The Iron Bartender

Fantastic Friday Fix -- Froo Froo!

2011-01-08T04:31:00.000-08:00

Last night my crew (Which involves my husband and our drinking friend) talked about whether to call this drink the Dreamsicle or the "Better than creamsicle." I was out voted, so Dreamsicle it is!

Ingredients:
Welch's frozen Concentrated Orange Pineapple Apple juice mix (Found in the frozen juice aisle)
Coconut Rum
Spiced Rum

Mix the Juice concentrate and crushed ice in a blender. Add in half a canister of coconut rum, and a quarter canister of spiced rum. Blend until smooth and enjoy.

This drinks is one tasty, tasty Froofroo!

Secret Ingredient for Jan 5

2011-01-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

This Week's Secret Ingredient is...

Jim Bean

That's right, it's bourbon time. E-mail me at aprilnloebick@gmail.com, post in the comments, or post on our Facebook page your favorite drinks that include Jim Bean Bourbon! I'll post my Recipe and any others that I find interesting on Monday!

Until then, CHEERS!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T05:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2011! I hope you ended 2010 with a bang, and not so much of a hangover for 2011. Me and My crew celebrated the New Year in Asheville, NC at the Double Tree Hotel. The Hotel had a TGIFridays in the lobby, so we started out our night there. I had a Hawaiian Volcano and a Mai Tai - Very fruity, very tropical drinks. It was a good thing.

After dinner and drinks, we returned to our hotel room where the party continued. I had a couple shots of Strawberry flavored Vodka, while everyone else was sipping on some Sailor Jerry's and Pepsi.

We let those settle for a couple of hours, because the big event was still 3 hours away! There was chit-chatting and rounds of Tarot readings. When 11 o'clock hit, we knew it was time for the main event. We broke out the bottle of Biltmore Estate "Champagne," and turned on the TV to watch the ball drop. We promptly muted the horrible music, and waves of "WWOOOOOO!!!"

Because we waited a decent amount of time, the wine and liquor did not get anyone sick. We all enjoyed our New Year celebration. How about you?

Happy Holidays

2010-12-24T13:20:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a break. I'll be back after the first of the year. In the mean time -- Eat, Drink, and Be Merry.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Iron Bartender -- April Loebick

Secret Ingredient -- Chili Cheese Fritos

2010-12-21T10:38:00.000-08:00

This one is easy for me. To perfect the college binge night - like food, all you need to add is a little redbull. Of course, a college binge night wouldn't be complete without some vodka to go with that redbull.

Vodka Bombs:

Pour a shot of your favorite flavored vodka (I prefer grape or strawberry)
Pour the redbull into a rockglass that's about 2/3 full.
Drop the shotglass containing the vodka into the rock glass full of Redbull
Chug the entire glass of liquid
Belch loudly
Then get a towel to clean up any mess.

Booze News - Holiday Mixology

2010-12-21T10:36:00.001-08:00

Video story from MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/40765239#40765239

It's drink info for the health conscience. To me, calories don't count on Christmas! But for others, it may be good to know that Eggnog can have over 500 calories a glass. I'm totally going to be going over my daily calorie limit this Christmas -- but who cares! I'm allowed to calorie splurge every once and a while. However, if you're more calorie conscience then check out this story.

Fantastic Friday Fix -- Something

2010-12-18T05:15:00.001-08:00

Is it Ironic that I didn't post the Fantastic Friday Fix on time because as soon as I got home yesterday, the first thing I did was get drunk? Drunk on what? -- you may ask. Well, my friends, I'll tell you. Last night I didn't have anything fancy. I had Redbull and Smirnoff's Strawberry Vodka. First I took a shot of the vodka and used Redbull as a chaser, and then I made a drink of one part vodka (which was about 3oz) and one part Redbull. It was a good night -- until I had the second Redbull, which caused me not to sleep last night.

Anyway, back to what's important -- the vodka. I haven't had the Strawberry-flavored Smirnoff in years. Last time I had it, in fact, my husband and I were still living at Fort Campbell in Kentucky and he was still in the military. Drinking this particular flavor brought back many memories, and it has always amazed me how some senses invoke such powerful memories, particularly smell and taste.

Secret Ingredient for Dec 15, 2010

2010-12-15T16:18:00.001-08:00

This week's Secret Ingredient is...

