We, at Houston’s, had the pleasure of sitting with Demitri as he showed us the ins-and-outs of the different products that his company carries.

Bloody Mary Mixes

“Want to win a Bloody Mary contest? CHEAT with Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasonings.” This is a statement that Demitri
lightheartedly made in reference to his Bloody Mary Seasoning. But it is definitely an accurate statement as Demitri’s has won many awards with their seasonings.  Currently, there are four seasonings, all of which contribute to creating the ideal Bloody Mary:

Classic: Fourteen all-natural ingredients, balanced for the perfect Bloody Mary

Chilies and Peppers: The “Classic” recipe with added chilies and peppers for extra spicy goodness.

Extra Horseradish: Just like the name says, Demitri upped the horseradish in this recipe resulting in a nice zesty horseradish aroma and flavor.

Chipotle -Habañero: If you like your Bloody Marys hot and spicy, this one is for you. Whole chipotle peppers and habañero chilies are pureed and added to this fiery recipe.

A great thing about these seasonings is they are all very versatile. They are not only great for making Bloody Marys, but they are also great for cooking. Demitri’s seasonings are good for marinating steaks, chicken, pork, etc.

Size

Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasonings are packaged in multiple sizes, making it convenient for any party, household, restaurant, and bar!

8oz Bottle: Make yourself a Bloody Mary whenever wherever with this travel sized bottle

16oz Bottle: Perfect for bar use – “Flip-Top dispenser and our squeezable, shatterproof PET bottle helps make individual drinks or batches perfect, every time, in no time!”

64oz Jug: Great in high volume bars, events, etc.

How to make the perfect Bloody Mary

Demitri’s takes pride in making the perfect Bloody Mary “every time, in no time.” So how does one make the perfect Bloody Mary every time? Well it’s as simple as one, two, three:

Add 2oz. of Demitri’s to the ridge of the 1qt Store N’ Pour (pictured on the left)

Fill with 30oz tomato juice (we recommend Sacramento Tomato Juice)

Shake!

RimShot! Rim Salts

The perfect Bloody Mary wouldn’t be complete without salt. Demitri’s carries salt, but it isn’t just some ordinary run of the mill salt. It’s a custom blend of sea salts and spices from around the world that complements any Bloody Mary!

Original Rimshot!: Hawaiian sea salts, smoked salts, celery seed, and a few secret ingredients.

Bacon Rimshot!: Made with Bacon Salt by J&D’s, this salt is a smoky, savory garnish that adds aroma and tons of flavor-great with a nice cold sip of a Bloody Mary.

Not a Fan of Bloody Marys? Try a Margarita!

For those of you who are not big fans of Bloody Marys, Demitri’s also supplies both a margarita mix and a margarita rim salt. Demitri’s is also currently working on creating an all-organic margarita mix.

Traditional Mix: A classic margarita mix with no preservatives, gluten or high fructose corn syrup, and designed for people who seek premium-quality cocktails.

38 Calorie Mix: This is the skinny version of the “Traditional Mix”, but with the same great flavor.

NEW Margarita Rimshot!: A pomegranate, pineapple, lime, rim salt with mild Korean chili flakes for a colorful, all-natural finishing touch to any margarita. (pictured on the right)

In the end, Demitri Pallis’ journey to create the perfect Bloody Mary recipe was a success! He has really covered all bases of what it takes to make an all-around delicious beverage. With the right mix, the right salt, and the simple three step process, you too can enjoy the perfect Bloody Mary today.

Contact Houston’s today and lets us help you with your Bloody Mary and Margarita needs!

Images courtesy of Demitri’s

The post Vendor Spotlight: There’s Something About Bloody Marys: Demitris Bloody Mary Mixes appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Paloma

1 T. fresh lime juice
¼ c. fresh grapefruit juice
1 t. sugar
¼ c. light tequila
¼ c. club soda

Directions:

1. Start with a glass with a salted rim.
2. Add all ingredients.
3. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add ice.

Grapefruit Sangria

4 c. grapefruit juice
3 c. Riesling wine
1 ½ c. ginger ale
Sliced fruit

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher.
2. Serve over ice.

