TUBE 60 – PURE HAPPINESS

Taking the world one sip at a time –  Tubi 60?

This mysterious bottle filled with a cloudy, amber-colored liquid, complete with a plain label that pictured a dove flying off with some sort of fruit. The combination of the simple home made bottle and unfiltered-looking spirit reminds us of homemade lemonade or your neigbour’s homemade liquor  you’d receive as an after-dinner gift.

Tubi 60 is an export of Israel.  Developed in Israel in a joint effort between master distillers, botanists and Israeli scientists.  Huge  in Tel Aviv bars, nightclubs, and is often employed as a starting-the-night-out-right shot. Its recipe has also been subject to frenzied speculation, and unsubstantiated rumors suggest some type of hallucinogenic or euphoria-causing herb.

It’s a neutral grain spirit distilled from corn and blended with a maceration of lemons, herbs, spices, tree and flower extract. The impressive lineup of roots, herbs and spices, which includes ginger, turmeric, mint, anise, saffron, cumin and ginseng.

NO ADDED SUGAR

Tube 60 is best served chilled but can be mixed with soda or tonic water as they do in Tel Aviv.  Give it a good shake and pour yourself a shot.  It had a lemony semi-sweetness taste close to fresh squeezed lemonade &  limoncello. The buzzing undercurrent  spices: ginger and turmeric in particular makes it very pleasant and healthy. It’s 80 proof  and can be used for all kinds of cocktails.

This Tel Aviv Spritz  is a  fantastic dilution is not syrupy quality,  it as a fresh, alcoholic lemonade with a multi-layered herbal kick. The ginger &  the herbal effect of the other spices, particularly the turmeric, makes one think you are drinking   some delicious, natural juice that just happened to be 40% ABV.

Tubi 60 is not like most things ton the bar. It’s a wonderful thing to get your hands on if you’re looking for an entirely different sort of drinking experience.

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        T U B   60 – ORDER YOURS TODAY

How To Order Whiskey Like A Pro

There’s something intriguing about whiskey that makes us revere it with awe — its name, after all, comes from the Gaelic uisce beatha, which means “water of life.” If it’s in fact the “water of life,” then let’s drink up! But before you lift that glass, you need to either A) buy the right kind of whiskey for your home or B) know what to order at the bar! There are several different whiskeys around the world and all are slightly different — made of different ingredients, and even given different names, like Scotch or Bourbon. So sidle up and find out what you should be looking for …

The Many Types

SCOTCH WHISKYS can only be produced in Scotland and are generally made from malted barley, distilled at least twice and aged for at least three years in oak barrels. Scotch typically has a smoky taste because peat (basically dirt) is used in the malting process.

There are two main types: single malt Scotch (made from malted barley) and single grain Scotch (made at a single distillery of malted barley and other grains, malted or unmalted).

Furthermore there are three blends: blended malt Scotch (a blend of single malt Scotch whiskies from different distilleries), blended grain Scotch (a blend of single grain Scotch whiskies from different distilleries) and blended Scotch (a blend of single malt Scotch and single grain Scotch).

IRISH WHISKEYS can only be produced in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and are aged for at least three years. Unlike Scotch whiskies, Irish whiskeys have a cleaner taste since peat is not used in the malting process. Most Irish whiskeys are distilled three times from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley and other grains. This produces a whiskey that is much lighter and more neutral than most others.

AMERICAN WHISKEYS are generally aged in new charred oak barrels. Some of the most popular American whiskeys include Rye whiskey, Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey.

• Rye whiskey, is, as the name suggests, made from rye (at least 51%). It has a spicy, fruity taste. Originally cocktails like the Manhattan, Old-Fashioned, and Whiskey Sour were created with rye.

• Bourbon is mostly made from corn (at least 51% by regulation) and has a sweet taste. Brands include Maker’s Mark and Wild Turkey.

