Imbibe

Dessert in a Glass: The Strawberry Cobbler

September 01, 2011

Whether she’s mixing mojitos in New York or sangria in LA, James Beard-honored mixologist Kim Haasarud (liquid-architecture.com) knows how to wield a muddler and a shaker. Having worked the bars at hot spots all over the country and boasting six books detailing 606 different concoctions, there is no cocktail recipe (or ingredient) that surprises Haasarud—including her very own Strawberry Cobbler.

The Strawberry Cobbler
SERVES ONE

3 ripe strawberries, hulled
1 ounce simple syrup
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce Navan vanilla liqueur
1 1/2 ounces vodka or gin
Splash of soda water or Champagne
 
In a mixing glass, muddle strawberries with simple syrup and lemon juice. Add the vanilla liqueur and vodka, top with ice and shake vigorously. Pour into a tall glass and top with soda water or Champagne. Stir and garnish with a strawberry.

—STEPHANIE STARK

Old School Cognac Cocktails

August 27, 2011

	Old Fashioned
	Sidecar

Living up to its name, Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif boasts an award-winning blend dominated by spicy eaux-de-vie grown in the Borderies cru—the smallest, most exclusive cru in the Cognac region. The spirit evokes a rich aromatic complexity and marries well with apple juice, fresh lime, cucumber and ginger. These retro preparations are our favorite way to enjoy the exclusive blend.

Old Fashioned
SERVES ONE

2 ounces Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif
1 Demerara sugar cube
1 tsp. orange zest
3 dashes Angostura bitters

Add sugar cube and bitters into a rocks glass with a fresh ice cube and orange zest. Pour in cognac and stir slowly until the ice is almost melted and sugar is dissolved. Garnish with orange peel.

Sidecar
SERVES ONE

2 ounces Courvoisier VSOP Exlusif
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. simple syrup
1/2 ounce orange liqueur

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

JRN Wines and Spirits, 74 Montauk Hwy., East Hampton, 324-1230

—GRETA SPANGENBERG

Bedell Cellars: A Good Year for Viognier

August 25, 2011

2010 was an exceptionally good year for viognier grapes on Long Island. An early wave of dry summer heat and just enough rain produced hearty vines and led to an early harvest of bright, fragrant and intensely flavored grapes. From these fine grape specimens came 310 cases of Bedell Cellars’ 2010 Viognier ($35). Aged in stainless steel and 100-percent fermented, the vintage is truly magnificent with fruit forward aromas of white peach and honeysuckle echoed by notes of apricot, green gage plum and ripe honeydew melon. Though supply is still strong, the winery predicts a rapid reduction in early September, when many of the remaining bottles will be sent out to its wine club members. Bedell North Fork, 36225 Main Road, Route 25, 734-7537

—GRETA SPANGENBERG

Herbaceous Vodka Cocktails

August 20, 2011

Szarlotka

Used centuries ago in eastern Polish celebrations, bison grass was believed to promote power, wealth and youthfulness. Now it can be found in vodka. Zu bison grass flavored vodka is sealed with a blade of bison grass (or zubrowka) in the bottle and features the natural flavors of the herbaceous grass indigenous to Poland as well as notes of chamomile, coconut and vanilla.  

Ginger Bison
SERVES ONE

1 ½  ounces Zu Vodka
½ ounce ginger ale
Dash of bitters
Lime

Fill a highball glass with ice and add vodka, bitters and ginger ale. Stir well and garnish with a lime wedge.

Szarlotka (Apple Pie)
SERVES ONE

1 ½ ounces Zu Vodka
½ ounce unfiltered apple juice
Lemongrass

Fill a highball glass with ice and add vodka and apple juice. Stir well and garnish with bison grass or lemongrass stalks.

—STEPHANIE STARK

A Sinful Sparkling Cocktail

August 18, 2011

As summer’s end draws near we feel the need to indulge our every whim, and this Godiva cocktail combines two of our favorite vices: chocolate and vodka. Created by Beauty & Essex mixologist Beate Kiser the Spring Fling is sinfully rich with a hint of spice and sparkling flavor.

The Godiva Spring Fling
SERVES ONE

1 1/2 ounces Godiva Chocolate Vodka
1/2 ounce ginger liqueur1/2 ounce sparkling wine
Fresh mint

Add vodka, ginger liqueur and a sprig of fresh mint into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a Champagne flute filled with ice. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

—STEPHANIE STARK