All October
Fall is upon us. . . and time for a new book (or two)
Hello and welcome to my booze-soaked newsletter! If you’ve found your way here through a search, share, or some other means but are not subscribed let’s get you signed up: click here!
Howdy, Pilgrim.
Let’s start with the biggest news first. I’m inking a deal with the estate of American icon John Wayne for The Official John Wayne Cocktail Book. Wayne’s career spanned five decades. He had a prodigious work ethic — and an equally prodigious thirst. I am honored to take up the. . . spurs for this exciting next project. You’ll likely hear quite a bit more from me about the Duke in the coming months. For starters, he loved whiskey and tequila. This next book will feature some of his personal favorite drinks, plus ones inspired by his famous film roles. The Rooster Cogburn cocktail does not exist. . . yet. But it will.
Only in a month when I’m signing a new book with the estate of John Wayne would the next bit of news not be the headline: I finished the manuscript for what is now titled BAR MENU. Finally. This is my biggest work yet, the culmination of years in the cocktail kitchen. I have been so grateful for the opportunity to write this beast, my first food recipe book. Are there cocktails? Of course. But they are not the main event — which is over 100 recipes such as Persian Saffron Pistachios, Piri Piri Shrimp Cocktail, Cacio e Pepe Frittata, Gin-Cured Gravlax, Cocktail Ramen Eggs, Italian Riviera Meatballs, Sticky Flanken Ribs, Jalapeño-Corn Sablés, Mezcal Pudding, African Ginger Cakes, and many more. It’s a whopping compendium - and its aimed at being a big cocktail food bible like James Beard’s Hors D'oeuvre & Canapes, published in 1940. It’s good stuff, imbibers. I think you’re going to love it. It’s been well over a year of writing and recipe testing — BAR MENU will be published fall ‘22. More news when we start shooting photos for it.
!New Website Launch! PURAVIDASANJOSE.COM
I am writing this newsletter from a sunny, breezy room in San José, Costa Rica. I have been traveling to CR quite a bit, and will be here a lot more in ‘22. So many friends were asking for recommendations that I created a Google map to share my favorite spots. That map turned into this restaurant, bar, and café guide. I hope to eventually have a Spanish-language sister site, puravidachepe.com (Chepe is the local nickname for San José). As many of you know, I started out in this biz as a restaurant reviewer, and it has been so rewarding returning to writing about restaurants in even this small capacity. Welcome to my guide to all things San José food scene (plus some spots scattered around the country). The website launched in September and will continue to grow.
Let’s get straight to the LATE SUMMER COCKTAIL:
The Rebujito is a warm-weather sipper hailing from southern Spain that is also ideal for transition months like October. I love the name, which translates as “a little tangle.” This winner is likely the handiwork of 1980s English expats living in Spain. There are variations that use 7-UP or ginger ale, but I prefer plain soda water. The drink is especially easy to pair — it loves almonds, olives, and sheep-milk cheese.
(The Rebujito appears in my book Booze Cruise: A Tour of the World’s Essential Mixed Drinks.)
2 ounces fino or manzanilla sherry
4 ounces soda or tonic water
Sprig of mint, for garnish
Lemon wedge, for garnish
Add sherry and tonic to a glass filled with ice. Squeeze a lemon wedge into the drink and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Where I’ll be in October:
- San José, Costa Rica, working on puravidasanjose.com
- Dallas, Texas. I’m thrilled to be back at Park House Dallas for a private event, Oct 13.
- Athens, Greece, Oct 28 - Nov 3. More on this later.
What I’m Reading: John Wayne: The Life and Legend, Scott Eyman
What I’m Watching: I’ve re-watched The Searchers, Stagecoach, True Grit, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Wake of the Red Witch, The Shootist, The Quiet Man, Angel and the Badman, Red River, as well as a few other lesser-known Wayne films. I am also watching Mare of Easttown.
SEE YOU NEXT MONTH - IN THE MEANTIME FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM AND TELL ME WHAT YOU’RE DRINKING.
THANK YOU FOR READING!