• Tennessee whiskey is straight Bourbon whiskey that is made in Tennessee. What differentiates it from regular Bourbon is that it’s filtered through maple charcoal before going into barrels for aging, which removes unpleasant aromas and flavors, giving the whiskey a cleaner taste. There are four brands: Jack Daniel’s, George Dickel, Collier and McKeel, and Benjamin Prichard’s (does not use the filtering process).

How To Serve And Taste Whiskey

Whiskey is really best served “neat“ in a snifter at room temperature with no ice. This type of glass with its particular tulip-like shape helps the drinker enjoy the aroma and flavor. The heat of your hands also helps bring out more flavors in the whiskey.

When you get your whiskey, smell it, but be careful not to inhale abruptly as the alcohol will deaden your senses — it’s best to leave your mouth open as you smell the whiskey. Watch the video below for exact tips on drinking whiskey.

If you order a whiskey “on the rocks,” which means with ice, it will be served to you in an old-fashioned glass. It’s also quite common to order whiskey with water, which some drinkers say helps bring out the flavor of the whiskey. It’s a good idea to taste the whiskey first before adding water to see if it’s even needed. Try to use spring water instead of tap water, which contains chlorine that may react with the whiskey.

Whiskey Terminology

Grain whiskey refers to whiskey made from grains other than malted barley that’s distilled in a continuous column still, which produces a light-tasting whiskey. Grain whiskey is usually mixed with malt whiskey to create a blended whiskey.

Blended whiskey contains both malt whiskey and grain whiskey. It’s the most common kind of whiskey available. Brands include Dewar’s, Johnnie Walker, Seagram’s Seven Crown, and Chivas Regal.

Single malt whiskey is made from a single malted grain, traditionally barley, that is made in one distillery. The term is most often applied to Scotch whisky.

Single barrel whiskey means the entire bottle came from one barrel of whiskey instead of a blend from many barrels. This term is most often applied to Bourbons.

Straight whiskey is a term used for an American whiskey that is aged for 2 years or more in new charred white oak barrels.

 

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Why Wine makes you Happy ?

Wine makes people happy, Its a known thing – but as it turns out, there are a few cool facts about this alcoholic beverage that you probably didn’t know. Here are 10 facts about wine that will make you look at your cup a bit differently.

1. The custom of bumping glasses with a “cheers” greeting came from old Rome where they used this method to make sure no one is trying to poison the other (bumping glasses makes the drink spill from one cup to the other). This tradition started even earlier in ancient Greece – where the host was to drink the first cup of wine to show his guests he does not intend to poison them.

Happy friends toasting red wine glasses

2. And if we mentioned Rome – In ancient Rome it was forbidden for women to drink wine. If a husband found his wife drinking wine he would be allowed, by law, to kill her.

3. An ancient civilization that did not like wine was Egypt. The old kings avoided wine from the belief that the red alcoholic beverage is actually the blood of men who tried to fight the gods and failed. This is why, according to the egyptians, what makes people act irrationally while drinking it (alcohol).

4. Do you like wine AND living extreme? If you visit Vietnam, ask your waiter a glass of cobra wine.  This extreme beverage  is rice-wine covered with snake blood that is killed on the spot. if you’d like you can add the snake’s heart to the mix as well.

5. During the prohibition period in the United States, grape juice concentrate manufacturers took advantage of the big drinking lust Americans had and put a great warning sticker on their product saying “After you mix the concentrate with water, please do not keep the mix in a barrel for 20 days – as it will turn into wine.”

6. The world champion of recognizing wine by smell was crowned in 2003. Richard Juhlin, a sport ed from sweden, was able to recognize 43 wines out of 50. For comparison – second place was only able to recognize 4 of them.

7. Although the temptation is great – try not to keep your wine in the kitchen. The heat there is too much and may damage the wine’s quality. the fridge is no place for a wine either since it is just too cold. Find a cool dark closet somewhere in the house where you can keep all your bottles, or just get a wine cellar.

8. If you own a collection of bottles – don’t keep them standing up – this can cause the cork to dry, shrink and oxygen\air might get in the bottle. always keep the bottles lying down (Unless its an artificial cork.)

