Tag absinthe

NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY

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On July 2nd, we recognize a liqueur derived from aniseed on National Anisette Day. Aniseed from the anis herb gives anisette its licorice or fennel flavor. While usually a dry dry liqueur, distillers sometimes add a sugar syrup for a sweeter result. Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France lead the world in drinking this licorice tasting drink.

The herb of the aniseed, usually the main ingredient in anisette, is considered to have medicinal qualities. Sweeter than other anise-flavored liqueurs, anisette’s association with a variety cures date back to ancient Egypt. As a liqueur, distillers create a dryer anisette in Europe than they do in the United States. Distillers add other spices such as coriander and fruit to distill anisette, too.

While most enjoy anisette by sipping it, the liqueur can be mixed as a cocktail, too. However, pure anise extract should not be drunk straight. Since its alcoholic content is high, it irritates the throat. However, mixing it in with coffee, gin, bourbon, or water will bring out a bit of a sweet flavor. The solution? Bake some anise cookies!

If you’re the one who eats all the black jelly beans, you will likely savor a shot with anisette. The licorice flavor comes from the same anise plant that some licorice candies are made. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAnisetteDay

Anisette mixes well with other liqueurs, juices, and sodas for a variety of cocktails and shooters. Sip some anisette for a toast to the licorice flavor you love!  You can also make anise cookies or spiced bars.  Post on social media using #NationalAnisetteDay.

McCormick Pure Anise Extract, 2 fl oz
McCormick Pure Anise Extract, 2 fl oz
The Spice Way Star Anise - whole star anise (3 oz) great for baking and tea#NationalAnisetteDay
The Spice Way Star Anise – whole star anise (3 oz) great for baking and tea
Tequila Glasses Heavy Base Shot Glass Cordial Glasses 2 OZ (Set of 6)#NationalAnisetteDay
Tequila Glasses Heavy Base Shot Glass Cordial Glasses 2 OZ (Set of 6)
KITESSENSU Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit with Stand | Bar Set Drink Mixer Set with All Essential Accessory Tools: Martini Shaker, Jigger, Strainer, Mixer Spoon, Muddler, Liquor Pourers |Silver#NationalAnisetteDay
KITESSENSU Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit with Stand | Bar Set Drink Mixer Set with All Essential Accessory Tools: Martini Shaker, Jigger, Strainer, Mixer Spoon, Muddler, Liquor Pourers |Silver

NATIONAL HERBS AND SPICES DAY

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National Herbs and Spices Day is observed annually on June 10.

It is the season for fresh herbs and spices. They are an essential part of flavorful cooking as well as fun and easy to grow.

Raising your own herbs can be a form of relaxing therapy. Herbs and spices have been used for many hundreds of years, and besides making our food delicious, each has its specific health benefits. Growing your own herbs and spices is a great way to add fresh variety to your food.  Herbs raised in your home add an aromatic and natural fragrance to the air.

Basil, Rosemary, Nutmeg, Garlic, Sage, Tyme, Oregano, Italian, Greek, Cajun, Blackening, Fennel, Chili Powder, Dill, Red Pepper Flakes, Ginger, Paprika, Cinnamon, are among my most used almost every meal. Lavender, Vanilla, Anise, Bay Leaf and Tumeric on occasion as well. It’s a good bet in combination with onions, you’ll find on our table daily. A good mix make Beef Stew, Taco’s and Tex Mex, My Greek Turkey bake, Asian Pork Chops, and don’t forget Spaghetti and My Easy Chili.

I find myself adding to or finessing flavors even if I use a pre-packaged spice mix. Having a hood sense of these help me not only make up my own delicious creations, but help judge recipes to try. I’m happy to be surprised of course although things calling for heavy amounts of Parsley, Cilantro, or heavy amounts of cayenne are things we try to avoid.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

 Use #HerbsAndSpicesDay to post on social media.

National Cocktail Day

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NATIONAL COCKTAIL DAY - March 24 #NationalCocktailDay

Celebrate all your favorite cocktails on March 24th. National Cocktail Day ushers in all the best ways to savor a beverage at the end of a long workday. Whether you like a fruity drink, blended or on the rocks, this day is for you. Mocktail, virgin, or the real thing, celebrate the lemon, lime, bitters, liquors, and liqueurs that make your favorite beverages the best in your bartender book.

