301248 Tue Dec 20 17:25:04 -0800 2005 9 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1678783 Anyone else catch the nice story by Gwendolyn Bounds in today's Wall St. Journal's Marketplace section about the upscale cocktail mix company, Stirrings? Evidently they are sold at places like Whole Foods, William-Sonoma and Cost Plus World Market. The mixes are made from natural products like "Meyer lemons, pure cane sugar, (no high-fructose corn syrup) and triple filtered water." They have ready made mixes for drinks such as an apple martini or a cosmopolitan and they also sell "Rimmers" which are matching containers of powdered "confections" to rim the glass with. If you have a chance to grab a copy of today's WSJ, check out the story and the products. It seems like a very good and well timed idea. Tue Dec 20 17:25:04 -0800 2005 0 WLA 1 1678784 I've actually seen these at LA-Area Cost Plus World Market's. The packaging is very appealing, but they seem so pricey for something that still requires you to add your own alcohol and that doesn't make many drinks. Still, it seems like a cute idea for a hostess gift. Tue Dec 20 17:29:58 -0800 2005 1678783 0 DB 2 1678785 The aricle did make the point that, if you are spending $20 + on high end vodka or some other upscale spirits, then buying the typical supermarket mixes which do contain high-fructose corn syrup and are packaged in a much less attractive and more utilitarian fashion probably makes spending $10 on Stirrings much more palatable (all pun intended). Tue Dec 20 17:35:25 -0800 2005 1678784 0 WLA 2 1678871 My friends in LA looooove this stuff. So I guess they're good If You Like That Sort Of Thing. Which is sweet fruity cocktails. Thu Dec 22 12:58:33 -0800 2005 1678784 0 pitu 1 1678799 I'm probably going to sound like vodka snob, but that's not my intent. In my opinion.... higher end vodkas... like Grey Goose, Chopin and Belvedere are overkill for mixed "martinis" with sweetened mixers. Most any decent vodka would be fine... and cost quite a bit less. Absolut, Skyy... or even Smirnoff would be fine... If you're drinking straight up or on the rocks ... well then spring for the good (great!) stuff. My idea of the perfect vodka martini (Gibson, actually) is about three ounces of Grey Goose in a shaker full of ice... shaken until your arms are tired... poured into an iced martini glass. Then, take a bottle of vermouth and wave it over the glass... being extra careful not to spill a drop into the glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon and like 7 cocktail onions! Perfect!!! Gusman Tue Dec 20 23:35:09 -0800 2005 1678783 0 Gus Surrette 2 1678806 I think what the Stirrings company is all about is having a high end ready to go mix to team up with use at home without worrying about finding all the fresh ingredients or finding them stale, or as a gift that you can take along to someone's party. In that case they probably have a high end vodka or whatever for home consumption and this product makes an appropriate higher end match. I completely agree that when you are out drinking at a bar or restaurant that ordering high end / premium spirits for a mixed drink makes no sense at all. Wed Dec 21 10:08:50 -0800 2005 1678799 0 WLA 2 1678850 Not a martini, but a Gibson. And I agree, it's an excellent drink. Thu Dec 22 00:19:18 -0800 2005 1678799 0 cubsfan 2 1678869 It sounds good. But you're missing a great opportunity to make up a name for this drink. Without vermouth, it's not a gibson or a martini. Thu Dec 22 12:22:09 -0800 2005 1678799 0 K. McB. 1 1678874 They're sold all over, not just upscale or trendy shops. Most liquor stores in my area have them. They have been out for a while-- not even sure what you mean by a well timed idea. I haven't seen the WSJ article though. They were doing a product demonstration last week in one store. They make an OK drink if you like that sort of thing. I wouldn't have use for most of the product line, but they make a nice gift. My prediction, the company will have good sales based on the newness and some press, combined with the obligatory gift-giving season, and be gone within two years. Thu Dec 22 13:55:43 -0800 2005 1678783 0 Two Forks 2 1678875 Found it at my local Linens 'n Things...which also mails 20% off coupons all the time...so that's another place to find it. Thu Dec 22 15:05:32 -0800 2005 1678874 0 Bea