Cocktail Corner: epicure.sb’s Excellent Libations

Wildcat Farm to Bar Mixologist Patrick Reynolds (John Blanchette photo)

Wildcat Farm to Bar Mixologist Patrick Reynolds (John Blanchette photo)

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

Traditionally, epicure.sb devotes the entire month of October to celebrating the best of Santa Barbara’s cuisine with a bountiful menu of foodie fun.  This year’s epicurean excitement truly has something for everyone; including this lovely line-up of libation-related events and activities.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Elkpen‘s beautiful, handmade chalk mural in the Funk Zone’s AVA Santa Barbara tasting room (featured in Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine last spring), October’s a great time to visit. AVA (116 E. Yananoli St.) offers Harvest Bites (Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30), including fresh grape samples, winemaker’s comments and hearty small bites paired with Santa Barbara County wines.

As local farm-to-bar aficionados know, Wildcat mixologist Patrick Reynolds (formerly of the Hungry Cat) is a whiz with farmers’ market-fresh ingredients, creating clever craftsman cocktails with whatever looks the most appealing that day. Typically this happens on Tuesdays, as soon as the downtown market closes, but this 1st Thursday (Oct. 3) my little birds at the CVB tell me that his extra special cocktail list will be themed around sense memories of Santa Barbara. I can only imagine how the tantalizing tastes of The Goodland and Tangerine Falls will taste—until Thursday that is! Come early, these puppies are bound to be popular. Farm to Bar at Wildcat (15 W. Ortega St.) starts at 4 p.m. (goes till 9 p.m.), and these spirited specials are just $8 a pop.

Always a fun stop for foodies, at Isabella Gourmet Foods (5 E. Figueroa St.) The Great Gatsby Goes Gourmet on Oct. 7 and Oct. 21, as a master mixologist crafts specialty elixirs combining local spirits with artisan mixers from Isabella’s shelves. Get out those beaded flapper gowns because 1920s attire is encouraged, and you want to look your best in case Leonardo DiCaprio decides to show up!

On October 8, our friends at Cutler’s Artisan Spirits (137 Anacapa St., Ste. D) and Spare Parts will be Distilling the Spirits and Tastes of Santa Barbara, joining together for a one-of-a-kind evening that infuses the witty, guerrilla dining of SB’s oldest supper club with signature Cutler Cocktails made by the founder of Santa Barbara’s first legal distillery, Ian Cutler.

Experience harvest firsthand with Margerum Wine Company as you help with hand sorting and crushing grapes, yeasting and inoculating ferments, laboratory analysis, plunging and punch down ferments. As Winemaker for a Day (59 Industrial Way, Buellton) (available Oct. 11 and Oct. 25), you’ll end the festivities with barrel tasting and the opportunity to blend your own wine—and take home a bottle to show off to your friends.

Whew … believe it or not, this is a just a taste of all of the fun epicure.sb has to offer. For more details, click here.

Cheers!

Photo Credit: Wildcat Farm to Bar Mixologist Patrick Reynolds, photo by John Blanchette.

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Legacies: They Can, We Can, iCAN

Courtesy iCAN

Courtesy iCAN

The Incredible Children’s Art Network Picks Up Speed
By Leslie Dinaberg

in-cred-i-ble: [in-kred-uh-buhl] adjective
1. so extraordinary as to seem impossible: incredible speed.
2. not credible; hard to believe; unbelievable: The plot of the book is incredible.

Flying mostly under the radar until recently, the art-minded philanthropy of the Incredible Children’s Art Network (iCAN) has been quietly lending support to a handful of local elementary schools since 2005. Now, with a large new facility in the works at 222 E. Canon Perdido St. and an even bigger vision for the future under the direction of new executive director Jeffry Walker, iCAN is set to soar even higher.

Collaboration is a big part of that vision for Walker, a recent transplant from Carmel, whose youthful excitement about iCAN belies his more than 35 years of community arts education leadership.

