Pouring Ribbons Mixology Class curated by Leisurely App

November 20, 2019 by Lysandra Whitlow

I recently had a chance to attend a Mixology class lead by Joaquin Simo, owner and bartender at Pouring Ribbons. The event was curated by Leisurely App and if you haven't heard of Leisurely then let me put you on. Leisurely App curates fun culinary events like the mixology class I attended. If you peruse the app you’ll find dozens of culinary experiences that are perfect for a date or something new to try by yourself or with friends. The quality of the experiences is what really sticks out to me. This isn’t your $10 pizza making classes, this app truly provides the best experiences NYC has to offer. I highly recommend downloading the app and booking your first experience like I did.

I’ve been to cocktail making classes but this one took it up a notch. We explored old cocktail recipes as well as recipes that incorporated yellow and green Chartreuse. My favorite cocktail of the night was the Corpse Reviver #2. Not only is this drink strong but its amazingly smooth. The Corpse Reviver is a mix of Jin, Curacao, Cocchi Americano, lemon juice, and a dash of Absinthe. We learned to make around 5 cocktails and by the end of the class, everyone was feeling nice. I went to the class with my best friend and she had rave reviews of how informative and fun class was!

Joaquin Simo showing us how to make the Corpse Reviver #2

I am so excited the class was held at Pouring Ribbons. The cocktail program at PR has to be one of my favorite in the city. They change their menu every few months and it's insane how they manage to always keep their menu crave worthy! The artisanship and thought that goes into each cocktail is unmatched. Every glass features flavors and ingredients that have fun to familiar tastes to adventurous and unique. I once had a cocktail with clarified milk in it and it was tasty AF! The bar is lowkey a speakeasy and the ambiance is always dark and sexy. If you go you’ll know why I love Pouring Ribbons so much. Also, shout out to the incredible bar staff they are all so talented and friendly it keeps me coming back!

Toby Cecchini the creator of The Cosmopolitan

The Cosmo with Cointreau

October 24, 2019 by Lysandra Whitlow

Peep the recipe

1oz Cointreau

2oz Citrus Vodka

1oz Fresh Lime Juice

1oz Cranberry Juice

Give it a good shake with lots of ice and serve in a chilled glass.

Not many people will ever get the chance to learn how to create a famous signature cocktail from the creator themselves but, I was lucky enough to learn how to make The Cosmo from the man who invented the iconic cocktail Toby Cecchini. Believing it was too sweet, I always avoided ordering a Cosmo. After learning the correct recipe, a true Cosmo, is only mildly sweet with more tart flavor from the fresh lime, mix in Cointreau and this cocktail becomes perfectly balanced. Done right, I can see myself ordering a whole lot of Cosmo’s in the future.

Aberfeldy Scotch Whisky- Exceptional Cast Series

October 21, 2019 by Lysandra Whitlow

I had the pleasure of attending the Aberfeldy Scotch Whisky tasting and four-course dinner hosted by Master Blender of the Year, Stephanie MacLeod. The Exceptional Cask series consists of 5, single and double cask bottlings each hand selected by Stephanie herself and only made available in very limited quantities. The exclusivity of sampling such a highly regarded whisky in the presence of the distiller herself, truly added to this once in a lifetime experience. Of the series I tasted the 19 and 24 yr. single cast as well as the 18 yr. double cask. All were incredibly smooth but the 19yr. spoke to me the most. Rich with notes of honey, vanilla, and almond, this whisky is the most likely to be stocked in my cabinet. Although these bottles can run you a pretty penny, anywhere from $200-$300, it would make a wonderful gift and a great addition to your whisky collection.

The Gin Corner - Rome

July 17, 2019 by Lysandra Whitlow

The Gin Corner

Gin and tonic, gin and juice, gin and gin, you name it i’m here for it if it has gin. So when I found myself in Rome naturally I stopped by The Gin Corner. With over 100 gin brands I truly found my happy place.

The menu at the Gin Corner looked fantastic but I knew the real experience would be going with the bartender's choice. Angelo is the best bartender I've ever had the opportunity to drink with. After reading his bio and talking to him I knew anything he created would be the only way to go and I wasn't wrong. As you can tell from the pictures the portions were generous and the flavor was so well balanced that my mom, who doesn't drink, ordered one for herself. Angelo knew which notes to complement in each gin he used. I saw him middle, stir, and shake the perfect cocktail with each order. The effortlessness and ease of watching this master work added to the overall experience of sitting at Rome’s first gin bar.

Angelo has over 40 years of bartending under his belt, not only has he won prestigious awards like the Martini Grand Prix but he is also a sommelier. His deep knowledge about gin shows in the way he carefully selects ingredients to complement the notes in one of the over 100 bottles of gin at the Gin Corner. He takes such care in the way he skillfully crafts cocktails that he even grows some of the ingredients himself or sources them from his small hometown in Italy.

On top of being a world renowned bartender, Angelo is also the most interesting man alive. After living all over the world and being in the industry for so long, Angelo has an array of different stories that literally kept me at the bar for hours. Although my time in Rome was limited I made it a mission to go back a second time just to have more cocktails and to chat with Angelo. It’s rare I get to share moments like this with top tier professionals such as Angelo and my time in Rome would not have been the same had I not stumbled into The Gin Corner.

The Gin Corner is on my list for one of the top bars in the world. It's a cozy space nestled in the heart to Rome. Prices are very reasonable with most cocktails around 12 euro, so about $13.50. If you find yourself in Rome make it a top priority to visit The Gin Corner. There is no way you can go to Rome and not see the Colosseum and now there is no way you can go and not have a cocktail with Angelo at The Gin Corner.

The Hidden Pearl BK

The Hidden Pearl

May 23, 2019 by Lysandra Whitlow in Bars

When my uber pulled up I thought I got dropped off in the wrong place. The Hidden Pearl…. is actually hidden y’all. When you get to THP you have to walk through Wanpaku Japanese restaurant. At the back is a door that will instantly transport you to a swanky tropical speakeasy-ish bar.

Leif, the owner and mastermind behind The Hidden Pearl, was originally going to create a cocktail program for the restaurant, but after seeing the incredible space in the back he knew he had an opportunity to create something special. Leif wanted a place that was authentic to the space and restaurant but fit the neighborhood and clientele. Offering a laid back alternative to the other restaurant or dive bar establishments in the neighborhood, The Hidden Pearl is where one can go strictly for a thoughtful cocktail and relaxing conversation — a more grown up bar if you will. When asked what was the take away he wanted a person to leave THP with, Leif responded, “ I want people to feel like they had fun and leave lighter than when they came in”.

The Hidden Pearl takes inspiration from Okinawa, Japan as well as Tokyo record bars. The bar has tropical elements without being overtly themey, and the cocktails incorporate a great mix of Japanese flavors and spirits that are unique and delicious. You can hear old vinyls playing in the background as you hear bursts of conversations happening throughout the beautifully decorated bar. I had the ‘Kariyushi club’ cocktail twice and I would have to say it was the best drink I’ve had all year.

If you're looking intimacy, great conversation, and the highest quality from drinks to service, than I suggest the Hidden Pearl. Cocktails start around $13 dollars. I would make a reservation as the space is small, but they do take walk-ins. THP is IDEAL for date night and I would highly recommend adding it to the ‘fancy’ tab in your running list of Bar Babe finds.