Review: Malibu Winter

Malibu Rum, always one to experiment wildly with additional flavors and added tweaks, updates the classic coconut rum with this limited-release version: Malibu Winter. The twist: Little flakes of real coconut are suspended in the liquid, giving the spirit the distinct look of snowfall and, for the first time ever, successfully associating the words “Malibu”…

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Holiday Rum Drink Recipes, 2011

The weather outside is frightful, so cozy up with one of these rum-centric drinks from our pals at Don Q Rum. Snowy Day Punch Esteban Ordoñez, DonQ’s Corporate Mixologist and Brand Ambassador 1 liter Don Q Coco Rum 16 oz. Don Q Cristal Rum 16 oz. Coconut water 16 oz. Coconut milk 4 oz. Simple…

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Please, Tip Your Waitresses

Ever wonder how much you should tip your bartender? Here comes the science, courtesy of Sailor Jerry rum and in honor of Bartender Appreciation Day, which apparently exists. NEW YORK, December 1, 2011 – – December 9 is Bartender Appreciation Day (www.bartendersday.com) and, to celebrate the hard work and graft of bartenders across the country,…

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Holiday Recipe: Cockspur Silver Belle

This recipe comes to us from our friends at Cockspur, who promise it will provide a “Caribbean Christmas.” My fingers are already chilly. Sounds good to me. Silver Belle 1.5 oz Cockspur Aged Rum .25 oz maraschino liqueur .75 oz earl grey tea .75 oz hibiscus grenadine .75 oz pineapple juice Shake well with ice…

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Review: Natural Merchants Organic Lorenz “Symphony” Wines, 2010 Vintage

Natural Merchants Selections imports over 100 wines from all over Europe, all of which are organic. We tried the importer’s Symphony wines from Germany, a white and a red. Thoughts follow. 2010 Lorenz Symphony Riesling is a blend of 85% Riesling and 15% Rivaner, all organic, from Germany’s Rheinhessen. A bit on the lightly sweet…

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Tasting Report: Wines of Argentina’s Santa Julia, 2011 Releases

The Zuccardi family considers itself a small wine operation. And perhaps by Argentina’s standards it is. Founded in 1963, the winery produces millions of bottles of wine annually (most for domestic consumption), employs 700 people year-round, and runs a vast tourism operation out of its facilities, where visitors can take hot-air balloons, ride horses, and…

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Two Crazy Drinking-Oriented Stocking Stuffers

We can’t really “review” these things, but both are cheap enough to make great stocking stuffers for the younger drinker (by which we mean the college kids) in the family. Grown-ups need not apply. The ShaKoozie combines a beer koozie with the shower. Velcro lets you attach the koozie directly to the shower wall, so…

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Review: 2009 Sonoma Coast Vineyards SCV Pinot Noir Freestone Hills Sonoma Coast

This Sonoma Coast Pinot comes from three vineyards on the coast. The results are just plain fancy: This wine exudes pepper on the nose, then kicks into a palate that offers tons of rich cherry character, more pepper, cinnamon, and a touch of mint. Big body, lots of intensity. Finish is savory, not at all…

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