This true classic was first made in 1793 making it one of the oldest gins around.
The dry finish and botanicals mixed with Juniper make this a must for all true martini drinkers. I must say, it did make a killer G+T with some Fevertree Tonic water and fresh lime!
Start your summer of with a refreshing drink made with Plymouth Gin.
Price: $40.00
100% Verdelho – which happens to be Spanish – makes up this Australian beauty with ripe round flavors and a spicy citrus aroma.
A Wine Advocate 90 rating is pretty good from this fine house called Molly Dooker (it means someone that is left-handed, by the way).
Check out the process called ” Doing The Molly Dooker Shake ” before drinking this product – you must do this to blow off the Nitrous in the wine.
Price: $18.00
I now have 15 different Tequilas in my store, and summer is the perfect time to drink them!
It’s getting sunny and warm and quenching one’s thirst is a top priority so lets get the ball rolling. What’s more refreshing than mint and cucumber?
Cucumber Mint Tequila Tonic
2 cups chopped English cucumber
1/2 cup mint leaves
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
1 lime sectioned and juiced
Dash of salt
1/2 cup tequila blanco
3/4 cup chilled tonic water
Combine first 6 ingredients in a food processor; pulse until smooth. Scrape mixture into a bowl; stir in tequila. Chill. Strain. Stir in tonic water.
Serve over ice. Serves six.
Ole!
Bright Green Edamame Dip
14 ounces edamame
2 ounces feta cheese
6 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook edamame until tender. Drain and cool.
In a food processor, add all ingredients making a smooth creamy paste. Serve with crackers or vegetable sticks.
yields 1 1/2 cups dip
Miso and Cashew (or Walnut ) Spread
1 cup cooked and drained pinto beans
3 tablespoons cashew or walnut butter
2 tablespoons Saikyo miso (sweet white miso)
1 teaspoon akamiso (brown miso)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 small garlic clove
Blend all ingredients and 3 tablespoons warm water in a food processor or blender until smooth.
Spread the mixture over toast or serve it as a dip with rice crackers.
Yields about 1 1/2 cup spread
You’ve got all your festive cocktails ready, now how about an appetizer to with them?
Queso Panela con Oregano
1 lb queso panela ( or queso fresco or fresh mozzarella cheese )
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup corn oil
2 tablespoons ground oregano
Place the cheese in a earthenware or ovenproof dish. Pierce the outside of the cheese with a fork.
In a small bowl, combine the garlic, olive oil, corn oil and oregano until they are thoroughly blended. Pour over the cheese. Refrigerate overnight. During this time, baste the cheese with the oil 3 or 4 times.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the cheese for 15 minutes or until slightly soft. Serve warm with crackers or hard bread rolls.
Cinco De Mayo is Saturday, May 5….and I can’t think of a better excuse for a party, can you?
Stop into Vinomania and check out our selection of artisan tequila, and whip one of these tasty concoctions for your friends this weekend:
Bitter Smoke
a mountain of crushed ice
1 oz Mezcal
1 oz Campari
1 oz Fevertree tonic water
Build over big chunks of ice
Bloody Maria
2 parts Mezcal
2 parts Howie’s Hot Shot
Combine Mezcal & Howies hot shot.
Serve on ice and garnish with fresh veggies.
Bloody Maria Sabina
2 shots Illegal Reposado
3 shots tomato juice
Tabasco sauce to taste
2 dashes worcestershire sauce
1 pinch of celery salt
1 grind of black pepper
Pour ingredients over ice in a collins glass and stir. Garnish with celery stick. Add horseradish for an additional dimension to the drink.
Italian bitters have been around for hundreds of years pleasing the palate of those in the know.
In Sicily, the Averna family has been perfecting bitters since 1868….not bad! These bitters are used before dinner mixed with soda water and a slice of orange or after dinner as a digestif. I love the Italian style of light appetizers and a Averna and soda outside on the deck before dinner.
Price: $32.00
The north end of Napa is where the fruit for this wine is sourced, making it ripe with aromas of pineapple and pink grapefruit and the pure crisp palate makes this a refreshing compliment to salads, seafood and poultry.
The Napa pedigree always shines through on these Sauvignon Blancs staying true to the grassy style.
Price: $21.00
Chocolat Royal is the perfect name for this all natural cordial.
Rich, deep cocoa flavor with a hint of caramel and a balanced sweetness to match. Blend with a little quality vodka and a splash of soda water for a before dinner cocktail or just serve it on the rocks for an after dinner pop.
One more idea – drizzle it over some rich vanilla ice cream and add a cherry to garnish. Everyone likes chocolate and this exceptional product will keep them coming back for more.
PS – If you stop into our tasting tonight, I may have some available for sampling.
Price: $30.00
The 2008 Jelu Pinot Noir from Argentina is medium red in color and big on fruit and flavor.
Blueberry and plum notes are evident in the nose of this rich red. The aspect of rich mineral notes plus a fresh acidity makes this the perfect wine for a summer cookout – try it with grilled sausages and sweet peppers.
Price: $13.00
Vinomania is a unique wine store with an eclectic interior conveniently located in Nettleton Commons on Pearl Street. Funky atmosphere, friendly approachable staff...and lots of great wine! The perfect downtown Syracuse experience.
VinoMan believes that great wine doesn't have to be expensive, and you definitely don't have to be a snob to enjoy it.
Vinomania
Nettleton Commons
313 E. Willow Street
(Pearl Street Entrance)
Syracuse, NY 13202
Post the best pics of your friends enjoying some vino on our Facebook page for our photo contest. We'll give a bottle of wine to our favorite each month!