Looking to the future of iCAN—which currently has visual art programs in place at Adams, Cleveland, Franklin, Harding University Partnership, McKinley and Monroe elementary schools, as well as an afterschool program at Franklin providing free music instruction to 90 students, five days a week—Walker says, “It’s not just around art and music as discrete disciplines, but really around youth development issues and community building issues. We have a pretty wide view on who we think we would work with or be aware of what they’re doing… At this point, it’s fair to say that most of our preliminary conversations are focused on creating a through-line for kids in elementary school and beyond.”

IMG_9853

(iCAN)

Jackson Sierra, whose son Dakotah is a third grader at Franklin (with both the art and music program, which is inspired by Venezuela’s renowned el Sistema model) says, “The program as a whole is awesome… My son has benefited from his music education by being able to read sheet music and write his own music, as well as his love for musical instruments.” In addition, “It has helped him with his math, also with his timing, and helped with his team player skills.”

Indeed, there is overwhelming evidence that involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking and verbal skills, as well as improvements in motivation, concentration, confidence and teamwork. Unfortunately, nearly a decade of painful budget cuts have decimated funding for these programs in public schools, leaving parents frantically fundraising to fill in the gaps. Not all schools have a population that can do this, which is one of the reasons iCAN was founded: to bring high-quality arts programs to children in Santa Barbara County, particularly to those least likely to receive them.

iCAN also seeks to affect positive social change in the communities it serves, which seems to be working.

“iCAN has really made our school into a more confident and creative place,” says Shannon McCain Jaffe, iCAN art teacher at Franklin. “iCAN has really contributed to change the climate at our school with the art and music…giving the students these kinds of materials and saying, ‘You’re worth this, and you deserve this, and now see where you can take this, where you can go.’ I think iCAN really just planted that seed that they are important, that this is a valuable thing, art, and gave them that opportunity.”

“Plus, it’s wonderful to see the kids delighting in what they know today that they didn’t know yesterday,” says Walker.

“We’ve been lucky enough that all of our principals…have made a point to show their support constantly in any way they can to our program, and that’s not something you necessarily get with nonprofits working with schools. We’ve been really, really lucky,” says Hillary McCall, iCAN communications and development manager.

“So many times…in the arts, we struggle in an environment of scarcity all of the time, not only financial resources but in terms of level of air space that is even given in the community dialogues…So to come into a community where arts education is already on that radar and already worthy of the conversations is pretty brilliant,” says Walker.

“Our project for the next few years will be to realize those aspirations.”

For more information about iCAN, call 805/845-5142 or visit icansbc.org. 

Originally published in the Fall 2013 issue of Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine.

Cocktail Corner: The Bourbon Room

Cherry Whiskey Sour (Bourbon Room)

Cherry Whiskey Sour (Bourbon Room)

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

I’ve never been a big fan of cherries, even covered in chocolate, they’re just not my thing. But cherries soaked in bourbon are another story entirely. Cherries soaked in bourbon—at least the way The Bourbon Room does them—are truly a nectar for the gods.

I’m a frequent Bourbon Room patron (4444 Hollister Ave., right next to the Creekside Inn, which is really a bar and worthy of a whole column on its own) and believe me  you can’t go wrong with their cocktails. Try the “Wisco” Old Fashioned, featuring bourbon with the delectable house-cured cherries, cane sugar, bitters and orange, the Kitty Coupe Deville, with muddled mint, bourbon, cane juice, cherry and lime or An Ounce of Bounce, which is a shot of their house-made cherry-infused bourbon. The traditional Manhattans and Whiskey Sours also feature the house-cured cherries … and if you smile pretty, they might even give you an extra one!

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on September 20, 2013.

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Party With Foley Food and Wine Society and Support Scholarships

 

Foley Food and Wine Society Experience (Bacara)

Foley Food and Wine Society Experience (Bacara)

We were so excited when the Bacara’s tasting room opened that we wrote a Cocktail Corner column about it and made it an editor’s pick in the fall issue of Santa Barbara SEASONS. Well guess what? Now they’re having an “official” launch party featuring a select portfolio of Foley Family Wines and, as if that weren’t enough to entice us, proceeds from the event will go to the nonprofit Santa Barbara Culinary Arts group and their endowment in the name of Julia Child for scholarships at the School of Culinary Arts at SBCC.

