Drink of the Week: Ponzi Pinot Noir Rosé 2011

As we usher in May, we’re ready for some warm-weather sipping, which means it’s time for the new-vintage releases of spring-ready rosés. Today’s Drink of the Week—the 2011 Pinot Noir Rosé from Ponzi Vineyards—was the first of this new vintage to cross our desk, and if this bottle is any indication, our summer imbibing is looking rosy. Made from 100% Pinot Noir grown in Oregon’s Willamette Valley by one of the regions most lauded (and longstanding) producers, this sumptuous sipper offers aromas of fresh herbs and wild strawberries, rich tropical fruit flavors, and a playful balance of bright acid and residual sugar on the finish—just the thing to pair with whatever these changing seasons may bring. $15, ponziwines.com for distribution info

Win a Handmade Porcelain Tumbler From SKT Ceramics!

In the March/April New York Issue, we featured a handmade Rabbit Tumbler from Williamsburg potter Susannah Tisue as one of our Favorite Things. We're big fans of Tisue's work, and now's your chance to win one of her handmade porcelain Sheep Tumblers, perfect for your favorite hot or cold drink.

To make yourself eligible to win, simply click here to send us an email with your name, address and email. The deadline for entries is Monday, April 30, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time, and one lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced on Tuesday, May 1. Good luck!

Quick Sips: Tasty Bits from Around the Web

Starbucks agrees to remove bug-derived dye from its smoothies and pastries. CNN

A big-name coffee chain inks a deal to caffeinate Disney properties. CNBC

Tap into your inner Swede with DIY aquavit. Wall St. Journal

Are new European regulations for organic wines too lax? Reuters

Move over Cristal—rappers have a new bottle of bubby on the brain. The Guardian

Drink of the Week: Black Forest Cocktail

The Specialty Coffee Association of America Expo kicks off today, and we’re excited that our hometown is playing host to this year’s festivities. From seminars to coffee cuppings to barista competitions, thousands of coffee professionals and enthusiasts are gathered in Portland, Oregon for three days of coffee-fueled events, and to kick things off, we’re mixing up one of our favorite coffee cocktails and today’s Drink of the Week, the Black Forest. Combining chilled coffee with equal splashes of herbal Bénédictine and Italian maraschino liqueur, this cocktail proves that there’s more than one way to take your coffee—click here for the recipe. And if you’re in Portland for all the festivities, be sure to stop by booth #2013 and say hello to us!

Photo: Stuart Mullenberg

Win a Case of Sodas From Q Drinks!

The best spirits deserve the best mixers, which is why we're excited to give away some premium sodas from Q Drinks to one lucky imbiber. If you're this week's giveaway winner, you'll receive a mixed case of 24 eight-ounce bottles, including Q's club soda, tonic water and ginger ale—all great for sipping solo or mixing into your favorite cocktails.

To make yourself eligible to win this coveted case of sodas, simply click here to send us an email with your name, address and email. The deadline for entries is Monday, April 23, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time, and one lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced on Tuesday, April 24. Good luck!

Quick Sips: Tasty Bits from Around the Web

Can beer help you be more creative? NY Daily News

The latest vintage of white Burgundies. Wall Street Journal

A glimpse of what The Simpsons could look like if Homer traded his Duff for craft brews. USA Today

Champagne and pizza—a perfect pair? New York Times

Why coffee prices are falling to their lowest point in several years. AP

Drink of the Week: Pink Pigeon Rum

The modern rum renaissance continues with our latest sugar cane crush and today’s Drink of the Week—Pink Pigeon rum from Mauritius, an island republic off the coast of Madagascar. Named after an endangered feathery fowl, Pink Pigeon offers a delicious balance of sweetness and spice thanks to ingredients like molasses, vanilla and nutmeg. It recently debuted across the southwest and in Florida and will continue its nationwide rollout over the next year. It’s delicious mixed in traditional tiki-style cocktails and in the summer-ready Pink Pigeon Punch with fresh watermelon juice, agave and ginger beer.
$36, bevmo.com

Pink Pigeon Punch
7 oz. Pink Pigeon rum
3 oz. fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz. agave nectar
7 oz. fresh watermelon juice
12 oz. ginger beer
Ice cubes
Tools: pitcher or punchbowl, large spoon
Glass: punch
Garnish: fresh watermelon wedge (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or punchbowl and gently stir to combine. Pour into glasses and garnish.

Win a Quartet of Bitters From Brooklyn Hemispherical!

If you haven't tried the Mango Sriracha cocktail featured in the March/April 2012 issue, now's your chance to get your hands on one of the key ingredients, Brooklyn Hemispherical's Sriracha Bitters, a piquant mix of habanero, serrano and Scotch bonnet chile peppers packed with bright citrus notes and a warming spice that ramps up on the finish. Brooklyn Hemispherical is giving away a quartet of bitters to one lucky imbiber, including their Meyer Lemon, Sriracha, Black Mission Fig and Rhubarb bitters.

To make yourself eligible to win, click here to send us an email with your name, address and email. The deadline for entries is Monday, April 16, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time, and you must be at least 21 years old to win. One lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced on Tuesday, April 17. Good luck!

Quick Sips: Tasty Bits from Around the Web

If social media sites were cocktails what would they taste like? The Atlantic

A Spanish winery taps into solar energy. Forbes

Kirin’s “soft serve”-style frozen beer foam hits the streets of Tokyo. Gizmag

A SF bartender is assaulted with a pair of high-heel shoes, offers an award for info on the perps. Grubstreet

A new wine investment firm takes a few tips from Wall Street. SF Gate

Which home remedies best remove wine stains? Today

Drink of the Week: Irving Farm Gotham Blend

In our March/April New York issue, we celebrate New York's past and current coffee scene, and today's Drink of the Week is a great example of what the Empire State has brewing these days. The Gotham blend from Irving Farm Coffee Company is roasted on a renovated farm in New York’s Hudson Valley. It's a dark, broody mix of beans from Africa and Central America, and it offers up notes of bittersweet chocolate, dried figs and some smoke and spice—the perfect morning-to-evening kind of coffee. $14/12 oz., irvingfarm.com

Win VIP Passes to the Manhattan Cocktail Classic!

The countdown has begun for one of our favorite events of the year—the Manhattan Cocktail Classic. This year's event takes place May 11-15 and will once again celebrate the amazing cocktail culture of New York City with more than 100 events spread across five boroughs. There will be parties, seminars and tastings at some of the cities best cocktail venues, and we're excited to be giving away 2 VIP passes to one lucky imbiber!

The VIP pass provides access to the Gala, the Industry Invitational, the Indie Spirits Expo and the Anti-Gala. To make yourself eligible to win, click here to send us an email with your name, address and email. The deadline for entries is Monday, April 9, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time, and you must be at least 21 years old to win and attend. One lucky winner will be chosen at random and announced on Tuesday, April 10. Good luck!

Quick Sips: Tasty Bits from Around the Web

Just in time for Easter, egg-shaped wine fermenters are making a splash. Washington Post

Kosher wine done right. Wall Street Journal

Brazil lawmakers might allow beer sales in stadiums for 2014 World Cup games. USA Today

Molson Coors pays a cool $3.5 million for a European brewing conglomerate. LA Times

The world’s most expensive cocktails. ManCaveDaily.com

Forget the Martini, James Bond is about to switch to some suds. Daily Mail