Sobriety Checkpoint: The Manhattan

With the promise of cold weather there is nothing more inviting than a drink that will warm you up.

addROC, my personal chef and mixologist, has been making lots of fun, pretty, and most importantly, tasty drinks lately.

My favorite?

The Manhattan.

I may be The Brooklyn Nester, but, our neighboring borough is equally divine, especially when it's in a glass.

It's classic.
Something our parents and grandparents take a sip of and are hit with a wave of nostalgia.

And, best of all, it's simple. It meets my rule for three ingredients or less. And, it kicks some serious ass.

The Manhattan makes you re-think Red Bull^© and Vodka and other trashy drinks we fall into the habit of ordering sometimes.

This recipe is tried and true.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
2 OZ Rye or Bourbon Whiskey
1/2 OZ Sweet Vermouth
A Dash of Angostura® Bitters
A Few Cubes

Easy. Strong. Delicious.

A perfect night cap.

So cheers to a borough that isn't Brooklyn...especially if it's on the rocks!


P.S. I also LOVE this drink with a dash of Orange Bitters. And, if I'm feeling super classy, I'll break out the traditional Martini glasses.

Sobriety Checkpoint: Oktoberfest!

I may be The Brooklyn Nester, but, I don't limit myself to my lovely, "little" borough.
One of the things that's great about living in Williamsburg is that we're so close to the city.
And, while I may have been born and bred in Brooklyn, my very-first apartments and my very-first love affair with a neighborhood was with the East Village and Alphabet City!

So, with Oktoberfest upon us, we went out to celebrate addROC's heritage at Zum Schneider.
They had an awesome, not-to-mention super fun, authentic Bavarian band that played to the packed crowd as we guz-guz-guzzled our huge German beers!

And then the rest gets a little blurry...literally...


Why, you ask? Well, Zum Schneider has these beers on tap especially for Oktoberfest, mmmm:

Hacker Pschorr
Hofbräu
Ayinger
Schneider Wiesen Edelweiss

The band only has a few performances left so...go and check them out!

So, as always, from me to you, Prost!


Zum Schneider
Avenue C at 7th Street

Mös'l Franzi and the Ja Ja Ja's
Live Oompah Dates:
Tuesday, Oct. 9 6-9pm (TONIGHT!!!)
Saturday, Oct. 13 4-7pm
Sunday, Oct. 14 4-7pm

Sobriety Checkpoint: The Diamond

A Diamond in the rough indeed.

This is my new favorite place.
addROC and I have been riding our bicycles over to this spot in good ol' Greenpoint for a few weeks now and it seems that I just can't get enough!

This bar is strictly wine and beer. But, don't write it off.
The beer selection is absolutely divine. With lesser known taps and bottles that are ever changing and soooo delicious.

My new favorite beer is one of their bottled selections: ALBA Scots Pine Ale. It's full bodied, and delicious! And addROC noted that it has the slight aroma and flavor of Twizzlers^©!
So different. So good.

Here are some beers that owners Dave and Alex expect to be pouring this season:
Victory Uncle Teddy Bitter
Bluepoint Hoptical Illusion I.P.A.
Defiant Farmhouse Ale
Avery Ellie's Brown
Einbecker Schwartzbier
Abbaye des Rocs Triple Imperiale
Schneider Weisse
Reissdorf Koelsch
Ichtegems Grand Cru
Wintercoat Double Hop
Schneider Wiesen Edel Weisse.


If you're looking to hang out in the sun for what good weather we have left, they have a lovely outdoor area equipped with picnic tables.
And inside they've got a pimpin' shuffleboard. In fact, they're having a shuffleboard tournament this coming Sunday, September 30th.

If you're a local, you'd be a fool not to stop by.
If you're not from the area, I think you may find it's worth the trip!


So, from me to you, cheers...maybe I'll see you there!

The Diamond
43 Franklin St., Brooklyn, NY 11222
nr. Calyer St.
718-383-5030

Sobriety Checkpoint: LaBatt Blue, "BIG BLUE"

LaBatt Blue is BY FAR, one of our most favorite beers here at The Brooklyn Nester.

Sure, it's not as classy as some, but the ol' Maple Leaf has carried us through many an evening. For an import, it's fuckin' cheap, and while it may be the "Bud of Canada", it sure does taste better.

So, when I came home after a hard day's work to find that addROC had found the infamous "Big Blue" at The MET supermarket (on Driggs Ave. and Russell St. in Greenpoint) for just 99 cents(!!!), I was ecstatic.

The "Big Blue" is a pint of cold, hard, Canadian pleasure.

Run, don't walk, to The MET Nesters...we've never seen LaBatt there before, and one never knows when the beer gnomes will pull it all from the shelves...

...always guzzling in their little, red, hipster-hats!!!

Sobriety Checkpoint: Skittles© Infused Vodka

Hmmm. Sounds delicious, right?

What could be better than your favorite little, sugary candies in vodka?!

Well, addROC and I found out, a lot of things are WAY better than this supposed sweet treat.

We got the idea from this video:


WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
3 Bags Skittles^©, with the GREEN and PURPLE candies removed
500 ml Bottle of Vodka
1 Sieve or Cheesecloth

Pour out or drink the top 2 oz of vodka from the bottle. Pour Skittles^© into bottle. Shake bottle with Skittles^© until most of the color has bled out of the candy. Let the Skittles^© soak for 24 hours. Using a small sieve or cheesecloth, strain solids from vodka bottle. Pour infused vodka back into bottle.

Enjoy!
Or not. We didn't like the flavor very much, and, we're not really sure what kind of mixer is appropriate for this spirit, we tried Lemon-Lime soda, which didn't really do it for us.

So, try at your own risk...it was still a nifty little project...but for now, I think I'll stick to enjoying the one thing Skittles^© always does right, advertising!

