Sunday Sightings: Morning Cup

Irish Latte

With a somewhat well-rounded liquor and other miscellaneous beverages collection, we are slowly making our way into the world of mixed drinks. I, for one, find the land of 'mixology' a bit foreign. My familiarity with it involves Sprite and orange juice (an essential hot-summer-day, poolside concoction). When it comes to the other brand, namely that involving alcohol, I am quite the novice. But I do enjoy creativity and experimentation, which, I find, will serve me well in the venture into the land of mixology.

Gathering a little assistance from our online resources, Steve ran across cocktail builder, an amateur drink-builder's dream. You simply enter in all of the available liquids you have at your disposal - alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike - and the cocktail builder will provide you with a nifty little list of possible drinks you can make with them. It is a great resource to expand your horizons for your next cocktail party.

However, with all that said, I am proud to say I followed none of it and branched out on my own. (I was always loathe to play by the rules.) Although, my creation is eerily reminiscent of another 'Irish' drink I have had....

Irish Latte

1/3 c. milk, heated and frothed

1 shot of espresso

1 shot of Bailey's Irish Creme

If you prefer mochas, add 2 tablespoons of your favorite hot chocolate mix. I prefer Ghiradelli's Chocolate Mocha.

Stay tuned for another creative concoction.....

Irish Coffee

Here, at the site of the world's first Irish coffee, The Buena Vista Cafe, in San Francisco, is where I learned to make this warm, delightful beverage. There's no better place to go than the source, right?

Our waitress took our order as she threw--no, I'm not making this up--napkins down onto the table in front of us. With a flip of her wrist and careful notice of any breeze, she managed to land them on our spots with barely any effort. She was rather cheeky, obviously well-seasoned at this waitressing business, and boldly shouted our order to the bar. 

We observed as we waited, the man in the white coat (perhaps a doctor during the week?) make a pour of this and a swirl of that, mixing in just the right order with just the right amount of all the ingredients, all that was necessary for an Irish Coffee.

Irish Coffee

8 oz. hot coffee

1 shot of whiskey (I prefer Jameson's or Tullamore Dew)

2-3 T. sugar or 3 sugar cubes

1/8 c. heavy cream

Place sugar into bottom of glass. Pour coffee over sugar and mix with a spoon until dissolved.

Place shot of whiskey in glass. Stir into coffee.

In a small bowl, pour cream and beat with a fork or small whisk to create a head of foam. Using a spoon to catch foam, slowly pour cream into coffee and scoop out foam to place on top.

Another great addition is a shot of Bailey's Irish Creme if you prefer your Irish coffee on the creamier side.

Godiva Coffee and a Giveaway

Have you begun your Black Friday shopping yet??

Personally, I'm not a fan of Black Friday. Crowds of hundreds of people scrambling and shoving, up before the crack of dawn, in order to obtain that big screen LCD television for $1,000 rather than $2,000 is just not my cup of tea.

I'll enjoy some extra time in bed catching up on sleep. Mmmk?

Speaking of tea, I'm straying from my usual cup this morning and sipping on Godiva's most recent brilliant concoction -- Chocolate Truffle coffee. I graciously received this in a bag of goodies from Foodbuzz during the conference I attended a few weeks ago.

I almost feel guilty drinking it for breakfast. The chocolate notes are strong, but not sweet. Sweetened creamers are often too much even for my sweet tooth, but this gives you all the flavor without the hypoglycemic shock.

To help get you prepared for your holiday baking and drink-making, I am hosting a giveaway of a Godiva Coffee apron. Appropriately chocolate-colored (but probably not flavored...sorry), it has handy pockets at the bottom to place your whisk or cinnamon or any other little thing you need to store away for a moment to transport across the kitchen or free your hands.

Godiva has a couple of special holiday blends, including this pumpkin spice flavor, which I will also throw into the mix for you, along with a $2 off coupon to purchase your favorite flavor for that holiday shindig. They make tasty lattes and other speciality drinks which you can find recipes for here.

