I generally like my beer on the darker side of the spectrum. West Coast style red ales are my all-time favorite. I also like a hoppy brown ale or a roasty porter. Kauai Island Brewery & Grill, the world’s westernmost brewery, serves a spectrum of beer, from light to dark. I … Read Entire Post
Kauai Beer Company opened its new tasting room in Lihue, Hawaii a little over a month ago. (You can tell it’s a brand new facility by the clean white walls and ceiling!) It’s currently open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12-6 p.m. I visited on Saturday and found the wooden bar … Read Entire Post
Kauai Coffee’s Koloa Estate is the largest coffee farm in the United States. The 3,100-acre coffee plantation is home to 4 million coffee trees—and it’s GMO-free. The coffee is grown in volcanic soil, where it’s touched by mountain rain, warm Pacific sunshine and gentle Hawaiian trade winds. And every coffee bean … Read Entire Post
San Diego is my favorite craft beer destination. San Diego Beer Week kicks off today and runs thru Nov. 10. I wish I could go! A 2-day beer tasting festival takes place Nov. 1-2. And over the next 10 days, breweries and restaurants will host more than 600 craft beer events. Later … Read Entire Post
Here’s another refreshing way to enjoy limoncello—and it’s super-easy! Recipe – Limoncello & Tonic 1 ounce chilled limoncello 1/2 cup tonic water Pour chilled limoncello into a glass (e.g. lowball glass, old fashioned glass, rocks glass, short tumbler). Fill glass with ice. Pour tonic water over ice. Stir. Garnish with a fresh … Read Entire Post
Recipe – Limonito I created this recipe specifically for my homemade limoncello and for you, Dark Surf Nightly readers! 2 ounces chilled limoncello 12 fresh mint leaves 1/2 cup club soda Pour chilled limoncello into a glass (e.g. lowball glass, old fashioned glass, rocks glass, short tumbler). Place mint leaves in glass … Read Entire Post
Limoncello is crisp, fragrant and the color of sunshine. It’s a great way to get a dash of summer brightness without the UV rays. Serve it after dinner or anytime really. Recipe – Limoncello 10 lemons (regular lemons or Meyer lemons) 750 ml vodka (preferably 80 proof; e.g. Skyy Vodka) 3 … Read Entire Post
The Dark Surf Nightly test kitchen has been pretty busy this summer. We’ve tested and perfected recipes for fun adult beverages like mojito shots, apricot vodka and apricot brandy. What’s next? My personal recipe for limoncello, an Italian-style lemon liqueur.
Recipe – Apricot Brandy 12 fresh apricots 600 ml brandy 8 ounces ultrafine sugar (a.k.a. baker’s sugar or caster sugar) Chop apricots into small pieces. Crack open stones (pits) to obtain the kernels. Place chopped apricots and whole kernels in a jar. Add brandy and sugar, making sure the fruit is covered. Seal jar and … Read Entire Post
Recipe – Apricot Vodka 2 1/4 cups vodka (preferably 80 proof; e.g. Skyy Vodka) 3/4 pound fresh apricots, chopped 1 vanilla bean (whole) 1 cup sugar 1 cup water cheesecloth 1 empty clean 750-ml bottle with cap, or jar with lid In a large glass bowl, combine vodka, apricots and vanilla bean (use … Read Entire Post
