GSN Week in Review: Jan. 1-7, 2012

Editorial: Good Spirits News has evolved over the past several years to become more than just a part-time hobby for me. This past week I began a new spirited journey which will prove to be educational and fun. I will be making and reviewing every cocktail listed in the Mr. Boston 75th Anniversary Bartender’s Guide and posting the results on GSN. The amount of time spent both writing and tracking down the historical information and ingredients behind these drinks is a bit overwhelming, but entirely doable. My life’s mantra is to do everything in balance. Obviously, something is going to have to change in order for me to find the time to accomplish this new project.

So, I’ve decided I am going to focus on the following three areas on Good Spirits News:

The Mr. Boston project
Reviewing new craft and interesting spirits, liqueurs, bitters & cocktail books
Continuing to post information on upcoming cocktail events and competitions

What does this mean to you, dear reader? (drum roll…….) This is the final issue of GSN Week in Review! I hope you’ve enjoyed it while it lasted. Make sure you stick around GSN for even more fun and mixological madness. It’s gonna get crazy, folks!

Cheers! Blair

Quote of the Week: “No, I would not like a glass of water with a splash of Sauv Blanc, thank you very much; I would like a LOW ALCOHOL COCKTAIL that actually tastes like a fricking cocktail.”—Lesley Townsend, Manhattan Cocktail Classic

Winners of the week: New Orleans Vanessa Morrison Suwan Seelee

Trends: Cocktail Comeback 2012 Trends

Events: Bittered Sling Bistro George Washington’s Distillery Tour Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen San Antonio Cocktail Conference Speed Rack San Francisco

Spirits of note: Best New Spirits of 2011

Cool barware & books: gaz regan’s Annual Manual for Bartenders, 2012

Website of the week: International Bartender’s Association

Cocktail of the week: On Second Thought by David Delaney Jr. of Still & Stir

1.5 fl. oz. Laird’s Applejack
.5 fl. oz. Benedictine Liqueur
.5 fl. oz. Cherry Heering Liqueur
.5 fl. oz. Grade “A” Maple Syrup
.75 fl. oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
5 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a dehydrated, cinnamon-dusted lemon wheel.

Video of the Week

Dale DeGroff On the Town

Picture of the Week