KegWorks Blog

…does it take to feel the effects from an Absinthe Lollipop? One lick? Two licks? Three? (Crunch!) Well, the world may never know, but you can start your very own study on the subject at home. That’s right - Absinthe Lollipops are here, and they’re not your regular, run-of-the-mill tootsie roll pops, either. Nope, these suckers are the real deal, made with legendary (and now completely legal) absinthe, sure to give you a good dose of the Green Fairy.

Not quite ready to jump on the absinthe wagon? Prefer a breakfast lollipop to a liquor one? Ok, ok, you probably never really ever thought about eating a lollipop for breakfast, at least not since you were a kid… but on the off chance that you have, or if the idea intrigues you at all, Maple Bacon Lollipops are for you. Yep. I said it. Maple Bacon Lollipops. These suckers offer salty chunks of organic cured bacon, suspended in a subtle, sweet, Vermont maple syrup base. Mmmmmm.

Move over corn dogs - this is the new way to enjoy meat on a stick.

Heard of any other bizarre but wonderful sucker creations? I’m always ready to try something new (hint, hint).

TAGS [ ABSINTHE | ABSINTHE LOLLIPOPS | MAPLE BACON LOLLIPOPS | GOURMET SUCKERS ]

Entertaining friends and family on summer evenings can be a most fantastic experience… that is, when you, the host or hostess, aren’t running around like a chicken with your head chopped off, trying to keep everyone’s drinks and plates full. Even an evening in with one loved one can become cumbersome if what you’re serving is on the complex side.

Summer cocktails for special, or even not-so-special, occasions don’t have to be a pain in the ass, though. KegWorks makes it easy with Bar-Tender’s Cocktail Mixes. This set of three is complete with Apple-Tini, Cosmopolitan and Lemon Drop mixes - at least one is sure to please everyone in your party. Make delicious concoctions in just three simple steps. No muddling, slicing, ingredient-gathering or the like. Just sit back, relax and enjoy your guest(s)… simplicity for just $10.95.

TAGS [ COCKTAIL MIXERS | COCKTAIL MIXES | BAR-TENDERS | COCKTAILS | COSMOPOLITAN | APPLE-TINI | LEMON DROP ]

This year at Tales of the Cocktail 2008, in New Orleans, Joe Fee of Fee Brothers introduced yet another new cocktail bitters. Call me crazy, but I had never once imagined Rhubarb Cocktail Bitters would exist. Joe Fee, however, thought it would be the perfect addition to his ever-growing selection of bitters, and now I couldn’t agree more.

What, you may ask, should Rhubarb Bitters be used for? I’m sure you could come up with a plethora of recipes, but here’s one to get you started.

Strawberry Reverie

3 strawberries, muddled
2 dashes Rhubarb Bitters
1½ oz vodka
½ oz orange juice
¼ oz maple syrup
¼ oz Parfait Amour Liqueur

Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a strawberry.

I don’t know about you, but this concoction screams “Summer Dessert Cocktail” to me. Something most definitely worth trying out this weekend, for sure.

TAGS [ RHUBARB BITTERS | COCKTAIL BITTERS | COCKTAILS | COCKTAIL RECIPES | FEE BROTHERS ]

So, it’s another hot day here in “th’Buff” and as a result of having my brain nearly cooked in my own skull, I found myself looking on the Internet for things that will help me think cool thoughts while on my lunch break. It’s not that the AC here at KegWorks is on the fritz or that someone neglected to pay the bill, it’s just that as I look out my window it just looks even hotter, muggier and stickier than earlier - and that is definitely not within my 5 degree temperature tolerance range. I just know that the moment I step outside I’ll be stewed in my own juices. Blech! Think cool thoughts, Ed. Think cool thoughts…

Found one. If this one doesn’t help, I don’t know what will…

One of the things on my Great, Big Fun ‘To Do’ List of Life is to visit Sweden during the winter. Aaaaah, winter. Apart from soaking up Scandinavian culture, the medieval and gothic architecture – (not to mention scoping out tall, fair-haired hotties) – I’ve always wanted to stay in the Ice Hotel for a night or two and throw back a couple at the Absolut Ice Bar in Jukkasjärvi. I’ve read about them extensively, seen photos of the hotel and bar all over the internet, and have even watched lengthy Discovery Channel–type episodes on the “behind the scenes” planning and construction of the Ice Hotel and Bar. Not only are they both feats of temporary architectural wonder and an artistic feast for the eyes, but they are cool – COLD compared to the weather outside today. Check out these suites, for example. Aaaaah. That’s the stuff. I’m feeling cooler already.

Sweden isn’t the only location you’ll find an Absolut Ice Bar. These amazing structures have sprung up in Stockholm, Copenhagen, London, and Tokyo – just to name a few. Other, non-Absolut ice bars and hotels have been known to spring up in Quebec, Finland, Norway, and Romania.

Since I can’t exactly make it to either the Ice Hotel or the Ice Bar this year, I can at least simulate part of the experience by using my new Cool Shooters Ice Shot Glass Mold and by standing in front of the AC set to full speed.

Here’s to cooler heads and cooler days!

TAGS [ ICE BAR | ABSOLUT | ABSOLUT ICE BAR | ICE HOTEL ]

This past weekend was spent moving into my new place in Buffalo. And while heavy boxes, squished fingers and strained backs seemed to be the orders of the day, I made some time to sit and rehydrate with family and friends that helped me move. While rediscovering furniture that has spent the better part of 2 years in storage, I got a chance to show off my authentic British pint glasses and a couple of other personal purchases I made from work recently. Not surprisingly, the hits of the weekend seemed to be the Bone Chillers and Cool Jewels ice molds by Fred.

