a swift trip to a concrete kiss.

Technorati Tags: cocktails,shearling shoes,Winter 2010 shoe trends,Hot toddy recipe,Flor de Cana Rum