by Chris Larson | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | Cocktail Showdown | March 27th, 2019
On our ninth week of the Cocktail Showdown, we made just a single stop that showcased one of the most well known restaurants in North Dakota, The Toasted Frog. While they had been locally and regionally celebrated for their restaurants in Fargo, Grand Forks, and Bismarck, the downtown Fargo location of The Toasted Frog and the franchise, in general, was recently given some big-time TV attention from both the Travel Channel and The Food Network. The latter focused primarily on the legendary fried pickles that have become a staple of almost every visit I make to the Toasted Frog and I’ve heard tales of travelers stopping into “the Frog” just because of those TV pieces and the mouth-watering perfection that is their fried pickle appetizer.
On this particular night though, I wasn’t there for a prime rib special, wood-fired sandwich, pizza, or lavosh, or even my favorite fried pickles but rather to experience and evaluate two cocktails presented by their bar manager and returning competitor, James Hein.
The cocktail: Minnesota Spice
The creator: James Hein
James, like almost everyone else who has presented us with a cocktail that features Far North Spirits’ Alander Spiced Rum felt the need to qualify his spirit choice by stating that he doesn’t usually care for spiced rum but really enjoys the flavor profile of the rum by Far North Spirits. I have to agree with him wholeheartedly and have especially enjoyed seeing our local cocktail creators reaching for this regionally produced gem. To the spiced rum he added Barrows Intense ginger liqueur, Strega Italian Amaro, a house-spiced syrup, Regan’s Orange bitters, and ice to a pitcher that was then stirred to chill and dilute. This mixture was then strained into a chilled cocktail coupe and topped with a bit of orange zest.
The little touch of sweetness from the syrup was pleasantly warmed by the saffron in the Strega, the rum spices and ginger heat. I also had to make note that it had a very pleasing velvety mouthfeel that was unexpected given how translucent the drink appeared.
The after-dinner drink: The Pear Diem
The creator: James Hein
James added J Pear liqueur, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram and Angostura bitters to a shaker with a full egg and some more of that house made spice syrup. The cocktail was shaken with the egg and then ice was added and it was shaken again before strained into chilled martini glasses. A bit of nutmeg was shaved on top before it was presented for us to enjoy. This after-dinner drink had a fair amount of depth to it for such a small and simple ingredient list and I found myself at times tasting the pear and at other times it would disappear into the spices and egg. Other times the egg and sugar would take over and make it almost taste like eggnog that was spiced in a perfectly warming way.
May 1st 2019
April 10th 2019
March 20th 2019
March 13th 2019
March 6th 2019
__293px-wide.jpg)
THE BADLANDS – “I just want to flip the proverbial bird to North Dakota as I leave,” Sarah Gulenchyn said. She took a last drag off her American Spirit – burned quick to the filter – before stamping it out. The door to…
Thursday, June 20, 6:30 p.m.Zandbroz Variety, 420 N Broadway, FargoNDSU Press and Zandbroz Variety are teaming up for an author event you won’t want to miss. The author event features Denise K. Lajimodiere and the launch of her…
I think Steve Earle described the current state of pop country music best when he said, “The best stuff coming out of Nashville is all by women except for Chris Stapleton," he said. "The guys just wanna sing about getting f***ed…
Bob Dylan: “You Better Start Swimmin’ Or You’ll Sink Like A Stone”I was shocked when Hibbing native Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. I think he was, too. I had always enjoyed his songs as great…
To say that this year’s Bartenders Battle was the best display of talent in the six years since its creation would be an understatement and a disservice to not only the bartenders who made it into the competition, but also the…
I spend a lot of time roaming the prairie in search of finding hot spots off the beaten path. Needless to say, one can become a bit parched by spending so much time on the dusty trail. Sometimes you just need to stop for a bite to…
When asked to describe the sound of Green Blue, Minneapolis based musician Annie Sparrows formerly of the Soviettes and Awesome Snakes laughed and said, “Our friend came up to me after a show and he said ‘Do you like Belle and…
Joining several recent titles that consider, among other things, gentrification and race in the San Francisco Bay Area, Joe Talbot’s feature directorial debut is left of the dial compared to the frequencies of “Blindspotting”…
With all the coverage of artists in the Fargo-Moorhead area in the High Plains Reader, it can unfortunately be easy to forget that the rest of the state hosts their own fair share of artistic talent. Take, for example, Fargo’s…
By Amber WesterengMinnesota State University Moorhead’s (MSUM) Straw Hat Players has performed more than 300 shows during their 56 years and has groomed more than 2,000 actors, technicians, and crew for careers in the theatre…
Stand-up comedy is traditionally a one-way exchange. Outside of the odd question addressed to a random audience member, the limit of the spectators’ contribution to the conversation is their laughter at the comedy stylings being…
If you’re from the region you may have sipped, sampled or caught word of a libation often referred to as “red eye” or “wedding whiskey” at some point. In fact some of our friends of German Russia descent swear by it. If…
Even though it might not feel like it--summer is upon us and festival season is on in full force! Our staff has poured their blood sweat and tears into our top festival picks of the summer. To make it easier on all involved we’ve…
by HPR Contributor
by Devin Joubertdevinlillianjoubert@gmail.comIt’s that beautiful time of the year that’s filled with seasonal decorations, sparkly lights, warm family gatherings, and delicious feasts. I love everything about this time of the…
By Zach Nerpelzachnerpel@gmail.comSometimes there is no compromise to be made, especially when those who you presume to level with are those who would lock you up for even questioning their authority. There is no "middle ground" in…