Chili Cheese Fritos

Now, now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking how the hell you make a drink out of chips. But this week we're doing something a bit different. This week, I want you to come up with a drink that will complement Chili Cheese Fritos.

Have fun!

Secret Ingredient - Fireball Whiskey

2010-12-13T05:15:00.000-08:00

Spiked Wassail

Wassail Ingredients:
1/2 gallon apple cider
13 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
1/2 quart pineapple juice
1/2 can (3 oz) frozen orange juice concentrate

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a crock-pot and simmer. This drink is meant to be served hot. This should make about 6 servings of wassail. Double ingredients if you're making this for a bigger party.

Where the spiked comes in:
Mix in 2oz of Fireball whiskey into 4oz of the Wassail and enjoy!

Booze News -- Moonshine

2010-12-11T05:48:00.000-08:00

Newsweek published an article this week about how moonshine is moving from the Appalachian subculture to the mainstream. Here's the article:http://www.newsweek.com/2010/12/10/shine-on.html.

Being from the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, I know moonshine and I knew quite a few of old moonshiners when I was going up. The original bootlegger are a dying breed; however, the resurgence of do-it-yourself booze is bringing it back. According to the article, at home breweries and what-not are growing. And while making moonshine is still illegal in most places, some states are beginning to look at their outdated prohibition laws. So making moonshine at home may become legal. That takes some of the fun out of it.

This article does a good job in making the difference known between real moonshine and the stuff that you see in stores. Real moonshine can be made from almost anything, while the store stuff is usually unaged whiskey. So the question becomes, which do you prefer? Store-bought unaged whiskey or Bathtub Moonshine?

Fantastic Friday Fix -- Baileys

2010-12-10T04:27:00.001-08:00

Sometimes, it's the simple drinks that make you smile. In a rock glass, pour two shots of Bailey's Irish cream over rocks. And TaDa! You have a simple, tasty desert drink to sip at while you watch ABCfamily's 25 days of Christmas.

I haven't gotten a chance to sit and watch their usual classic holiday shows yet. I need to get my yearly dose of Heat Miser and brother to get those songs stuck in my head for a few months at least!

Secret Ingredient for Dec 9, 2010

2010-12-09T05:02:00.000-08:00

Keeping with the Holiday theme here, let's go with something warm and spicy. This week's secret ingredient is...

Fireball Whiskey!

This stuff is pretty good on it's own just to sip, but I want more than that. Do you have a recipe that uses Fireball Whiskey? Post it in the comments, e-mail me (aprilnloebick@gmail.com), or post it on my Facebook page.

Official Fireball Whiskey Website

Secret Ingredient - Vanilla Recipe

2010-12-07T04:40:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm going to admit something. The following is not one of my own recipes, or a recipe I got from a friend. I got this recipe from http://www.drinknation.com/drinks.

In a rock glass:

* 2 oz. Bourbon
* 3 oz. Cream
* 1/4 tsp. (grated) Nutmeg
* 1 tsp. Sugar, superfine
* 1/4 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Mixing Instructions

Shake all ingredients (except nutmeg) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a rocks glass and grate some fresh nutmeg over it.

I thought was perfect and just in time for the Holidays. Do you have any drinks that you like to make specifically around the holidays? Post in it the comments!

IronBartender is back!

2010-12-07T04:30:00.000-08:00

Now that I've finished finals, the extra stress of school is over -- and forever. Yup, that's right. I'm graduating. I do believe that it's time for a drink!

Absence

2010-11-24T05:20:00.001-08:00

Due to the holidays and finals, the Iron Bartender is on break until the first week in December.

Non-Booze Related News

2010-11-13T03:44:00.001-08:00

This weekend is the Dahlonega Literary Festival in Historic Dahlonega, GA (The site of the first major U.S. Gold Rush). If you're in the area stop by and check it out. There's multiple events running all day, including a panel on the New Waves in Publishing, which includes a discussion on Self-publishing and also on Blogging.

Later tonight, there will be a NaNoWriMo Writing Marathon. It's at the Corkscrew Cafe, and you're welcome to order drinks off of their menu (see, I fit alcohol in here!).

