Two Drink Minimum; The After 5 Cocktail Blog

We have all seen it, the cheesy Bacardi commercial (<<< if you havnt click here) where a dozen different women or so are shaking there rumps to some very questionable techno beat all in rhythm to the stud bar tender mashing up a Mojito. But what the hell is a Mojito anyways? I mean come on people at first glance any human with half a brain is going to ask why there are mashed leaves in there cocktail…lets face it this is not an everyday occurrence. So the following is for all those like me out there who took the time to step back and question the foliage in his cocktail. So I hope you enjoy and hey, you just might learn a little something while you are at it.

Mojito (pronounced /m??hi?to?/ (English) IPA: [mo?xito] ((Spanish)) is a traditional Cuban cocktail which became popular in the United States during the late 1980s, and has recently seen a resurgence in popularity.

A mojito is traditionally made of five ingredients: rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime, carbonated water and mint. Its combination of sweetness and refreshing citrus and mint flavors are intended to mask the potent kick of the rum, and have made this clear cocktail a popular summer drink. Many hotels in Havana also add Angostura bitters to cut the sweetness of the mojito; while a popular variation, it is not the original version created in La Bodeguita del Medio.

To make a Mojito, juice from a lime is added to sugar and mint leaves in a tall glass. The mixture is then gently mashed repeatedly with a muddler. Crushed ice is then added, followed by rum and topped off with club soda.

The word mojito is derived from the diminutive of the word mojo.

 

 

 

 

 

Mojito Recipies:
Italian Mojito
Ingredients:
- 2 oz of white light rum
- 2 oz Proseco
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp simple syrup
- 1 sprig fresh mint

In a high ball glass place mint leaves, brown sugar, simple syrup and fresh lime juice and muddle. Add ice cubes, pour light rum and top with Italian sparkling wine. Stir directly in the glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and fresh lime wheel. (Cocktail By Francensco at Mix, New York 212 583 0300)

 

 

Apple Mojito
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 parts Bacardi Big Apple Rum
- 12 fresh spearmint leaves
- 1/2 lime
- 7 parts club soda
- 2 tsp. simple syrup or 4 tsp. sugar
- mint sprigs for garnish

 

Crush mint leaves and lime in a tall glass. Cover with simple syrup and fill glass with ice. Add rum and club soda, stir well.

Blue Mojito
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. HPNOTIQ liqueur
- 2 oz. Light Rum
- 3 oz. Club Soda
- 6 fresh mint leaves

Shake HPNOTIQ liqueur, light rum and mint leaves with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a rocks glass and top with club soda.

 

As the sun goes down and local shops and groceries stores begin to close there doors and the flicker of lights from houses begin to diminish as all the children are tucked into bed…this is when the night life begins. Stale yellow lights from lamp post soon begin to be replaced by an array of bright buzzing neon rainbows flashing signs for cocktails and beer, live nudes and the ‘party scene’.

Men and women alike get donned up in their best (or not so best) attire and hit the streets all across this beautiful brazen county of ours, all in search of the same thing…that spot with the best Night Life.
As Americans we love the night time party scene…Dim dance clubs blasting the latest and greatest chart toppers while all sorts of multi colored lights flash and spin as smoke begins to bellow from beneath the DJ booth…
Ahh yes, we have all been there…shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers trying against all odds not to spill your drink down the bare back of the nice lady dancing in front of you as you simultaneously attempt to scan the crowd in hopes of locating your friend who you last saw scampering off with a random stranger of the opposite sex. As we all know, most of these nights are hit or miss…either they are great…or you end up wishing you would have stayed home doing something more fun and constructive…such as lying on the couch and catching up on your favorite TV shows…A prospect which keeps some people from ever stepping foot outside their house in attempts to go to the club…
But wait…all you people out there who are disgusted by the idea of paying for over priced drinks in an over crowded bar to get your taste of the night life…I have a solution for you…bring the party to the place you know best…your home…now I know the initial idea of taking a club and plopping it down smack dab in the middle of your living room my not conjure the best of mental images…but give me a chance to explain…
Imagine this…you have your house set up with dim lights…neon signs posted on the walls…stylish light up glasses and straws line your make shift bar…all to accommodate only those people who YOU decide are fit to party in your humble abode.
If the picture just painted brings a smile to your face…you have come to the right place…
Lets start from the top…

You are going to want to make the general ambiance of your home as bar like as you can…and what better way to do it then with neon lights??Here at After5Catalog we have got you covered on just about ANY type of crazy neons you can think of…Everyone loves Beerpong…but can you find a bar anywhere with a beer pong table?? Well you can now…right at YOUR bar!! Martinis and cocktails…like I said, if you want a neon sign…we got it!

