How you doin’? You never have to miss out on a happy hour during the pandemic as long as we’re around. We put our bartender skills to work every Friday afternoon.
 
If you’ve got copper mugs (or not), ginger beer and vodka, that’s all you need together with this recipe on how to make a classic Moscow Mule! If you don’t have the copper mugs, don’t let that stop you.

A Moscow Mule is bubbly, tangy, looks important and goes down easy—real easy. The Moscow Mule was first mixed in the 1940’s, but it’s been making a comeback at many bars and saloons. It’s got only 3 ingredients and takes 3 minutes to make: perfect for parties or a lazy evening on the patio.
 
The Moscow Mule was invented as a marketing scheme to sell more vodka, ginger beer and copper mugs. The glitterati in Hollywood fell in love with it, and there were lots of images at the time of celebs drinking mules from copper mugs. It caught on, and it’s still the traditional way to drink a Moscow Mule.
 
It’s actually part of a family of cocktails called a buck: a cocktail made with liquor, ginger ale or ginger beer and lime. So, it can also be called a vodka buck, if you like… or maybe a Bucking Mule!
 
Because a Moscow mule is all about the carbonation in the ginger beer, this drink is not mixed in a cocktail shaker. To preserve the carbonation, it’s simply mixed right in the mug and quickly served over ice.
 
Ingredients
1-1/2 ounces vodka
4 to 5 ounces ginger beer
1 or 2 lime wedges for the juice and garnish
 
Directions

1. Pour the vodka and ginger beer into a copper mug.
2. Add ice cubes.
3. Squeeze a couple of lime wedges and toss them in the mug.

It’s that simple! This makes it one of the easiest cocktail recipes you can make—perfect for a stay-at-home happy hour.

ChefSecret:  Moscow Mules are traditionally served in a copper cup or copped mug. But it doesn’t have to be served in copper. No way. Just remember, copper keeps the drink cool in a different way than glass. The copper immediately takes on the temperature of the drink and there’s something about taking a sip of the drink with a cool copper rim… it feels even colder!

Covid-19 Quip of the Day: “Nothing like relaxing on the couch after a long day of being tense on the couch.”
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment?  Do you want to share a favorite recipe or pictures with our readers?  Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com.  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong and positive, stay well and safe and be kind to others. If you have a little extra in your pockets to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. Thanks for reading.

#Cocktail #HappyHour #MoscowMule #Vodka #GingerBeer #Cheers #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                                 ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2021

How you doin’? 2020 was a very strange year. I’ll bet you’re as happy to see it come to an end as I am. In celebration, how about a cocktail?... maybe a little poison?... Sweet Poison Cocktail, that is, popularized by the mixologists at New York's Jekyll and Hyde Club.
 
The Jekyll & Hyde Club is a theme restaurant owned by Eerie World Entertainment in New York City. The name and theme were derived from author Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 Victorian gothic novel Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
 
The Jekyll & Hyde restaurants' theme is spooky horror show with an emphasis on English Gothic themes, and including detailed decorations, set pieces, and actors who roam the restaurant and entertain patrons. Characters include Mr. Aloysius Goole, the wacky chief mortician, Jervis, the hyperactive and high-pitched French butler, and the charmingly manic Gertrude K. Boom, club demolitions expert. These characters are the guest's link to all the details of the club's history and perform membership inductions table side.
 
In addition to the live characters, there are several animatronic props, sounds, and special effects which contribute to the overall atmosphere of the club. The animatronic creatures (either pre-recorded or voiced live by the same actors that walk about the restaurant) animate periodically to entertain the guests. Just because you can’t experience Jekyll & Hyde in person these days, doesn’t mean you can’t experience one of their famous cocktails.
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Yield:  1 or 2 cocktails depending on your pain
 
Ingredients
1 ounce light rum
2 ounces coconut rum
1 ounce Blue Curaçao
4 to 6 ice cubes
4 ounces pineapple juice
1 pineapple wedge (for garnish)
 
Directions

1. Combine both rums and Blue Curaçao in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake, then pour into a large brandy snifter.
2. Fill the rest of the glass with chilled pineapple juice.
3. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

ChefSecret:  In 1979, I opened a restaurant on the site of an old funeral parlor in Palo Alto, California. It was going to be a seafood restaurant, but after residents kept asking if it was on the site of the “old morgue,” I decided to use a little imagination and create a spooky Halloween-themed restaurant. It opened on Halloween and closed a year later. I guess I was just ahead of my time.