For a complete Schedule of events, visit the website: http://www.literaryfestival.org

The picture is a painting done by Local Artist Billy Roper, whose book Billy Roper: Visual Storyteller is featured at the festival. He will be signing book at the Dahlonega Marketplace today from 11:30-1:00

Fantastic Friday Fix - Il

2010-11-12T03:56:00.000-08:00

After today, I'm going to need a drink. Perhaps an entire bottle of Il brand Preseco or Moscato will help.

Secret Ingredient for Nov 10th

2010-11-11T04:24:00.000-08:00

This week's Secret Ingredient is...

Vanilla!

Secret Ingredient - Cinnamon Sticks

2010-11-09T05:01:00.000-08:00

It's getting that time of the year when the best drinks, even the alcoholic ones, are nice and warm. So here's this week's recipe using Cinnamon Sticks:

Warm up a mug of apple cider
Add in one shot of Spiced Rum (We use Sailor Jerry's, it has a better vanilla-y flavor)
Use one Cinnamon stick as a stirrer.

This is one tasty holiday-feeling-inducing kind of drink.

Booze News: Dangers of Alcohol

2010-11-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

Please remember to drink responsibility. This blog, nor I, encourage binge drinking.

NPR Story: Alcohol is More Lethal Than Heroin

Fantastic Friday Fix -- Jello Shots

2010-10-29T10:20:00.001-07:00

Jello shots are an essential party ... um... snack...food... drink? An essential part add-on. They're not too difficult to make. But be careful. They may take a while to hit you, and when they do, if you've had too many, you'll be in trouble.

Jello Shots:

Follow the directions on you favorite flavored Jello box with on exception. Instead of using all water, you boil half of the amount of water. When you mix the boiling water with the Jello packet, add in the rest of the amount of Vodka.

I've tried this with flavored Vodka before, and it makes the jello shots have TOO much flavor (too much green apple isn't the best thing).

Secret Ingredient for Oct 27

2010-10-27T17:40:00.000-07:00

hah! I'm on time.

Anywho, this week's secret ingredient is...

Cinnamon Sticks!

Post your recipes ideas in the comments, email them to aprilnloebick@gmail.com, or post them on our facebook wall!

Secret Ingredient - Corn Syrup Recipe

2010-10-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

Because everyone I know is catching this gosh darned cold from hell, This week's recipe is geared around a Hot Toddy to sooth one during said cold.

What you'll need:
1 cup of hot tea
1 oz Irish Whiskey
.5 oz Lemoncello
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon corn syrup.

Blend all of these ingredients into a large mug. You will really have to stir the corn syrup in. This concoction makes a nice, smooth drink that will sooth your throat and make you not care that you have a cold. Enjoy drinking while wrapped up in your favorite quilt with a good book. Ahhh...now isn't that better?

Fantastic Friday Fix - Eggnog

2010-10-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Fridays are usually where I post a generally well-known recipe (sometimes with a twist). This week, there will be no complicated mixing, because this Fantastic Friday Fix simple involves pouring over ice.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are still months away; however, it is now that the liquor stores are receiving the holiday drinks. My favorite Christmas drink is Evan Williams's Eggnog. It is simply the best pre-mixed, alcoholic Eggnog that I've ever had. The good news is that it is in stores NOW! The bad news is that every year, I usually only get my hands on one bottle of the stuff because it sells out so quickly and local stores weren't getting any new orders. I've already gotten and drank one bottle of the stuff. I'm hoping that today I procure another bottle, so I can end this horrible tragedy of being egg-nog-less during the actually holiday season.

Do you have any favorite holiday drinks? Speak up in the Comments!

Another Apology

2010-10-22T12:32:00.001-07:00

Geeze, it seems like these apologies are becoming as regular as the actual posts. I apologize that I haven't updated the blog any this week. I have been fighting a cold all week, and while there's a couple of drink out there that help with sore throats and whatnot, I didn't feel well enough to post about them in a coherent manner. I am much better today (finally) and post a Fantastic Friday Fix and continue with regular posts on Monday, including my recipe that includes this week's Secret Ingredient - Corn Syrup!

Secret Ingredient for Oct 13

2010-10-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

This week's Secret Ingredient is:

Corn Syrup!

Get those sweet buds going!

Secret Ingredient - Half-n-Half Recipe

2010-10-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

To start of with, here's a link to a drink called the Buffalo Fart. It's too good of a name to pass up.