It’s probably no surprise that nearly every month on the calendar celebrates a cocktail. The only exception is April, and since it’s National Alcohol Awareness Month, it makes sense to take that month off.

A cocktail contains a spirit or a mix of spirits. While a beer is not considered a cocktail, there are beer cocktails where beer is added to a distilled ingredient. The same applies to wine.

The other months pay homage to histories, ingredients, and the makers of some legendary cocktails. January begins the year dedicating a day to the Bloody Mary, and there’s also a day for her Canadian counterpart, the Bloody Caesar, in May. January also devotes an entire week to Mocktails. In February, you can celebrate the Margarita and Kahlua. March brings us International Whisk(e)y Day, among others. Skipping back to May, you can imbibe in both Palomas and Mimosas for your celebrations.

KITESSENSU Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit with Stand | Bar Set Drink Mixer Set with All Essential Accessory Tools: Martini Shaker, Jigger, Strainer, Mixer Spoon, Muddler, Liquor Pourers#NationalCocktailDay
KITESSENSU Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit with Stand | Bar Set Drink Mixer Set with All Essential Accessory Tools: Martini Shaker, Jigger, Strainer, Mixer Spoon, Muddler, Liquor Pourers
Glass Ice Bucket with Airtight Lid, Ice Tong Scooper and Handle - 3L Ribbed Beverage Tub Cocktail Home Bar Accessories, Wine, Beer - Chiller for Parties, Champagne Drink Tub Cooler with Hinged Handles#NationalCocktailDay
Glass Ice Bucket with Airtight Lid, Ice Tong Scooper and Handle – 3L Ribbed Beverage Tub Cocktail Home Bar Accessories, Wine, Beer – Chiller for Parties, Champagne Drink Tub Cooler with Hinged Handlesq

June & July

June and July compete for the most cocktail-related days. From Martinis and Bourbon in June to Pina Coladas and Daiquiris in July, the two months cover the spectrum. There are even a few bottles of wine in between. Not only do they celebrate specific cocktails but they also celebrate the places we enjoy them. National Dive Bar Day in July invites us to celebrate the places that serve our favorite cocktails, even if it’s an ice-cold beer.

The rest of the year covers all our chilled and heated cocktails. By December, we readily reminisce National Repeal Day and the Bartenders who keep that era and the skills alive.

We have only skimmed the surface of the cocktails celebrated on the calendar, so National Cocktail Day allows you to celebrate whichever one you like!

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HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL COCKTAIL DAY

  • Create your favorite cocktail to celebrate.
  • Explore cocktail ingredients or read a bartender’s manual.
  • Learn the finer elements of mixing cocktails and expand your home bar.
  • Visit a speakeasy or take a tour of your favorite distillery.
  • Host a cocktail tasting session. Create a classic menu with a professional bartender who provides history and describes the nuances behind the ingredients.
  • Attend a cocktail tasting party. You will learn more about how and why ingredients are combined the way they are.
  • Visit your local bookstore and pick up a cocktail or bar book. Follow the recipes and read about the histories these bartenders share. We recommend The Essential Bar Book by Jennifer Fielder, The Art and Science of The Perfect Cocktail by Janice Dreese, and Craft Cocktails at Home: Offbeat Techniques, Contemporary Crowd-Pleasers, and Classics Hacked with Science by Kevin Liu.
  • Visit your local bar and pick your bartender’s brain. Some like to share their techniques. Ask them what their favorite cocktail is. And, be sure to tip them well for their advice and service.
  • Try making a mocktail. Especially on those weeknights when work is busy, and you need to keep up. Many of them infuse nutrients many of us are lacking. Keep these recipes on hand for your friends who are designated drivers, sober for life, supporting a friend, or for any reason.
  • As always, ANY TIME we are indulging in spirits and alcohol, DON’T drink and drive. Designate a sober driver. Call a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or friend.
  • When you celebrate, share your favorites by using #NationalCocktailDay on social media.
49" Wine Bar Cabinet with RGB LED Lights - Corner Bar with Power Outlet for Dining and Living Rooms#NationalCocktailDay
49″ Wine Bar Cabinet with RGB LED Lights – Corner Bar with Power Outlet for Dining and Living Rooms
EDOSTORY 80 Quart Rolling Ice Chest Cooler Cart,Patio Backyard Party Drink Beverage Bar Stand Up Cooler Trolley with Ice Scoop#NationalCocktailDay
EDOSTORY 80 Quart Rolling Ice Chest Cooler Cart,Patio Backyard Party Drink Beverage Bar Stand Up Cooler Trolley with Ice Scoop
Shintenchi Patio Swivel Bar Set, All Weather Textile Fabric Outdoor High Stool Bistro Set with 2 Bar Chairs and Glass Table for Home, Backyard, Garden, Lawn, Porch (Brown), 3 Pieces#NationalCocktailDay
Shintenchi Patio Swivel Bar Set, All Weather Textile Fabric Outdoor High Stool Bistro Set with 2 Bar Chairs and Glass Table for Home, Backyard, Garden, Lawn, Porch (Brown), 3 Pieces
YITAHOME Large Portable Outdoor Wicker Bar Table, Wheels and Black Glass Table Top for Patio Kitchen and Bar Cart #NationalCocktailDay
YITAHOME Large Portable Outdoor Wicker Bar Table, Wheels and Black Glass Table Top for Patio Kitchen and Bar Cart

