Thursday, May 26, 2016
I tell the same joke a lot during winter when people ask me what my favorite seasonal cocktail is. "Cup of scotch," I say, and everyone laughs (at least, in my head they do). Anyway, the thing is, if you're the type of person who enjoys just cups of booze, stirred and served up, summer can be kind of a downer. A parade of fruity ingredients, floral liqueurs and more can make and liquor lover hesitant to dive into cocktail bar menus. However, that's not all you'll find on Tough Luck Club's new summer menu.
Sure, the volume, which is illustrated by artist Veronica Stice, features bright drinks like the Summer Lovin'—a mix of basil vodka, Riesling, watermelon syrup and lemon juice—or the Every Morning Coming Down with white rum, spicy green chile vodka, lemongrass syrup and lime juice with a turmeric tincture. But, even some of those fruit-forward drinks have some deeper notes. Case in point, the Midnight Rodeo, which offers cognac, red wine, salt and a grilled blackberry syrup. Bartender Stephen Ott says the drink reminds him of "nighttime in the summer."
Of the 15 drinks on the menu, six are dubbed "stirred and boozy." The trick to making a stirred cocktail that doesn't become burdensome to sip in the Tucson summer heat is the simple method of substitution. You can take the structure of a drink like a Manhattan or a Vieux Carre and switch out some of the heavier components, like sweet vermouth, for brighter liqueurs or sherry. The San Patricios does both, mixing mezcal and Irish whiskey with elderflower liqueur, amontillado and orange bitters.
Tags: tough luck club , craft cocktails , summer cocktails , boozy , stirred , stephen ott , basement , bar , Image
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Look, we all love brunch and many in town look to one restaurant to satisfy all their boozy breakfast needs. So many, in fact, that getting a table at the well-loved Prep & Pastry on the weekends can sometimes be a challenge. For those looking to get a taste of P&P without the wait, get your ticket now to the restaurant’s special collaboration with Tucson Hop Shop (3230 N. Dodge Blvd.).
On Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m., Prep & Pastry will be offering a five-course brunch at the beer bar and bottle shop, highlighting the beers of New Belgium Brewery. Dishes to be served include housemade cheddar-herb biscuits with duck fat and sausage gravy, a summery spinach salad with avocado and strawberry and maple bacon dossant (donut + croissant) bites. Local singer-songwriter Karima Walker will perform during the event. Guests will also have the chance to win Prep & Pastry gift certificates, New Belgium growlers and more.
The beer-paired brunch is limited to just 50 people with complementary and complimentary coffee provided by Presta Coffee Roasters. You can get a ticket, which are $45 per person, through the Tucson Hop Shop website.
Tags: tucson hop shop , brunch , dining events , tucson , prep & pastry , new belgium brewery , beer
Thursday, May 19, 2016
The art of brewing beer sour has taken hold of the craft beer world and no event showcases this more in town than Tap & Bottle’s (403 N. Sixth Ave., #135) annual Sour Fest. Now in it’s third year, the two-day tap takeover of all things tart will showcase more than 20 different sour beers from all over the country.
Arizona brewers included in the event are 1912, Arizona Wilderness, Historic, Iron John’s and Fate, while national brew contributions come from Ninkasi, Funkwerks, Ballast Point, Stone, Firestone Walker and more.
Tap & Bottle’s weekend of sour beer kicks off on Saturday, May 21 at 11 a.m. with a sipping session led by Almanac Brewing’s Phillip Emerson. The tasting will offer six different Almanac beers. It is a ticket event with limited space, so send a message to [email protected] for more information and to secure your spot.
Otherwise, you can just head into the bar on Saturday or Sunday to try out some of the many beers offered in the 3rd Annual Sour Fest.
Tags: sour beer , festival , tap & bottle , takeover , tucson , craft beer , events , almanac brewing
Thursday, May 12, 2016
With a little something to pique the interest of lovers of red and white, rosé exists as a happy middle ground, while being something completely on its own that happens to be perfect for warmer weather. Some, including Good Oak's Luke Anable, would peg them as " really good, fresh, quaffable wine."
Now, with six local wine makers such as Dos Cabezas, Rune and AZ Stronghold, you can navigate the world of rosé in the state through a unique, six-day event that spans from Monday, May 16 to Sunday, May 22. Arizona Rosé Week will also feature rosé flights ($14) and 20-percent off select bottles to go.
Here's the week's line-up:
Tags: rose , good oak bar , arizona , local wine , summer , pink , dos cabezas , rune , sandreckoner , events , callaghan , az stronghold , chateautumbleweed
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
JAM Culinary Concepts, the parent company of both Vero Amore and Noble Hops, recently took well-loved former Indian food truck Twisted Tandoor under its wing, with promises of an eminent brick and mortar location. Though that restaurant is still projected to be a couple months out, you don't have to wait to get anther taste of Twisted Tandoor.