Here's my Recipe:

Dreamsicle

3oz Half-n-half cream
3oz OJ (I prefer low-acid varieties to avoid heartburn)
2oz of Amaretto.

Pour over ice in whatever sort of glass it'll fit into.

Fantastic Friday Fix on Monday!

2010-10-11T15:07:00.001-07:00

yea yea yea. I'm getting bad about posting the FFFs on time. Anyhoo, here's this week's (or last week's) Fantastic Friday Fix:

This is my Husband's go to drink, and Spiced Rum and Coke

1 heaping shot of Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum
Liberal Splash of Lime Juice
Cola

In a rock glass, pour the shot of Spiced Rum over ice. Add the liberal splash of Lime juice (in order to prevent scurvy), and then pour the cola until the drink is fizzy.

Secret Ingredient for October 6

2010-10-06T04:13:00.000-07:00

This week's Secret Ingredient is...

HALF-N-HALF

It's not just for coffee!

Post your recipe in the comments section, or e-mail them to me: aprilnloebick@gmail.com

Secret Ingredient - Champagne Recipe

2010-10-04T15:07:00.000-07:00

Death in the Afternoon

From Epicurious.com: Camper English, a San Francisco–based writer, developed this adaptation of a classic drink recipe to showcase the use of absinthe, but Ernest Hemingway gets credit for the recipe. His advice, circa 1935: "Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly." We recommend drinking fewer than five. You may also try pouring the absinthe on top instead—some brands of absinthe will float for a time on the Champagne, and this makes for a nifty visual effect. h

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/DEATH-IN-THE-AFTERNOON-350800#ixzz11QkukJbR

In a champagne flute, pour a normal amount of Champagne (or, try Il's Prosecco). Pour in a dash of Absinthe. Then, drop a sugar cube into the mix.

Warning: I recommend only drinking one or maybe two of these drinks. You are mixing Wine and Liquor - and a hell of a liquor at that. I got really drunk off of these before and not only was it a death in the afternoon, but also that night, the next morning,and well into the next afternoon. .

Fantastic Friday Fix - Mojito

2010-10-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

This recipe is best in whatever glass it'll fit in. Seriously, I've seen them in all sorts from Long Island Tea glasses to rock glasses.

.75 oz Spiced Rum
.75 oz Bacardi 151
10-15 mint leaves (depending on how minty you want it)
1tbsp sugar
.5 oz lime juice
2 oz club soda

Put most of the mint leaves at the bottom of the glass. Add crushed ice, and then all of the other ingredients. Garnish with a lime slice and a sprig or two of the mint.

And don't worry guys, as Brian from Family Guy says, it isn't a gay drink. ;)

Secret Ingredient for Sept 29

2010-09-30T07:25:00.001-07:00

And only a day late, too. I was battling a stomach bug yesterday and booze was the last thing on my mind. However, I'm feeling much better today and I'm ready to post this week's Secret Ingredient:

*Drum Roll*

CHAMPAGNE

Or sparkling wine...And no cheating. You have to use this as an ingredient in a more complex drink. So post your recipes below, or e-mail them to me: aprilnloebick@gmail.com .

Toodles!

Secret Ingredient - Honey Recipe

2010-09-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

For a Nice long list of drinks containing honey, please visit BARNONEDRINKS.com

Honey is one of those feel-good type of ingredients. Whenever you have a sore throat, honey is there to help sooth and coat. The following recipe is for those days when you need a little bit of soothing.

1 cup of your favorite hot tea
2 teaspoons of honey
.5 teaspoon of Cinnamon
.5 oz of grain alcohol
.5 oz of peach schnapps

And let the healing begin.

Booze News -- Full Moon Beer

2010-09-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Belgium experiments with mystical "full moon" beer

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68N37T20100924

Some spiffy reading about how the moon affects the brewing of beer.

Iron Bar Tender on Hiatus

2010-09-22T04:09:00.001-07:00

Due to this week's release of Artist as Activist in Appalachia (edited by Drs. Amy Childers Mansfield and Joyce Stavick), I have been super busy with my work for the University Press of North Georgia. There will be no other recipes this week. I will begin posting again next week. To my loyal followers, I am sorry!

Fantastic SATURDAY Fix

2010-09-18T05:57:00.001-07:00

Whoops, in the midst of celebrating the Hubby's birthday yesterday, I forgot to make a post. So, this week, we're having a Fantastic Saturday Fix! It screws up the alliteration that I long for, but, hey, at least you get a drink idea.

