Mixologist of the Month: Marjan Simovics of B Bar SF

Marjan Simovics is a mixologist to watch.

Yes, he's got the de rigueur tight vest and nailed his cocktail shaking moves. But there's more: The San Fran-based bartender serves up unusual tipples, including a playful squid ink cocktail, at B Bar SF.

I profiled him recently for Wine Enthusiast as Mixologist of the Month, and scored his signature Bourbon & Berry recipe, which incorporates vinegar.

Feast your eyes here:

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Web-2012/Bourbon-Berry/

How to: Make a Liqueur Foam

Ever wondered how bartenders and mixologists create pretty garnishes, set shots on fire and dream up other fancy finishes to your favorite cocktails? Each month Wine Enthusiast reveals a technique in our How To column.

This How To: Make a Liqueur Foam comes courtesy of Mr. Rain's Fun House in Baltimore, dreamed up by the talented mixologist Perez Klebahn.

In just 3 simple steps, you can create a liqueur-based foam to top a holiday cocktail. We'll drink to that. Read my story here:

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Web-2012/How-to-Liquor-Foam/

Most Haunted Bars and Wineries in the US

This Halloween, it's natural to wonder about ghosts, goblins and...haunted places to grab drinks. Ever wondered where the most haunted bars and wineries in the US are located?

I searched high and low and found the spookiest places to score a sip this Halloween.

Read my story on the most haunted bars and wineries in the US for Wine Enthusiast Magazine here, including that of Hattie, who salts wine glasses at Restaurant 1833.

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Web-2012/Old-Haunts/

Best Halloween Parties in New Orleans 2012

If you're in NOLA this weekend, I hope you've come armed with a costume. People here sure love dressing up, and partying, in case you didn't notice.

My roundup for neworleans.com takes a peek at the hottest Halloween parties in New Orleans for 2012. Insert maniacal laughter here.

http://www.neworleans.com/blog/2012/10/new-orleans-halloween-2012-parties/

Celebrity Spotting: New Orleans

Where can you find Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and other Hollywood stars? Why..in New Orleans, of course!
We looked at some hot spots and under-the-radar places the stars come out when they come down South.
Since the film industry has blossomed in NOLA, celebrity sightings are an everyday occurrence in the Crescent City.

http://www.neworleans.com/blog/2012/10/hollywood-south-tours-new-orleans/

New Orleans's Best Hangover Cures

It may be called the Big Easy, but there's nothing easy about an epic hangover. (That's what all those go cups  tend to produce!)

Check out the article I wrote for neworleans.com, outlining the best hangover cures from New Orleans's top authorities: its bartenders.

Yes, one of them does involve that mysterious green concoction. (It's delicious, I swear!)

http://dining.neworleans.com/2012/07/best-hangover-cures-in-new-orleans/

Happy Healing.

Bizarre Places to Find Booze

Drive-thru liquor stores? Gas stations filling up growlers? Yep..there certainly are some strange places to find the sauce in the lower 48 states.

Check out the Daily Meal for my article on the Top 5 Most Bizarre Places to Find Booze. I also outline some outrageous liquor laws.

Cheers!

http://www.thedailymeal.com/top-5-most-bizarre-places-find-booze

Ch-Ch-Ch-Cherry Bomb!

Sure, flavored spirits have been hot this year. But with sickeningly sweet releases like cotton candy and whipped cream vodkas dominating the market, the trend left something to be desired.

Liquor giants have stepped in—and stepped it up with tart-sweet cherry spirits. Want to read more about the cherry liquor trend? Check out my article for the Daily Meal here, and get your cherry popped.

http://www.thedailymeal.com/cherry-bomb-newest-cherry-spirits

Best Hotel Bars in New Orleans

Happy July everyone! If you're in the cocktail and spirits industry, you know what that means...countdown to Tales of the Cocktail, the cocktail and spirits fest in NOLA each July.

I've spent a lot of time in New Orleans over the past few years, and know my way around some of the city's best bars (shocker). Many of them just so happen to be in hotels.

Here's a round up I did for the Crescent City's best hotel bars for neworleans.com. It's a great resource for all things New Orleans. And no, you won't find them on Bourbon Street (ok, some are close by).

Here's a link to the story:

http://dining.neworleans.com/2012/03/best-hotel-bars-in-new-orleans/

Best of all, you don't have to check in to check out these hotel bars.

Tasty, Tropical Turks & Caicos

 Sometimes a girl's got to get away. Who knew the Turks & Caicos is just a 3 hour jaunt from NYC?

 It's hot in the Turks & Caicos. One might consider bottled water, but we eschewed H2O for Rum Punch hydration. You may only have a small fire escape from which to enjoy it, but here's an easy recipe to make at home:

Rum Punch
1 cup Bacardi 151
1/2 cup Myer's dark rum
1/4 cup Malibu coconut rum
2 cups each orange and pineapple juices
1/4 cup lime juice
3 tablespoons grenadine syrup

Mix all ingredients together in a (hopefully tropical-looking) punch bowl. Pour over ice cubes in any type of glass. We went for plastic (pictured) since it's safer for drunken dancing on the beach. Serves 1 very thirsty individual but makes quite a few drinks.

Wondering what the local island specialty is in the Turks & Caicos? 

 Really, it's all about conch. You can have it fried, frittered, curried or made into chowder. You can take it as a shot, some say it's an aphrodisiac, but isn't the whole island kind of one? Eat that versatile conch with rice and plantain fries. YUM.

And while every hotel offers conch in some variation, you simply must go to Da Conch Shack. Sure, it's a bit out of the way (near the airport) but you'll be watching your conch get pulled from the turquoise sea with your toes in the sand. Check out all the conch shells below!

 If you've had too much punch, sober up with a locally made Turk's head lager. Cheers!