So now that we have the neons taken care of…what kinda classy bar would you have without some really kick ass cocktail glasses?? Dim the lights down low and let theses sets of light up “drinking untensils” make the mood nice and mellow…

Last but not least…if want to go full bore and really deck your place out…try one of our personalized signs…we have a PLETHORA of customizable signs to fit just about anyones needs….

 

 

 

 

So the next time you are out with the guys or gals and someone spills a drink down your back…just remember…we here at after5…”have got your back”

 

 

 

 

It shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you that Americans love football. Every Sunday this fact becomes crystal clear as hordes of people donning there favorite team apparel head out to local bars or fire up a grill in a backyard with friends and prepare to slam down some brats and burgers. But there is one facet of football in America — a staple if you will — that no matter where, or how you plan on watching the game, cannot be overlooked…I am of course speaking of none other then beer…

I personally, am from the mid west — Michigan to be exact — and where I come from unless you are actually attending the game, the next best thing is the tailgate party…a glorious event where you gather as many fellow football lovers as you can, round up all the old lawn chairs collecting dust in your garage along with as much meat as you can carry and all converge upon the largest empty parking lot you can find (most likely a stadium parking lot) you set up your grill and possibly a beer pong table and contiune to cook and drink all day with your favorite games blasting from every operational radio within ear shot…

Fortunately we here at After 5 take both beer and proper partying extremely seriously…So imagine this…you are lucky enough to have scored tickets to a game — Indianapolis Colts at New England if you will — there you are sitting in the stands, first quarter of the game and of course the first thing that comes to mind is “where is my beer”…now unless you came with a saddle bag full of cash, catching a game time buzz at the stadium can be, well how shall I put it…pricey

Not to fear, After5 has come up with what can only be described as the perfect solution. We call it… The Beer Belly. The Beerbelly is a beer dispenser that fits stealthily and comfortably around your waist, under your shirt, with a feeder tube and bite valve that delivers beer to the user. It’s covert and comedy rolled into one.

So there you are, ‘keeping warm’ by quietly sipping from your favorite beer while a stadium full of fans screams at the top of their lungs as the game of the year plays out below you…all this and you didn’t even have to give loose a dime to stadium costs…now that’s innovation my friends.

Now I realize not every one can pull off having a “beer belly” – Ladies we were thinking of you on this one — so we took an age old idea and put a lil twist to it. Presenting the Sippin’ Seat Cushion.

Whether you’re parked bench side or in the thin air of the nosebleed section, the Papa Berts Stadium Sippin’ Seat guarantees you the best seat in the house, at least from a drinker’s standpoint. Hidden inside its durable and super comfortable foam cushion exterior is a secret hot/cold beverage bladder capable of holding up to 750 ml (3 cups in America) of the day’s preferred drink. The Stadium Sippin Seat has an easy-to-use valve-to-plastic hose dispensing mechanism and an integrated carrying handle; it disassembles easily for cleaning and refilling.

Now for those of you who enjoy the “at home” approach to watching football, have we got something for you. Over the years I have come to find that most people who would rather stay home for the game do so because of there love for cookin’ on the grill. With that said check this out!

 

This is our Personalized Barbeque Branding Iron. The personalized Meat Mark-it Barbeque Branding Iron allows you to customize your outgoing message on each and every tri-tip, T-bone, London broil or rib-eye that leaves your grill. The barbeque branding iron includes 52 letters and spaces, so you can personalize your name or of course favorite football team.

Now we all know games can end up being extremely long and drawn out. Sitting there in your group of friends as the last min of the first half ends up taking 15 min. During these down times of the game, or perhaps even waiting for the game to begin, you and your crew might enjoy a nice friendly game of Brew-opoly.

