To the Bat Cave, Robin!

With the Bourbon & Beer Brawl USBG Event coming up, My mind has been spinning with beer cocktail creations. I love the idea of incorporating the subtle and not so subtle flavor profiles of beer into my cocktail spectrum. It opens a whole world of potential that is so much more than just the shot and a beer mentality.

For some people, beer is in of itself already a perfectly balanced cocktail. The brewmaster has carefully determined his ingredients and ratios to create a distinct flavor profile of hop, malt or rye to deliver a pleasurable experience for your palate. For me, I always see room for improvement if it involves adding whiskey.

My first successful libation, The Dark Knight is born.


The Dark Knight

1.5 oz Elijah Craig 12
.75 oz Drambuie
.75 oz Guinness Syrup
1 oz Guinness
3 Dashes Chocolate Bitters
Stir Elijah Craig, Drambuie, Syrup and strain into Cocktail Glass.
Dry shake Beer and float foam on top. Dash bitters on top of foam. You can use a bat stencil if you are feeling fancy.
Garnish with Flamed Orange Zest.

I'll fill you in on the beer syrup... I'm just getting started on this so bear with me here.
I had one bottle of Guinness in the fridge, so that is what I used as my first experiment. I poured two cups of sugar into a pot with a tablespoon of butter on low heat. I lightly browned the sugar, stirring frequently until the sugar had a nice caramel color. I slowly poured in the beer, while constantly stirring the mixture. I boiled the pot for about twenty minutes. And then let it cool. The result is a creamy, sweet and full flavored syrup. And it's lovely. I am excited to try some different beer styles and sugar combinations.
I'll let you know how it goes...

Bourbon & Beer Brawl
Jan. 22nd
6pm at Zephyr Lounge
Featuring Master Mixologist, Bobby G Gleason & Boulder Beer Company
Hosted by Usbg Reno, Wirtz Beverage & Zephyr Lounge
$10 for non-members




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2011 Best Of's

As we slip into yet another year, I would like to commemorate some of my 2011 Bar Bests...

Best Job - CinCin has allowed me to move forward in leaps and bounds over this past year. I have been able to bring my passion for the Artisan Cocktail Craft to Reno with virtually zero restrictions. I have met an extensive amount of patrons who truly appreciate the art of drinking. I have built up a great clientele and have thoroughly enjoyed myself along the way.

Best Bartender - I was named the Best Female Casino Bartender by the Reno News & Review which is a great honor, but my Best Of award goes to my partner in crime, Annalisa Rox. I was lucky enough cross paths with Annalisa at CinCin. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her as we developed the concept at CinCin together. Endless hours of cocktail creation, fighting for our cause and giggling like school girls.



Best Cocktail - I have come up with hundreds of cocktails this year, but I will give you the top top five.

5. 22 Years Later - A crowd favorite at my bar. This spirit forward cocktail is named for one my patron's Tom, who declared that in 22 years (after my children had graduated college) I would become his live in bartender.
2 oz Knob Creek
.75 oz Grand Marnier
.75 oz Luxardo
2 Dashes Angostura
Stir and serve up with a Flamed Orange Zest

4. Mark of Cain - I served this to the CEO of Nolet's Gin. This cocktail helped me to gain some recognition in the cocktail circuit. It is also the cocktail that I submitted to the Domaine De Canton Bartender of the Year Competition for 2012.
1.5 oz Gin (Nolet's or Hendrick's)
.75 oz Canton
.75 oz Ginger Syrup
.75 oz Lemon
Muddled Cucumber and Red Bell Pepper
Topped with Ginger Beer
Garnish with Cucumber & Pepper Ribbon

3. DiCaprio - Taking second in the Martin Miller's Gin "Trading Up" Competition, this cocktail put me on the map with some of the greats. Losing to Junior Ryan is definitely nothing to be ashamed of. Check out my spin on a Sex on the Beach.
1.5 oz Martin Miller's Gin
.5 oz Leopold's Cranberry
.5 oz Leopold's Peach
.75 oz Lemon
.75 oz Honey Syrup
Shake & Double Strain
Serve up with a Lemon Twist

2. Moulin Rouge - The First Place winner of the Absente Green Movement Cocktail Competition. This spin on Death in the morning is a show stopper that I am very proud of.
1 oz Absinthe
.5 oz Leopold's Peach
.75 oz Ginger Simple Syrup
.75 oz Lemon
2 Muddled Strawberries
Shake and Double Strain into a Flute
Top with Dry Champagne
Dash with Angostura Orange Bitters
Garnish with thinly sliced Strawberry

1. Brazilian Beauty - Still gracing my miniature Barrel at the Bar, I'm sure that this cocktail is my crowning jewel and greatest accomplishment of 2011
2 oz Cachaca
1 oz St. Germain
1 oz Dolin Blanc
Barrel Aged in a brandy seasoned cask for six weeks
Dash with Honey Bitters and Stir, Serve up with a Lemon Twist


Best Accomplishment - With a lot of hard work and endless hours of networking, Reno finally has its own official USBG Chapter. I am proud to say that I am the President, but even more pleased to say that there is a great base of bartenders here in Reno that are committed to learning more about their craft.

Best Event - The USBG Kick Off Party in September takes the cake, with our Cigar & Whisky Pairing running a close second. Watch for some amazing events next year.

Best Experience - My husband and I ventured to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail this past summer. You can read about it in detail in one of my past blogs. It opened my eyes to whole world that I had only had glimpses of. I highly recommend this experience and I look forward to next year.

Best in Show - I need to give some credit for all of the successes of 2011 to the person who really makes it possible, my husband, Doug. For endless support, love, grounding, help and unwinding--- He is the best of the best and I couldn't do it without him. If you see him at the Bar, buy him a drink. He deserves it!


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