Arakú and Happy Coffee Day!

Today is National Coffee Day. To celebrate, I’m posting this review of the best coffee liquor ever. Named Arakú to pay tribute to native inhabitants of Aragua state in my home country, it’s a must not only in my bar but also in my kitchen where it’s an ingredient to savory dishes and desserts.

Sevilla Libre y olé!

This is the Spanish version of the classic Cubalibre. It was recently presented at the Sevilla Premium Bartender Show, by Pablo Mosquera-Costoya, as a tribute to fascinating Sevilla, in Southern Spain. So refreshing, the rum is infused with spearmint and instead of regular bitters it calls for a spray of Angostura Orange Bitters. Olé!

Denizen

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email. It was an invitation to taste a “new” rum. But not a Ron de Venezuela, to which I’m so familiar. This was a blend of Trinidad and Jamaica rums, bottled in… The Netherlands!

Welcome Fall!

I know somewhere, there must be yellow, orange and red leaves, and the crisp breeze of autumn must be filling the air.

Black Bean Soup to celebrate my Latino DNA

Blame Florida: the most Latino of the United States. Or Miami: the "new" capital of Latin America. Or the fact that I’m having so much fun writing for Mamás Latinas. Or the Hispanic Heritage Month. Or San Antonio’s Mayor, Julián Castro (yes, with the accent in the á). The truth is I’m enjoying, like never before, the fact that I’m a Latina in the US. I think my Latino DNA is resurfacing and I like the feeling…

How to Trick Picky Eaters: Rigatoni with Vegetable Sauce

 Here is how you trick your children when they say “I don’t like vegetables.”

Brave Bull (México and Venezuela in a glass)

Because today is México’s Independence Day, my toast will be with tequila. Because I’m Venezuelan, my glass will also bring flavors and aromas from my home country. I found this recipe in Dale Degroff’s book The Craft of the Cocktail. I substituted Arakú for Kalhúa and it works just perfect!

1, 2, 3 Salsa (and Viva México!)

Tomorrow is Mexico’s Independence Day. Back in 1810, on September 16, parish priest of Dolores, Miguel Hidalgo, armed his filigrees and urged them, from the pulpit, to revolt against Spain. The “Cry of Dolores”, marks the beginning of the Mexican Independence War.

Rum and Strawberry Batida

When I discovered the pleasure of a rum batida, I promised to share every flavor. Honoring my word, here is the recipe for a vibrant strawberry one, as part of my #RumChallenge! Cheers!