NATIONAL ABSINTHE DAY

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March 5th is also known as National Absinthe Day. This day is for those who are 21 years or older to celebrate a drink called absinthe. 

Often mistaken for a liqueur, it is truly a spirit because it isn’t sweetened. It belongs to the vodkas, gins, and whiskeys when categorizing absinthe.

The spirit is made by infusing wormwood, fennel, anise, and other herbs into alcohol through distillation. Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor, is credited with the creation of absinthe. He developed and prescribed the elixir in the early 19th century as a cure for many illnesses.

It has a strong licorice flavor to it and has a high alcohol content. The spirit is often served with ice, a sugar cube placed on a slotted spoon over the glass, and water poured over the sugar.

Absinthe Vintage Tin Sign Logo 12 8 inches Advertising Eye-Catching Wall Decoration#NationalAbsintheDay
Absinthe Vintage Tin Sign Logo 12 8 inches Advertising Eye-Catching Wall Decoration
Butterfly Absinthe Iron Painting Creativity Tin Sign Notice Personality Retro Wall Poster Hotel Bar Room Garage Club Gift#NationalAbsintheDay
Butterfly Absinthe Iron Painting Creativity Tin Sign Notice Personality Retro Wall Poster Hotel Bar Room Garage Club Gift

Also known as the Green Fairy, the Green Goddess, or the Green Lady, the drink was popular with artists and writers. It was also once rumored to have hallucinogenic effects. Just as it was gaining popularity, as the century was coming to a close, its reputation took some severe blows.

Many blamed the Green Lady for causing madness, seizures, and low morality, among other ills of society. One of the final blows was a scandal in 1905 involving a French laborer who had spent the day drinking. His drink of choice was absinthe. Later that day, he murdered his children and pregnant wife.

France banned the drink, and other countries soon followed. In the United States and around the world, the ban has since been lifted.

Studies have proven there is nothing hallucinogenic about the drink. Absinthe does have a higher alcohol content than other spirits, so keeping that in mind is important to drink responsibly.

There is a cameo appearance in TNT’s hit series The Alienist season 2. When our lead character Lazlo Crysler seeks a second opinion from another alienist. It caught my attention due to the ritual with sugar cubes as shown in the scene.

This is a gothic crime drama not for the faint of heart or the squeamish. It gives a more detailed account of catching criminals, as both profiling and forensic sciences are being invented. Its popularity has a season 3 renewal in its future, as it paves the way for how we fight modern criminality, as seen on shows like Criminal Minds, and CSI.

NATIONAL ABSINTHE DAY HISTORY

Why March 5th? It’s a nod to Pernod, and the day the approval of their final label for Pernod Fils Absinthe became official in 2013.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAbsintheDay

Celebrate the day by learning more about absinthe. Whether you have a taste, mix up a cocktail or watch a documentary, it will be a worthy endeavor.

Have some absinthe (Remember to drink responsibly and never drink and drive) and use #NationalAbsintheDay to post on social media.