Brew-Opoly is more than just a board game for people who like to drink beer. Similar to its real estate counter part…only entirely beer themed, more fun, and no creepy bald guy. Play with game tokens like a bottle opener, shot glass and pretzel, land on Cheers (collect $200!), Free Pretzels (win the pot!), Last Call (boo!), Happy Hour (thumb your nose at the sap in Last Call) and draw action cards from The Draft - this is a party game at its finest. Make your way around the colorful board and purchase brew pubs and microbreweries. You’ll still need to keep your eye on the banker, especially if you’re living up to our hopes and chugging beer each time you pass Happy Hour. Brew-Opoly is fun for the whole family and works wonderfully during those game day waiting periods.

So football fans, who ever you are routing for this season, make sure you do it in style and of course remember to have fun because in the end that’s what games are all about.

Written by: Jason Davenport (Head of Customer Service and Kickin’ Ass here at After5 Catalog)

While we are on the subject of beer, (see last blog) I am itching to share our latest invention with all of you beer lovers out there. This crafty little can carrier has enough room for a full six pack of your cans or bottles. The Beer Belt has six insulated molded foam beverage holders, two banks of three, that keep the brew cold right up until the last can, or can’t for some. Its a great party pleaser that reduces the lag time while waiting in those long lines for the bartender to doll out drinks one by one. Stand in line once, get your six and your set

for the next hour ..or so. Suddenly you have lots of beer buddies following you around ? We made it with an adjustable wide 2″ belt that evenly distributes the weight of the six beers giving the user long hours of beer carrying capability. Maybe we should call it the can camel. Any suggestions out there? if you come up with a winning name I will give you a free one. An After 5 exclusive!

 

Now if you really want to be a party geek use the Beer Belt in conjunction with the Beer Helmet. Do the math…that would be eight beers. Thats enough to find out where the restrooms are. This epiphany is another nifty little invention, (not from us however) that makes sure you are fully hydrated at all times. The Thirst Aid Helmet or Beer hat has changed the way people drink beer with its ife-enriching miracle of hands-free drinking. Through ingenious and very scientific technology utilizing a helmet, two drink holders, and some plastic hose, the groundbreaking beer helmet revolutionizes beer consumption by conveniently placing beverage containers on both sides of the frontal lobe. The tri-valve ergonomic “chug” lines of the beer helmet will allow the drinker to imbibe from two beverages at once, thus doubling the intoxication rate while freeing up the hands to better tally Fantasy Football scores, crochet, or hold a couple more beers. The Beer Hat is completely washable. Adjustable interior plastic band adjusts to 24.75″. One size fits all.

 

Continuing on with the subject of beer check out some of our fun beer signs on our new website. www.personalizedsignshop.com.

By Leslie Dinaberg

It was the headline I’ve been fantasizing about for all of my adult life: “Study Finds Fruity Cocktails Count as Health Food.” I double-checked the URL, just to make sure I hadn’t accidentally stumbled onto the Onion.

Sure enough, Reuters was actually reporting that, “a fruity cocktail may not only be fun to drink but may count as health food, U.S. and Thai researchers said on Thursday.” It makes so much sense. I knew I hadn’t been irresponsibly drowning my sorrows in alcohol for the past couple of decades. Those massive quantities of strawberry margaritas consumed over the years really did make me feel better—even in the morning. I love it when science finally comes around to my way of thinking. The discovery was pure serendipity—like the discovery of penicillin. Tucked away in their labs (no doubt downing Red Bull, Mountain Dew, and Jolt cocktails) Dr. Korakot Chanjirakul and colleagues at Kasetsart University in Thailand and scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture were exploring ways to help keep strawberries fresh during storage, and accidentally stumbled on evidence that treating the berries with alcohol increased their antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity. In English, this means that adding ethanol—the type of alcohol found in rum, vodka, tequila and others—boosted the antioxidant nutrients in strawberries and blackberries.

The next time someone gives you a hard time for chugging a pitcher of Tangerine Banana Mango Daiquiris, you get right on your high horse and tell them you’re just conscientiously doing your part to prevent cancer. Does that rock or what? You can now imbibe with pride. This means that all those times we brought Margaritas to the Little League games we weren’t senior delinquents. No. We were good Samaritans saving lives. The report in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture says that any colored fruit might be made even more healthful with the addition of a splash of alcohol. How awesome is that? Look around at the Farmer’s Market. All fruits are colored! Get this: for those of you that like celery with your Bloody Marys (blech!) or onions with your Martinis (gag!), the antioxidant effect works withmargarator.jpg vegetables too. As we all know by now, people who eat more fruits and vegetables have a documented lower risk of cancer, heart disease and some neurological diseases. Add that to a little Leslie logic and you’ve got a double whammy on the rocks: (a) Fruity frilly drinks are whimsical; (b) Scientists like fruity frilly drinks; (c) I like fruity frilly drinks; (d) Therefore, I’m a whimsical scientist. I’m hoping the next phase of research will prove that adding little cocktail umbrella enhances the antioxidant effect.

