So You've Sorted The Steak, But What Are You Drinking?

Steak, glorious steak. It’s any meat lovers dream, isn’t it? Done right, a decent steak is a no-fuss way of getting your meat fix in one hit. Add thick cut chips and onion rings, and you've got a plate to set anyone's mouth watering. We love steak so much, in fact, that we took a close look at a few favorite New York steakhouses. If you haven’t tried them yet, you really should.

But, whether you’re buying from the pros or cooking up your own steak fest with the best cast iron skillet money could buy, you may be guilty of forgetting one crucial factor. And, no, we aren’t talking about your onion rings. We’re referring to the drink you choose to go with your meaty meal.

Everyone knows the horror of undoing a fantastic plate of food with the wrong refreshment. While this is often an afterthought, it’s the one thing that can ruin you (or your chef’s) efforts. As such, it’s worth sparing a thought for your drinks ahead of time. But, what exactly could you pick to complement your meal?

Red red wine

Nothing works quite as well for complementing red meat as red wine. Imagine all those beautiful red hues together. How much would the colors of your glass bring that red river of sweet blood to life? Alright, enough with the poetics. The fact is, the hearty depths of a full-bodied wine taste bloody fantastic with steak. See what we did there? Anyway, the thing to remember here is that you need something bold. A glass of Shiraz is always a good bet, or a Cabernet Sauvignon. Bear in mind that different wines pair with different steaks. A steak with fat on it, can balance the strong tones of wines like those mentioned. A lean steak, on the other hand, could work with a lighter option.

What about white?

To some people, the idea of pairing white wine with steak is a sin. But, we’re calling them out. In reality, dry white wine can work just as well here as red. This works exceptionally well if you add an acidic touch to your meal. A small drizzle of lemon or white wine vinegar across your steak could make a Pinot Grigio the perfect accompaniment. It’s also worth noting that rose can work pretty well here, but we’ll leave that shock for another day…

But, it doesn’t get better than beer

All that wine business aside, many would still argue that you can’t beat a beer, and we don’t disagree. As much as wine can compliment those flavors, it just doesn’t have the refreshing note of an icy cold pint. Unlike the deep tones of wine, you may be best off opting for a light beer or ale in this instance. Pale or amber ale always work well, as does lager. The key to remember here that the main thing you’re looking for is refreshment. Focus on that, and a decent steak is sure to follow.

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Beer Gardens Not To Miss In NYC

As the weather becomes warmer and the summer months start to approach, what better way to spend your day than sitting outside with friends enjoying a cold pint of beer? Beer gardens are a popular and favorite among New York locals as a way to relax and enjoy yourself during the summer months. Below are the top beer gardens to visit in NYC.

Photo via @Jayh7779

The Standard Biergarten

Located at the Standard Hotel, this beer garden is known to be pretty cheap when comparing it to the other Standard Hotel venues. Customers should expect beers like the traditional Ayinger Weisse and Koestritzer Dark beer. All drinks are served at picnic tables alongside brats, currywurst and pretzels. Forget traveling to Germany, the Standard will give you the experiences you came looking for.

Zum Schneider

This place will bring you back to your days at Oktoberfest. Located in Alphabet City, this beer garden attracts beer lovers and German expats from all over. Customers can choose from a dozen German brews on tap. You can also enjoy all types of German foods while experiencing fun events with live music.

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden

This authentic Czech beer garden is located in Queens and is a huge hit for family and friends during the summer time. Customers can sit outside on picnic tables under the trees while enjoying small plates of sausage and other small delights. You can purchase a variety of European and domestic beers (pints $6, pitchers $16). Known to be one of the largest and oldest outdoor drinking venue in the city, this place is a must try.

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7 Ways To Celebrate National Tequila Day

Cindo de Mayo may have passed but with all the extra tequila you have laying aorund, you can put to good use as Tuesday is National Tequila Day. Wether you have it on the rocks, in a margarita or as a shot we've compiled a list of the top tequilas to try out. So drink up.

For those of you who want to celebrate in style, drink like George Clooney and Rande Gerber’s with their ultra-premium tequila, Casamigos. Casamigos is available in with Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. The Casamigos flavor notes should be enhanced not masked and rather than salt or lime (like pictured above) we recommend pairings like cucumbers with Casamigos Blanco Tequila, grapefruit slices with Casamigos Reposado Tequila and Oranges with Casamigos Anejo Tequila. We suggest Casamigos Reposado and Añejo Tequila to whiskey, bourbon and brandy drinkers. Both are great with classic cocktails and can be easily swapped for a Manhattan, Negroni, or Old Fashioned.