Premium Absinthe Spoons Glasses Set | 2x Absinthe Glasses | 2x Absinthe Spoons | 1x Absinthe Sugar Cubes | 1x Drinking instructions card for the Absinthe ritual#NationalAbsintheDay
Premium Absinthe Spoons Glasses Set | 2x Absinthe Glasses | 2x Absinthe Spoons | 1x Absinthe Sugar Cubes | 1x Drinking instructions card for the Absinthe ritual
Absinthe Tin Sign Wall Metal Retro Craft Art Painting Iron Plate Office Garden Living Room Decoration Warning Poster 12x8 Inches#NationalAbsintheDay
Absinthe Tin Sign Wall Metal Retro Craft Art Painting Iron Plate Office Garden Living Room Decoration Warning Poster 12×8 Inches

NATIONAL CAPPUCCINO DAY

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National Cappuccino Day on November 8th whips up a frothy, hot cup of cappuccino. It’s a perfect drink on a frosty morning, meeting with friends or just to enjoy a creamy cuppa.

Traditionally prepared with espresso, hot milk, and steamed milk foam, a cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink.

Grove Square Cappuccino Pods, Variety, Single Serve #CappuccinoDay
Grove Square Cappuccino Pods, Variety, Single Serve
Victor Allen's Coffee Sweet and Salty Caramel Flavored Cappuccino Mix, 42 Count, Single Serve K-Cup Pods for Keurig K-Cup Brewers Brewers #CappuccinoDay
Victor Allen’s Coffee Sweet and Salty Caramel Flavored Cappuccino Mix, 42 Count, Single Serve K-Cup Pods for Keurig K-Cup Brewers Brewers
Gevalia Frothy 2-Step Cappuccino Espresso Keurig K-Cup Coffee Pods & Froth Packets Kit #CappuccinoDay
Gevalia Frothy 2-Step Cappuccino Espresso Keurig K-Cup Coffee Pods & Froth Packets Kit
Caffe D'Vita Mocha Cappuccino Mix - Delicious Hot, Iced or Blended, Great in Coffee, Gluten Free - 4 LBS #CappuccinoDay
Caffe D’Vita Mocha Cappuccino Mix – Delicious Hot, Iced or Blended, Great in Coffee, Gluten Free – 4 LBS

The word cappuccino comes from the Capuchin friars and is the diminutive form of cappuccio in Italian, meaning hood or something that covers the head. This popular coffee beverage got its name not from the hood on their habits but from the color of the hooded robes that the friars wore.  (The Capuchin friars is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans.)

  • In 1945 Achille Gaggia invented the modern espresso machine which further popularized the cappuccino.
  • The Mid 1990s – Cappuccino was made more widely available to North Americans as upscale coffee houses sprang up.
  • Late 1990′s to Early 2000′s – Cappuccinos became popular in the United States concurrent with the boom in the American coffee industry.
  • The start of the 21st Century – A modified short-cut version of the cappuccino started being served at fast-food chains.
  • While steaming the milk you must pay close attention to attain the correct ratio of foam, thus making the cappuccino one of the most difficult espresso-based beverages to make properly.
  • A skilled barista may create artistic shapes while he/she is pouring milk on top of the espresso coffee.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CappuccinoDay

Visit your favorite coffee shop to enjoy a nice hot and delicious cup of cappuccino. While you’re there, give them a shout out using #CappuccinoDay to post on social media. Read up on your coffee history while enjoying a delicious cup.

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel #CappuccinoDay
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
De'Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine, Latte & Cappuccino Maker, 15 Bar Pump Pressure + Milk Frother Steam Wand, Black / Stainless #CappuccinoDay
De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine, Latte & Cappuccino Maker, 15 Bar Pump Pressure + Milk Frother Steam Wand, Black / Stainless
SOWTECH Espresso Coffee Machine Cappuccino Latte Maker 3.5 Bar 1-4 Cup with Steam Milk Frother Black #CappuccinoDay
SOWTECH Espresso Coffee Machine Cappuccino Latte Maker 3.5 Bar 1-4 Cup with Steam Milk Frother Black
Keurig K-Cafe Single Serve K-Cup Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker, Dark Charcoal #CappuccinoDay
Keurig K-Cafe Single Serve K-Cup Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker, Dark Charcoal