-In honor of the restaurant's 30th anniversary, the people at Las Casuelas Terraza in Palm Springs have created a special anniversary margarita.
Made with Herradura silver, Grand Marnier, Cointreau and a splash of sweet and sour, the taste is both classic and smooth.
Senior bartender Silverio Vargas, just shy of his own 30th anniversary at the restaurant, recommends drinking this one on the rocks for the very best flavor.
As an added bonus, this $9.95 margarita comes in a special anniversary glass, which guests can take home when they're done.
By the way, don't miss the restaurant's annual Cinco de Mayo celebration — a day-long fiesta starting at 11 a.m. May 5.
Activities will feature performances by local folklorico dancers "Retoños de Mexico," live musical entertainment, dining, dancing and giveaways.
-Here are a few of my favorite things: Photo booths. Ping-pong tables. A chill soundtrack that easily slips from Beirut to Velvet Underground. Fig vodka. A dark, cavernous bar packed with fun, artsy types.
You'll find all of those things at the new Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. The vibe is hip and playful without being pretentious or intimidating.
Inside the hotel bar, the Amigo Room, I sipped on the Figa, made with fig-infused vodka, earl grey tea and honey tangerine.
It's slightly spicy and earthy with a robust fruit flavor. Plus, it makes you feel fancy for just $8 — a great deal, considering most other places around here would charge $15 for the same cocktail.
The bar's policy is to make their own mixers whenever possible, using fresh, organic ingredients, which means most every drink on the menu is equally delicious.
The Amigo Room is located at the Ace Hotel, 701 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
-Daniel Thomas is my new favorite person.
Thomas, the beverage manager at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, can make a mean drink — which is obviously endearing. But he also makes a point of using fresh, local ingredients, as seen in the bold Palm Date Martini.
This is a guy's cocktail, something you could easily swig with your next cigar. The beer and rum combine for a dark, spicy flavor, slightly sweetened by muddled dates.
I promise, it's like nothing you've ever tasted before.
Find this drink at any of the fine restaurants at Fantasy Springs in Indio or give it a shot at home.
Palm Date Martini
2 oz. Cruzan blackstrap rum
1 ounce 1554 black ale beer
2-3 fresh dates
½ ounce rock candy syrup
Instructions: Muddle fresh dates with rum. (Tip: After mudding the dates, use your bar spoon to lift the dates from the bottom of the glass. They tend to stick otherwise.)
Add the rest of the ingredients. Shake until combined. Strain into a cocktail glass.
- Admit it. Your screwdriver could use a little oomph.
Thankfully, Absolut has come to the rescue with its exotic new mango flavor.
Absolut Mango drips with the distinctive taste of juicy, sun-ripened fruit. Plus, it's made from all-natural ingredients and contains no sugar or added sweeteners. It's practically a health food.
This vodka can be enjoyed neat or over ice, but it is particularly luscious when paired with something zesty.
My choice is Absolut Mango Spice cocktail. I served up some of these for a party last weekend, and my guests clamored for more, even after the bottle was long gone.
Absolut Mango Spice
1 parts Absolut Mango
1 part mango nectar
2 slices jalapeño
1/2 part agave syrup
3/4 fresh lime
Dash orange bitters
Instructions: Muddle jalapeño, agave syrup and mango nectar. Add remaining ingredients. Shake with ice and fine strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a jalapeño slice.