Grapefruit Margarita

1 c. light tequila
1 c. fresh grapefruit juice
1/3 c. fresh lime juice
½ c. Cointreau
1-2 t. agave (optional)

Directions:

1. Salt the rims of 4 margarita glasses and add ice.
2. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher.
3. Pour into ice-filled, salted glasses.

For a fun and fiery twist add a 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce portion (per serving) of Torani® Sweet Heat Syrup to any of the above cocktails.  The spice of the ghost pepper combined with the sweet/tart flavor of grapefruit is sure to delight your taste buds!

The post Grapefruit + Cinco de Mayo = Delicious! appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Behind every perfectly blended margarita is the perfect blender, and the Margarita Madness® by Waring is the obvious choice. Its excellence lies in its simplicity: two speeds operated by a single toggle switch. The heavy-duty 1.5HP motor is powerful enough to withstand commercial performance, up to sixty drinks per day. High-impact stainless steel blades pulverize crushed ice, allowing for three 16-ounce margaritas in just twelve seconds! And if the blade wears out, no need to replace your entire blender; simply remove and replace the blade system.

The Margarita Madness® comes equipped with a 48-ounce copolyester container that is BPA-free and dishwasher safe, a plus when operating in a busy restaurant environment. The polycarbonate motor housing is heavy-duty, easy to clean, and retains its new look even with repeated use.

And holy guacamole, did I mention food prep? From salsa to soup, sauces to—yes—guacamole, this workhorse is a welcome addition to the back-of-the-house as well!
What are you waiting for? Grab one today for the front-of-the-house. Grab another for the back-of-the-house. Cinco de Mayo will be here before you know it, and two of these machines in your restaurant will have your guests enjoying margaritas, salsa, and guacamole in no time…

The Best Margarita

Waring Margarita Madness Blender.  Photo courtesy of Waring.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Margaritaville® Gold Tequila
• 1/4 oz. Triple Sec
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• 1/2 oz. orange juice
• 1 oz. Margaritaville® Margarita Mix

Preparation:

1. Combine ingredients in Margaritaville blending jar.
2. Blend and pour into a 12 oz. glass.
3. Squeeze a wedge of lime into the frozen drink.

 Addition tasty recipes for your Cinco de Mayo:

• Guacamole: http://www.bhg.com/recipes/ethnic-food/mexican/how-to-make-guacamole/
• Salsa: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/restaurant-style-salsa-recipe.html

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908 Commercial Blender. Photo courtesy of Hamilton Beach.

How many blended beverages does your establishment concoct each day? If the answer is “About one to fourteen” then do we have the blender for you!

The tried and true Hamilton Beach 908® Commercial Bar Blender is a no-frills, well-made blender that is recommended for blending one to fourteen beverages per day. Compact yet sturdy, the 3/8HP motor easily blends smaller ice cubes with liquid ingredients, blending up daiquiris and other frozen beverages in just 25 seconds. Two speeds allow for precision blending and versatility—go from high speed to low speed with one easy flip of the toggle switch. The perfect choice for your bar or coffee shop.

Photo courtesy of Hamilton Beach.

The unit comes standard with the base, a break-resistant 44-ounce polycarbonate container with easy-to-read measurements, Sure Grip™ feet, and stainless steel blade assembly—everything you need to start whipping up amazing drinks for your guests. The 908® Commercial Bar Blender is backed by a 1-year parts and labor warranty. All this at a comfortable price that will fit your budget beautifully.

Hamilton Beach also offers replacement parts for the 908® Commercial Bar Blender—so you can replace the parts without having to replace the entire unit.

The post Hamilton Beach 908® Commercial Bar Blender appeared first on Houston's Blog.

BEER SERVICE

Pint/Tapered/Mixing:  The simplicity of this glass makes it a good choice for most types of beer.

Mugs/Stein:  Heavy and thick with sturdy handles, these mugs are built to hold beer without breaking, and are often used when the beer is meant to be very cold.  A stein is similar to a mug with one exception:  it includes a thumb rest or a lid.

