Elevation 5003 in FC

Posted on December 4, 2017 by melsmosaic

After a day on the links in Colorado in late November…

and seeing a beautiful sunset…

one must cap off the night. Recently checked out Elevation 5003 Distillery in Fort Collins, CO. They make a few spirits, including gin, vodka and whiskey. If you visit the tasting room, there is nice selection of drinks they concoct on site. One that I enjoyed, that is not on the menu anymore, but my friends had the bartender make, was the Timber Ridge Ramble. I just know it had gin, blackberries and great taste. If you live in, or are visiting Fort Collins, check this place out. Or, pick up a bottle of their stuff up or order a drink with it from the restaurant or bar you’re visiting.

Jameson Distillery

Posted on June 17, 2015 by melsmosaic

Not only is Ireland known for beer, but one must also consider the whiskey. So while there, the Jameson Distillery was high on my list of places to visit. I wanted to get the full tour of how this drink happens, from start to finish (aka drinking). So, scheduled a tour for the distillery in New Midleton. This provides for 1.5+ hours of very educational background on the whiskey, working through the 3 steps it goes through and then sampling of 3 whiskeys. One from the US, Scotland and Ireland. Very unique tastes to each. And you get a certificate at the end that you’re an Official Jameson Irish Whiskey Taster. How can you go wrong with that?

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Thomas Read, Dublin

Posted on June 4, 2015 by melsmosaic

While enjoying many local brews in Ireland I wanted to give something else a try. Stopped by a nice bar, Thomas Read, in Dublin one day and asked the bartender if he had any suggestions.

He asked he could whip up a concoction of his own. How could I turn that down?

It all started with some Jameson, some Ginger Syrup (similar to simple syrup but he doesn’t use heat to make it) and bitters.

Of course some rocks were added.

Stirred carefully.

And then he took so much time and care with the lemon rind I can not even begin to explain it! This drink was good.

Whisk(ed)y Away…

Posted on January 4, 2015 by melsmosaic

I’m not a huge straight, hard liquor drinker. But am usually up for trying something new. The latest inquiry/offer was if I drink scotch/whiskey. My answer was not really; I have a bottle of Jack if I want a Bourbon & Ginger.

But now I have been introduced to the true (aka good) scotch (whisky) and was blown away.

The first one I sampled was Laphroaig Single Malt Quarter Cask. Ok, I love Pinotage because of the smoke. That varietal has nothing compared to this. I know I’m comparing apples to oranges here but wow, wow, wow. I was taking beyond baby sips of this stuff because I have never really been a hard liquor drinker but from what I had, it was unbelievable. I know I’m being repetitive but SMOKE with a bit of sweet.

The second one I tasted was Lagavulin. It was smoother than the first but not as smoky — initially. After it had ‘breathed’ for a bit, wow, the notes definitely came out. It also had a longer finish. Very different but still on the same stream of overall taste. So unique.

I will say, you definitely learn something new everyday. This was quite different from my normal tastings and I will see how much I continue to explore this beverage. Cheers!

Baking…1,2,3…Biscotti

Posted on April 20, 2013 by melsmosaic

It’s Friday, it’s pouring rain, what better a thing to do before dinner than bake? You have to have dessert, right? And it helps to prep for a party tomorrow.

One of my favorite things to bake is biscotti because it has (or truly doesn’t have to have) butter, which means those who are lactose intolerant can totally enjoy it! And, it keeps for awhile. The crispier, the better!! With the recipe I use, I take the basics and alter the flavors. Tonight, I was looking around my kitchen and opted to include dark chocolate (duh!), whiskey and walnuts. There is a health benefit in all of those, in some way, shape or form.

The aforementioned recipe I use is from a cookbook I received years ago. You just combine:
-2+ c flour
-3/4 c sugar
-1/2 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp baking soda
-1/2 tsp salt
-1 tsp cinnamon
-most times I also use 1 tsp nutmeg

Blend. Then add:
-1 egg
-1 tsp vanilla

Those are the basics. Then you just need more liquid that is flavor and other dry ingredients for flavor, from nuts to chocolates to dry fruit to more spices You might also need some water sometimes just for that extra bit of liquid.

So for this recipe I used:
-‘some’ whiskey
-about 1/2 cup chocolate chips
-about 3/4 cup – 1 cup walnuts

Once the dough is mixed, you make it into flat ‘logs’ — I can’t think of a better word — and bake it for 30 minutes at 375.

After half an hour, take it out and cut it into ‘biscotti’ shape. And you know, these crumbs fall off– MUST sample. They have no calories, come on. Then, contrary to what the recipe said, I just turn the oven off, put the cookie sheet back in there, with the cut biscotti on it and let it sit in there, be it 1 hour or overnight. Again, the crispier the better.

Final product, perfect!