< Previous60 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2016While Americans typically drink their cocktails cold, or even store their alcohol in the freezer, the sad fact is, the colder it’s served, the more the nuances of flavor and ingredients are lost in the chill.“I have some ice sitting under the bar,” an Inverness, Scotland bartender once said to an American visitor who had just ordered a single malt Scotch with an ice cube. “I’ll slip some in your glass, but try to keep it hidden. These other fellows will run us both out of here.”Most aficionados agree that any decent liquor tastes best at room temperature or even slightly warmed — and that’s not limit-ed to dark liquors. Tequila, vodka — no, it’s not tasteless — and gin all take on new life without the chilling effects of ice. The same can be said when those alcohols are used in cocktails in which the mixer is also warmed or hot.At the always adventurous 1888 Toujouse Bar in The Tremont House in Galveston’s downtown, for example, mixologists have taken the cold-weather classic, hot chocolate, and combined it with a typical hot weather alcohol, tequila, to come up with the South of the Border Hot Chocolate. The slightly earthy, peppery taste of good tequila goes amazingly well with chocolate, like spicy food and mole, and the heat accentuates all of that.Besides the enhanced tastes of hot cock-tails, there’s another benefit. Hot cocktails can be good for you. Really. As in medicinal. Seriously.OK, for one, you don’t gulp a hot drink. It must be sipped. Thus, you enjoy its taste more, and, in theory, you drink fewer cocktails. Secondly, many hot drinks contain citrus juices, mineral waters and spices in ad-dition to the alcohol, all known to help the immune system fight off colds. And finally, hot drinks such as the hot toddy or buttered rum can work much like cough medicine in soothing the sore throat or nagging cough. In fact, the alcohol content in cough medicine rivals that of a toddy. Ask yourself, Toddy or NyQuil?Do you know the saying, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away”? At the Galvez Bar & Grill in the Hotel Galvez on the island, bartenders have come up with a seasonal drink known as Broken Leg Cider. OK, so maybe the doctor isn’t treating your cold. But it’s a delicious hot cocktail made with Down the HatchSouthern Comfort, Fireball Whisky, apple cider and slice of orange for good measure. It’s a downright health drink.Oh, and those warm drinks splashed with mineral water? Mineral waters contain plenty of sulfides, the basis of sulfur, which is also called brimstone.Fire brings more to the bar, too. They say where there’s smoke, there’s fire, but the op-posite is also true. Where there’s fire, there’s also smoke. One of the hottest — pardon the pun — trends in mixology actually does have bartenders blowing smoke.Smoke is probably one of the most amazing ingredients in any cocktail that has come along since someone came up with the maraschino cherry, which also has sulfur dioxide, by the way.There are two basic ways to add smoke to your drink. The best way is to buy a smoke gun. There are a number of inexpensive ones for less than $60 on the market, but the Use a smoking gun to infuse even more flavor in your favorite cocktail. Various kinds of wood chips, citrus and herbs can add a richness and com-plexity to a standard cocktail. COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2016 61For a reservation, visit our website porchcafe.comwww.HomesInGalveston.comWendellOdorizziREALTOR®, GRI, RSPS, ABR, SRS409.771.2649wendell@sandnsea.comFor more listings,visitsandnsea.com16615 Jamaica Cove Road 3BR/2BA Fabulous Canal Front in Jamaica Beach $449,000 10327 San Luis Pass Road #7153BR/2BA Diamond Beach Condo with Fabulous Amenities & Gulf Views!$465,000 4830 Jamaica Cove Road 3BR/2BA Canal Home in Jamaica Beach with Bay Views $387,500 25015 Intrepid Lane3BR/3BA in Playa San Luis with Beach & Bay Views$525,000 16614 Jamaica Cove Road 3BR/2BA Canal Home with Bay Views in Jamaica Beach $465,900Carol Miller OdorizziREALTOR®, GRI, SRS713.882.3934carol@sandnsea.com1402 Market Street4BR/2BA Victorian HomeNear the Strand!