This intoxicating Yuzu flavored drink is the #1 reason I will fly on Japan Airlines whenever possible. I was served Sky Time once on board when I flew with them 4 years ago and have never gotten over it. I haven’t stopped talking about this rare Japanese floral citrus drink ever since (sorry Mara!)

I’ve spent years scouring every Asian market in southern California (to no avail) so you can imagine my joy when on my most recent trip I saw this carton sitting there all alone in the refreshment section of the lounge. I’ve tried everything to get my greedy little hands on this drink. I’m positive all of the flight attendants think I’m nuts, but sadly I was informed that you can only order it from duty free if you live in Japan. Until then I will just have dream of the next “Sky Time.”

Made these the other night and had to share. If you love a classic cocktail, treat yourself and try this:

The Bijou Cocktail
1 ounce gin
1 ounce sweet vermouth
1 ounce green Chartreuse
1 dash of orange bitters
Stir with ice, strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with a cherry and a lemon twist.

Thanks, Robert!

While wondering through my new local Farmer’s Market in Larchmont Village last weekend I came across LUSH Pomegranate Juice. Eureka! I’ve been trying to find real pomegranate juice that: wasn’t from concentrate, didn’t have any other juices added and didn’t have any added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Go ahead, next time your at the store, take a minute and actually read the labels of what’s in all those juices. It’s scary. LUSH is just pomegranate juice, water and potassium sorbate. It’s $5 for a liter, market special of 6 bottles for $25.

I was inspired that night and put together this little cocktail:

• 2 oz. Pomegranate juice
• 2 oz. (Belvedere) vodka
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 1/2 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup

(Simple syrup is just a mixture of sugar and water. I keep some handy in a glass jar in the fridge.) Feel free to play with the amounts, I did; the measurements above are close though. Mix ingredients together in a shaker with ice, pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist. Repeat as necessary. Enjoy.

I first tried Blue Tea at the Vital T Leaf in Seattle and loved it instantly. Blue Tea is actually a green tea, and a good source of polyphenols and antioxidants. It’s slightly bitter and sweet at first, and I get hints of smoke and tobacco as well. You can get it online at Vital T Leaf—a best seller.

A friend got some Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier (Original Schlenkerla Smokebeer) for us to have with some smoked pork chops (from George’s Market, of course.) Wow, easily one of the most unusual beers I’ve had, but it pairs well with smoked meat. It’s malty and sweet with a real strong Hickory smoke flavor. This one’s for sipping, maybe on a cold day around a campfire or cook out. It’s made in Bamberg, a town in Bavaria, Germany.

This is one premium sake! Gekkeikan Horin is a “junmai daiginjo” sake made with select rice polished to 50% of its original size and is slowly fermented at low temperatures. It’s light with fruity notes and is (dangerously) easy to drink. A perfect paring for some fresh Yellowtail or Tuna. Serve slightly chilled and look to spend about $36 for a bottle.

Gekkeikan Horin Sake