Drink of the Week: Tempus Fugit Crème de Menthe

Once a staple ingredient in pre-Prohibition cocktails like the Fallen Angel and the Stinger, crème de menthe fell somewhat into obscurity in the years that followed. But recently, the minty liqueur has been re-emerging, and today’s Drink of the Week is a testament to that trend. The crème de menthe from Tempus Fugit Spirits infuses peppermint and spearmint in a base of distilled botanicals and cane sugar for a complex cocktail ingredient that’s packed with pure, fresh mintiness, flavors of fresh herbs and spice, and a silky mouthfeel. Add a splash to a mug of hot cocoa, or try it in any number of cocktails that call for a dose of minty brightness.
$30, klwines.com

What We’re Drinking Now: Wintry Stouts

Snow, pounding rain and gale-force winds—lately we’ve all been pummeled with every type of extreme winter weather imaginable. Thankfully, we’ve got a fridge stocked full of warming, wintry brews geared toward the cold weather—here’s a taste of a few stouts we’ve been sampling at the Imbibe office.

And for more winter weather-ready brews, check out “Oaky Dokey” from our January/February issue.

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
10% ABV, Brooklyn, New York
This might just be the ultimate fireside sipper. Each winter we anticipate the arrival of this imperial stout, with its malty body, creamy mouthfeel and bittersweet chocolate notes throughout. Beer and ice cream float in the dead of winter? We think so.

Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
9.2% ABV, Petaluma, California
Surprisingly easy-drinking given its high ABV, this coffee-infused stout combines notes of fresh-brewed beans, chocolaty caramel malts and just a touch of tangy fruit.

Odell Bourbon Barrel Stout
10.5% ABV, Fort Collins, Colorado
Whiskey, whiskey and more whiskey! Aged for four months in Kentucky bourbon barrels, this is a smooth and spirited stout with notes of caramel, chocolate and vanilla all influenced by its time spent in wood.

Sweetwater Happy Ending
9% ABV, Atlanta, Georgia
Heartily dry-hopped, this imperial stout keeps on giving with lingering notes of coffee, molasses, warming alcohol and a hint of hop bitterness. Definitely a beer that warms to the core.

Quick Sips: Tasty Bits from Around the Web

Meteorite-aged wine? One Chilean vintner gives it a go. Time

Build a better home bar with tips from the Columbia Room’s head bartender, Katie Nelson. Refinery 29

Mourning the sad passing of a GADF great. Denver Westword

A Seattle-area coffee shop built entirely out of shipping containers. Good

Debating cask-finished distillates. Seattle Weekly

Bonnie Prince Billy gets into the coffee biz. Rolling Stone

Drink of the Week: Lageder Beta Delta Lagrein/Merlot 2008

In our January/February issue, writer Katherine Cole delves into the realm of biodynamic winemaking—a holistic approach to viticulture that goes beyond natural and organic farming and into a world of buried animal skulls, herbal soil tinctures and farming by the lunar calendar. And though it might all sound a bit peculiar, the proof is in the bottle, as is the case with today’s Drink of the Week. Fifth-generation Italian winemaker Alois Lageder began experimenting with biodynamic farming in the 1990s, and in 2004 he decided to go biodynamic with all of his vineyards. Lageder’s mix of Lagrein and Merlot finds a delicious balance of ripe, juicy fruit and food-friendly acidity—just the kind of wine that begs to be enjoyed with a bowl of wintry soup. $22, wallywine.com

And for more biodynamic wine-buying tips, click here.

Quick Sips: Tasty Bits from Around the Web

Craving better beer? Grow your own ingredients. Fox News

A NYC server is allegedly caught stealing more than $6k worth of wine from a restaurant’s private stash. Gothamist

A simple guide to pairing drinks with desserts. CNN

David Chang and Dave Arnold join forces to open a molecular cocktail bar in Manhattan. New York Times

San Antonio premieres its first cocktail conference beginning next Thursday, organized by none other than Sasha Petraske. San Antonio Current

Drink of the Week: Ecco Caffè Ethiopia Yirgacheffe

For many of us, mornings just aren’t the same without coffee, but more and more, the bold bean is moving beyond the morning mug, and in our January/February 2012 issue, writer Paul Clarke explores the ever-growing world of coffee cocktails. And today’s Drink of the Week—the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe from Ecco Caffé—is versatile enough for both. Look for delicate floral aromas, ripe blueberry flavors, and loads of depth and acidity. $25/12 oz., eccocaffe.com

Quick Sips: Tasty Bits from Around the Web

Will a mild winter hurt this year’s ice wine crop? Weather.com

The barrel-aged cocktail craze continues its popularity climb. The Daily Meal

Plans to license an LSU beer seem to have fizzled out. Nola.com

It seems the cooler climes and lava-rich soils of Sicily make for some mighty tasty wines. USA Today

Strolling amid Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Empire past. Daily Mail

Drink of the Week: Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA

Forget what the label tells you—there’s nothing ruthless about this latest release from Sierra Nevada. Bright and snappy, this 55-IBU IPA offers loads of piney, grapefruity hops up front, followed by a supremely creamy mouthfeel, peppery rye spice and a clean, brisk, bittery hop finish. A replacement to Sierra Nevada’s Glissade spring seasonal, we’re already allocating fridge space to this beer for as long as it’s available. It ships from the brewery this week, so look for it on store shelves in the coming days. Sierranevada.com for distribution info.

Quick Sips: Tasty Bits from Around the Web

Food maker Sara Lee gains a foothold in the tea biz with the purchase of a big-name brand. Chicago Tribune

Utahans to say buh-bye to happy hours across the state. Myfoxdetroit.com

Get ready to open a nice, tall can of … Scotch whisky? Huffington Post

Starbucks raises its prices. Again. CNN

Guess which rapper just announced plans to open a beer and chicken joint in the Altanta airport? MTV