$287,000NEW PRICE REDUCTIONNEW LISTINGNEW LISTINGNEW LISTING62 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2016Down the Hatchtwo most often mentioned are The Smok-ing Gun from PolyScience for around $100 and The Aladin Smoker for more than $300. Note: Cocktails are their secondary purpose, as they are used more for smoking foods.These guns come with a hose for directing the smoke and small chamber in which to add anything with which you want to create smoke. Kits with a variety of smoking ingre-dients are available, or you can create your own favorites.Smoking sources can be anything from shavings from the typical chips used in the barbecue and outdoor smoker, to teas, herbs and combinations of all of them. Experi-menting makes this even more fun, and each different smoke seems to make a new drink with the same alcohol.Once the smoking material is lit, a fan helps push the smoke out of the chamber and into a hose. For the most intense flavor, the hose is placed into an empty decanter, allowing the smoke to seep in for a few min-utes before the alcohol or cocktail is poured into it. It only takes a few moments for the drink to be ready.The smoke also can be swirled directly into an upturned cocktail glass so that when the cocktail is added, it will still be smoking. Or it can be plunged directly into the drink to do its magic that way.What does this do? Author of “The Craft of the Cocktail” and famed mixologist Dale DeGroff described the smoke effect “a rich-ness, complexity and depth of flavor that can make a respectable cocktail great and a great cocktail a work of art.”There’s an easier and less expensive, though not as effective, way to add a smoke taste to your cocktail. All you need is for you or someone you know who puts up with your insane ideas to have a barbecue pit or smoker and old-fashioned ice trays. This method is to smoke your ice.And now you’re wondering what else you should be smoking.To smoke ice, you simply take a tray of ice cubes and put them in an ovenproof pan. Put the pan of ice in the smoker or barbecue pit full of smoke, close the lid and let the ice stay there until it melts. Strain the melted cubes back into the ice tray and refreeze. The result is ice that has its own smoky flavor and gives you an idea what the smoke gun can do. It’s important that you start with ice cubes rather than just water because it takes ice to absorb the smoke flavor.As with the smoke gun, the flavors that can be infused in the ice are plentiful. All kinds of wood chips work, as do citrus peels and herbs, such as rosemary. In fact, rosemary smoked ice in gin will make the standard gin and tonic stand up and salute.And so it is that fire, brimstone, smoke and spirits might just be the perfect com-panions in the winter bar. The devil is in the details. SOUTH OF THE BORDER HOT CHOCOLATECompliments of the 1888 Toujouse Bar at The Tremont HouseINGREDIENTS1 ounce Milagro Tequila½ ounce peppermint schnapps6 ounces hot chocolateCinnamon stick for garnishWhipped cream (optional)DIRECTIONSPour the Tequila and schnapps into an 8.5-ounce Irish coffee mug. Stir in the hot chocolate. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and whipped cream.BROKEN LEG CIDERCompliments of the Galvez Bar & Grill at the Hotel GalvezINGREDIENTS¾ ounce Southern Comfort¾ ounce Fireball Whisky6 ounces hot apple cider1 cinnamon stick1 slice of orangeDIRECTIONSHeat the cider until just steaming. Pour the Southern Comfort and Fireball Whis-ky in a brandy snifter and warm over a tea candle. Pour the warm liquor into an Irish coffee mug and add the hot apple cider. Stir and garnish with cinnamon stick and slice of orange and serve.Recommended by both buyers and sellers for more than 14 years!Fall in LoveWith thePerfect Home!Donna Kay Mortoncell: 409-599-1175donnakay0161@att.netThe OConnor GroupInsurance ProfessionalsSharon O’Connor302 25th StreetGalveston, Texas1-800-575-7080 Ext. 3303www.oconnorgroup.netYou need anindependent insurance agent.SM COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2016 63Residential&CommercialVacationRentals&Make ReadysBonded & InsuredOwned & Operated by 3 B.O.I’sFREE EstimatesBackground checks onall employees409-497-49413802 Cove View Blvd. Suite R, Galveston, TX 77554www.broadsnbrooms.com2014 & 2015 Best of