Top 10 spirits and liqueurs to spike coffee

Coffee is great. Alone, with milk and, why not? with a bit of something stronger. But pouring just about anything with an alcoholic grade in a cup won't make your latte any better. It is important to choose a beverage that goes well with coffee. 

Here is my top 10 of best beverages to add to coffee...

10. Gin: The best way to enjoy gin in your coffee is making a "Dutch Coffee", which is 1 part gin, 5 parts black coffee and 1 teaspoon of sugar per cup. Top that with some whipped cream.

9. Rum: In Spanish they call "Carajillo" to a mix of black coffee and rum (or brandy), normally 2 parts coffee and one rum. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the mix, a bit of sugar and enjoy.

8. Vodka: Because of its neutral flavor, vodka goes well with many things and coffee is not an exception. Try a vanilla flavored vodka mixed in a frozen latte... just delicious.

7. Eggnog: Have a taste of Christmas with a twist, mix equal parts of coffee and eggnog, top with whipped cream and a touch of nutmeg. Serve warm.

6. Triple Sec: For those who enjoy something different, this orange liqueur is great with black coffee, some cream and sweetened with honey. 

5. Amaretto: Almonds and coffee are a wonderful couple. In this case, just a teaspoon works well with an espresso, but if you have a latte, add two or three tablespoons (or four).

4. Kahlúa: Coffee plus coffee liqueur is not redundant, it's yummy. It mixes perfectly with coffee and is enhanced by it in a great mix.

3. Frangelico: Hazelnuts are one of the most desired aromas in coffee. This sweet liqueur gives an amazing flavor, especially to a mocaccino (hot or cold).

2. Whiskey: The classic mix for the Irish Coffee is a people's favorite because its silky texture, great aroma and strong taste. Besides the famous drink with whiskey, coffee, cream and sugar; you can also just add a few drops of whiskey to an espresso and it'll be lovely.

1. Baileys: Creamy and soft, my personal favorite. Add it in equal parts to an espresso, a shot to a latte or generously to a frozen capuccino; it is just irresistible.

So, in general, the idea is to select a beverage that goes well with the natural characteristics and taste of coffee. Take into consideration that if you are using espresso, the alcohol can't over shade the coffee so don't use too much; with latte, go for balance; and with frozen capuccinos, remember to add a bit more cream, a spoon of powdered milk o some ice cream, because alcohol makes ice melt faster (and you don't want a watery drink).

(Imaginary) Interview with Mr Malbec

This April 17th is the Malbec World Day or, as they call it in Argentina, Día Mundial del Malbec. This wine, made from grapes of french origin, has become an iconic part of the argentinian table, and the celebration commemorate the day in which former Argentinian president, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (1868 - 1874) formally decided to transform the wine industry of his country. The grape once was know as the black wine of Cahors, french region where it was produced; but after the filoxera disease (and disaster), the Malbec grapes in France, along with many other varieties, were destroyed.

Today, we will celebrate this amazing wine with an exercise of imagination: What if Malbec was a person, and he (because it would be a HE for sure) could speak with us? Let's imagine meeting Mr Malbec in the beautiful Cafè de los Angelitos in Buenos Aires, a place to have coffee and pastries during the day, and tango and wine at night. He is meeting us at a table for two, and already ordered a bottle of his favorite wine. At the sight of us, he greet us the Argentinian way, no cheeks remained un-kissed.

His perfume reminded us of berries, spices, violets and a hint of leather. He looked formal, but not uptight; mature but not old; and his expression was intense but never aggressive.

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Why Argentina?

"Well, my grandparents wanted to see the world, so they moved from France when a friend invited them to Mendoza. Actually, they were lucky to have left, because just a few years later, a plague destroyed their old home".

Do you ever wish to go back to Cahors, France?

"Sometimes... In fact some of my sons and nephews have moved there lately, while others have left to try their fortune in South Africa, Mexico, Chile, even Australia. Anyway, I am happy here; where else would I enjoy a good asado argentino? (he laughs).

While we talked, a couple walks by and recognizes him. They stop and greet him, and I gladly take a picture of them with Mr Malbec. He is a big celebrity around here, and everyone who sees him smiles and says hello while he waves back".

Who is your favorite character?

"I really like strong characters that are ready for action but never out of style. I prefer the rebel type of heroes; personality over perfection, and always a good sense of humour. Maybe Iron Man, he's cool".

Tell us something we may not know about you...

"I actually like vegetarian dishes a lot, and I a wonderful tango dancer".