To enter the giveaway, simply post a comment with your favorite holiday coffee drink. Click the 'join this site' link on the right tab and I'll give you a second chance. I will pick a winner using the random number generator after the giveaway closes November 30th at 8:00 am PST.

Good luck and happy drinking!

Opening a Coffee Shop: Broadacre Coffee

What a great idea!

Plotting to open a new shop in town? One of the best marketing schemes you can employ is to find a location that replaces a reputable shop of the same peruasion. This is especially true if it involves food and/or drink. Customers will come meandering (or rushing) in, starved or parched, greatly desiring sustenance. Initially, they will be a bit dazed when they encounter the unfamiliar decor and offerings, but will be pleasantly surprised they find they still have the potential to be satisfied by what you offer.

 

However, you will be responsible for catching their eye and holding them captive with your own appetizing flair. I have faith in you.

This coffee shop recently moved into one of the quaint shops in downtown Sacramento, replacing one of my favorite coffee haunts, Temple. (Fortunately, they have two other locations to visit.) It is one of those spots you can easily miss if you don't know what you are looking for. Their triangular exterior framing above the front door is the sole object that alerts you to its presence. Once sipping your beverage of choice, their cozy window seats allow you to gaze outside, losing yourself in deep philosophical thought or people-watching, two of my favorite pasttimes.

I was pleasantly surprised with their ability to sate my thirst with fine flavors. But, truly, they went above and beyond.

That bit of flair I mentioned?

I was entranced by their swirling foam decorations. Well done.

San Francisco Treat

How is that I have walked past this place so many times and never stopped inside?? There are gems that lie hidden within the industrial facade of the Ferry Building in downtown San Francisco. Sparkling jewels that are easily overlooked...

Within its walls, there are quaint food stalls carrying delicious morsels of nearly every type of food. They have speciality shops dedicated to mushrooms, pig, olive oil, gelato, pastries, coffee, kitchen utensils, gluten-free foods, cheese...just to name a few! It is a foodie's paradise.

Arriving early in the morning, I met a friend for coffee at the Blue Bottle Coffee Company.

Having met during our studies in Paris, we'd become snobs regarding expressions of beauty and refinement. ;-) Our barista did not let us down. Before our very eyes, he transformed our drinks into works of art.

The Blue Bottle Coffee Company is known for its use of organic coffee beans farmed from pesticide-free plants. It is freshly brewed on the spot every morning for a delicious roast. I had the cafe au lait as a salute to our time spent in France.

While waiting for my friend whose train was en retard, I wandered through the hallways, peeking in on the foods being freshly prepared that morning. This shop caught my eye, in part due to my growling stomach, and I purchased a cinnamon croissant roll to nibble for breakfast.

I had visions, though, of loading up a paper bag full of the warm loaves emerging from the oven...a baguette, an olive focaccia loaf, a petit pumpkin roll, a rye bun. The reality of carrying the bag over town all day -- on the bus, traipsing across Golden Gate Park, through museums -- kept me from going overboard. ;-)

Dozens of reasons to return.

Sugar and Spice....

I can't help myself.

I'm already jogging to carols and dreaming of candy canes and gum drops. It doesn't help any that the stores are already stocking up on decorations and goodies. Walk into just about any place and you will be greeted by a robotic Santa Claus or illuminated reindeer. Yet, for some strange reason, I am in the mood for all of this. Guaranteed, though, that by the time Christmas actually rolls around it will have worn out its welcome. Too much of a good thing tends to make you sick.

But for now I will revel in the festive holiday culture that begins to engulf us. I made Snickerdoodles this morning, our traditional family Christmas cookie. Gooey cinnamon and sugar goodness.


And yesterday I discovered this Gingerbread Coffee at Trader Joe's.


They had it sitting out on the testing table. I poured myself a petite tasse and promptly fell in love. I am not big on coffee but the ginger, cinnamon and cloves notes had me at 'hello.' It is delicious with a splash (or more if you are like me...I'm more the latte drinker) of half-and-half or milk.

I can't wait to try it with a freshly baked gingerbread man....mmmm.