Covid-19 Quip of the Day:  “You know what they’re saying about 2020. It went viral faster than anyone thought it would.”
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment?  Do you want to share a favorite recipe or pictures with our readers?  Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com.  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong and positive, stay well and safe and be kind to others. If you have a little extra in your pockets to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. Thanks for reading.

#Cocktail #HappyHour #SweetPoisonCocktail #Jekyll&Hyde #Delish #BlueCuracao #Rum #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

How you doin’? Over the last 9 months we’ve asked that question every weekday and now we’re starting a new year— 2021. We want to ring in the New Year on a Happy Hour note.
 
We originally planned to write this blog for a couple of weeks helping those people on lockdown create some different types of meals for their families. In the beginning we had a bent for Instant Pot recipes. But as the pandemic continued, we expanded the format to present different cooking methods. We soon added Happy Hour Fridays and broadened into bakery goods and confections. Quite frankly, it helped us keep our sanity while being locked down ourselves.
 
Last month we found out that our office building of 34 years was sold and the new owners wanted to take on the top floor for their own use. Our lease was up at the end of January anyway, so we have moved into a new facility—more on that later.
 
But for now, thank you all for participating in our daily endeavors during 2020. Thank you for taking pictures and sending in your own recipes to share with others. To our hospitality and entertainment clients (you know who you are) who have been experiencing severe hardships during 2020, we hope that you are able to quickly recover as you always have. Those of us in this industry have experienced hardships in the past and we always make it through. To all of you… we wish you good health for 2021. May God bless us all. Happy New Year!
 
Now… let’s celebrate New Year’s with a special Champagne Cocktail. Take a Champagne Cocktail,  eliminate the sugar, add some ruby port and fresh orange juice and have a "Happy New Year." It really is the name of this fantastic drink and it is an ideal way to ring in the New Year.
 
As Champagne cocktails go, this one has a little more depth than most and that is what makes it interesting. The port wine and orange juice bring in fantastic fruit notes that play wonderfully against the brandy and sparkling wine.
 
Prep time:  3 minutes
Yield:  2 cocktails
 
Ingredients
2 ounces brandy
1 ounce ruby port
1 ounce orange juice (I prefer freshly-squeezed OJ)
6 ounces Champagne
 
Directions

1. Pour the brandy, port, and orange juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake it like you mean it.
3. Strain into two Champagne flutes.
4. Top with Champagne (split the amount between the two glasses).
5. Serve.

ChefSecret:  One of the better combinations we've found is Sandeman's 10 Year Old Port (actually, a tawny port, though they make a great ruby port as well) with fresh-squeezed orange juice, Korbel Brandy and Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne. However, we really have yet to find a bad combination because this is simply a great cocktail no matter what you pour.
 
This fantastic drink can fit into any budget. There are great options in every price range for the brandy, ruby port, and Champagne/Sparkling Wine. You can spend as much or as little as you like and have a fantastic drink to serve and enjoy.

Covid-19 Quip of the Day:  “After nine months of home-schooling, my wife and I decided we didn’t want to have children. We’ll be telling them tonight at dinner.”
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment?  Do you want to share a favorite recipe or pictures with our readers?  Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com.  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
-------------------------------------------
Here is wishing you the very best for the holidays. To you and everyone dear to you, be strong and positive, stay well and safe and be kind to others. If you have a little extra in your pockets to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. Thanks for reading.

#Cocktail #HappyHour #HappyNewYear #ChampagneCocktail #RubyPort #Sandemans #Champagne #OJ #HolidayRecipes #Holidays2020 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                            ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2020

How you doin’? At our fine chocolate company, Choclatique, we were always looking for great hot chocolate recipes like the kind we found in Barcelona. On visiting the local cooking school there, the student chefs were just learning how to make the iconic Barcelona Hot Chocolate—not hot cocoa. Barcelona Hot Chocolate is a warm steamy beverage and a rich decadent dessert at the same time. It is thick and creamy and loaded with real chocolate—not flavored with cocoa powder chalkiness.
 
To the many people they get their lackluster hot cocoa fix by ripping open an envelope of powder and pouring it into a cup of hot water, I'm here to tell you that real men and women don’t drink that kind of beverage once they’ve tasted the real thing (recipe below); and it's just as easy to make as the “quick” stuff. Barcelona Hot Chocolate is rich, thick, and velvety smooth and is made by using just a few simple ingredients that make all the difference. If the weather outside is frightful, warm up with a cozy cup of REAL homemade hot chocolate.
 
