29 June - Tasting Summer at The Iron Horse Hotel

Summer. Feel the sun on my skin, the smell of natural oils mixed with lotion. Listen to the cars zooming by on their way to unknown destinations, the occasional bass booming from an open window donning a 20-something in Ray Ban's...all welcome company. I smell marinated flank steak cooking on the barbie and think of my favorite frequents...Summerfest, La Merenda for cuisine, live music anywhere and Iron Horse Hotel for cocktails.

Featured on the "Today Show" and Conde Nast's "Travelers Hot List for 2009", the Iron Horse captures the essence of edgy chic and casual cool. With an eclectic decor of primitive antiques, wrought iron, amber glass and Edison bulbs, this hotel has attracted world travelers. It sits at the base of a historic and active railroad. "Iron Horse" is what Native Americans used to call the train. The modern day interpretation of "Iron Horse" is the motorcycle. Eloquently enough, a guest will find the new Harley-Davidson Museum nearby.

"When you come to a hotel like this, you don't want to order a cosmo at the bar. It's already been done and too mainstream. I would expect to see trained bartenders who take the classic cocktail, then twist and resurface them on the menu," says Dustin Drankiewicz, resident mixologist and head bartender of the Iron Horse.

The weekly task was tasting the 10 new Signature Cocktails of Branded, the main bar and restaurant of the Iron Horse. These are to be introduced this week. Branded's signature cocktails are infused with certain herbs and spices. With names like Ginger Snap, Apple Jacques, Reviver and Beeka, after Dustin's grandmother, what's not to pique one's interest? And of course, I had to bring a crew of discriminating palates...John, Yvette and Cora. The overall comments were "refreshing, unique, crisp and perfect spectrum of exactly what you want." The thought process behind creating this season's span of rock drinks was to use fresh herbs to enhance the flavor profiles, stay on the sweeter side, and the use of simple syrups. All products are from the distributor Capitol-Husting. And all alcohol bases are infused by Dustin himself.

Dustin uses only fresh ingredients and herbs to infuse and garnish the specials -- from lemongrass, rosemary, sage, basil to granny smith apples. He tends to avoid the neutral spirits like vodka but prefers gin, bourbon, vermouth and whiskey to infuse. And he is quite select in using Rehorst products and tastes like St. Germain, a liqueur based on the Elderflower from the Alps.

Being a mixologist, there comes a wealth of much knowledge. As Dustin was describing some of the ingredients, he would launch off on the history of Milwaukee-based Rehorst, or how the heirs of Chambord branched into two products, Canton, a ginger-based cognac and St. Germain. I asked how Dustin began his interest in mixology. "I was bartending and cooking in Las Vegas for two years...with someone who kept up with educating himself on different techniques of cooking. He would feed me knowledge. This sparked a passion for experimenting with herbs and spices. I would go home and start cooking with different tastes. This eventually spilled over to mixology.... Gary Regan was a big influence. [From reading his books on mixology] I realized there were different levels of bartending -- making classic cocktails versus serving a beer."

Thus began Dustin's new creative outlet and interest in experimenting with different flavor profiles. He told us of a story that while making fish tacos, he decided to garnish them with sage. He took a sip of lemonade with the sage taste still on his palate and thought the two blended nicely. Mix in taking a bite of a pear, thus came his idea of "Cristal Flower"...a pear- and sage-infused gin with lemon juice, ginger simple syrup and St. Germain. Complemented with a sprig of rosemary inhaled with the sip, it won us over. John said it was the quintessential outside drink on a good hot summer day. This was Yvette's favorite.

The next cocktail, The Reviver, is Dustin's take on a "pick me up", serving the same purpose of the classic Bloody Mary. The twist is using the anise taste of Absinthe, St. Germaine, Lillet Blanc, a white wine vermouth, lemon juice and Plymouth Gin. The beauty of this, in our opinion, was the hint of licorice was subtle with a nice citrus taste. To me, after letting it sit, it seemed the taste opened up like the bouquet of a red wine. It marinated and mellowed.

The Apple Jacques was quite interesting. Comments on this was "complex taste and establishes its own category." Dustin used a coriander simple syrup, muddled basil and ginger, lemon juice and rye whiskey infused with granny smith apples. Simply delightful.

The Ginger Snap was not only aesthetically pleasing, but one of our favorites in taste. It contained gin, Canton, cinnamon simple syrup, ginger beer, mint and lime juice. It is interesting to note the ginger. Dustin mentioned he likes to keep up with the latest trends, confirming why I have seen more ginger beers in a few restaurants in Milwaukee.

The next cocktail was mine and Cora's personal favorite, Pineapple Smash. All the flavor profiles suited me, as I am a big fan of basil. My husband and I make a lime basil granita in the summer months. The peach simple sugar, lemon juice, basil, Rehorst gin infused with pineapple was excellent.

Ol' Donny Boy...our comments? The best-scented. A Mexican Mimosa, as John called it. This incorporates the citrus of orange, lemon, lime and cherry with Agave simple syrup and tequila. Pleasant remnant of nostalgia of breakfast with my family as a child.

The Beeka is named after Dustin's grandmother, due to its "sweet and stern" nature at the same time. He incorporates a taste of Wisconsin with Door County Cherry-infused brandy.

The remaining cocktails are Pryor Street with an orange blossom liqueur garnished with rosemary, Round #1 with Barcadi's Dragon Berry (strawberry), and Nacional with essences of peach and apricot.