Wines available include renowned wineries such as Kuleto Estate, Chalk Hill Estate, Sebastiani, Lancaster Estate and Santa Ynez Valley’s Firestone Vineyard, Foley Estates Vineyard & Winery and Eos Estate Winery. The all-inclusive event features a keepsake wine glass for wine tasting as well as various chef stations with mouth-watering cuisine paired with wines. Partygoers will have access to the gorgeous grounds of the Bacara Resort & Spa as well.

Tickets are pretty affordable (Society Member Price: $40, Non-Member Price: $60) and it all takes place on Saturday, September 28 from 3–6 p.m. at the Bacara Resort & Spa, 8301 Hollister Ave. For more information or to purchase tickets email Danielle Maxwell at  concierge@foleyfoodandwinesociety.com, or visit foleyfoodandwinesociety.com.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on September 19, 2013. 

Savoring the Central Coast

Savor the Central Coast (Brittany App, Savor the Central Coast)

Savor the Central Coast (Brittany App, Savor the Central Coast)

By Leslie Dinaberg

Spend a gorgeous September weekend sampling the best of the best from winemakers, celebrity chefs, brew masters, fishermen and artisanal food producers who call the Central Coast home.

Not to mention two nights in the beautiful Seacrest oceanfront hotel in Pismo Beach. It’s a tough job, but somebody had to do it, and I’m so glad I was the one who got to explore the uber-cool culinary exploration event that is Sunset Savor the Central Coast last fall. What a treat! I can’t wait to go again!

You too can participate in this delicious annual four-day event (sadly, I was only able to attend two days last year) put on by Sunset Magazine and San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau Sept. 26–29.

This year’s festivities look tastier than ever, with opportunities to savor award-winning wines and indulge in a spectacular menu from chef Maegen Loring of the acclaimed Lido Restaurant at Dolphin Bay, all in the splendor of historic Hearst Castle. Or, if you like to get your hands in the dirt, you can plant and tag your own grapevine at Stolo Family Winery & Vineyards, near the picturesque town of Cambria.

You can also get up close and personal with hot celebrity chefs such as Michael Voltaggio (Top Chef winner and chef/restaurateur of West Hollywood’s avant-garde ink. and ink.sack) and Nathan Lyon (host of Good Food America); enjoy Sunset on the Sand in Pismo Beach, where you’ll learn how to make a cocktail with herbs from your garden, followed by farm-to-table cuisine and wine vintages celebrating the Central Coast’s bounty; or gather for an evening under the star-filled Paso Robles sky at the new open-air Vina Robles Amphitheatre, where you can sample specially prepared foods and award-winning wines, while enjoying live music in the beautiful surroundings of Paso Robles wine country.

And, of course, there’s the main event, with the opportunity to wander the gorgeous grounds of Santa Margarita Ranch; watch celebrity chef demos; taste the wares of more than 100 local wineries; and sample small bites dished up from local restaurateurs, farmers, and artisan food and winemakers. Festivities also include live music, a beer garden and loads of booths and demonstrations to explore the latest trends in food and wine, gardening and travel.

For an up-to-date schedule and ticket information, go to visitsanluisobispocounty.com or call 800/634-1414. Hope to see you there!

Originally published in the Fall 2013 issue of Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine.

You Go Girls! Opening Tonight: The Project-Fine Art Zone

Talk about girl power! Creative Director Tracy Smith Reed and I got a sneak peak at The Project-Fine Art Zone yesterday and came out wishing we could be a part of this powerhouse of talent.  You’ll definitely want to check out the opening during tonight’s First Thursday celebration in downtown Santa Barbara.

Nine very talented female artists have teamed together to create a collaborative non-profit art gallery. The artists–ERIKA CARTER, SUSAN TIBBLES, LIZ BRADYLISA PEDERSEN, VIRGINIA McCRACKEN, DONNA ASYCOUGH, ASHLEY DART, THERESA CARTER and LLOYD DALLETT–will own and operate the gallery themselves and donate 20 percent of all art sales to Girls Inc.

