I am no longer All-mixed-up about Mixing up Cocktails

By Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

I am someone who would rather watch people do things than do it myself. I guess that makes me a voyeur.

But I would rather sit in the kitchen at a Chef's Table at a wonderful restaurant than slave over a hot stove.

I would rather a see a concert or listen to a musical performance than sing anything myself.

No wonder I like Tony Abou-Ganim so much.

Half-chef and half-performer he is a master mixologist. Watching him prepare a drink is almost as much fun as drinking it. And there are no calories. You can watch the video four times in a row and still drive home. But the beauty of this video is how Tony shares his knowledge so you feel comfortable creating the same drinks in your own home.

I first met him at the Big Island Food and Wine Festival where at the final banquet he mesmerized an audience who had been eating and drinking all weekend. I brought home Kona Coffee, Big Island Cookie Company cookies, and a wonderful memory of the drinks Tony prepared.
www.BigIslandFestival.com

That's why I was so thrilled when I was able to get a copy of his new video, "Modern Mixology: Making Great Cocktails"

Tony just came out with a DVD that demonstrates what you need to stock a home bar, tools of the trade and how to use them and all the secrets to mixing great drinks. Be it a classic Martini with stuffed olives, a pitcher of Margaritas or one of his originals like the Cable Car, from shaking to stirring, muddling and blending, from Boston Shakers to Hawthorn Strainers, Tony can teach you what you need to know to throw the perfect cocktail soiree.

Tony's philosophy is: "You can make a drink, or you can craft an experience," but to craft an experience, you need the proper tools."

And to be sure you use the right tools; Tony is developing a line of bar tools. Please put that on my wish list. After I wear out the video, I might even try to do it myself.

"Modern Mixology: Making Great Cocktails" at Home was produced and directed by Sean O'Malley, who also produced and directed a one hour special entitled "Raising the Bar: America's Best Bar Chefs" and a series of one minute how-to spots for Fine Living Network, both featuring Abou-Ganim as host/expert

Tony Sightings

The second time I saw Tony he was being given an award at Savor Dallas, the leading culinary event in Dallas. I have a feeling I will be seeing more of him at top food, wine and cocktail events. And of course, now I can always turn on the video. www.savordallas.com

Cocktail Trends

Just like people who ask doctors they meet at parties about their symptoms, I could not resist asking Tony about what trends he saw. When I spoke with Tony and he said, "anything related to Latin America is HOT. The food, the culture and the cocktails. Anything made with Cachaca or Pisco is sure to be a summer hit. "

He is actually baffled as to why the US has not embraced the Caipirinhas, Pisco Sours and Batidas. But I am willing to do my part to start that trend.

Please join me in a video toast to Tony.

Tony Abou-Ganim (www.modernmixologydvd.com).

Madelyn Miller is a food and travel writer who loves chocolate martinis. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com and www.carladynews.com

OTHER GOOD THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT COCKTAILS

Best way to taste dozens of cocktails at once
Tale of the Cocktail, an annual event in July in New Orleans.
www.taleofthecocktail.com

Best Cocktail Recipe Books
HIP SIPS
By Lucy Brennan
Modern Cocktails to raise your Spirits
Chronicle Books
www.chroniclebooks.com

FIELD GUIDE to COCKTAILS
By Rob Chirico
How to Identify and Prepare Virtually Every Mixed Drink at the Bar
Quirk Books
www.quirkbooks.com

101 Martinis
By Kim Haasarud
John Wiley and Sons
www.wiley.com/culinaryandhospitality

COCKTAIL PARTIES, STRAIGHT UP!
Easy Hors D'oeuvres, Delicious Drinks, and Inspired Idea for Entertaining with Style
by Lauren Purcell and Anne Purcell Grissinger
John Wiley and Sons
www.wiley.com/culinaryandhospitality

The Sexy Bitch's Party
Living it, Throwing it and Being It
Ulysses Press
www.ulyssespress.com

101 MARGARITAS
by Kim Haasarud
John Wiley and Sons
www.wiley.com/culinaryandhospitality

BEST COCKTAIL LIFESTYLE BOOK
The Perfect Buzz
The Essential Guide to Boozing, Bars and Bad Behavior
By David Bramwell
Published by Harper Resource
www.harpercollins.com

Best Cocktail Museum
The Museum of the American Cocktail is dedicated to providing education in mixology and preserving the rich history of the American Cocktail. The exhibit contains over two hundred years of cocktail memorabilia from the outstanding collections of the founders.

BEST BAR GUIDEBOOKS
Diffordsguide to City Drinking #0.1
from the Publishers of the Magazine for Discerning Drinkers
It tells the Best Hotels, Restaurants and Bars in top cities
www.diffordsguide.com

LOW CARB COCKTAILS
A FEW SUGGESTIONS FROM THE MASTERS
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue69/spirits.htm

LOW CARB BARTENDER
By Bob Skilnik
Carb counts for beer, Wine, Mixed Drinks and more
Adams Media
www.adamsmedia.com

Low-carb Cocktails
All the fun and taste without the carbs
By Marlene and Chuck Koch

BEST USE FOR A COCKTAIL BESIDES AS A BEVERAGE
Sandra Lee of Semi-Homemade suggests using Jose Cuervo's Golden Margarita as a salad dressing.
http://www.cocktailatlas.com/Golden_Margarita/Golden_Margarita.htm

WANT TO BE A PROFESSIONAL?
Running a Bar for Dummies
By Ray Foley and Heather Dismore
Wiley Publishing
www.dummies.com