Things are Heating Up in Key West

     The season is just getting under way and things are really starting to heat up here in Key West.     Spring Break is just around the corner, and the weather is finally statring to chill up North.    Sure signs that the party is moving to Key West very soon.    It has been a late season start this year because of the warm weather across the northern tier of the United States.     For those of us that make our livings in the service industry this is a great thing, we love to see all of the people arrinving and having so much fun down here in Key West.

    
     Spring Break is the first major event of the season and it draws literally thousands of student to the Keys to party and take a break from the stress of school and studying.    I always enjoyed spring break back when I was in college as do the students of today.    I still look forward to seeing them arrive down here in Key West and seeing them having so much fun.   I find it to be a lot of fun for me as well, as they party and stop by the bar for cocktails, and just being around as they party with all of their youthful energy.

     No matter when you think you need to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the city, kick back and enjoy the sound of the warm down hear is fun loving and friendly Key West.   Stop on by and say hey, you may never want to leave once you get here.    ;o)

Drinking Responsibly: It's No Accident.

     The enjoyment of great cocktails requires great planning and understanding of what is happening to you and your body as you consume alcohol.     Having just completed an Alcohol Server's course, it has reminded me of a number of things that need to be addressed before you start out on a night of drinking. 

     Bacardi has hired Rafael Nadal, 10 time tennis champion to head up their "The Champion's Way" responsible drinking program.     There are 4 steps to the program, Plan, Take your Time, Be there for Friends, and Get Home Safely.       The plan is a simple assessment of what you are going to do tonight, where you are going to eat, drink, and how you are going to get back home.     Once at the cocktail lounge or where you are  drinking, take your time.   Your body can absorb alcohol into your blood stream very rapidly, but your liver only dispels it at a rate of 1 ounce per hour.    Take your time and enjoy the cocktail by sipping, not gulping down.     Be there for your friends, make sure no one is left behind.   If you are moving from club to club, make sure all of you are in a condition to continue drinking.     Finally make sure every on gets home safely, even if it means leaving the car there and taking a taxi or public transportation home.

     This is an important program and I'm glad to see many of the spirits manufacturers taking this issue very serious along with the owners of bars and restaurants.    I'm proud to have received the certification of completion for the "TIPS" program for responsible alcohol serving.  ;o)

Happy Valentine's Day to All

     This is one of those silly little holidays that means so much to so many.    While not really a holiday, it has a strong market value and a time when the little gift is as important as the big one.     I guess that I find Valentine's Day to be a warm and fuzzy day when hugs and kisses are the real commodity, not how much money that you have spent.   It is the fact that you remembered that is the thing of real importance.

     Make sure that today you take the time to wish all of your friends a very happy Valentine's Day and be sure tot remember the day to your very special one in your life.   It is an important gesture and one where a little goes a long way.   Enjoy this special day with your Valentine.     ;o)

Bahama Bob's Valentine Daiquiri

     Trying to create a warm romantic Valentines Day atmosphere for the evening?  This might be a help for your romantic cocktail.

Bahama Bob's Valentine Daiquiri

• 1 1/2 oz. Matusalem Platino or other quality white rum
• 1/2 oz. Pomegranate Liqueur
• Juice of 1/2 Lime
• 1/8 oz Agave Nectar
• Splash of Grapefruit Juice

Place all of the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled and strain into a chilled Martini Glass.  Garnish with a lime wheel and a sprig of mint.

Make sure your Valentine has a great night tomorrow and enjoy your day of love and romance.   ;o)

To Chase the Butterfly of Life

     As I wander through these beautiful different Keys around Key West, I keep running across all of these beautiful and different butterflies that are so hard to catch as they flit around from bush to bush and flower to flower.     I some times look at life the same way, flitting from spot to spot and gleaning something new from every place you lite.    I pop around from key to key to enjoy and capture the beauty as a butterfly does from flower to flower.   ;o)

Thinking About a Stout Cocktail

     Whenever I think about a good Tiki style cocktail, I start thinking of ways to use Plantation Trinidad Overproof Rum.     This is one of the finest overproof rums anywhere.     It is actually sipable, a bit on the hot side, but huge flavor that keeps you coming back for another sip.    This 173 Proof gem is perfect for a Mai Tai or a Zombie.   With it's high octane punch, it livens up any strong cocktail.