For those who want a luxury tequila don't miss out on Grand Mayan’s handcrafted Ultra Aged Tequila, priced at $89.99 is produced with the purest, central-highland Blue Agave with the highest standards of production. Aged in American & French oak casks, this rich, small-batch Extra Anejo takes 10 years to produce from agave plant to hand-painted ceramic decanter.  Grand Mayan Ultra Aged is a blend of three, four and five-year-old tequilas. With incredible smooth aromas, a body of sweet agave, nuts and chocolate, Grand Mayan is succulent on the palate and leads to a layered and delicious long finish.

Volcan De Mi Tierra Blanco delivers an austere and herbaceous flavor spectrum from the lowlands agave, blended with finesse, citrus and floral notes of the highlands. Blanco is best enjoyed mixed into cocktails or served neat. Recently spotted at Khloe Kardashian’s July 4th pool party, can be tasted in the cocktails at Daniel Humm’s Eleven Madison Park, and was the spirit of choice at this year’s Golden Globes. 

Partida Tequila is an authentic estate-bottled premium Tequila, made from 100% blue agave in the heart of Mexico’s historic Tequila region. Aged at a minimum of 40 months, Elegante is an Extra Añejo. Its complex aromas come with deep notes of toasted oak, dark chocolate, coffee and ripe banana. The palate entry is slightly toasty, peppery and spicy. Every sip of Elegante confirms not only the initial aromas but also new and different flavors such as agave, vanilla, caramel, bourbon, butter, maple, almonds, hazelnuts, black pepper, citrus flowers and more. Priced at $374.99 this is truly for special occasions, such as National Tequila Day!

From Greenbar Distillery, IXA Tequila is an organic tequila with notes of rich agave, herbs, and clay, with a buttery finish. The best way to try IXA tequila with margaritas or mixed with aromatic liqueurs, bitters, or vermouth.

For those who want to celebrate National Tequila day in the Summer heat, we recommend trying out FrutaPOP an alcohol-infused ice pop made with healthy, natural ingredients without any added sugars, syrups or dyes. All alcohol-infused ice pops, also known as “poptails” contain less than 5% ABV. FrutaPOP also has a line of non-alcoholic ice pops including coffee ice pops and fruit and juice pops. 

Drinks To Make At Home

From HelloFresh, enjoy the day with a Watermelon Basil Margarita that will surely be a crowd pleaser as watermellon is appearing to be the fruit of the Summer.

INGREDIENTS

For the basil simple syrup:

• 1 Cup Raw Sugar

• 1 Cup Water

• 1/2 Cup Packed Fresh Basil Leaves

For the margarita:

• 1 1/2 Ounces Tequila

• 1 Ounce Lime Juice

• 1/2 Ounce Basil Simple Syrup

• 2 Ounces Watermelon Juice

• Ice

• Lime Wedge, for rim

• Salt, for rim

• Basil, for garnish

METHOD:

• Prepare the basil simple syrup by combining sugar, water, and basil in a pan. Heat until sugar dissolves, then set aside to let cool. Once cooled, strain into a jar and refrigerate up to two weeks.

• Combine tequila, lime juice, basil simple syrup, and watermelon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.

• Before pouring, coat rim of glass with a lime wedge, then dip in salt and rotate until fully coated.

• Strain cocktail into glass with ice and garnish with a sprig of basil.

For those of you who want to make a cocktail at home, we recommend the Cazadores Iced Tea-Quila crafted by Manny Hinojosa, Global Brand Ambassador for Tequila CAZADORES

CAZADORES ICED TEA-QUILA

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 oz. Tequila CAZADORES Reposado

• ½ oz. Green Chartreuse

• 2 oz. Ginger Beer

• 2 oz. Fresh Brew Earl Grey Tea

• ½ oz. Lemon

• Pinch of Nutmeg

METHOD:

In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients except the fresh brew tea with ice. Serve on the rocks and top with fresh brew tea. Garnish with slices of lemon and ginger.

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Red Wine To Drink All Summer

When you think of red wine, do you think of those hot summer days when you need a drink to quench your thirst? Or do you think about curling up by a fire in mid-December with a book and a glass of your favorite Sauvignon? Probably the latter, right?

A summer red can be surprisingly satisfying if you know which ones to look for. A Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot, for example, might be too heavy for the warm weather, but there is no shortage of others to be considered.

