Booze Muse

Photo: Renata Baluk

By Ernest Barteldes

The New York Bar and Wine Show, an annual two-day convention that takes place at Midtown Manhattan’s Jacob Javits Convention Center, showcases what’s new in the beverage industry, from special registers wirelessly attached to bottles (to better control the drinks sold) to novelties like a Russian roulette-style game wherein a plastic revolver has a chamber that releases a shot of liquor to the lucky ‘winner’—if the ‘loaded’ chamber ends up in his or her hand (think bachelor parties and dorm rooms, if you’re wondering who would do this).

But the greatest attraction is, of course, the booze, and this year’s event had plenty, ranging from new liquor brands, international beers and wines to the latest ideas in mixology presented by different bartenders from all over the world. Read the rest of this entry »

The Product: Cointreau Noir

The Premise: A “society marriage:” Cointreau blended with Remy Martin cognac

The Tasters and their Qualifications: Erica, Debbie, Brent, Brian and Jan, the self-anointed “drinking lightweight who never gives up.” Total years of legal drinking experience: 101

The Packaging: A bright copper metallic bottle announces the product with stylish elegance. Read the rest of this entry »