      Down the road it would be a great subject for one of our Rum Lab, one that might take a couple of days to complete.   It would be hard for me to be accurate making the cocktails after a couple of these and even harder for the lab mice to accurately judge them.    We will figure it out, and I'm sure that we will get the job done in a proper fashion. 

Bahama Bob’s Zombie

·         1 oz. Diplomatico Blanco

·         1 oz. El Dorado 12 Year Old

·         ¾ oz. Plantation Overproof

·         ¾ oz. J. D. Taylor's Velvet Falernum

·         ¼ oz. Pomegranate Liqueur

·         ¼ oz. Aguardiente

·         ¼ oz. Bahama Bob’s #3 Syrup  (Cinnamon, Sugar, and Nutmeg)

·         ½ oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

·         2 oz. Pineapple Juice

·         2 oz. Grapefruit Juice

·         2 Dashes of Bitters

·         Splash of Barrett’s Ginger Beer

Place all ingredients except the Ginger beer in a shaker filled with ice.   Shake until chilled and strain into a blender filled with crushed ice and swizzle.    Pour into a pint glass and top-up with Barrett’s Ginger Beer.   Garnish with an orange wheel and a mint sprig.

     No matter how you choose to use this fine overproof rum, it is really enjoyable.   By the way try it over ice with Barrett's Ginger Beer, makes for a really stormy treat, one that can blow you over.   ;o)

Key West Is Second in the "Most Trashy" Spring Break Destinations

     Key West finished second to Las Vegas as the "trashiest " destination for Spring Breakers in Neal Lynch's survey for 2012.    

The 10 trashiest U.S. cities for Spring Break (and Florida is home to five of them)

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

America’s 'Top 10 Trashiest Spring Break Destinations' have been revealed in a list of cities college students want to visit most - and their parents want them to visit the least.

Las Vegas has been crowned number one most trashiest Spring Break destination, it may not have a beach but it is the home of gambling and strip clubs.

Florida was the state to make the most appearances on the the list with five cities being listed in the top ten; with Key West coming in at second place. 

TOP TEN U.S TRASHIEST SPRING BREAK DESTINATIONS

1. Las Vegas:  Home to gambling, strip clubs and the only Hooters Hotel. Vegas makes up for not having a beach with its popular pool parties. 

2. Key West, Florid: Garden of Eden, a clothing-optional bar, is a spot the site recommends.

3. South Padre Island, Texas: Coed says 'How can it get any trashier than South Padre, a beach that essentially exists for the sole purpose of having wild parties?'

4. Daytona, Florida:  This city’s high number of underage-drinking arrests helped win it a spot on Coed’s list.

5. Myrtle Beach, S.C: Coed makes a distinction between North and South Myrtle Beach and advises that if it is trashiness you’re after,  South Myrtle beach is where you want to be.

6. Miami Beach: The online magazine points out that The Jersey Shore taped a season here.

7. Panama City Beach, Florida:  Coed, again, uses the reality to show to measure the trash factor, saying that stars from the Jersey Shore were among last year’s celebrity visitors. 

8. Fort Myers, Florida: Lana Kai hosts a daily 'booty contest' during high season.

9. Lake Havasu, Arizona:  A tattoo convention is held during Spring Break. According to the site, Kokomo Havasu and Martini Bay are two of the trashier destinations.

10. San Diego:  'We know that most of the people who live in the San Diego area head to other destinations for Spring Break,' Coed writes, 'but that just means the people left partying here are extra trashy.'

Neal Lynch, the site’s editor in chief told ABCNews.com, 'Typically, people associate “trashy” with things of poor quality, however we associated the word with enjoying guilty pleasures. Like reality television — but in real life,where you can have the most amount of fun with the least amount of money.'

Lynch admits however that a fuller wallet may be necessary to enjoy the full experience at the number-one destination on his list.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2098799/The-10-trashiest-U-S-cities-Spring-Break-Florida-home-them.html#ixzz1lz5kr64f    

 It has been my experience that Key West has earned it's title, based on Neal Lynch's explanation of what he meant by "Trashiness".  

    I know that spring break is just a few weeks away and if this year is anything like the past few years it is going to be a fun time again in Key West.    I think it is the laid back vibe of accepting of people that makes Key West so popular with the spring breakers.   It is OK to party, it is OK to act a little crazy, it OK to drink (providing you are old enough), and it is OK to just have a great time down here.    I guess what I am really saying is that for a lot of us here in Key West that haven't gotten "too old", spring break is still a fun time that most of us enjoyed in our college days and a tradition that should be enjoyed by the kids today.