When I moved to Portland three years ago, I became a real beer drinker. Not that there was anything wrong or “unreal” about my old California daily diet of Mexican imports with lime wedges, but I quickly realized something once I traded in my palms for pines: The climate and culture of the Northwest demand beer with greater flavor, depth and variety – and there’s a proud local heritage to boot.

For instance – did I know, upon moving to Oregon, that I was entering the second largest craft beer market in the nation? Was I aware that the city of Portland boasts more breweries than any other city in the world? Hell, yes, I was aware! The beer thing figured heavily into my decision to move here!

But I was pleasantly surprised to witness a sort of Old West pioneer/entrepreneurial spirit here, too. Portlanders have mastered the art of balance between work and play. The landscape is a playground in all directions, and five minutes out of downtown you can get yourself lost in the rain forest, grape vineyards, U-pick farms, and myriad rivers with Tom Sawyer islands scattered everywhere.

It’s this bounty of nature that allows for a bounty of the best beer ingredients: fresh hops, malted barley, and glacier-fed water.

So, yeah, I’ve become a churchkey-carrying beer snob. In pubs and restaurants, I order my brew exclusively on tap in big, thick pint glasses. And at home, instead of piss-pale Pacificos and Coronas, now I fill my fridge with hoppy, bold and aggressive local beers that bring a satisfying smile with every gulp.

A few of my Portland favorites:

BridgePort IPA

The first American beer to win the 119-year-old Brewing Industry International Awards for “champion beer” in London in 2000 (beating 750 beers from 43 countries). It slipped to silver in 2002, but regained the title in 2005. Check the fridges of most Portlanders, and this is the beer you’ll find – the quintessential hoppy Northwest suds.

MacTarnahan’s Amber Ale

Check the garage fridges of most Portlanders, and this is the beer you’ll find. (This is the stuff they buy in bulk!) In its debut year, “Mac’s” Amber Ale captured a coveted gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival. It’s dry-hopped, smooth and rich – and rockin’ tasty with grilled salmon or a thick steak.

McMenamins Hammerhead Ale

To experience a McMenamins beer, you have to visit a McMenamins pub/hotel property: A century-old schoolhouse, a sprawling Depression-era poor farm, a renovated pioneer farmstead, landmark hotels, assorted haunted barns – no vacation or business trip to Portland is complete without a McMenamins stop or three. And oh, yeah, the beer: Hammerhead is rich and caramelly, with an intense hoppy (are you noticing a trend here?) flavor.

Widmer Hefeweizen

Whenever I get to missing my old citrus-in-the-beer California days, I just order a Widmer and drop in a slice of lemon. Another frequent award-winner at the Great American Beer Festival.

Can you buy these beers where you live? I hope so. Can you experience the full flavor of Oregon without sitting here amongst the droopy douglas firs and impossibly green hillsides? Nope.

 

Words by Trevor Pitchford

Nicotini_bottles

Now I am no advocate of smoking but yes there is a solution for all of you smoking martini lovers out there and its not a drag. Or some say. It’s the

No_smoking_2_2

Not being a smoker but liking the freestyle attitude one can have with vodka or liquor, how about making ice cream with vodka or Kalua! Same idea sorta, if you get your freezer down to that magical 8 degrees below zero (see -8 tastes great from a few days ago) I bet that would make one hell of a desert. You can now have your cake and drink it too! It would make ice cream easier to scoop! Anyone tried that?

