About Barware

When I was in college, many of my beer mugs were of the novelty variety with lurid catchphrases or our school mascot.  As I’ve grown older, those mugs have seen the way of the recycling bins, but I still love drinking beer from a mug.  In a convergence of fantasy and adulthood, I recently purchased a metal barrel beer mug.

Unlike its glass counterparts, these metal mugs keep the beer slightly cooler (if you’re into that sort of thing) and they make me feel like a Viking.  In addition to the colder beverage, the mugs are virtually unbreakable.  I’ve owned several beer mugs in my lifetime and I can say that this one is probably the best one I’ve had thus far.

Shooters are short, potent drinks that are mixed with a combination of spirits, liqueurs and non-alcoholic mixers while shots only contain ingredients that are alcoholic. Both shooters and shots are served in shot glasses and consumed with one tip of the glass.

This index of recipes includes some of the most popular shooters and shots. Shooters are for those times when your level of inebriation is not a concern and are fun to consume with friends at parties or a night on the town. Drinking too many shots can cause you to become drunk very fast, often before you know it, and should be done in moderation.

The difference between a shot glass and a shooter glass is small. Often a shooter glass is about 1/2″ or so taller than a standard short shot glass. Shooter glasses are slighlty larger to accomidate the mixed type of shooter drinks that are served in them.

Not all barware is going to be scratched up beer steins from Spencer’s Gifts.  In fact, serving wine or beer in the home is best accented with well made and beautifully crafted barware. 

Matching glass sets and pitchers can easily be found at some online retailers.  All it requires is a keen eye and a sophisticated aesthetic for your kitchen.  The thing to remember is to keep a balance between something that is elegant, but can also strike up a considerable amount of color and fun.

Most households have at least one or two glass pitchers tucked away in the cupboard. Some of the pitchers were part of a set, while others were unique creations found at out-of-the-way shops. A good quality glass pitcher is a nice change from serving beverages out of a plastic pitcher, and can actually add some fun to the table. If you are planning to add something new to your pitcher collection, here are some tips to help you find exactly what you want.

As you begin to shop for a glass pitcher, it will become apparent that it is possible to purchase pitchers that are inexpensive. There are costly options as well. Don’t assume that a higher price tag automatically means higher quality. Go for quality and don’t let the price tag form your opinion of the product.

In an era where plastic water bottles are everywhere, serving lemonade, tea, or punch from a glass pitcher is a nice way to dress up even casual evenings at home. Take some time to explore all your options, then buy one or two pitchers that you will enjoy using for many years to come.

My 25th wedding anniversary is coming up and I am planning a special night for my husband and I. I plan to create an intimate setting in the privacy of our own home for the two of us. The first thing I will do is to create a lovely table setting with candles and flowers.

I also plan to cook his favorite meal of roasted chicken and creamed spinach. For dessert we will have a triple chocolate layer cake. I also am planning a champagne toast. I bought some new glass barware just for the occasion.

How to drink absinthe or La Louche Ritual How-To.

To invoke the magic of the Green Fairy in the traditional way, you will need:

    * A bottle of absinthe
    * A jug of iced, still water
    * Sugar cube
    * Glass
    * Absinthe spoon

(1) To begin with, pour a shot of genuine absinthe (1.4 oz.) into a glass. A traditional-style absinthe glass (or even an antique one) will add to the magic of the ritual, but do not worry too much if you haven’t got one — just use a standard wine glass instead.

(2) Next, rest a perforated absinthe spoon over the glass, and place a cube of white sugar onto the spoon.

(3) Finally, slowly pour iced water over until the sugar dissolves, while observing the beautiful play of colour that takes place as a result of the louche process. The amount of water to add depends on your own preference. Depending on the strength desired, you should end up with a mixture of one part absinthe and two to four parts water. Absinthe connoisseurs always pay attention to the quality of the ingredients used, since they will all affect the subtle louche process. It is thought the quality of the louche is related to the quality of the mental transformation they will later experience.

Do make sure, therefore, the absinthe you use is a genuine, quality one. Certain inferior brands that bear the name absinthe will not louche properly (or not at all). Genuine absinthe will transform its deep colour into a shade of cloudy, milky greenish-white when you add water; if it does not, your bottle of “absinthe” is just high-proof alcohol with artificial colourings added. The quality of the water used is also all-important to the absinthe purist. In keeping with absinthe’s reputation as a clean, natural liquid, common tap water is frowned upon. Use quality still spring water such as Evian, or another natural water with a neutral taste.