Truly, this breadth of signature cocktails spans the spectrum of discriminating palates as there is something here for everyone. I look forward to enjoying a few on Iron Horse's outdoor patio, "The Yard." The ambience simulates friends' rooftop lounges in Chicago...a feeling of home. I also look forward to checking in with Dustin next season to see what more he has learned and with whose paths he crossed that may have left a new influence. "You are as good as the people you empower yourself with."

Well said, my friend. Be sure to pay Dustin a visit and taste a bit of summer.

More information on the Iron Horse can be found at http://www.theironhorsehotel.com/.

22 June - Finding (h(om)e)

This might sound silly, but I have been coveting a (h(om)e) handbag that I envisioned in my head for at least eight months. Local designer Heather Hambrecht creates one-of-a-kind versatile leather goods -- handbags, "buddha belts", wallets and backpacks. We discussed a holster with three pockets that would allow me to be hands-free -- snug enough to wear under a coat, but loose enough to wear over a tank or vest. I walked into her Bay View studio, which she constructed herself, and fell in love with my new piece. In my adoration for her artwork, Heather also introduced me to an incredible dress. Feminine and edgy. These were my coveted new things.

In working with Heather, there is a very zen-like quality about her as she moves eloquently about the room. Her natural beauty exudes serenity and an all-knowing confidence. In speaking with her, she seems to live in the moment...not knowing necessarily what the future holds, but being open enough to welcome it and strong enough to move through it. I wondered what inspires her style and the history that created her thought process.

For most of her life, Heather was transient. Her travels began at 17, when she graduated early from high school with high marks. She accepted a teaching scholarship in Brazil; thereafter, moved to Vancouver, traveled to Maui, lived in Washington, DC and San Francisco. She reached as far as Tokyo, traveling as a theatrical makeup and wig stylist with different operas (this one in particular featured Placido Domingo.) Being on the road so much, Heather had sewn all her own garments. She found this easier to adjust to the different climates. When Heather accepted an apprenticeship with mentor Jeffrey Frank, owner of a historic landmark theatrical company on the east coast, she packed only her sewing machine and fabric.

Heather recalls being introduced to sewing at a relatively young age. At 11 years old, she asked her mom to make her a dress to fit her tall slim form. So her mother took Heather to buy a pattern and showed her how to thread the sewing machine. She then turned to her daughter and said, "Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!"

"When in cities where there was no fabric, being on a tight schedule and no means of getting around, I would ask the hotel staff if they had any old sheets or pillow cases," Heather laughed, recalling those memories. For a quick alteration in color, she would pick up RIT dye at the local corner store. If she found herself heading to the coast, and wanted to go for a swim, she made herself a bathing suit out of tights and a pair of scissors. The constant change in environments forced Heather to be resourceful and adjust with the ebb and flow...of life.

And people from the varying operas and strangers began to notice. When exploring a local farmer's market or her favorite pastime of sidewalk sales, strangers would stop Heather and ask where she found her coat or handbag. "It was nice when you didn't know anyone in the city and you meet an interesting person you connect with," recalled Heather. These random people quickly became clients -- all across the country.

What welcome affirmation. When Heather headed back to Milwaukee in 2005 to decompress and reconnect, Kate Blake of Shoo noticed Heather's personal style as well. Kate asked if Heather could bring some handbags into the shop. She managed Heather's expectations and explained in Milwaukee's market, it might take some time for Heather's style to catch on. After the first piece moved, so did Heather's exposure and career. She developed her wearable garments and was featured in several fashion shows. Heather gained distribution in boutiques such as Lela in Milwaukee, Citysoles in Chicago and Minneapolis. The style of each piece showed versatility -- a "multi functional aspect so one can change things out with whatever arises," described Heather. Adaptability is a concept she learned most of her adult life in being on the road.

With the positive vibes she radiates, it certainly seems things come full circle and good fortune finds her. Heather is currently working on several solo and collaborative projects. Some a bit early in inception to discuss; others that gave her a perspective check. "When opportunity knocks, you have to present the best you can," Heather explained.

One opportunity in particular made her take quick inventory of the other side of the art and fashion -- the business side. And it certainly is keeping Heather busy. She recently put together press materials,  a gorgeous boutique book, is in the process of updating her website and ordering more garment tags. "You push yourself as far as you can."

Her work has been described as the "ultimate hug" where a woman slips on her handbag, radiates in the perfect fit and feels beautiful. This is Heather's motivation and joy -- when she sees her customer emotionally happy and the artwork comes to life. "Anything is an object, but when someone incorporates and uses it, then it 'becomes'." Heather adds, "There is something charming, beautiful and magical when my client says, 'This is part of me.'"

I looked at my two new finds and noticed the functionality, interchangeability and edginess which reflected Heather as a person. Heather smiled, "My greatest inspiration is life. Being comfortable in having what you need and adapting things to be totally set in any situation that comes up." I am intrigued how Heather moves about her day, and how she perceives the world. She seems incredibly at ease and at peace. "It is all in the process.... You project what you are doing the next day. Gauge it based upon what you want to do vs. what needs to be done. Take an amazing shower, gear for the day, be reactive in what comes your way. It also depends on how you feel. Often times, if you are tired, take a nap. It's those simple things... If you could really go for Vietnamese food, listen and give yourself those blisses. Life is a stringing of beautiful moments. Like the sound of the wind and breeze coming through the window. Days are so busy with so much you want to do and have to do. Trying to juggle and trying to feel right is a crazy process. But just allow for those beautiful moments."

Sage advice for all...to appreciate and keep the balance.

Heather can be found at www.home-threads.com.