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Monday, January 21, 2013

Dale DeGroff's Pimento Bitters

(should be at our other stores later today)

"King Cocktail"


We are proud to introduce to St. Louis....new bitters...

(all bottles are hand signed)

Dale DeGroff's Pimento Bitters...$19.99 / 250ml
(Pimento is the Jamaican word for Allspice)
Crafted entirely from whole botanicals, without commercial flavorings or artificial dyes, Dale DeGroff's Pimento Bitters is produced in the historic Combier distillery (Saumur, France) by infusing and distilling a blend of select botanicals.  Allspice berries provide the main flavor profile, layered with tropical and Mediterranean spices.  This versatile cocktail bitters enhances the flavor of cocktails without overpowering them.  In addition, the natrurally occurring essential oils of pimento are believed to aid digestion." - Dale Degroff

Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff, aka King Cocktail, developed his extraordinary techniques and talent tending bar at great establishments, most notably New York's famous Rainbow Room, where in the 1980's, he pioneered a gourmet approach to recreating the great classic cocktails. DeGroff has since been credited with reinventing the bartending profession, setting off a cocktail revival that continues to flourish. 

Winner of the James Beard Award for Wine & Spirits Professional and author of The Essential Cocktail and The Craft of the Cocktail (Random House). Dale DeGroff is a partner in the award-winning bar training program, Beverage Alcohol Resource and founding president of The Museum of the American Cocktail.Located in New Orleans, the museum celebrates the fascinating 200 year history of the cocktail and serves as an educational resource for aspiring mixologists. The museum features special exhibits, demonstrations, lectures and tastings that showcase cocktail history & culture as well as the great food traditions of the South.

Dale's most recent endeavor is his new Pimento Aromatic Bitters, a product he developed with renowned absinthe distiller Ted Breaux. 

As if these projects were not enough to keep him busy, Dale has also been performing a one man show around the country ca e country called "On the Town; A Tribute to Bars, Speaks, & Legendary Saloons!"

From Class Magazine
45% alc./vol.
Producer: Distillerie Combier, 48 Rue Beaurepaire, Saumur, France
As the brand name suggests, these pimento allspice bitters are the result of Dale DeGroff's enthusiasm for this previously almost forgotten cocktail ingredient. They are made by infusing and distilling a blend of select botanicals with allspice berries and Mediterranean spices. 
Appearance: Clear, chestnut brown with dark golden edges. 
Aroma: Pungent clove, liquorice and anise with cinnamon.
Taste: Bitter barky palate with hot black pepper, cinnamon and clove spice. More subtle nutmeg and ginger.
Aftertaste: Mouth drying lingering clove. As the term 'Aromatic Bitters' on the label suggests, this is stronger and punchier than pimento dram liqueurs.
rating: 5/5

Some recipes from DeGroff's Website
MORNING GLORY (Chicago style)
Stir well with lots of ice:
1 ounce (30ml) Martell VSOP Cognac]
1 ounce (30ml) Rye Whiskey
1 tsp rich simple syrup (two sugar to 1 water)
1 teaspoon Grand Marnier
1 dash (1/4 teaspoon) absinthe
2 dashes DD's Pimento Bitters Strain into chilled cocktail glass, add a healthy splash of brut champagne and twist a swatch of thin-cut lemon peel over the top.

PAINKILLER (Painkiller Variation)
2 ounces (60ml) Pussers Navy Rum
1 ounce (30ml) Coco Lopez
4 ounces (120ml) Pineapple Juice
1 ounce (30ml) Orange Juice
1 dash Dale DeGroff Pimento Bitters
Shake all ingredients with ice then strain over ice into a tall glass. Garnish w/fresh grated nutmeg over the top.

PRESTIGE COCKTAIL*
by Dale DeGroff
1 ounce (30ml) Bacardi 8 year old
1/4 ounce (8ml) Martini & Rossi dry vermouth
1/4 ounce (8ml) fresh lime juice
3/4 ounce (22ml) Velvet Falernum
1 ounce (30ml) Pineapple Juice
1 dash Dale DeGroff Pimento Bitters
Pineapple wedge & Lime Zest
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled double cocktail glass. Garnish with pineapple wedge and lime peel. 

DOUBLE-D MAI TAI (Dale's variation)
2 ounces (60ml) Plantation Rum
3/4 ounce (22ml) Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
3/4 ounce (22ml) Lime Juice
1/4 ounce (8ml) Orgeat Syrup
1/2 ounce (15ml) simple syrup
1 dash Dale DeGroff Pimento Bitters

Shake well with ice and strain into a double old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with mint sprint and a thin wheel of lime

PERFECT RUM MANHATTAN
by Carlos Cuenta
2 oz. Pampero Aniversario Rum,
.5 oz. Dolin Blanc
.5 oz. Cinzano Rosso Vermouth
2 dashes Dale DeGroff Pimento Bitters
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir for 20 seconds. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry. Salud!

MANHATTAN EAST*
1 1/2 ounce (50ml) Bourbon Whiskey
1/2 ounce (15ml) Dry Sake
2 dashes DD's Pimento Bitters
1 ounce (30ml) Domaine de Canton Liqueur

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel

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