The Pumpkin TAP

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Now is the time to give thanks. What to I give thanks for? Amongst other things: pumpkin, beer, and booze. Well now I need to give thank to Kegworks for the PUMPKIN TAP! Some of you may have seen it on your pinterests or facebooks, but how many of you have had the opportunity to USE it? The pumpkin tap comes in a few simple pieces that you screw together. Then, in three simple steps, you have a working pumpkin tap:

– Step 1: Hollow out pumpkin

– Step 2: casino online Cut small hole in bottom of the pumpkin & screw in the tap

– Step 3: Fill with boozy beverage of your choice

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Cocktail O’Clock: Autumn Old Fashioned

Autumn Spiced Old Fashioned

This way you can be Don Draper and have your holiday spices, too. This Autumn Old Fashioned includes a homemade syrup of orange, cloves, and all-spice, mixed up with bitter and — for an extra warming kick — a little tequila.

First, make the Spiced Orange Syrup:

Zest of 1 Orange
10 to 12 Whole Cloves
1 heaping tablespoon Whole Allspice
3/4 cup Water
1 1/2 cup Cane Sugar

Place all ingredients in saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is completely dissolved (approximately 5 minutes). Strain. Discard zest and spices. Refrigerate syrup.

Now for the cocktail.

Autumn Old Fashioned

2 ounces Camarena Reposado Tequila
1/4 ounce Spiced Orange Syrup *
2 dashes Classic Bitters

Combine liquids in rocks glass over fresh ice. Stir. Garnish with orange twist.

Endless Beers: Stone Southern Charred

southerncharred

ABV: 12.6%

“A bastard has been set free and it’s out to make a mockery of you.” Yes, that is the warning that Stone Brewing Co. released to all citizens willing to try the new release: Southern Charred. As of November 4, Southern Charred will be available to all members of the free world willing to take on the challenge of a mockery.  This ale is a barrel-aged version of a the Double Bastard Ale offered by stone. Southern charred was aged for 10 months in charred Kentucky bourbon and American oak barrels in order to provide what Stone claims to be “intense smoke and vanilla flavors.”

You may be wondering—why charred barrels? What’s the point? Well, think about it…If you aren’t there yet— smoke. This brew has a lot of characteristics of a porter. The charred barrels provide a smoky flavor to the beer that complements the porter characteristics. In fact, the smoky flavor enhances the typical double bastard flavor without overcoming the profile of the beer. With a high ABV of 12.6 %, be prepared to either share, or set aside about an hour for “relaxation time.” Tasting notes followed by the suggested pairings.

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Cocktail O’Clock: Candy Corn Booze

candy corn

 

Can’t find a way to stop eating all those candy corns sitting on your cubicle neighbor’s desk? Here’s a solution: drink them instead!

Candy Corn Collins

2 parts BACARDI Superior
¾ parts Fresh Lemon Juice
¾ parts Simple Syrup
½ parts Soda Water

Mix all ingredients except soda water in a shaker glass.

Add ice, shake and strain over fresh cracked ice and candy corns.

Top with soda water.

Drink. (But not so much that you scare the trick or treaters!)

Boodles Gin Cocktail

Cocktail O’ Clock: The Violet Crown

Boodles Gin Cocktail

While this cocktail may seem a bit more at home at a springtime garden party than a cozy fall evening, I can’t wait until next spring to share this recipe! It’s too good. First of all, starting with a premium gin base like this Boodles British Gin ensures a satisfying libation. (I can handle my share of cheap alcohol, but I just can’t do cheap gin. It has to be the good stuff. Boodles sent me a bottle to try and I knew I had to do it justice with a sophisticated cocktail recipe.) Secondly, the addition of Creme Yvette adds a refreshing and unique twist. If you’re not familiar with Creme Yvette I won’t hold it against you; it’s a relatively obscure, older liqueur that was just rereleased on the market a few years ago. It’s made from (…deep breath…)  parma violet petals, blackberries, red raspberries, wild strawberries and cassis, honey, orange peel and vanilla. What do you get when you combine these two boozy delights? HEAVEN!

I named this cocktail the Violet Crown because Creme Yvette is a purple-y (well, violet, obviously) color, and I live in Austin, a city that happens to have the nickname of “The Violet Crown.” So… why not?

Violet Crown Cocktail

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Pumpkin Spice Cake Martini

Cocktail O’ Clock: Pumpkin Spice Cake Martini

Pumpkin Spice Cake Martini

I’ll admit it: I love cake vodka! Especially Three Olives Cake Vodka, because it seriously tastes like delicious vanilla cake mix batter. Then again, as a kid I would eat raw cake batter by the spoonful, so I’m not sure what this all says about me. I’m also one of those obnoxious people who unabashedly loves fall flavors, especially anything pumpkin spice related. Since everyone is going crazy for pumpkin spice lattes once again, I figured, let’s improve this autumn trend by spiking it! Thus the Pumpkin Spice Cake Martini is born.

Pumpkin Spice Cake Martini

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