When getting down to the nitty-gritty, most wine experts agree that summer wines should never include those with more than 14 percent alcohol, as they can be overbearing in the heat. Luca Delogu, owner of Miami Mediterranean restaurant Panarea, additionally advises against wines high in tannins, such as recent vintage Bordeaux, Borlos, and Cabernets from Napa Valley. He says their bitterness will often become exacerbated in the summer, and to instead look for wines coming from cooler climates, like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Francs, or Tempranillo-based wines from Spain. French wines, in particular, are among the best for the season.

As far as reds made in the Northern Rhône style go, you can’t go wrong with the 2015 Côtes du Rhône Rouge ($15). One of the world’s best value red wines, this full-bodied, aromatically intense Syrah is best enjoyed with barbeque flavors and spices, so gather your family and friends for a cookout ASAP!

Delogu recommends the Côtes du Rhône from France: “These wines are fruit-driven but also subtle and sensual. They are the anti-Cabernet, never ponderous or overly complicated.”

By contrast, the 2017 Young Red ($16), the first vintage of Bonterra Organic Vineyards, adheres to the Grenache-base we are more accustomed to seeing with lighter wines. With aromas of red roses, fig, red berries, and orange peel, and a palate of raspberries, watermelon rind, and pomegranate, this wine blossoms into a lively flavor once served chilled.

2017 Young Red

Guigal Crozes Hermitage Rogue 2015

2015 Saint-Joseph Rouge

Another good choice is the 2015 Saint-Joseph Rouge ($35), which is layered with gentle flavors of red berries and oak aromas that pair nicely with grilled meat.

And lastly, if you are looking for a heavier wine, we recommend the Bonterra 2015 Merlot ($16). A combination of dark berries and wood smoke, it is the perfect red to accompany meats right off the grill. It has an elegant style and balance, soft tannins and a long finish, with hints of plum and vanilla spice.

Looking to incorporate any of these reds into the perfect sangria? Time to break out some citrus!

Classic Spanish Sangria

• 1 750ml bottle of dry red wine
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 orange
• 1 ½ cups of rum
• ½ cup of white sugar
• 1 cup of orange juice

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Chandon Just Announced Their 7th Annual Summer Dazzler

The latest pairing of brut and rosé sparkling wine bottles that debut each year during Memorial Day Weekend officially kick off the summer, and give fans a festive accessory to bring to any summer occasion – the beach, family barbecues, rooftop gatherings, bridal showers and more!

Designed to celebrate Chandon’s American heritage, the eye-catching design of the brut features cerulean beach umbrellas, while the rosé is wrapped in chic sunhats in ombré shades from pink to red.  

Not only does it look good on the outside by the notes consist of apple, pear and citrus flavors and aromas, Chandon California American Summer Brut has a hint of spice that leads to a soft, dry finish. The pretty pink Chandon California American Summer Rosé consists of flavors of ripe strawberry, juicy watermelon and fresh red cherry, which is creamy on the palate with a defined structure of Pinot Noir added in its final stages.

The 2018 limited-edition American Summer bottles will be available from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Chandon.com, as well as select retailers nationally, for $24 per bottle.

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Summer Drinks To Drink This Memorial Day Weekend

If you're planning a little Memorial Day Weekend get together, you've come to the right place. Since we know there's no better way to get the party started than with creative and fruity cocktails or fan favorites, we've put together some of our favorites drinks of the season. Read through to check out some of these delicious summer cocktail recipes.

Our Favorite Beers

Celebrating its Birthday, The Sam Adams Summer ale is now legal, as it enters its 21st Birthday. We have been long fans of this Summer staple and this year Sam Adams is bringing some new friends into the picture. Below are our favorites and the best way to pair your beer.

 Summer Ale – This summer staple is celebrating its 21stbeer-day! What better way to celebrate warmer and longer days than a refreshing beer with lemon peel, Grains of Paradise, and Saaz Noble hops.

Session IPA (NEW!) – With its bright citrus hop aroma and nice bitterness, this beer is an easy-drinking IPA to enjoy at any summertime beach or backyard BBQ.

Golden Hour (NEW!) – Spicy, floral German Noble hops provide a dose of complexity with a light biscuit note from the pilsner malt. The result is a slightly hazy, medium-bodied brew that finishes softly with a hint of crisp, clean bitterness.

Tropic of Yuzu (NEW!) - This exotic beer is infused with rare Japanese fruit for a citrusy punch with hints of tangerine and grapefruit.