This week's fantastic fix is:

GRAPE BOMB

Bomb drinks are great fun, especially if you do them right and actually drop the shot into the fizzy drink and chug. Grape Bombs involve:

1 shot of grape flavored Vodka
A rock glass 3/4 filled with red bull.

The idea is to drop a shot glass containing the vodka into the Redbull and chug the drink as fast as you can while ignoring the mess you've made with the bubbles until it's all gone. ;)

To make this a more relaxing drink, simply pour one shot of grape vodka into a glass of Redbull.

Secret Ingredient for September 15

2010-09-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

This week's Secret Ingredient is...

Honey!

I've giving another pretty easy one this week. As always, you can post your recipes in the comments, or e-mail them to me: aprilnloebick@gmail.com

Secret Ingredient - Hot Chocolate Recipe

2010-09-13T09:04:00.001-07:00

This week's recipe is really simple. Hot chocolate is go good in in of itself, that I don't want to do too much to screw up the flavor.

In a large mug mix:
1 shot of Jameson's Irish Whiskey
Fill the mug with Hot Chocolate.

Don't forget to put some whipped cream on top. Marshmallows are optional.

I do have a confession. This is not my recipe. You can thank the folks at Nine Irish Brothers' Pub in West Lafayette, IN for this drink. They call it the Jerry's "I don't like coffee" Irish Coffee - though they use Bushmill's Irish Whiskey and not Jameson's.

Here's a link to the Nine Irish Brothers' Pub website. If you're ever in that part of Indiana, check them out.

Fantastic Friday Fix - Irish Coffee

2010-09-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

It's not cold outside yet, but don't you wish it was? Pretend like the weather is frightful with today's Fantastic Friday Fix - An Irish Coffee

In a large coffee mug, mix:

1 shot Jameson Irish Whiskey
1 Shot Bailey's or St. Brenden's Irish Cream
Fill mug with coffee

I wish I were home right now so I could have one.

Secret Ingredient for Sept 8

2010-09-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

This week's Secret ingredient is

HOT CHOCOLATE!

Post your favorite recipes in the comments, e-mail them to aprilnloebick@gmail.com, or comment on Facebook -- Iron Bar Tender

Secret Ingredient - Sake Recipe

2010-09-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

Recipe? I don't need to stinking recipe. I prefer to drink Sake Straight! Okay, okay, I won't fizzle out on you. Here's a Fuzzy Sunset:

3.0 oz Sake
3.0 oz Orange Juice
2.0 oz Sprite
Splash of Grenadine

For a stronger drink, add 1oz of Peach Schnapps.

*****

On a different note, I asked on facebook if my fans preferred their sake hot or cold and the over-all response was cold!

Apology

2010-09-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

This conference has gotten my schedule all out of whack. I'm sorry that I've screwed up my posting pattern. Trying to catch up today!

No Fantastic Friday Fix

2010-09-02T14:10:00.001-07:00

I'm going to a conference at Purdue University this weekend and I'm leaving tomorrow morning (way freakin' early). This means that there will be no Fantastic Friday Fix posting tomorrow. I apologize!

Secret Ingredient for September 1

2010-09-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

It's the beginning of a new month and really a new feel to the year. Time to get less fruity, and more spicy, sweet, and warming. With that in mind, I introduce this week's secret ingredient --

Saké!

Put your Japanese hats on and stir up something for this week's challenge. As always, you can post your recipe in the comments, or E-mail them to me.

Secret Ingredient - Mango Recipe

2010-08-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Pop on the Bottom

In a food processor, blend together 1oz of Mango (frozen or fresh) and 1 oz of Limoncello. Pour into a champagne class. Fill glass with Sprite.

This one is pretty darn tasty, and with all of the Citrus, you won't have to worry about getting Scurvy!

Booze News -- A bit on Bitters and a Recipe

2010-08-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

NPR.org Weekend Edition had a wonderful story this morning about Derek Brown and his bar tending classes. One of the things that caught my attention was the discussion on bitters. If you click on the link above, you can listen to the whole story. The part that has been written about on the page is a very small fraction of the story, and not even the most interesting part. There's also a recipe for Angostura Sour that definitely sounds interesting.

