St. Louis Shakes Things Up with Adult Style Kid Drinks

The restaurants of St Louis' casinos ~ Lumiere Place and River City ~ have figured out a solution to a never-ending problem for adults. one that has plagued each of us since the moment we hit puberty.

One of the best things about being a child is the food. You taste so many things for the first time and, often, can remember for the rest of your life your first hot dog, pizza, or ice cream. Memories remind you of happy times (or not so happy) times when you eat your favorite foods.

Certainly we remember our first adult beverage ~ that Little Kings in high school, the screwdriver made with swiped vodka from a parents' cabinet ~ and you laugh about it later.

One of the worst things about growing up is giving up, one item at a time, those favorite foods. Health reasons, weight watching and other various reasons require you to give them up forever. Sometimes you give it up because you have to decide between an adult beverage and a child's favorite.

Now you can have your shake and liquor too.

For beer drinkers, the casino's Guinness chocolate  milkshake will quench your thirst. The dark stout pairs well with the frozen flavor and keeps chocolate cravings at bay.

St. Louis' River City Casino, Lumiere Place and Four Seasons Hotel have created a complete menu of adult beverages harking back to delicious childhood favorites.

On a rotating seasonal menu, "Adult Milkshakes" made with the fun-loving grown up in mind include:

White Chocolate Truffle

Vanilla ice cream, Godiva White Chocolate Liquor, Chambord

Chocolate Truffle

Chocolate ice cream, Chocolate vodka , Chambord

Chocolate Orange

Chocolate ice cream, Chocolate vodka, Cointreau

Naughty Strawberry

Strawberry ice cream, B&B, Strawberry Pucker

Nutty Irish

Vanilla ice cream, Frangelico, Irish Cream, Nutella

Rocky Road

Chocolate ice cream, marshmallow vodka, vanilla vodka, sliced almonds, Chocolate chips

Key Lime Pie

Vanilla ice cream, Lime Vodka, Whipped Vodka, fresh squeezed juice of 2 limes, graham cracker mixed in and sprinkled on top of whipped cream, wheel of lime as garnish.

For those who grew up watching E.T. find his way home, River City brings the colorful candies into the bar for a special treatment. Skittles-infused vodka cocktails satisfy the little kid in all of us with the brightly hued martinis tasting exactly like the popular candies.

Bottom Line: Residents of St. Louis, and anyone within driving distance, will be able to feel like a kid again ~ one drink at a time.
 Images: E J Musgrave

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Infused: Cookbook Review: The Butch Bakery Cookbook

I enjoy reviewing cookbooks, especially when it involves creating something that stands out in a field inundated with cookbooks. “The Butch Bakery Cookbook” by David Arrick has done just that with “man-inspired” cupcakes infused with whiskey, rum and other adult flavors.

Created by Arrick, (former Wall Street suit-wearer) the owner of Butch Bakery, New York City, along with Janice Kollar, former owner of Kollar Cookies, NYC, created a book rich with recipes and delectable images by Jason Wyche. The step-by-step guide takes readers on a journey illustrating the importance of quality ingredients, stepping outside the box and having fun while making cupcakes.

If you have always wondered why there is no bacon on the trending, tiny cakes, wonder no more. Arrick recognizes the importance of appealing to a man’s taste buds and applies various “manly” ingredients, including pork, peanut butter and root beer. No sparkles, polka dots or fancy glitter appear in these recipes. However, if women want to commit to the old adage, “the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” she won’t go wrong with this collection.

Giving specific instructions on needs prior to starting each baking project, the bakery owner gets the mindset of men and applies the correct style of writing: efficient, direct and appealing chapter titles. “Desserts for Dudes,” includes boot camp, exact needs for the male baker’s toolbox and other pertinent information. After that, chapters are named for the type of goodie recipes included: “Play Ball,” “Touchdown” and “Barbecue” to name a few.

Don’t be discouraged that this is just another collection of cupcake recipes. The ingredients will put that idea right out of your head. Craving a chili dog? It’s in here, along with the secret ingredient of cayenne powder. The Chocolate Stout Cupcakes, aka Beer Run, hits the Guinness tap for both the cake and topping. Defense Defense’s red velvet cupcake gets topped with a Jack Daniels’ frosting.

Having ladies over? Mojitos are jazzed up via dark rum, lime zest and cream cheese. A Rum and Coke is baked goodness due to a heavy dose of rum raisins, white chocolate chips and nutmeg perks up the adult-style dessert named “Big Papi.” The B-52 makes a splash with a Kahlua-soaked Madagascar cupcake with a Bailey's Bavarian filling.

The Old-fashioned, once a standard male drink gets a contemporary touch with this baked version of whiskey, orange zest and bitters. The Side Car shimmies up to the bar stool in its cupcake liner and filled with brandy, Cointreau and butter-cream frosting.

“Butch’s Baking Lesson” included after every recipe gives the must-not-forget detail, while, also at the end of the recipes, are handy mix-and-match ideas, alternative recipes and “Plan of Attack” hints and tips.

Bottom Line: “The Butch Bakery Cookbook” is certain to be a favorite with men ~ and anyone cooking with men in mind.

Image provided by Wiley Press
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on Gottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in magazines and several Indianapolis area newspapers. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.