Words by Eric States

Del_shot

My first confrontation with a Bloody Mary, and I call it that because I just never really liked the taste of a Bloody Mary though everyone else did, was at the Hotel Del Coronado with my friend Jeff. I thought what the hell is this drink all about and why is it revered as being one of the best hangover cures at the same time having the liberty of being called breakfast. Yes I will blame this personal discovery and new found cocktail craving on him.
It was after breakfast…a little, and we were on vacation (before 5 justification), and I needed to understand the allure of this famous cocktail. I watched the bartender make this masterpiece that he ordered and I said “ How can you drink those?” He swore by them and looked at me like I was some sort of neophyte to the alcohol world when I said that. It was time to take the plunge so to speek and learn to like this drink. The previous night definitely played a part here..we had gone to dinner at the

Bloody_mary_shirt

Great time to try the

Bloody_mary_with_esparagus

At the Del they serve the Bloody Mary with a French string bean instead of the typical real estate consuming stalk of celery. Which I prefer. That piece of celery tree really displaces much of the cocktail and reminds you oof its presents by stabbing you in the eye while lining up for a sip. The drink they make there is off the charts good. Now- I am a major carnivore and I love red meat. When I took a sip my first words were liquid steak. Unbelievable… I never have tasted a drink that had such a beefy flavor. It should come with a side of baked potato. I swear they must be using a bassomatic to get that flavor. They should remove the French bean and put in a bone. It was that good.

Anyway, I was converted. The Bloody Mary became my friend. For me, not all the time like a nightly after 5 style drink but occasionally. It defiantly found a ranking in my arsenal of delicious cocktails.

Beer_glasses

Beer…. that back bone of the bar. It can’t be called a cocktail so it doesn’t count as a cocktail when you’re gathering the ingredients for that laborious task of building a margarita or mai tai. Margaritas especially. What a chore. I dread when I get the craving…Well, kind of. But while in the process I get this pavlovian wetness in anticipation of the happy warm glow that this drink brings. For me there best at my buddy John’s house. I taught him how to make the special Cadillac Margie about eleven years ago. He won’t remember that fact nor will he admit it but now he makes them better than I do. Or so I tell him. This is a case where truly it’s better to watch. Watch with a beer, cause that’s about how long it takes to make a Cadillac when he makes them.

So as far as being a cocktail goes does the beer count? Well technically no. It’s not a cocktail and comparatively, one for one, it’s not even close to the bender you get from a good margarita. And since, in this common bartending example, we are playing with serious liquor, I call a beer a pacifier, a filler, maybe even a primer. I will agree, beer does go with tequila. In fact if you’re doing shots, beer goes great with tequila. Habit in my college days, rarely practiced now. But the next day while grabbing the Advil and asking myself, “what did I drink last night?” I never include that first beer. It didn’t count. Or maybe it was it automatically included as part of the cocktail when I have a margarita. In either case it didn’t register on the alcoholic itinerary from the previous evening.

Beer, not in the cocktail family technically but by far the easiest drink to serve- the opposite of a Cadillac Margarita. Great idea - next time I make a Cadillac I’m using the beer hat. That way I can say I didn’t even see a beer.

Hat_for_beer_2

Written by Eric States

When we take the family skiing to

Mammoth_skiing_shot_3

the first thing I do after that grueling yet picturesque drive bordering the Sierras, is go to the fridge and crank the freezer to max cold and throw in the bottle of Level vodka. I learned this little trick. If you get the freezer to 8 degrees below, not only does this make ice faster than you can say avalanche, but it makes your vodka into this syrupy semi frozen drool that you actually have to encourage to get out of the bottle. Kind of like the consistency of lava only colder.

2frosted_martini

Talk about an incredible martini. None of this stuffy “shaken or stirred?” Bond crap. You don’t need a cocktail shaker, no need for stirring. Just pour it into a martini glass. Preferably near a bottle of vermouth but not too close, and drop two olives in. There is no better martini in my mind. Maybe it’s the altitude, but Level vodka at 8 below is silky smooth and very potent. Like a martini should be. It even stays cold up until the last drop. That’s not speed drinking either! And if you are the real purist you can’t beat it. This cocktail trick spares you from polluting your expensive vodka with some rusty, tape water made ice cubes. -8 taste’s great!

Ok so this cool cocktail trick is great for a drink at the cabin so why not try putting frozen

Vodka_shots

It reminds me of a school science project cause the flask turns to ice right up to the fill line almost instantly. And, like the martini, it stays cold for a long time. Just don’t get the frozen flask too close to your skin. It’s kind of like when you lick a chair lift…it sticks. That you do only once. The bottom line, or the message I am trying to convey is, frozen vodka is better. Its better at home, it’s better at the slopes, and it’s better in the glass. You just need a freezer that will go to -8. Down side? This arctic vodka cellar that we turn our refrigerators into turns your ice cream into concrete, necessitating a microwave just to scoop out…….You shouldn’t eat ice cream anyway.

Words by Eric States