      The attraction to Key West, at least in my interaction with the breakers has been on of mutual respect and the ability to have as much fun as they are.    2012 is nearly upon us and as for me I can only say "Bring it on", let the party begin.     ;o)

Malibu has a New Spin for the Winter

     Malibu has a newly released coconut rum with the coconut f;akes that look like a winter snow storm.     This congers up memories of the snowy orbs that I got as a kid, you know the ones you shake up and watch the snow fall on the village.    This one you shake up your cocktail and watch the snow flakes fall to the bottom of the glass and you get to enjoy them later.

     Malibu Winter Edition has added flakes of real coconut into the mix, giving you snow in the Caribbean effect for your cocktails.    The great thing about this is that you still get your favorite Malibu Coconut flavor with the added treat of real coconut floating in suspension.   Great idea, reminds me of the drinks we make with rum and coconut water and the pieces of coconut float throughout the cocktail.

     If you are of the coconut rum persuasion, Malibu Winter Edition is a geat little rum that brings you to the Caribbean in the middle of a snow storm of fine coconut flavor.   Enjoy your experience with the Winter Edition of Mailbu Rum.   ;o)

Marquesas and a Beautiful Day

     What a day out at the Marquesas, sunshine, warm, and smooth water, it just doesn't get any better.    We headed West at about 1pm yesterday afternoon, and after clearing there Northwest Channel it was glass water in the Lakes Passage all the way to Boca Grand.    We then turned North at that point for the last 7 miles to the Marquesas.     We picked up a bit of wind against current chop, but nothing that would slow our determination to make it to the Marquesas.       We first noticed that there were several new "chugs", you know the boats the Cuban refugees come to America in, scattered on the beaches and sandbars.   The tide was out this afternoon, so we couldn't get to the beach where the newest chugs were.    We did finds three or four more that had been set afire and were laying on sand bars just off of the beach.    

     The bird life was really abundant on this day, hawks, eagles, ibis, pelicans, cormorants, just to name a few.    We stumbled across a rather large spotted eagle ray as we drifted across the shallows on the Southwest corner of the key.    This was one of those days where every where we turned we found something of interest.     Birds, fish, chugs, airplanes, old wrecks that the low tide had exposed, it was hard to know where to point the camera next.

     It was noticed that the sun was starting to get a bit low in the west and time for us to point the boat back toward the east and cruise back to Key West and civilization again.

     This area never ceases to amaze me with her beauty and abundance of life, don't miss the chance to explore it if you have the opportunity.   ;o)

Beautiful Day in Key West Headed out to the Marquesas Keys

Today is the first day in quite some time that I have good weather and calm winds.   Perfect day to head out for a great fun day 25 miles out to West out to sea in the dinghy for the Marquesas Keys.     Should be a fun day, report back tomorrow with pictures and stories of the adventure.   Wish us good waters and weather.   ;o)

Another Season Put to Bed

     The parties are all over, the armchair quarterbacks will still be talking about how the game should have been played, but on this cold hard morning the game is over.     It is time to move on and do something about the hangover this morning, and figure out what is next for us to get all worked up about.     Yes, here in paradise we follow all of the sports with all the passion of the mainland.

    Now Nigel, he's a real fan of the Super Bowl, and will tell you all about it if you ask him.     Seen hanging out at the the Hurricane Hole, and always ready to let you know how it really should have been done.    Like most of the arm chair quarterbacks he is a sea captain, a football coach, but most of all he likes his racing.    He is happy now because NASCAR season is about to begin with the Daytona 500 on February 26th, and all of the qualifying events the week before.

     What is going to be your next season now that football is behind us for another year?    

     Today is another Rum Lab, research for Barbancourt Three Star, a 4 Year Old Rhum, and Pango, a pineapple and mango flavored rhum.   We will have some observations about the rhum and some  new recipes for it's use in tomorrow's edition.   ;o)

Freedom to Ride with the Wind

There is nothing more exciting of fun than to be out on a great and windy day flying across the top of the water with a good windsurfer.     ;o)

1 Barrel Rum: Quite the Surprise

     1 Barrel representative Amanda Perdomo walked into the Rum Bar yesterday morning and dropped off a little bottle of 1 Barrel Rum to us for sampling.    We found it to be surprisingly good.    Made in Belize by Travelers Liquors.     This family owned distillery was founded in 1954.    1 Barrel was first blended in 1964 by Master Blender Don Omario Perdomo, and has been since perfected by his sons Romel and Mayito into this fabulous rum that is available today.   