9. A survey that was being held in said that women that drink 2 cups of wine a day tend to enjoy relationships more than women who don’t drink at all.

10. People who have wine phobia are called Oenophobia – and they really do exist. It might sound funny, but this phobia – just like others, cause them a lot of suffering, especially if they go out to restaurants a lot.

Now you can raise your glass be Happy!

OCEAN VODKA ORGANIC FROM HAWAII

OCEAN ORGANIC VODKA

We have to start with an Aloha as Ocean Vodka has been created in the beautiful island of Maui in Hawaiian Islands. This family owned operated distillery has released a new bottling featuring the best handcrafted vodka in the world for the environment.   The crisp, natural, clean taste great to enjoy in cocktails or straight on ice

Cuban’s favorite drink ” CUBA LIBRE”

Cuba Libre with Bacardi Rum

 

Even if you are not an expert in making drinks, it doesn’t get any simpler than rum and coke.

Here are the ingredients in this amazing cocktail.

1 oz  Bacardi Gold Rum

3 oz Coca-Cola

Garnish: Lime wedge

Glass: Tall

All you need to do is add all of the ingredients to a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and say Cheers!

AMERICANO – A Classic Campari Cocktails for a nice hot day.

 

Trust me – This is not a espresso made with hot water for the coffee lover.

This is the story of the  cocktail Americano. A creation of Americans abroad and the bartenders who served them in Italy.  An Americano was first served in Gaspare Campari’s bar, Cafe Campari in The Campari region of Italy. It was the 1860s and there were plenty of American expatriates around. The drink was originally known as the “Milano-Torino” because Campari is from Milan, where Cafe Campari is located.

Campari creator Gaspare Campari was from Torino and he settled in Milan, where he created the startling orange Campari – the world’s top-selling bitters. He brought sweet vermouth with him from Torino and combined the two signature liquors into this drink, stirring them with soda water – hence the original name. The Italians soon noticed that many Americans enjoyed the cocktail. Eventually the cocktail became known as the “Americano”. The Americano is also a classic aperitif, often served before dinner to cleanse the palate and awaken the appetite.

We love the Americano too. It has a  low alcohol content, and we can easily adjust the bitterness. The bitter citrus flavor of the Campari is incredibly refreshing – a palate cleanser on a hot day. The sweet vermouth balances it out just enough with a sweet muskiness, and the soda water makes what could be a very strong and overwhelming drink into a tingling refresher for a hot evening. Serve with citrus slices.

The Americano

makes 1 cocktail

1 1/2 ounces Campari
1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth
Club soda or seltzer
Orange slice for garnish

 

Fill up an old-fashioned tumbler with ice. You can also water this down a bit more and use a highball; we often do this when we want a long cool drink but not a lot of alcohol.

Pour the Campari and vermouth over the ice and top up with seltzer.

 

 

Wild Turkey Sparkling Tea

An ideal summer punch for your next backyard barbecue.

Ingredients in the Wild Turkey Sparkling Tea Cocktail

• 4 cups Water
• 8 Red herbal tea bags (lemon zinger or hibiscus)
• 2 cups Wild Turkey American Honey
• Splash of club soda
• Juice of 1 lemon

Garnish: Cherries

Glass: Tall

How to make the Wild Turkey Sparkling Tea Cocktail

In a large saucepan, boil 2 cups of the water. Remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Steep for 10 minutes and then discard the tea bags. Add the remaining 2 cups of water. Stir in the Wild Turkey American Honey, transfer to a pitcher and chill. Just before serving, add the lemon juice and club soda. Pour the drink into tall glasses filled with ice. Garnish each glass with a couple cherries.

Contributed by Wild Turkey Bourbon

 

DO YOU NEED TO ORGANIZE YOUR LIQUOR CABINET

Starting this year could mean a lot of different things to people, but for us, we love that it’s “Get Organized” month. If you ask us, spring is not the ideal time for cleaning and organizing because by that point, it’s so nice outside that you don’t want to sit in your house and clean out your junk drawer. January, however, is typically the crappiest month in every state. This is prime time to hide from the polar vortex and get your organizing on. 