Fantastic Friday Fix - Piña colada

2010-08-27T09:43:00.000-07:00

The piña colada is a staple for any tropical-themed night. Here's the recipe that we use. It's simple and delicious! You'll need a blender for this one.

1 Frozen Piña colada bacardi mixer
Follow the directions on the can with ice and whatnot), with a few adjustments. Use half regular rum, but the other half should be Spiced Rum.
Add a little more Spiced rum to the mix!
Also, add in one cup of diced pineapples - preferable fresh

Blend everything together and pour into a hurricane glass. Garnish with a slice of Pineapple and a little umbrella. A standard blender should make 3-4 servings.

Secret Ingredient for August 25

2010-08-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

This week's secret ingredient is...

MANGO!

August is winding down and with it the feeling of summer. School is back in session, but the leaves haven't changed, yet! So while it's still in the 80s out there, let's have one last yummy summery secret ingredient. You can post your Mango-inspired booze recipes in the Comments, or you can e-mail them to me at aprilnloebick@gmail.com. As always, I will post my own recipe on Monday. Have fun!

Cutesy mango picture taken from: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Cut-A-Mango/ which shows you how to make said mango monster.

Secret Ingredient - Iced Tea Recipe

2010-08-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

This week's drink is a really simple concoction. Pour your favorite Iced tea into your favorite glass. Add one part Limoncello per 2 parts Tea to make the sweeter and buzz-worthy. I'm sure that this would also work pretty well with hot tea, but that's something I've never tried.

Want to make your own Limoncello? Check out THIS NPR STORY for make-your-own limoncello recipe and other food recipes containing this versatile drink!

Fantastic Friday Fix - Limey Bastard

2010-08-20T12:16:00.001-07:00

Here's a quick and easy drink recipe. I recommend this to anyone who loves the taste of lime sherbet.

Limey Bastard

Fill a rock glass have way full of ice
1.5oz of Captain Morgan's Lime Bite
Fill the rest of the glass with Pepsi

I prefer using Pepsi when making drinks because it tends to be fizzier, which really enhances the effect of a drink. At least it does so in my house.

For a review of Captain Morgan's Lime Bite, visit: http://blog.theyoungconnoisseur.com/2010/02/04/captain-morgan-lime-bite-review.aspx

a lolcats special

2010-08-19T16:29:00.001-07:00

Below is an entry that I swiped from dailysquee.com (pic and recipe belong to dailysquee.com). This drink sounds awesome. I shall have to make one!

Someone had to do it! Now sand cats have their very own mixed drink! For our 21-and-older readers, here’s how you can make your own Felis Margarita:

1. Pour the following ingredients into a shaker glass:
• 1 oz Triple Sec
• 1 1/2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 1 3/4 Mango Juice
• 1/2 oz Grapefruit Juice
• 1/2 oz Orange Juice
• Ice is optional; Sand cats thrive in both warm and cold environments!
2. Shake feverishly!
3. Salt the rim of your glass (this is the “sand” in sand cat!)
4. Pour the shaken ingredients into your glass.
5. Add two triangular orange wedges as garnish for cat ears. Make sure you cut a slit in the rind so you can stick them them on the glass upside down — otherwise it’ll look like a Scottish Fold.
6. Let a cherry sink to the bottom for the nose.
7. Enjoy responsibly!

That’s it! I’m not much of a drinker but I can attest that Felis Margarita is pretty great! If you guys ever use this recipe, be sure to let me know!

(PS: Here’s an exclusive behind the scenes look at my inexplicable life.)
(PPS: The model’s name is Zeus and he’s a very patient kitty!)

Facebook

2010-08-18T13:18:00.001-07:00

Iron Bartender now has a facebook page! Add Iron Bar Tender to your friends!

Secret Ingredient for August 18

2010-08-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

This week's secret ingredient is....

ICED TEA

So this week's secret ingredient will be a little bit easier to work with. I'll post the recipe that I come up with on Monday. If you have a recipe that you'd like to share, you can either post it in the comments or you can e-mail it to me: aprilnloebick@gmail.com

Extra Post

2010-08-16T15:31:00.001-07:00

This picture from Somuchpun.com made me giggle so much that I figured I had to share it here. It is a picture of a St. BARnard-tender. If I were stuck up in the alps, I'd want this guy to find me. Not necessarily in the snow. He could come and give me a drink while I laze about in a nice cozy lodge.