These really are some cool ice molds – and they are, without a doubt, worlds away from the big, clunky aluminum trays we had as kids. I remember that my brother and I would dare each other to stick our tongues to the aluminum trays – just for fun. I even remember that the big, ugly, utilitarian monsters even had a lever built into it so you’d have to pull it to eject the ice. How scary is that? Do you remember those? If not, I’m just dating myself, I guess.

With the help of modern technology, the days of fingers or tongues stuck to an ice tray (or pinched by monster lever arms) are a thing of distant memory – and we have more than just plain, ordinary cubes to show for it.

If you have any doubts about how cool these are, just ask my 4 year old nephew, DJ, or 6 year old niece, Stephie. For the record, neither of them are drinkers (unless you count juice boxes in the list of “hard drinks”). And while you may doubt their choice of drink, you can definitely trust that these kids know cool when they see it.

DJ loves the Bone Chillers (what he calls “pirate ice cubes”) and Stephie is definitely partial to the Cool Jewels - since she’s all about the jewelry already. Pirates and “girls’ best friends” aside, these silicon molds are sure to liven up your home bar, holiday, or next family gathering regardless of age.

Here’s a little something for the kiddos (or perhaps your inner child) to enjoy. Have fun!

DJ’s Pirate Gut Juice
Prepare and pour Cherry flavored Kool-Aid into Bone Chiller mold and freeze. In a regular glass, pour prepared lime Kool-Aid. Serve with the prepared cherry Kool-Aid Bone Chiller ice. The red skull and crossbones are a really gross contrast against the green Kool-Aid. Perfect for little ones who are clearly made of snakes, snails, and puppy dog tails.

Princess Stephie’s Royal Beauty Potion
Pour orange juice into Cool Jewels mold and freeze. Serve over 7-Up or mixture of half 7-Up and half cherry Kool-Aid. Fit for a princess!

Now that the little ones are all taken care of, it’s time for you to make a little something for yourself. Go on and plop a leftover skull and crossbone or an ice diamond into that drink. You know you deserve it!

TAGS [ ICE | ICE MOLDS | ICE CUBE MOLDS | ICE TRAYS | ICE CUBE TRAYS | BAR ACCESSORIES | PARTY SUPPLIES ]

Last week on Wednesday, we all headed out to the picnic table for an after-work treat. Dave had just gotten Regatta Ginger Beer in stock - the best ginger beer I’ve ever had the opportunity to taste - so he decided to surprise us with classic Moscow Mules.

Up until a few weeks ago I, admittedly, had never heard of a Moscow Mule. When we got the fancy copper Moscow Mule mugs in to sell, I was intrigued. After checking out the recipe, I knew I had to try one. As it turns out, it’s a perfect summer cocktail - cool and refreshing. Definitely one I will have again. Here’s a recipe, should you like to try it at home:

The Moscow Mule

1½ oz vodka
3 oz ginger beer
1 tsp simple syrup
¼ oz lime juice
1 sprig mint
1 slice lime

In a glass or Moscow Mule Mug with ice, add vodka, simple syrup, and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with mint sprig and lime slice.

In a world of candy-coated cocktails, from Key Lime Pie Martinis to crazy-colored, sugary jello shooters, it’s so nice to sit back and enjoy one of the classics.

Thanks again, Dave!

P.S…. for the calorie-conscious, try Diet Regatta Ginger Beer.

TAGS [ MOSCOW MULE | REGATTA GINGER BEER | GINGER BEER | COCKTAILS | COCKTAIL RECIPES | MOSCOW MULE RECIPE ]

On a recent trip to Hawaii, as much as I was trying to block out work to enjoy the sunshine, it was hard to do with all of the drinking that I was doing at hotel bars.

There were KegWorks references with every turn! Whether it was the bar rails that kept me comfortably bellied up, the floor mats that kept my favorite pool bartender on his feet, or the glassracks that kept my wine glass waiting for me – KegWorks was everywhere!

One of the more notable instances of KegWorks’ invasion on my vacation was on my first visit to what became at my favorite poolside bar at the Moana Surfrider in Honolulu (where I stayed on the second leg of my trip). After my first few sips of my very first Oahu brewed beer, Big Wave, I realized that my tall, perfectly poured beer glass was not glass at all. Instead, the “glass” was made of a heavy plastic. Makes sense, as glass is not typically allowed poolside. But, I, who prides myself knowing each of the products that we carry, didn’t even notice when it was set in front of me.

Seriously, these glasses look and feel just like the real thing (I was genuinely fooled, and stone sober at this point).

I had to finish my beer (the things I do for KegWorks) and check the bottom to be sure that they were plastic, and confirm my suspicion that they were in fact the glasses that we sell. After seeing these is action, I would recommend them 110% to bars, restaurants and home entertainers, especially for outdoor parties. No more broken glass, and I swear these can pass for the real thing.

The next time you hit your favorite outside bar or restaurant, check out the glassware. It’s OK for you to think about KegWorks at the bar or on vacation – You don’t work here.

For more selection of these seriously high quality glasses check these out:

Martini Glasses
Beer Mugs
Wine Glasses

TAGS [ GLASSWARE | BEER GLASSES | PILSNER | GLASSRACKS | BEER MUGS | WINE GLASSES ]