After the holidays, one of the most disorganized parts of our house is the liquor cabinet. Between digging through it for last minute hostess gifts and trying to whip up impressive cocktails for our countless holiday parties, our liquor cabinet has certainly seen better days. 

If you are in the same boat as us, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Try organizing your liquor cabinet using the following steps and it’ll be back in drinking shape in no time.

 

• Don’t keep all of your glassware and bar tools in the same cabinet as your bottles. Yes, it’s fun to show off all of your fun drinking things in one location, but they’re just creating a lot of clutter and building a roadblock between you and drinking.

 

• Remove every single bottle from that cabinet and create an inventory of what you have. Take note of any bottles that are especially low (or noticeably missing) and make a shopping list. Tape the inventory on the inside of the cabinet so when you’re looking for something, you can easily check the list and see if it’s in there and how much you have.

 

• You know that inventory? You should also categorize by liquor type, and then put the brand names under each type.

 

• Before you put anything back in the cabinet, just wipe each bottle down with a damp rag. Bottles can get sticky and/or dusty and there’s nothing worse than a gross bottle when you’re trying to make a cocktail.

 

• Some people say to put the tallest bottles in the back row and the shortest bottles in the front – we say that probably looks better, but it’s not necessarily as practical. You know that there are just certain liquors you drink more than others…put them closer to the front so you don’t have to dig around any more than necessary.

 

• Behind your favorite liquors on the front lines, group the remaining bottles all by their liquor types again. This just makes everything easier to find.

 

This is how we organize our liquor cabinet, but we know there are also other great ways to do it. How do you organize yours? Any tips or tricks?

Create a Tasteful, fun Bar Cart for your guests!

It’s not hard to create a Tasteful   Mobil cart in your apartment or house.  Now is the time to recharge to full energy and check off all the boxes that you’ve wanted to do for some time now.  It’s the time of year to really get motivated to start new exhilarating projects and actually finish them.

After much entertaining and being entertained in 2012, I’ve noticed that nothing makes more of a statement at an intimate gathering than the hosts ‘bar’.  This is because it’s not just a place to make a cocktail or pour a glass of wine, but yet it’s a time when you are interacting with other guests and can ‘make a drink’ and even a friend at the bar.  How many times have you said,  “Want to make another drink”?  I’m sure plenty.   Your bar is your chance to show your guests your personal style and since it is the center focus of your party, wouldn’t you want it to be a masterpiece?

As we  have entered  into 2013 it is time.  Time to clean up your ‘bar’, get rid of the clutter and start with a clean slate filled with fabulous wines going into 2013. So wipe off the lingering champagne drops from your  previous party, get ride of those half full bottles and start fresh with a stylish yet tidy bar (get rid of clutter!).

 Here is some great   interior décor,  few ideas on prepping your bar for another  amazing year!

Essentials for creating a ‘Tasteful’ bar!

1. Always have Pellegrino glass bottles
2. 2 bottles of nice champs (Veuve Cliquot, Louis Roederer, Ruinart, Moet etc.)
3. Add fake or real limes in a nice dish
4. A pop of color can add a nice touch to your bar. Try adding a colorful flower in a vase
5. Incorporate some sort of interesting glassware
6. Throw a few fab crystal wine stoppers on for decoration or slices of geode coasters in a fun color to go with flowers
7. Come up with a theme and make sure everything complements each other. We  love working with metallics, such as gold with a bright pop of color of fuchsia or cobalt blue
8. Keep out Clutter!!

 

Volia! What do you think?

 

Pre-Game Rituals?

Ever have a couple drinks before hitting the bars? We think it makes sense (only for some – don’t forget to be responsible) for a couple reasons. It saves you money because you can order less drinks at the bar. It also gives you a good excuse to have people over and get friends together. Even though you’ll be out with all of your buddies soon enough… its fun to see people without the crazy crowds and before you need to play wingman for your best friend.

So we want to know, do you have any pregame rituals? What do you usually pre-game with?