Secret Ingredient - Blue Berry Recipe

2010-08-16T15:23:00.000-07:00

I wish I could claim the name of this drink for myself, but it took the power of 4 drunk people to come up with this one (and yes, we were drinking said drink).

BLUE BALLS

In a blender mix:

1 handful of blue berries (about 3/4 cup)
2 cups of OJ
1/2 a banana

There's the basic smoothie part, take that mixture and pour into your glass. Add:

1 oz of Peach Schnapps
1 oz of Spiced Rum (I prefer Sailor Jerry's)

I should probably take a picture of this one. It's pretty fun and tasty.

Here's a link to some other blue-berry inspired drinks: Bar None Drinks.com

Booze News -- 100-year-old Scotch? Awesome.

2010-08-14T16:25:00.001-07:00

Another thing that I want to do with this blog is link to neat-o booze-related news.

In 2006, explorers in Antarctica found a box full of Mackinlay's Scotch whisky that had been left there in 1907. It was finally opened last week. Here's the full story: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38686720/ns/technology_and_science-science/
AND/OR
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129175292

**Picture taken from MSNBC.com. For full citation and credit, see the website linked.**

Fantastic Friday Fix - Grape-y Fuzzy Navel

2010-08-13T11:13:00.001-07:00

I generally have these ingredients on hand, so this makes a perfect go-to drink if you are like me and always have OJ and Grape Vodka in the house.

In a rock glass, pour
1.5 oz of Grape Vodka (I prefer Smirnoff's wild grape for this drink)
1 oz of Peach Schnapps

over ice

fill glass with OJ (preferably the low-acid variety to reduce any heartburn that some people get)

This makes a really sweet-like-candy drink.

Secret Ingredient for August 12

2010-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

This week's secret ingredient is...

BLUEBERRIES

Just in time for tasty summer treats! So send me your blueberry drink recipes (aprilnloebick@gmail.com) or post them in the comments. I'll be posting my recipe on Monday. Enjoy!

And I was only a day late in posting this, woot.

Secret Ingredient - Maple Syrup Recipe

2010-08-09T04:42:00.000-07:00

If I'd been able to find some bacon-infused bourbon, I would have definitely made Steve's suggestion. I suppose I'll have to look harder and then post my comments on it at a later date. As for now, here's the recipe that I came up with:

Anitra's Dance

In a rock glass, combine over ice:

2 oz Canadian Whiskey
1.5 tsp maple syrup
Fill with Canada dry

Could we get more Canadian, eh?

I'll be posting the new secret ingredient on Wednesday. Well, hopefully I will. I'm going on vacation, and I'll be posting it if the WiFi works. If not, I'll post it as soon as I return!

Fantastic Friday Fix - Hurricane

2010-08-06T06:14:00.000-07:00

This is the best Hurricane recipe that I have come across. I got it from the best source of recipes for most people - my mother.

Fill a hurricane glass about 1/3 -1/2 full of ice
2 shots (3 oz) of coconut rum
1 oz of Southern Comfort
Fill will Dole's Orange Guava Juice*
Add a splash of Grenadine for color

Garnish with a slice of orange, cherries, and or pineapple (any type of tropical fruit really).

Delicious!

*You can find the Orange Guava Juice in your grocer's juice cooler.

Secret Ingredient for August 4th

2010-08-04T07:33:00.001-07:00

This week's Secret Ingredient is ... *insert dramatic pause* ...

Maple Syrup!

Welcome to the Iron Bartender!

2010-08-04T07:28:00.001-07:00

If you like playing bartender around your house, then this is the perfect blog for you! Each week I will post a secret ingredient that will be contained in a new drink. I will post the recipe that I come up with, along with any other recipes that get sent into me.

Also, I will post other drink recipes that I experiment with or come across on the world wide web, that I think the public at large will enjoy.

Keep coming back for the secret ingredient, recipes, and more!

The Half-n-Half

2010-08-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

A simple, yet tasty drink for those who like their drinks creamy and smooth. The Pecan Liqueur may be a bit difficult to find,but it is worth the search.

1 Shot (1.5 oz) of Pecan Liqueur
1 Shot (1.5 oz) of Bailey's Irish Cream

Pour over ice into a rock glass and enjoy.