Luxury Gift Ideas for the Spirits and Beer Fancier

The holidays are around the corner, if you have food lover friends like me, you probably have the same problem.  I never know what to give those friends.  They have all the kitchen gadgets they could ever want.  They probably already have anything else they could ever want.  I usually resort to giving them gift cards to restaurants they like to visit.  This year, I opted to donate to two non-profits, The Lone Star Paralysis Foundation and Trigger's Toys, in honor of my friends and family instead of giving formal gifts. There are a plethora of blog posts on homemade gifts, creative gifts, and artisan gifts.  This one doesn't fall into any of those categories.  If you have some extra cash to spend (like somewhere in the neighborhood of $300) on a beer or spirits connoisseur, I have two gift recommendations.  These are high end gifts, and packaged as so.  I have personally tried both of these.  While none of these are on my shopping list this year, they are something I will think about for future occasions.  The first one is Casa Dragones - a sipping tequila.  I was invited to a tasting, and boy was I educated on sipping.  The tequila is crystal clear with a very complex nose that changes depending on where you hold the glass.  I got deep spice notes with an anise finish that lingers.  If you ever get the chance to try it, you'll understand why it is $300.  It is nothing like the tequilas that you use for mixing.  For the price point, you don't want to mix this one. The bottle is beautifully handcrafted with many symbolisms carved right in by hand (look at the bottom).  Every tiny detail about this product has been thoughtfully chosen.   Photo courtesy of Casa Dragones. The second gift is the Sam Adams Utopias.  This high ABV beer is not readily available in all markets, but it is well worth the effort if you can get a bottle.  The 2009 batch was 27%.  I got a bottle a few years ago from Denver, and though it set me back a pretty penny, it was enjoyed by many at a private party.  The beer does not taste like a traditional beer.  Rather, it tastes like a fine aged bourbon, scotch or port.  The flavor profiles in each batch may vary.  It is only made every other year, and you'll have to pre-plan how you'll be getting your bottle.  Denver or on the East Coast are good options.  Asking friends in those areas to pick up a bottle for you is probably your best bet.  If you receive one of these for the holidays, someone really, really loves you.  Photo courtesy of Sam Adams.

Trio's Holiday Menu 2009

The holidays are around the corner, and Trio at the Four Seasons in Austin has a special menu planned as you celebrate family, friends, and ringing in of the 2010.  Here's some photos from the media holiday preview event where my photographer and I were invited guests.  Their holiday menu is available Dec. 1-30 except Dec. 24th.  The prix fixe menu is $39 per person and includes a choice of appetizer, entree with sides, and dessert.  Appetizers include winter squash salad (fantastic), seafood souffle (full of sweet, succulent shrimp), pork belly (as if this needs a description).  Entrees include pheasant, wild salmon, and prime ribeye with maple roasted sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts as sides.  The desserts include warm gingerbread cake, chocolate-peppermint baked Alaska, and trio of sorbet.   Along with their holiday menu, Trio is also offering a holiday drink menu that is sure to please.  Recipes for the drinks are below.  The Smores the Merrier is highly recommended by yours truly.  Enjoy and do check out their other holiday events! 

Wild salmon with crimini mushrooms and lingonberries.

Winter Squash Salad with pine nuts, raisins, and farm cheese. 

This dessert is absolutely fantastic.  I ate two servings.  It's the chocolate-peppermint baked Alaska. It also comes with a candy mistletoe.  I put that thing to good use.


Warm Gingerbread cake with marzipan, tangerine gel, dried fruit puree, and vanilla bean whipped cream.  I have two words to describe this dessert.  Comfort dessert. 

Brandy Melt
1 cup                Coffee
½ shot                 Christian Bros. Brandy
½ shot                 Amaretto
½ shot                White Crème de Cacao
3 tbsp.                Whipped cream
Toasted almond slivers
Dark chocolate cacao beans

Directions: In a large coffee cup, mix coffee, brandy, amaretto and white crème de cacao. Top with fresh whipped cream and garnish with toasted almond slivers and dark chocolate cacao beans. Serve with homemade biscotti.

Flute Cocktail
½ shot                Midori
4 oz.                 Prosecco
3 ea.                Green grapes
3 ea.                Red grapes
Thin sliver of red apple

Directions: Mix Midori, green and red grapes and apple sliver in a champagne flute. Fill to the top with Prosecco.

Yule-Thyme Martini
2 shots                 Dripping Springs vodka, infused with fresh sage and thyme
1 dash                Oban Scotch
1 sm. slice        Smoked Maitake mushroom

Directions: Shake vodka and scotch over ice, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with the Maitake mushroom slice.

Mistletoe Mojito
1 shot                 Mount Gay Rum
2-3 dashes         Simple syrup
2-3 dashes          Fresh lime juice
2-3 dashes         Cranberry juice
1 dash                Soda water
1 dash                Grenadine
Fresh mint leaves
Fresh cranberries

Directions: Muddle the mint leaves with simple syrup and lime juice. Add ice and rum, then top off with cranberry juice, soda water and grenadine. Garnish with a mint sprig and 3 fresh cranberries.

S'mores the Merrier
2 squares        Graham cracker, toasted with butter and cinnamon, crushed
2 tbsp.                 Marshmallow cream
1 shot                 Godiva Dark
1 shot                 Tuaca
1 dash                 Cream

Directions: Prepare a martini glass by rimming with toasted graham cracker crumbs and affixing a dollop of brûléed marshmallow crème to the inside. Shake last 3 ingredients over ice and strain into the martini glass. Garnish with a dark chocolate straw, if desired.