     The Rum is produced from a high grade molasses that is fermented and then double distilled at the Belmopan, Belize distillery.   The rum is aged for at least 2 years in Kentucky Bourbon Oak Barrels.    The final blending give the rum it's sweet taste with notes of butterscotch, maple, and caramel.   

     I found the rum to have an attractive aroma that lead me to taste the rum.    The flavor on the palate and the long and smooth finish left me with a very nice warm feeling about the entire experience. 

     The name of the distillery, Travelers comes from the bar that Jaime Omario Perdomo opened in 1953.    The name of the bar was appropriate because his customers were usually traveling to or from Belize City.    Omario sold imported liquors and beers as well as some locally distilled rums.    It was the practice of many bars of that day to blend their own rums  exclusively for their bar.   Perdomo followed in the tradition of the many other bars, leading to the development of 1 Barrel and the decision to open his own distillery so the blends consistency could be maintained.  

     I think you like myself will be pleasantly surprised with the great taste and the quality of Don Omario Perdomo's fine rum.     ;o)

Congratulations to Adam Kanter and the Rum Bar Philly

   


 The Rum Bar in Philadelphia was announced as the Best Cocktail Lounge of the Year by Nightclub & Bar Media Group yesterday.     After many years of hard work, this is a deserved reward for his and his staffs efforts.

 

Nightclub & Bar Congratulates the Winners of the 2012 Nightclub & Bar Awards

February 2, 2012By: Megan Hernandez

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Nightclub & Bar Media Group would like to congratulate the winners of the 2012 Nightclub & Bar Awards! The national awards program celebrates the nightlife industry’s cream of the crop.
As the premier nightlife-industry recognition program, the Nightclub & Bar Awards feature a vigorous judging process. Venue owners, operators and managers, as well as suppliers, vendors and other industry members eager to recognize excellence in on-premise concepts, programs, talent and professionalism are invited to submit entries. Qualifying entries then are presented to an expert judging panel composed of top consultants, developers, educators, writers, editors and trainers in the industry. The judges rank their first, second and third choices for each category; a mathematical calculation identifies the finalists and, ultimately, the winners, based on the judges’ ballots.
 Read more at http://www.nightclub.com/press-releases/industry-news/news/nightclub-bar-congratulates-winners-2012-nightclub-bar-awards-4858

Bar Categories
Bartender of the Year
Russell Davis, Rickhouse, San Francisco
Beer Bar of the Year
Bierhaus NYC, New York
Cocktail Lounge of the Year
Rum Bar, Philadelphia
Hotel Bar of the Year
Grant Grill, San Diego
Small Wonder Bar of the Year
The Ivory Room Piano Bar, Madison, Wis.
Sports Bar of the Year
Bull & Bear, Chicago

     Congratulations to all of the winners and especially to my friend Adam Kanter and his great facility up in Philly.   ;o)
   

Walking the Beaches of Boca Grand Key

     I'm still drawn to the small uninhabited keys around Key West.     Boca Grand is one of those that is very special to me.     Just to be able to walk the beach of the Key West Bird Sanctuary and see all the variety of life out here.      Shore birds scurry and fly in packs as you wander toward the flock, the pelican and gulls just off the beach, and even the eagles and ospreys back in the protected center part of the key keep my head spinning to see what is going to soar over next.

     Seeing the interesting debris that has washed up on the beach and how mother nature carves her initials in the sands is very fascinating to me.   Examining the materials used to create such intriguing art that mother nature places on her pallet.   The surf carves three dimensional pictures in the sand for your delight and all of this is free for the viewing.   You just have to slow down long enough to see what is right at your feet before you step on it.   Walk on a little further and you find an old lobster trap that was washed up posed next to some old salt battered trees.   This little key is just completely loaded with things that you can fill the camera with.    This trip I took over 400 pictures, I wish that there was time and space to share all of them with you.h

     In the water you see rays and sharks swimming by just off the beach.  There are schools of fish and birds on the surface looking intently into the water for their next meal.  This is a place that reaches out to you from everywhere you happen to be looking.
Look at the upper edge of the beach and you find fish nets and drift wood, in the center for the beach you find the active part where the surf is carving it's art into the sands.