Sobriety Checkpoint: Pimm's© & Ginger

We discovered this scrumptious sipable thanks to our great friend and favorite photag, Cliff Hawkins. While he was flitting about the city, drinking of course, he found this gem at APT (419 West 13th Street) and decided to whip 'em up at home and, of course, for us, his gratified guests.

I love this drink for several reasons:
1. It meets my rule: 3 ingredients or less.
2. It's refreshing as fuck.
3. Pimm's isn't as strong as some other liqueurs, so, you can have a couple big glasses before you're in the bag.
4. It's so gosh-darn purdy.
5. It makes me feel like I'm in Savannah, enjoying a drink with the other debutantes.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
1 Bottle Pimm's^© No. 1
1 Bottle Ginger Ale
1 Cucumber, thinly sliced
A Large Glass
5-7 Ice Cubes

In your glass filled with ice, pour Pimm's No.1 so that it fills half the glass. Then, pour the ginger ale over the Pimm's^© to the brim of the glass. Garnish with cucumber slices to taste.

Enjoy!

This is a true summer drink: Light, crisp, and great for a lazy afternoon with friends.

Y'all enjoy yer beverages now...

Sobriety Checkpoint: Brooklyn Local 1

If you are in fact a Brooklyn Nester, then you may take pride in great Brooklyn brews. I know, I do.

If you drink, especially in Brooklyn, you've heard of Brooklyn Brewery. But, are your taste buds acquainted with her latest delight, Brooklyn Local 1?

If not, go out and buy a bottle, right now. Here at The Brooklyn Nester we say "Yea!" to Belgian style with 'Burgian birthrights. This bottle was great with dinner and made me feel classier than I actually am for just $8.95.

Brooklyn Brewery has an awesome set up on N.11th Street in Williamsburg. You should totally go and check out their Friday night happy hour. It won't break the bank at $3 a beer and you can get your fill of Brooklyn flava.

Don't trust that this beer is as classy as I claim? Don't take my word for it. Even the snooty-poots at the NYTimes food section agree!

Enjoy bitches!

Sobriety Checkpoint: The Kiwi-Stawberry Snodka

I'm always talking about making drinks with 3 ingredients or less.

Why?

Because I'm lazy.

Not to mention, a shitload of ingredients can potentially equal a shitload of $$$. And frankly, if I'm gonna throw down serious cash to drink, I'm not boozin' in my apartment. You pay for labor kids...you pay dearly.

So, this week's checkpoint might just be some common sense to those of you with a light wallet and a heavy drinking problem.

It's easy, it's delicious, and if you use GEORGI^© vodka it'll cost you under $5 for 2 strong drinks.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
1/2 Bottle of Snapple^© Kiwi-Strawberry
2 Shots Vodka
5 Ice Cubes
1 Pint Glass

Combine and Enjoy!

Here at The Brooklyn Nester, we're big on taste and low on class.

Enjoy the weekend and your Snodkas bitches!

Sobriety Checkpoint: Zywiec, the Champagne of Greenpoint

If you're a Greenpointer, this isn't news to you. But, for those of you who hail from other parts of this fat-bottomed borough and beyond, you may not know about this Polish delicacy.

Zywiec, pronounced je-wetz, seems to be Poland's favorite beer and after living on the Greenpoint/Williamsburg border for quite some time, this tasty brew has fast become a staple in my fridge as well.

In Greenpoint, depending on where you go to purchase your booze, sometimes it's difficult to find anything other than Polish beer, unless you want to tote home that 6-er of Bud tall-boys, again.

So, we started experimenting with the Polish flava, and found that, more times than not, it's a rewarding experience. Other Polish brews that I've tried and see regularly around town are: Okocim, EB, Piast, and Tyskie. And, that's just to mention a few. But, when in doubt, go with Zywiec. It's the beer that, from what I can see in da 'hood, is purchased the most by Polish drinkers.

So, while you're roasting away today, throw back some authentic Polish goodness.

Oh, I should mention that Zywiec's cheaper than Paris Hilton after a few Cosmos. Nice.

Sobriety Checkpoint: The Fizzy

Thank the sweet lord! Summer has arrived and so too have the bitchin' drinks of the season.

Being a professional booze-hound, I find myself bored with the typical repertoire of summer treats. Yes, Margaritas and Mojitos can suck it. Save the labor for the fuckin' bartender.

When I'm at home, this Nester just wants to sit on her ass and vegetate. Easy is the name of the game.

The Fizzy is one bad ass beverage. You'll be thanking me all Summer long...

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

1 Bottle/Can San Pellegrino^© ARANCIATA
1 1/2 Shots Vodka
5 Ice Cubes
1 Pint Glass

Combine and enjoy.

TIP: I recommend TANQUERAY^© vodka, I think your taste buds will appreciate the upgrade and a large bottle won't break the bank. And, if you can't find San Pellegrino,^© try Orangina.^©

And, be prepared. If you live in an area like mine, where most of your Vodka retailers are Polish or Russian, expect to get the wonky eye for buying English Vodka.

Sobriety Checkpoint

Ok. So the thought of cleaning your apartment alone is enough to drive you to drink.

I'm with you.

But, in all seriousness, isn't there something nice about chillin' at home on a Sunday, watching Meet the Press, and drinking heavily as you realize that this country is, indeed, going to hell in a hand basket and our only hope for redemption is a bunch of half-assed politicians with more celebrity than credentials?

Well, take that gung-ho, "fuck y'all" attitude and put it to good use. Make yourself a strong drink and start nesting.

Our segment, Sobriety Checkpoint, is here to make some choice suggestions for your beverage enjoyment.

Don't be a docile domestic. Check in weekly for simple, yet tasty, drink recipes and drink reviews from our favorite, local watering holes.