Pearanha from Z Bar

I'm glad to be closing out the year with a drink from Z Bar.  KJ has always been my favorite bartender in town, even though sometimes he just plops a drink down in front of me without telling me what it is.

I walked in and picked this drink after he told me that this was the best seasonal drink that wasn't too boozy, since I was driving straight to another location to drop off Christmas gifts.

I really liked this one, it reminded me of a Toasted Almond, but with a festive shortbread cookie rim that really brought the holiday/winter spirit out.  It was the perfect end to the Christmas season, freeing me up for champagne toasts into the new year.

I hope you all have a great new year, and I'll see you in 2016!

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from @Reno_Dunkin

I don't actually get a mad craving for donuts often, but when I do it is all Dunkin'.  I love how they affordable they are, and what good quality their drinks are.  I'd much rather pay $2 for a great quality drink then go to Starbucks and pay $7 for a low quality equivalent.

I love their seasonal drinks as well, and I was super excited to try the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.  I got it to go and opened it up to let it cool on the ride home, filling my car with delicious caramel scent.  It was seriously heavenly and I really wished that it wasn't so hot so I could start drinking it.

When it finally cooled off, the taste was full and thick.  It didn't taste as caramel-ly as it smelled, but it was still a great quality hot chocolate that I wouldn't say no to ever.  I enjoyed my hot chocolate and my maple bar that day, and watched the snow come down while I thought about how beautiful Reno is during the holidays.

Dunkin' Donuts
435 Sparks Blvd #121, Sparks, NV 89434
(775) 356-2720

Monday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Pumpkin Parable Featuring @dogfishbeer from @EatAtMidtown

  I got an awesome shout out on Instagram from Midtown Eats to try out this drink.  I'm a basic bitch for anything pumpkin and bourbon, so I was on my way and met a friend there for lunch and drinks.  We both ordered one and shared some appetizers.  Side note, the fried cauliflower is a dream.

We both decided to try out this drink, and we were not disappointed at all.  It was the perfect blend of all ingredients so that it was just delightful.  It had nutmeg on the top, which I get from last week is supposed to be festive, but ya'll...mix it in with the drink!!!  When I have to spit out pieces of nutmeg or skim it off to enjoy my drink, it ends up making the drink not worth drinking.  Luckily I had a knife I wasn't using and a little mixing and this was some perfection. 

Although I felt the "kick" a little, it never tasted too strong.  It was a perfect balance that wasn't overpowering in pumpkin.  I would drink it all year long, but sadly Dogfish Head only has Pumpkin flavored ale this time of year.  I'm just going to be thankful that it exists at all, and enjoy it all month long.  Yum!

Christmas Island: the Painkiller @ChapelTavern

"A modern interpretation of the Tiki classic inspired by a recent visit to the Tiki Ti in LA, one of the last original Tiki bars, Easy to drink, addicting and packs a punch.  Be careful."

So begins my seasonal quest, with a tropical drink.  Since I don't really celebrate Christmas, I find a lot of hilarity in the Christmas Island song, and that is what I thought of when I started this drink at Tavern.  This was from their seasonal menu, although I think the season was just "Winter" and not really "Holidays" oriented.  Still, I picked the Painkiller because it had Nutmeg, and I don't know of a more holiday ingredient than that.  It's in eggnog, and everyone likes eggnog!  And if you don't, you're wrong!

The last time I was in Chapel it was a packed Saturday night, where it was impossible to get a drink ordered and it seemed like an overly hipster bar.  The hipster part didn't really change with it being a Thursday night, but the crowd was much smaller.  I think there was only a total of 6 people when we walked in, although it picked up a bit by the time we left.  It's still not a place that I would personally seek out, seeing as how all the specialty drinks are $10.  The painkiller was strong, so strong in fact that it caused a little pain.  My throat started hurting by the end of the sweet, sweet drink and I went home for some warm water and salt gargle.  It's not something I would ever really try again, but there were many, many other drinks on the seasonal menu that I would give a shot to...maybe in the new year.

Chapel Tavern

1099 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502

 (775) 324-2244

Monday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Tuesday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Wednesday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Thursday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Friday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Saturday	10:00 am – 4:00 am
Sunday	10:00 am – 4:00 am

Angry Orchard Seasonal Cinnful Apple

Last week was Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays.  I love it because it is about nothing but getting together with people you care about to share a meal.  This was my first Thanksgiving back in town so I went to my brother-in-law's house along with the Neon Beast.  One of my BIL's work friends brought over some Angry Orchard Hard Cider.  It was the seasonal flavor "Cinnful Apple," and it dessert in a bottle.

The "Cinn" is for Cinnamon, and lots of it.  Though it's not overpowering!  It's like a yummy apple pie that's been perfectly baked and then magically turned into a beautiful boozy cider.  Even though it is cold, it has a bit of heat to it that warms you even though it's only 5% alcohol.  Normally I feel like Angry Orchard is a pretty mid-level cider, but this one really exceeds expectations.  It's going to become a staple in my house every time it comes out.  I haven't checked yet, but I'm hoping that Costco and/or Sam's Club has a big case of it to pick up soon.

I noticed on their website that they have a summer seasonal called Summer Honey that I'll have to try out next year.  I hope that this is the first of many seasonal drinks I get to have this month and report back on!  Happy Holidays!