     Take the time next time you walk down the beach and you to will find the treasures of the ocean and land's meeting place.

   Remember that when you visit these very special and pristine places that they are others home and make sure that the only thing you leave behind when you leave are your foot prints.    ;o)

A New Friend for a Tried and True One

     Rhum Barbancourt has brought out a new mixing friend for the tried and true Rhum Barbancourt Three Star.     Pango is a pineapple and mango flavored spicy rhum that likes to play with Rhum Barbancourt Three Star.     This new addition is made from crushed pure sugar cane (not Molasses) and rested is oak casks.   This aged dark rum is then blended with natural pineapple, mango and spice that yields a smooth and refreshing rum, loaded with flavor to sip on the rocks or mix.

Pango Tango

• 1 1/2 oz. Rhum Barbancourt Pango
• 1 oz Rhum Barbancourt 3 Star
• 1 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1/4 oz Pomegranate Liqueur
• Splash of Barrett's Ginger Beer

Place the Pango, Rhum Barbancourt and Pine apple Juice in a shaker filled with Ice and shake until chilled.   Strain into a Cocktail glass filled with ice and splash in the Barrett's Ginger Beer and float the Pomegranate Liqueur on the surface.   Garnish with a wedge of pineapple and a sprig of mint.

     Try this new combination I think you will enjoy it as much as I have.   ;o)

Wind Blowing, Cloudy, but a Great Day Out Yesterday.

     It started to look like all was coming apart at the seams for our birthday party at Woman's Key yesterday morning.     The birthday girl was feeling a little ill, the weather was cloudy and windy, but a patch of blue sky appeared, and we all got together and headed out to sea fully planning on a great day of fun and frolic.     Going out the winds started to ease a bit as we got into the Lakes Passage to the West of Key West.    The sun was making in and out appearances and the moods of all of us were getting better by the minute.   The application of a little bit of Captain Morgan and Cruzan Raspberry Rums didn't hurt the traveler's moods.  I guess that is why the British Navy kept rum for the sailors for so long. 

     We arrived at Woman's Key to find the wind had shifted more to the East, leaving the beach exposed to the wind, so undaunted, we got underway a gain and headed for Boca Grand, another Key a little further to the West and the beach wraps around more to the west and Was better protected from the wind.    Upon arrival, we toot the beach by storm and the party was underway.   Food and fun, checking out all the trick and unique stuff that had been washed up on the beach as well as food and mor fine cocktails. 

    With all of us in full party mode, we headed up and down the beach and found many unusual things, shells feathers, bits of coral, and even a couple of sand dollars.    With the wind in check around the corner, it became very comfortable and much fore fun for all of us as we frolicked on the beach. 

I guess that it was a great success and as always when out on the water with a nice bottle of rum  and some good friends that the party goes on and on till all are weary or we have to get underway in order to have the rental boat back in harbor by 5pm.    Oh well it ended up being a fine day with a lot of fun had by all.   ;o)

Happy Birthday Lauren!!!!!!   ;o)

Out to Woman's Key Today

Happy Birthday Lauren

It's my friend Lauren's Birthday today, so it is out on the water to Woman's Key for the day.   Full story with the pix tomorrow.   ;o)

The Intensity of Flight

"Achin' with the feelin' of the freedom of an eagle when she flys."     Kris Kristofferson

;o)

2012 Rum Renaissance Festival Miami

   The time is fast approaching for the 2012 Rum Renaissance Festival at the Deauville Beach Resort in Miami.    The event runs from April 16 through the 22nd, so get your tickets early.    2012 promises more rum companies, more events and just plain more fun for all that participate.     There is a rum contest to see who is making the best rums this year there are very special rum tastings, bar tender events and many many other things happening all week long.     The tickets are going to be going fast so get your now so you won't be left out in the warm in Miami.  Tickets available through Miami Rum Renaissance Festival at http://rumrenaissance.com/Tickets.html.

     There is complete information about the event at their website http://rumrenaissance.com/.    This year is expected to surpass last year's grand event so make your plans today.   ;o)