If you’re like me, you’re a huge fan of  Mad Men. The fact that I work in an ad agency in New York is a big part of it, but it’s also just an awesome show (although I am currently 3 weeks behind. Not good).

When I’m watching, I like to have a drink. Partly because they are constantly drinking in the show, and partly because I drink too much already. A good glass of Scotch works well, but if you feel like taking the time to make a drink, a Manhattan does the trick! So here’s a simple recipe:

• 1.5 Parts Bourbon
• 1 Part Dry Vermouth
• 2 splashes of bitters
• 2 Maraschino Cherries and a spoonful of cherry juice

Mix well with ice, serve on the rocks.

Need the bitters? Yeah, that can take some time. Bitters are nonalcoholic (although some with alcohol do exist, these are not the norm), therefore most liquor stores do NOT sell them. But most big grocery stores will. The corner store might not though. So your bourbon and vermouth can be bought at one location, and the cherries and bitters at another.

So don’t get frustrated if you can’t find everything at once, and don’t give up and say “fuck it, I’m just not gonna use bitters.” You’re cheating yourself and you know it! If you’re going to make this drink, do it right!

Ok, so maybe wine of the week was a little ambitious. I admit I’ve been busy, and a little lazy, and after spilling coffee on my laptop, my “e” key no longer works. So I need to blog from work or my iPad until I get it fixed, or a new computer.

Anyway, I did try another wine that I did like, and being that I just mailed a check to the tax man today (no refund this year) I feel like having a drink. And since my wallet is a little lighter today than it was yesterday, I figured I’d talk about a wine that was good, and won’t break the bank.

Aroa is from Navarra and is a good blended wine. Cost about $14 and was great just to sip or goes well with a red sauce pasta dish. Not the heaviest wine I’ve had, but when I got it that wasn’t what I was looking for. I would give a good medium body wine with a good, but not overwhelming flavor. But what do I know? I’m still learning this stuff.

Anyway, if you want a good bottle for the weekend and you just took a hit on taxes like me, give this a try. Or if you’re really broke, Two Buck Chuck is always a quick fix.

You might have guessed that I fancy a good beer every now and then. One of my favorites to get either out at a bar, or to keep around the house, is a Brooklyn Lager or IPA. They go well with most meals and are just good tasting beers.

So yesterday I finally made my way out to the Brewery with a few friends to check the place out first hand. Unfortunately we didn’t make the last tour, but that didn’t stop us from having a few beers! The place is actually really cool and really just a big room with a bunch of tables, and some great beer. You have to buy tokens for beer, but you can get 5 for $20, which is a much better deal for good beer than any bar in Manhattan. They don’t serve food there, so they allow you bring whatever you want in. That means great business for the food truck parked outside.

With my 5 tokens I tried my hand at the IPA, being my favorite, the Blonde, the Brown Ale, and the Radius. Of course I liked them all, but after the IPA I would go with

the Radius. I hadn’t had it before, but it had a really good flavor for a lighter colored beer. Not to wheaty, and not at all bitter. Just a very smooth drink, ideal for summer.

We spent the rest of the night bouncing around Brooklyn, which I have to say is the first time I’ve done that. But I definitely want to go back! The Meatball Shop was an hour and half wait, so we scratched that idea and ended up getting some awesome Vietnamese sandwiches at a little place next door. That was another first for me, but it was awesome! And It’s so close to the L that I might go back just for a sandwich.

All in all, it was a pretty good day. Not to mention that I won $115 on college ball during all of this, so yeah, best Saturday I’ve had in a pretty long time. Well, since last week at least. Not sure when I’ll make it back out to the Brewery, but if you haven’t gone, go, and give me a call. I’ll totally join ya!