For more info on Malbec World Day check out the official Website.

5 Foods that go better with beer than with wine

Even if wine and food pairing is a very important part of a great meal, not every dish is meant to go with wine. Even if I respect people that insist in having a glass of it with practically anything; I believe that some foods are better with a good beer.

Here are my top 5 foods that go better with beer than with wine...

1. Sausages: A classic Oktoberfest combo that you can enjoy all year around, and anywhere you are. There are many types of sausages and beers, just try to match the strength of flavors of the first with the complexity of the second.

2. Tacos: This mexican especialty (well, tex-mex actually) tends to be too hot for most wines. Besides, after such an spicy bite, you don't want an intense 14 ºC Cab-Sauv contributing to the fire. Better to have a cold lager.

3. Curry dishes: The combination of wine and curry is a tricky one; many suggests to serve gewurztraminer (which I agree), however, Cava or others sparkling wines are even better. And of course, if you like bubbles and freshness with your curry: how about an India Pale Ale? The moderate flavor will match the spice, without overshadow it.

4. Hamburgers: The all american way, a big burguer with a pint of beer is a casual, yummy and fool-prof pairing. Of course, depending on the type of meat and the sauce, you may choose from a soft pilsner or other pale lagers, to a red ale or other beers with strong character.

5. Ceviche: The national dish of Peru is one of the hardest dishes to pair with wine, but goes beautifully with beer so, let's not go against the grain with this one. The acidity of the dish and its high spiciness level may ruin your chardonnay, but are craving for an ice-cold peruvian pilsner (like Cusqueña).

A brief history of Merlot in a funny short video

Merlot is to wine what power ballads are to rock and roll; the mellow option that many believes to be so passé; however, who doesn't love Sweet Child O'Mine, I don't want to miss a thing, o a fruity glass of the soft tannins and generous taste of laid-back merlot?

The grape is protagonist in many great wines from the legendary french region of Bordeaux; and across the New World, awesome bottles come from Chile and California. In fact, California-based, family-owned winery Gundlach Bundschu is the responsible for this funny short video about the rise, fall and big comeback of merlot. The video was launched about a year ago, and it won the 2012 Wine Spectator video contest.

Watch it, and you'll learn a couple of things while smiling... 

Wines to watch Game of Thrones: Gewurztraminer (and why)

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Virtually every character in Game of Thrones, the series inspired in George R. R. Martin novels, enjoys a glass of wine (or two, or maybe three). So, being a fan of the series, and also of the aforementioned beverage, I am planning to combine both pleasures and fill my glass while the Starks, Lannisters and everyone else fill my screen.
Being that my one of my favorite characters is Daenerys Targaryen, I'll remember the episode in which a wineseller offers her a special cask of wine from the Arbor region. That happened to be poisoned, but anyway, it was just the most memorable Daenerys wine-related moment I can think of.

Inspired in the khaleesi, my choice is gewurztraminer. Tipical from Alsace in France, this white wine is stronger than it seems (Gewûrz means "spicy" in german)...

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Its color is light golden and the main aroma you get from it is lychee, mixed with roses and white flowers, with maybe some passionfruit and peach. 

The soft perfumes come with a surprisingly strong body, and the taste delivers what it was first sensed in the nose, and more: a spicinnes that makes justice to the first half of its name.

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Even if just by itself it's an amazing wine, I would normally pair it with sushi; however, I just can't watch Game of Thrones while delicately holding little rolls with chopsticks so, a more regional pairing will do: fondue with mushrooms.

By the way, I found a few quotes about wine extracted from the books...

“ The world is full of wine” – Tyrion Lannister

“ I mean to sail to Westeros and drink the wine of vengeance from the skull of the Usurper” - Daenerys Targaryen

“You see the wonders than can be worked with lies and Arbor gold?” - Lord Petyr Baelish, to Sansa Stark.

Let's start with coffee

Hello to everyone, and welcome to my blog.
This is a place to share; from a cup of tea to a glass of wine, and, why not? ideas, sugestions, recipes and fun facts about all the different beverages we can enjoy.

I want to dedicate my first post to coffee; because I believe it's always a good way to start things; no matter if it's just a monday morning, a relationship, or even a blog; coffee is there to make it all more colorful, more interesting... o well, maybe it's just the feeling I have thanks to the extra energy I get from it.

Anyway, this is your blog as much as mine; I truly hope you enjoy reading; I love writing it just as much as I love coffee!