Speaking of Yuzu (This seasons new trend?) Truly Spiked & Sparkling launched its newest style, Truly Spiked & Sparkling Lemon & Yuzu. Truly Spiked & Sparkling has caught fire amongst drinkers and has quickly become the go-to spiked sparkling water, a category poised to be this spring and summer's biggest alcohol trend. The new Lemon & Yuzu style is part of Truly Spiked & Sparkling's growing line of spiked beverages, including Colima Lime, Grapefruit & Pomelo, Pomegranate, and Sicilian Blood Orange. 

Our Favorite Wines

You know we we love a good Rosé and the crowd pleasing Sterling Vineyards Vintner’s Collection Rosé 2016  is on top of our list. With a luminous pale pink, marked by lifted aromas of summer strawberries and subtle florals.

RELATED: It's Official #ReturnofRoseSeason

A blend of Syrah and Tempranillo sourced from the Central Coast of California, its palate has a richness balanced by a refreshing, racy acidity and flavors of pink citrus and orange blossom. A value at $12 a bottle, it’s ideal for your Memorial Day BBQ.

The 2016 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé from France’s Rhone Valley is a favorite among rosé lovers in the know. An excellent example of the French region, it’s a serious rosé wine that is still approachable for everyday enjoyment, and sure to please the palates of those who are discovering the wine this rosé season. Produced in the traditional saignée method from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, this structured, dry rosé is bursting with red fruit flavors and aromas, like raspberry and red currant, balanced with an intriguing minerality on the finish. 

2016 Blindfold California White  – A unique blended white wine created by The Prisoner Wine Company to complement the cult-California producer’s namesake wine. Just like The Prisoner’s red blend, Blindfold marries a number of delicious and interesting white varietals, Chardonnay, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Chenin Blanc, to create a bold and intriguing wine that is as striking as the label on the bottle. Inviting aromas of honeysuckle, grilled white peach, and apricot linger harmoniously with a luscious entry of familiar cold weather flavor, toasted hazelnut, making this wine the perfect foil to darker, complex reds for winter sipping.

Our Favorite Cocktails

Pop-Sea-Cle

Nothing beats Memorial Day weekend than a nice refreshing drink. Check our favorites below.

Pop-Sea-Cle - Courtesy of North River Lobster Company at Pier 81

Brut Prosecco, Cordial and Popsicle; Choose from Elderflower, Melon or Aperol

Aperol Spritz

• 3 Parts Cinzano Prosecco
• 2 Parts Aperol
• 1 Dash Soda
• Ice and a slice of Orange

Method: Add ice and a slice of orange, pour in the Prosecco, the Aperol and add a dash of soda. This avoids the Aperol settling at the bottom.

Red Hot Sangria - Made with Stillhouse Whiskey

• 1 can - Stillhouse Red Hot
• 1 bottle - Malbec
• 12 oz - Mango Juice
• 24 oz - Ginger Ale
• Lemon Wheels
• Orange Wheels
• Cinnamon Sticks

Hinterland Punch (Serves 6-8) Created by Josh Mazza

• 12oz Jägermeister
• 5oz Grenadine
• 10oz Ruby Red Grapefruit
• 20oz Roobis tea
• 1 Bottle (26oz) Sparkling Rosé
• 8oz raspberries
• 8oz strawberries

Method

1. Add edible flowers to tea and freeze in a bread pan
2. Combine other ingredients in a punch bowl
3. Add frozen tea/flowers
4. Cut berries and add into punch

Negroni Sbagliato

• 1 oz. Campari
• 1 oz. Cinzano 1757
• 1 oz. Cinzano Prosecco

Method: Build ingredients over ice in rocks glass. Garnish with an orange slice.

Hibiscus Dragon Fruit Margarita

• 2 oz Patron Reposado Tequila
• 2 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
• .75 oz Cinnamon Hibiscus syrup
• .50 oz Fresh Lemon
• .25 oz Triple sec
• Pinch of Sea Salt
• 2 Dashes Hellfire Bitters

Method: Add all ingredients into a shaking tin and fill half way with ice. Shake for 5 seconds and strain into a hollowed out Dragon Fruit with ice. Garnish with Pineapple Spikes, Mint and flaming lemon half.

New Amsterdam Mango Sunrise

• 1½ parts New Amsterdam® Mango
•  2 parts orange juice
• A splash of lemon-lime soda

Method: Shake the vodka sunrise ingredients together in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Strain this delicious mango vodka drink into a rocks or highball glass filled with ice. Garnish the cocktail with a mango wedge and mint leaf.

Red Hot Sangria

Negroni Sbagliato

Hinterland Punch

Mango Sunrise

Aperol Spritz

Hibiscus Dragon Fruit Margarita