The work runs the gamut, from Erika’s colorful layered paintings invoking the spirit of San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuanto, to Susan’s fascinating mixed media assemblage pieces, Liz’s organic and botanical form explorations, Lisa’s dreamy landscapes, Virginia’s miniature paper mache mouse house shadow boxes, Donna’s vibrant florals, Ashley’s whimsical ironic juxtapositions, Theresa’s stunning color combinations and Lloyd’s Asian-accented creations.

My on-the-fly photography doesn’t do the work justice–you’ll have to go see it.

In addition to a variety of work on sale from each artist, each of the women has created a unique 8 x 8″ collectible square piece on sale for the unbelievable price of $200 each. What a terrific way to start a local art collection, support local artists and Girls Inc. at the same time.

Speaking of support, the space–a gorgeous site at 740 State Street, Suite 1, overlooking De La Guerra Plaza–is being provided by Montesanto Group. Erika wanted to make sure to give a special thanks to Gene Montesanto and John Bennett for their generosity in providing the space and helping to get this fabulous project going.

After tonight’s grand opening, the gallery will be open Thursday through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays noon to 6 p.m. and by appointment. For more information contact Erika@ErikaCarter.com or call 805/452-6127.

–Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on June 2, 2011.

Lloyd Dallett

Lloyd Dallett

Theresa Carter

Theresa Carter

Ashley Dart

Ashley Dart

Works by all nine of The Project artists

Works by all nine of The Project artists

Chef’s Counter at the Wine Cask a Culinary Treat

I had my first encounter with the Chef’s Counter at the Wine Cask this week and my tastebuds are still dancing with delight.

For those of you who haven’t heard, every Monday through Thursday night Chef Brandon Hughes is now offering a special Farmer’s Market fresh tasting menu paired with local wines, for an all inclusive price of $65 per person.

Courtesy Wine Cask

Courtesy Wine Cask

While it is typically a three-course menu, this week’s menu (still available tonight) included four courses. Sous Chef Nik Ramirez says he and Chef Hughes typically shop the market on Saturday morning and “duke it out over the week’s menu.” Their draw resulted in a victory for us, as we got an extra course on Monday, since “things looked so good we couldn’t decide on just three.”

First up, Rancho San Julian Sweetbreads with Green Farm Artichoke Saint Germain and truffle hollandaise, paired with Firestone Walker Brewery “Honey Blonde Ale.” Let me preface this by saying that, as much as I love Rancho San Julian (owner Elizabeth Poett was Seasons’ first Farmer’s Market profile when I took over as Editor in Winter 2010/11), I would never order sweetbreads if given the choice. However, one timid bite quickly convinced me they were AMAZING! Seriously, this dish deserves a permanent place on the menu. It was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever had.

Next was Mud Creek Ranch Kumquat Glazed Kurauta Pork Loin with “The Garden Of …” braised Chinese cabbage, sous vide shallots and the ’10 Margerum “Wine Cask” Sauvignon Blanc, which paired perfectly with the pork.

Our third course was Pan Seared Wagyu Strip Steak with Green Farm asparagus gnocchi, Northern California “Orchard” morel mushrooms and Earthtrine Farms Persian mulberry demi-glace, paired with an ‘09 Brander Cabernet Sauvignon. So tasty. Those Persian mulberries are out of this world. They’re definitely going on my Farmer’s Market shopping list.

Finally, for dessert Pastry Chef Rosie Gerard served an Almond Macaroon with chocolate marshmallow, almond nougatine and macerated strawberries, along with a ’10 Margerum “Alamo Creek” Grenache, which was the icing on top of a truly fabulous meal. Talk about spoiled; we also got to try a very special Margerum M3 Mourvèdre available only from the Wine Cask’s green tap system. This is the latest green trend in winemaking—no corks, no bottle waste, reusable kegs—definitely a great idea whose time has come.

The Chef’s Counter is definitely a fun place for a night out with that special someone, but the counter’s close proximity to the kitchen and one-on-one interaction with the chef also makes it a nice option for dining alone, if you want to treat yourself, and it’s a great and relatively inexpensive way to sample a taste of the Wine Cask.