What's the difference Between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa? While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a real difference, and it turns out it's right there in the name. Hot chocolate is made with whole chocolate (chocolate liquor and cocoa butter and sometimes a little cocoa powder) and hot cocoa is made from just cocoa powder. Therefore hot chocolate tends to have a thicker consistency than hot cocoa.
 
Don’t use the cheap stuff. For the richest hot chocolate, use the highest quality chocolate: dark chocolate that is at least 64 percent or higher. In terms of dairy, real hot chocolate recipes call for thicker forms of dairy such as half-and-half, heavy cream, whole milk or a mixture of each. A good dairy-free alternative for hot chocolate is coconut or almond milk.
 
Prep time:  10 minutes
Cook time:  10 minutes
Yield:  2 servings
 
Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup half and half or whipping cream
1-1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped (64% or higher)
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
1 pinch ground cinnamon
Toppings (your choice)
 
Directions

1. Heat the milk, half and half or cream in a saucepan over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved.
3. Stir in the dark chocolate until it’s completely melted. About 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the additional cream and cinnamon.
5. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed peppermint, or any other topping of your choice.

ChefSecret:  During these difficult times, small pleasures matter.

Covid-19 Quip of the Day:  “My mom always told me I wouldn’t accomplish anything by lying in bed all day. But look at me now, ma! I’m saving the world!”
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment?  Do you want to share a favorite recipe or pictures with our readers?  Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com.  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
-------------------------------------------
Here is wishing you the very best for the upcoming holidays. To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind welcoming in the holiday season. If you have a little extra in your pockets to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. Thanks for reading.

#Beverage #HappyHour #Breakfast #HotChocolate #Barcelona #SpanishHotChocolate #Churros #MerryChristmas #HolidayRecipes #Holidays2020 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                          ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2020

Merry Christmas! How you doin’? It’s time to get spiced up for the holidays and there’s no better way than with a warm Spiced Wine Sangria to up the ante. You’ll be able to warm up your friends and family with this mulled wine recipe. This beverage abounds with fresh fruits, warm spices, sweet liquor and red wine, of course.
 
Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is a beverage made with red wine along with various mulling spices. It is served hot or warm and is alcoholic, although there are non-alcoholic versions of it (they’re no fun at all). It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas and New Year’s (or whenever you need a little lift during this crazy winter!).
 
Mulled wine originated in the 2nd century; it was created by the Romans to ward off the winter cold and keep warm. As the Romans conquered much of Europe throughout the next century, their love for mulled wine spread across their empire and the regions they conquered.
 
Couldn’t finish it all? Got some leftovers? Don’t pour it down the drain! Let the mulled wine cool at room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge. It will keep well chilled for up to three days.
 
This is a chilled recipe that I faithfully use every year.  I brought it back from Copenhagen, Denmark right out of Tivoli Gardens. No need to buy expensive liquor or wine for this recipe.
 
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time:  10 to 15 minutes
Chill time:  overnight
Yields:  8 to 10 servings
 
Ingredients
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup triple sec
1 lime, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 apple, sliced
1 pear, sliced
3 mandarin orange slices
Handful of cranberries
1 bottle red wine
1 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon allspice
3 cinnamon sticks
Granulated sugar to taste
7 Up, Sprite, or Club Soda (optional, for sparkle)
 
Directions

1. Pour the brandy, triple sec, fruit and all but 1 cup of red wine into a pitcher and stir; then set aside.
2. In a saucepan, combine the orange juice, spices and remaining red wine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
3. Add granulated sugar to the simmering mixture if you desire a sweeter beverage.
4. Simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes, then strain the liquid through a cheesecloth and strainer to remove the whole spices.
5. Add this mixture to the pitcher and refrigerate it overnight.
6. Pour the Sangria into individual wine glasses and serve.
7. If you want to add sparkle and sweetness to your sangria, top the mixture off with a splash of 7 Up or Sprite. Or use club soda to add sparkle without any extra sweetness.

ChefSecret:  Hot spice mulled wine is easy to make with this recipe. Simply serve it after it has been strained. Omit the added 7-Up or Sprite and adjust the sugar if necessary.

Covid-19 Quip of the Day:  “Half of us are going to come out of this pandemic as amazing cooks. The other half will come out with a drinking problem.”
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment?  Do you want to share a favorite recipe or pictures with our readers?  Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com.  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
-------------------------------------------
Here is wishing you the very best for the upcoming holidays. To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind welcoming in the holiday season. If you have a little extra in your pockets to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. Thanks for reading.

#Cocktail #HappyHour #MerryChristmas #MulledWine #Sangria #HolidayRecipes #Holidays2020 #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                               ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2020