Pilsner:  Flared at the top to help maintain a stronger beer head that is not desired in darker beers, these glasses serve pilsner and lager beers well.  They are also perfect for holding water, soda, or ciders.

WINE SERVICE

Red Wine:  Generally a larger glass, although one should only be poured to about a third full to allow the wine to aerate.  Designed with a larger rim, this glass will allow the person to smell the aroma while sipping the wine.  Stemless red wine glasses also work well as there is not a concern with the heat transfer from a guest’s hands since the wine is already served at room temperature.

White Wine:   Typically a smaller glass than a red wine glass, the goal is to keep the chilled wine at temperature for the duration of the drink.  Although stemless white wine glasses are available, the wine will stay chilled longer if held by a stem.

Sherry:  Also called a “copita,” this glass resembles a red wine glass, though smaller.  Its narrow rim enhances the strong aroma of sherry or port wines.

Champagne Tulip/Coupe:  Part of the fun in serving or drinking champagne is to see the bubbles rise.  For this purpose, and to keep the sparkle from going flat, the tulip-shaped glass is a perfect choice.  The coupe is an elegant choice for a toast, but keep the serving size low—the short, round bowl of the glass is not optimal for bubble retention.

MISCELLANEOUS GLASSWARE

Beverage/Water/Iced Tea:  Similar in size and shape, these are generally considered a multi-purpose glass and are great for holding main beverages—from water to iced tea, sodas to milkshakes.

Highball:  Usually holds 8-12 fluid ounces.  This glass is typically taller than an Old Fashioned but shorter and wider than a Collins.  Use for mixed drinks that require large amounts of juice, soda, or ice, or as an all-purpose beverage glass.

Brandy:  Often referred to as a “snifter,” this glass is balloon-shaped with a short stem, which allows the glass to be cupped to transfer heat from the hand to the glass, naturally warming the beverage.  The balloon shape traps the aroma of the beverage in the glass.  Typically associated with brandy and Cognac service, the glass has evolved to present aged whiskeys as well.  The bowl of the glass should only be filled to a quarter or a third of capacity to allow the beverage to breathe.

Coffee:  Serves the same purpose as a coffee mug, but with a more elegant appeal.  This glass is perfect for adding a decorative touch to alcoholic coffee beverages.

Collins:  Originally designed to hold a Tom Collins, the glass is now used for serving many different types of mixed drinks.  This tumbler usually holds between 10-14 fluid ounces.  It is distinguished from a high ball by its narrow, cylindrical shape.

Cordial:  Small and dainty, this glass can be used to serve any sweet liqueur, and can also double as a beer sampler when an establishment wishes to maintain an elegant theme.

Margarita:  This glass has an exceptionally wide bowl, specifically designed for the salted or sugared rim often associated with a margarita.  The glass will often have a smaller bowl beneath the large bowl, although this is a purely aesthetic addition.

Martini/Cocktail:  For beverages that don’t call for carbonation or ice.  The drinker can hold the glass by the stem, thus maintaining the chilled temperature of the drink.  The shape of this glass also ensures the full effect of aromatic beverages as the drink is placed directly under the drinker’s nose.  Cosmopolitan glasses are stemless versions of a Martini/Cocktail glass.

Rocks/Old Fashioned:  Generally small enough to hold only ice and the liquor of choice.  Sometimes drinks served with “a splash” of water, soda, etc., or a mixed drink that is smaller (such as its namesake, the Old Fashioned) will be served in a Rocks or Old Fashioned Glass.  A Double Old Fashioned maintains the same shape as a Rocks or Old Fashioned, but holds about one and a half times as much, making it an ideal candidate for beverages served with fruit or other solid ingredients.

Shot/Shooter/Whiskey:   Typically designed to hold just 1-2 ounces of a single liquor or liquor mixed with another spirit or non-alcoholic ingredient.  In general the beverage is not sipped but rather “shot” quickly, although this is not always the case.  The shot glass is also often a bartender’s choice for measuring the alcoholic ingredient in a mixed drink.  Shooters are normally taller than a shot glass, and whiskey glasses are usually a bit wider to accommodate ice when requested.

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