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS on May 12, 2011.

Cocktail Corner: Green Drinks

medgreen drinks A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

“Meet Drink Talk Think” is certainly an idea worth toasting. It’s also the slogan for Green Drinks, a fun monthly networking group that combines merriment and making the world a greener (better) place.

This month’s soiree, on Tuesday, September 17 from 6–8 p.m. in the pretty courtyard of the Environmental Defense Center (906 Garden St.), features Marge Cafarelli, the dynamo founder and visionary behind Santa Barbara Public Market, which is opening soon on the corner of Chapala and Victoria streets. With a mouth-watering list of vendors—including Foragers PantryEnjoy CupcakesFlagstone PantryThe Pasta Shoppeil Fustino, Oils and VinegarsRori’s Artisanal CreameryJuiceWell, The Kitchen, Wine + Beer, Green Star CoffeeBelcampo Meat Co. and Crazy Good Bread—we can’t wait for the market to open.

But meanwhile Tuesday’s Happy Hour, which is a benefit for SOL Food Festival (coming up soon on September 28), features hors d’oeuvres from Whole Foods Market and Isabella’s Gourmet Foods, beer from Firestone Walker Brewing Co. and Figueroa Mountain Brew Co. and even juice tastings from the Juice Club.

Filling your mind while you fill your belly is the aim of Green Drinks.

Cafarelli will share the inspiration behind the market, its connection to community building and how it supports local food. Foodbank of Santa Barbara County will also share information. They’ll also be live music by Adam Phillips and a silent auction to benefit SOL Food Festival, featuring opportunities to bid on wine tasting at the Canary, farm tours, dinner at Seagrass and much more.

All are welcome. Come thirsty, bring your friends. Great food and conversation is guaranteed. Just $15 gets you in the door and includes one drink. RSVP at: https://www.facebook.com/events/575355175862793/

Hope to see you there.

Cheers!

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine on September 13, 2013.

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

A moan to Lisa

Image by Stuart Miles

Image by Stuart Miles

I never thought I’d see the day, but it’s finally happened: Lisa is on the endangered species list.

I knew so many Lisa’s growing up that it’s one of the few names that doesn’t conjure up any specific imagery for me–other than a girl who’s about my age. There are lots and lots of 40-something Lisa’s around. So many, in fact, that when people recognize me on the street as “Lisa Dinaberg,” I just smile and say hi. Most of the Lisa’s I know don’t even turn around quickly when someone calls out their name. It’s like yelling Mom at a soccer match, you could be one of dozens, and so you may as well wait for the second yell.

If I introduce myself to someone who’s hard of hearing, nine times out of ten they’ll say, “Nice to meet you, Lisa.” I just smile and nod.

It’s hard to fight the power of Lisa. I’ve been answering to her my whole life.

I just about fell off my chair in shock as I read about Lisa’s fate this week when the Social Security Administration came out with its annual list of most popular names.

All of the headlines were full of the fact that Emily was #1 for the 12th straight year (snooze), while Jacob took the lead for the 9th time in a row (snore), but they missed the real story. What about the demise of Lisa’s?

Sure, Lisa had a good run. She was the most popular girl’s name in the United States from 1962 to 1969–hence all the soccer moms named Lisa running around–and she stayed in the top ten till 1976. But her numbers have declined steadily since then. Last year she hit a record low and was ranked 573rd.

She was ranked 573rd!

Take a deep breath and consider the significance of this. In my kindergarten class, there were seven Lisa’s, which using Leslie Math translates into 70 gazillion Lisa’s now walking around on treadmills to avoid getting varicose veins.

Now, there are more girl babies named Nevaeh (#31), which is “heaven” spelled backwards, than Lisa. Spiritual names like Destiny (# 41) Trinity (# 72), Serenity (# 126) and Harmony (# 315) also beat out Lisa last year. I guess heavenly names are big these days.

The green movement is also inspiring names, with Jade (#113), Ivy (#301), Autumn (#91), Aurora (#317), Skye (#475), Summer (#158), Violet (#231), Hazel (#361) and Amber (#146) outranking Lisa.