Vero Amore has already incorporated the Singh family Twisted Tandoor recipes into their line-up with their unique Indian pizza nights for the past year and a half, while seeking to get the truck up and running again for catering and private events. Now, the restaurant's speakeasy-inspired bar, The Still (located behind a rotating wall in Vero Amore at 2920 N. Swan Road), will play host to a special Indian Night event.
Led by Roopinder Grewal of Twisted Tandoor, Josh and Aric Mussman of JAM and bartender and manager of The Still Tiffany Eldredge, the one-night-only event will run from 7 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, May 12 and will offer seven dishes and eight cocktails inspired by Twisted Tandoor.
Here's the menu:
Tags: twisted tandoor , the still , vero amore , indian , cocktails , dining event , tucson
Friday, May 6, 2016
At the intersection of hyperlocal and small-batch craft distilling, Tucson's Three Wells resides. Following Hamilton Distillers lead, Three Wells, which is led by distiller Matt Montgomery and Chris Dudding, became the second licensed distillery in Tucson—but the spirits maker is forging a unique identity by using place-specific ingredients to craft its wares.
Tags: three wells distilling , prickly pear , agave , tucson , creosote , gin , sonora , craft , small batch , distiller , hensley
Friday, April 29, 2016
Eight years ago, Aaron Defeo, who was then running Hotel Congress' bar program, sought to create an event unlike any Tucson had seen before. He wanted to give pros and guests alike the opportunity to sip spirits, rub elbows and learn more about the liquor world through a place-centric tasting event.
"There just weren't any opportunities for people to taste a wide variety of curated spirits," Defeo says.
What's more is many of the tasting events that did exist were sponsored by one specific brand, which meant little diversity in the selection.
Flash forward eight years and Defeo's original single-day tasting event at Hotel Congress has exploded into a full week of seminars, tastings, concerts and more and become the Agave Heritage Week. Congress' general manager Todd Hanley wanted to expand the event this year, including off-site venues and more to grow the festival.
Tags: agave heritage week , tucson , festival , mezcal , tequila , dinner , janos wilder , aaron defeo , todd hanley , sergio inurrigarro , hotel congress , carriage house , rialto theatre , roger clyne , la ley , saul hernandes
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
The debut Agave Heritage Week starts Tuesday, May 3, and includes some sumptuous meals, live music, guest speakers and more, all built around the humble agave.
You can find the whole schedule here, but check out this dinner that Janos Wilder is preparing at his new Carriage House on Friday May 6:
Passed Hors D’oeuvres
Local Beef Cheek Mini Tacos
Smoked Poblanos and Mushroom Flautas
Cocktail: Blanco tequila, raspberry, habanero shrub, sparkling wine
First
Ceviche Blanco
Wild Mexican shrimp, pickled nopalitos, local chiles, mizuna greens, Anita’s corn tortillas
Agua Amarga: Blanco Tequila, Apple Almond Orgeat, Lime, Averna
Second
La Codorniz Con Tequila
Tequila and lime cured quail, agave chiltepin glaze, mesquite smoked beef tongue, roasted pan patty squash, garlic confit, prickly pear and yucca root puree.
John Rose: Reposado Tequila, Demerara syrup, lemon, AZ Red Malbec, salt
Tags: Native Seeds/SEARCH , Hotel Congress , Janos Wilder , agave dinner
Friday, April 22, 2016
In case you missed it, local basement bar Tough Luck Club—which is secreted below Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink—has recently earned a spot in Playboy Magazine's online "Bars We Love" section.
“We’re thrilled that our bar program just keeps getting better and better,” said co-owner Tyler Fenton in a press release. “We’re excited about Playboy recognizing the hard work of our team!”Though the Tough Luck Club is known around town for its unique cocktails, it is a lot more than just a bar to the employees and regulars.
“We want to be a place for anybody,” co-bar manager Stephen Ott told Playboy. “If you want to have a carefully made $14 cocktail or have a conversation about the spirits behind the bar, we will be happy to do that for you. Or if you want to come in and take some shots and drink beer with your buddies, that’s cool too. We’re a venue for both of those things. We like it that way.”Reilly Pizza is open for lunch and dinner, and the Tough Luck Club is open from 5 p.m. to 12 p.m. on weeknights and Friday/ Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Tags: playboy magazine , bars , playboy , bar , booze , tough luck club , pizza , cocktails
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Local craft beer is a pretty great thing, but 200 craft beers is really something else and you’ll find just that at the first Baja Beer Festival. The completely locally organized event will feature more than 50 breweries, showing off their creative brews alongside food vendors and live music.
Here's the local beer makers that are participating in the inaugural event:
Tags: baja , beer , festival , tucson , brewing , arizona , event , firefighters , local , rillito , race track
