Wendy Crispell

Enjoying Germany’s Holiday Treasures, One Gem at A Time – Wine4Food

Check out my new post on wine4food.com about German Market adventures!

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Frida’s Fire, A spicy rum cocktail

Juicy, spicy, devilishly different

I love pink grapefruit juice. It’s bright acidity and fresh fruit flavor lends itself to many different liquors and aperitifs such as Aperol, a favorite ingredient in many cocktails including the chili infused version used in one of my favorite drinks, Satan’s Circus. Pink grapefruit also is a delicious wing-man in the Paloma, another of my favorite cocktails.

Writer’s Tears Gaelic Gold Manhattan

Writer’s Tears Gaelic Gold Manhattan

With Saint Patrick’s day soon approaching it’s time to start celebrating with some of the small batch Irish Whiskeys now available in the states. Not so long ago the selection of Irish Whiskey was limited to a few large brands owned by large conglomerates, with one or two specialties available in limited quantities. In the last 5 to 10 years Ireland’s craft…

Celebrate the History of Women in Wine and Cheese; March 23rd

Join me on March 23rd for an evening of fascinating facts and tasty tales in the world of wine and cheese.

Statue in Normandy dedicated to Marie Harel, the woman though to have invented the recipe for Camembert

Women had historically been thought of as the bosses of the cheese biz. Times changed with the rise of commodity production, the popularity of quick packaged products and women…

Anejo Roast Chicken for National Margarita Day

Deep marinated chicken with Tequila base

I’ve always loved Margarita’s! And nothing is better than a premium style made with Anejo and Pierre Ferrand’s Dry Curacao, accompanied by the freshest of hand squeezed lime juice. Absolutely cocktail heaven, perfect for Taco Tuesday or with friends who appreciate a quality Margarita.

A few years back I found myself left with a pitcher of said…

Margarita Chicken for Game Day. A boozy recipe for the best wings on game day.

Deep marinated chicken with Tequila base

I’ve always loved Margarita’s! And nothing is better than a premium style made with Anejo and Pierre Ferrand’s Dry Curacao, accompanied by the freshest of hand squeezed lime juice. Absolutely cocktail heaven, perfect for Taco Tuesday or with friends who appreciate a quality Margarita.

A few years back I found myself left with a pitcher of said…

Cocktails, Cheese and Chocolate for Your Valentine

Cocktails, cheese and chocolate

Cheese and chocolate are wonderful pairings with more than just wine. The pure fruit flavors in some craft cocktails can lend themselves to pair perfectly with salty cheeses and sweets.

I love the combination of fresh chevre and white chocolate, and with the addition of a berry jam it is a pairing that has been a favorite with guests on more than one occasion. This…

NY Spiced Rye and Apple Punch

The holiday party season will soon be in full swing. While hosting festivities can be great fun, even the most organized host doesn’t always get to spend enough time with guests. One great tip is creating a crowd pleasing punch to break the ice and enable you to enjoy the start of the party.

Festive fall punch for holiday entertaining

Using craft spirits, fresh juices and garnish creates premium…

Pfunds Molkerei, Dresden’s Dairy Wonder

  The Cheese Wonder of Dresden

In the late 19th century the farmer Paul Pfund traveled to Dresden with his wife and six cows from Reinholdshain in order to supply the city with healthy milk. He founded Gebrüder Pfund dairy in Dresden in 1880, and over time it evolved to include the sale of condensed milk, milk soap, butter and cheese at their wildly popular brick and mortar shop on Bautzner…

View from hill near Prague castle

Prague has always been on my wanderings wish list and recently I made that dream a reality. Prague may be known for its beer culture, but the quality of wine and craft cocktails is outstanding! Here are my findings on stellar stops to catch your breath, be it for a short rest or the whole evening.

Jewel Hotel, Cafe and Lounge

A charming oasis for wine and spirit…

It’s finally spring in NYC! The Brooklyn Botanical cherry blossom festival ushers in the season every year with a weekend long celebration followed by another weekend of frivolity on Randall’s Island.

Using a syrup created from cherry blossoms I marked my own ode to spring with this delicious cocktail using many locally sourced ingredients. Mix up a batch for your next picnic, or just sit back…

Cocktail time, with Brighton Beach inspiration

Green tea and tarragon cooler, A refreshing cocktail inspired by the flavors of Brighton Beach

Summer days off call for staycations for this New Yorker. Wandering unfamiliar neighborhoods often results in discovering strange exotic ingredients and specialties readily available to satisfy the cravings of home for the inhabitants who have immigrated from a far away land. Last weekends destination…

Pom Pomme Cider, a unique alternative for rose drinkers

Last winter I had the privilege to write the forward for the Hudson Valley Cider Guide. From dry to sweet I sampled literally hundreds of different types, but my favorite by far is Descendant Cider’s Pom Pomme, infused with rose hips and pomegranate juice.

With a crisp dry finish and just a hint of a floral note this delicious tipple is fabulous as an aperitif and a stellar choice with fresh…

Hudson Valley Cider pairing with Maille mustard Rarebit

My fridge is often filled with remnants of current projects, tastings and swag scored from recent events I’ve attended. Often these ingredients come together to create a impromptu meal on those late nights after work when I’m just too tired to shop for dinner. Bad Seed Bourbon Barrel Aged Cider Having recently finished a cider project I’m still swimming in delicious offerings, my favorites being…

Tunworth, a guilty English pleasure

It’s a good idea to cheat on your regular cheesemonger from time to time. Some cheeses are imported in very small quantities and may just be available at one or two small specialty shops, or not in your usual haunt. This is how I discovered one of my new favorite cheeses, Tunworth, an English guilty pleasure! Available at Brooklyn Larder in Park Slope (a dangerous place for any gourmet),…

Boozy Brooklyn Egg Cream; A childhood favorite for adults only

Sammy’s Romanian table side egg cream!

I love egg creams! Whether crafted from vanilla (Manhattan style) or made with Fox’s U-Bet chocolate syrup (Brooklyn style) they are a favorite treat with a long history. Traditionally they contain no egg or cream, just the perfect ratio of frosty cold milk, bubbly seltzer and sweet syrup. The inventor of this NY iconic beverage remains a mystery but…

A washed rind beauty made with love in NY.

Jos Vulto is a bit of a legend in cheese circles. Vulto, who hails from an art background, first started dabbling in cheesemaking while a partner in a Brooklyn metalworking shop. His natural talent was soon tasted by friends and his biggest supporter, his wife Miranda. Vulto met Miranda at PS1 after securing residency to craft sculptures from found…