While the heavenly and earthly trends follow fashion in other areas, “for reasons likely to puzzle baby name experts around the world, American parents have become infatuated by names, particularly for their sons, that rhyme with the word ‘maiden,'” says Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security.

For boys there is Jayden (#18), Aiden (#27), Aidan (#54), Jaden (#76), Caden (#92), Kaden (#98), Ayden (#102), Braden (#156), Cayden (#175), Jaiden (#191), Kaiden (# 220), Aden (# 264), Caiden (# 286), Braeden (# 325), Braydon (# 361), Jaydon (# 415), Jadon (# 423), Braiden (#529), Zayden (#588), Jaeden (#593), Aydan (#598), Bradyn (#629), Kadin (#657), Jadyn (#696), Kaeden (#701), Jaydin (#757), Braedon (#805), Aidyn (#818), Haiden (#820), Jaidyn (#841), Kadyn (#878), Jaydan (#887), Raiden (#931), and Adin (#983). This startling trend was present, but less pronounced, with girls names: Jayden (#172), Jadyn (#319), Jaden (#335), Jaiden (#429), Kayden (#507), and Jaidyn (#561).

Social Security spokesman Mark Lassiter says that the agency will resist any legislative efforts to standardize the spelling of these names. Imagine the bureaucracy associated with that.

Lisa’s never had to worry about whether their name would be spelled with a random vowel combination or an extra “y” in the middle, which might be part of the reason they’re on their way to Extinctionville.

Poor Lisa. It’s tough for me to enjoy such a hollow victory dance, but I feel journalistically obligated to tell you that Leslie (spelled the right way) was ranked 127th.

I totally kicked Raiden’s butt, too.

Share your thoughts with Lisa, we mean Leslie, by emailing email. For more columns visit www.LeslieDinaberg.com.
Originally published in the Santa Barbara Daily Sound on May 16, 2008.

Cocktail Corner: Tailgate Time

Courtesy Microsoft.com

Courtesy Microsoft.com

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg

Though the air in Santa Barbara feels more like Indian Summer than fall,  football season is upon us, which means it’s tailgate time. Toast the kickoff with these Super (punch) Bowl worthy libations:

On Bruin game days, we had beer for breakfast; it was cold, cheap  and oh so collegiate … so imagine my surprise when I went to my first tailgate party at Cal and found out about their Ramos Fizz breakfast tradition. This is not just any old mixed drink either, as Esquire‘s expert cocktail historian David Wondrich writes, “It’s fussy, dated, takes a long time to make and uses too many ingredients, one quite hard to find (orange flower water). It’s not an everyday drink, yet you can’t mix it up in big batches for company (nor should you order one in a bar). You’ve got to make these babies yourself, one or two at a time. So why bother?”

I’ll tell you why. Because they’re delicious (particularly before noon). Here’s a great recipe from Williams-Somona. And by the way, orange flower water is now quite easily found at places like Lazy Acres, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and BevMo.

There’s an art to tailgating: when you start drinking cocktails in the morning, it’s all about the timing. You don’t want to nap your way through the game, after all. Luckily, the folks at Bendistillery have come up with Pez, combining their delicious, smooth Crater Lake Vodka with a jolt of Red Bull in case you need an afternoon kick before the kick off.

Though I have neither a green thumb nor an NRA card, I am a big fan of the recipes in Garden & Gun Magazine. They’ve got a terrific collection of Tailgate Cocktails in the current issue, including the swoon-worthy Tallulah, combining the classic southern flavors of whiskey, coke and peanuts. Go team!

Of course, the beer gene runs strong in many football fans, so if these recipes seem a little too complicated for a tailgate party, there’s always Beer Punch. Here’s a great recipe from the Food Network‘s Sunny Anderson.

And finally, whatever you drink, half the fun is in the presentation. Here’s great video from Blue Plate’s Mixologist, Dan Scheuring using adorable—and portable— mason jars for a variety of tailgate cocktails.

Cheers!

Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Story originally appeared in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine.

Leslie Dinaberg

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”