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CocktailSmarts debuts at NYC launch party

Written by Jennifer Elias

Thursday, 07 December 2006

Cheers! CocktailSmarts debuts iat NYC party

CocktailSmarts debuts in New York City at sultry lounge

We had a great CocktailSmarts launch party at the sultry Blue Owl on December 5th. A big crowd of Elite Squad members of Yelp got their first peek at CocktailSmarts, and enjoyed delicious cocktails mixed by bartender extraordinaire (and editor of CocktailSmarts), Charles Hardwick.

Yelpers who correctly answered four CocktailSmarts questions (and some other lucky folks) got a chance to enter Blue Owl’s super-secret speakeasy back room. That night the room was transformed into the SexSmarts lounge with our sexy game everywhere and a Blue Owl Aphrodisiac cocktail for the lucky ones who got into the room. It pays to know your cocktails!

Blue Owl served Charles’ signature Ellison cocktail and and a Vesper (for those of you have seen the new James Bond movie, you know all about it). Lots of people wanted to know what was in both and how to make them, so Charles has shared his recipes (they’re also in CocktailSmarts).

Want to see how cocktail smart you are? Here are the 4 questions we featured at the party, follwed by the answers…see what your score is:

1) A secret ingredient in the Ellison cocktail [one of Charles Hardwick’s signature Hendrick’s Gin cocktails] is:

A … Grapefruit
B … Bitters
C … Midori
D … Pomegranate

2) True or False:
The "V.S." on a Cognac label means "Very Special."

3) James Bond ordered and drank all of the following except:

A … A vodka martini, shaken not stirred
B … A Black Velvet
C … An Americano
D … A Pink Squirrel

4) What soused country invented gin?

A … Holland
B … England
C … America
D … Canada

ANSWERS

1) B … Bitters
Charles’ Ellison was a big hit at the party, check out the recipes for his secret recipe

2) True

The "S" on a Cognac label can mean "special" or "Superior." V.S.O.P translates to Very Special Old Pale and V.V.S.O.P is Very, Very Superior Old Pale. The increasing "very" is a sign of just how good the stuff is. Cognac is a French brandy made from various grapes, and is smooth, warming and makes you feel like the lord of the manor as you imperiously swirl it around in your glass.

3) D … Pink Squirrel

Though moviegoers associate 007 with a specially prepared martini, the licensed-to-kill ladykiller drank many things between the pages (and sheets) of Ian Fleming's novels. Bond has been known to drink a Black Velvet (Champagne and Guinness stout), and in Casino Royale, he sips a cocktail of Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water—code name "Americano." Clearly, while on her Majesty's Secret Service, the suave spy wasn't in such a cocktail rut after all.

4) A … Holland

It was gin's powerful effect that made the Netherland-stationed British soldiers coin the phrase "Dutch courage," and tote it back to England where it was adored. Invented by a Dutch doctor to treat kidney problems, gin is distilled from corn, malted barley, and other grains and has two styles: Dutch and dry. Dry gin, which originated in England, is the more popular. Primarily flavored with juniper, gin can contain a dizzying amount of other botanicals like fennel, ginger, cardamom, and angelica.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 07 December 2006 )