Galveston Award Winners281-399-2666409-740-2666www.Varmit Busters.comRats • Mice • Rodents • Raccoons • Squirrels • OpossumsAlligators • Snakes • Bats • Armadillos • Skunks • Wild HogsBees • Coyotes • Fleas • Roaches • Ants • Bugs • etc.Residential & CommercialAnimal ProofingState Licensed • Bonded & Insured TPCL #13938ANIMALCONTROLWild Animal ControlService and Pest ControlWildlife,Inc.Happy Hour 12pm - 6pm1702 Avenue O, Galveston, TXOpen Daily 12pm - 2amYour 5-Star Dive Bar★ ★ ★ ★ ★815 21st Street, Galveston | Mon-Sat 10am-2am • Sun 12pm-2amKARAOKE AT BOTH BARS EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 9PM - 1 AMJ.A. Weldon Construction, Inc.Custom Beach HomesNew Construction • Remodeling Decks & Patios • Siding & WindowsBackyard ProjectsJohn Weldon (409) 737-2731 jweldon3@sbcglobal.net“Customize Your Home” 64 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2016 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2016 65Call 409-765-6067 for an appointmentNote: Sites cannot prepare returns for individuals filing “Married Filing Separately”, or have moving,rental or farm expenses, or individuals who have a bankruptcy, complicated Schedule D forms or Schedule C businesses.Please bring with you:•Valid photo ID •Social Security Cards(or ITIN) for everyone listed on the return•Bank routing and account number (for direct deposit) •Copy of 2014 tax return, if available•All 2015 income information (W-2’s, 1099 forms)•Information about educational expenses•Information about medical insurance coverages •If married, both spouses must be present to signFREE INCOME TAX PREPARATIONFor Galveston County families and individuals with income below $54,000FREE tax preparations by IRS certified tax preparers • FREE e-filing for FASTER reunds, FREE direct deposit2302 Church Street, Galveston, TX 77550 • 409-765-606766 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2016Cover CredentialsName: Taelor La VeniaHometown: Santa Fe/HoustonOccupation: College student studying for a biotechnology degree.What’s your favorite way to stay warm on a cold day? I enjoy layering warm winter clothes, and a cute pair of boots. a hot beverage, and a cozy blanket always seems to do the trick.Tea or coffee? I enjoy them both equally.What’s your favorite thing about living on the Texas Coast? The warm weather is one of my favorite things about living on the coast, along with great food, and the ability to see hundreds of stars at night when you look up into the sky. being so close to the beach is another plus; it’s very tranquil. Meet our cover modelPhotos by Stuart VillanuevaTaelor La Venia at Mod Coffeehouse in Galveston. Makeup by Desa Polivka, a Mary Kay independent sales director, 409.682.1113, www.marykay.com/desa. Hair by Rebecca Rivera, of Total Technique Salon, 3226 13th Ave. N., Texas City, 409-945-9542. COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2016 67Keeping GalvestonBeautifulAffinityLASER + MED SPASchedule an Appointmentor a Free Consultation Today!409.497.2800 AffinityLaserMedSpa.com2808 61st Street Galveston, TX 77551BotoxJuvedermTestosterone PelletsLaser Hair RemovalVampire Faceliftsand much more ...Very functional 3 bedroom/3 1/2 bath, open floor plan home in sought after Pirates Beach West. Master is on the main living level and all 3 bedrooms have a bath. A lot of deck space to enjoy the Gulf breezes. Fireplace, hurricane shutters, tiled floors and zoned A/C. This is owned by the original owners and has been very well maintained. Never rented but would make a great vacation rental. Backyard is large enough for a pool!!PIRATES BEACH WEST14415 SPYGLASS CIR. | $425,000Marketed Exclusively By:Holly Wade, ABR, CNE409.996.9126 HollyWade@heritagetexas.comhollysellsgalveston.comLaissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! JUST LISTED68 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2016Closet ConfidentialStory by Sue Mayfield Geiger Photos by Irene AmietMissy RorrerCoast Monthly peeks into the closets of some of the most fashionable people on the upper Texas Coast.Town: League CityOccupation: biological specialist in the pharmaceutical industry and jewelry designer.Age: 58Style Icons: Duchess of Windsor and Stevie Nicks. “The Duchess was not a pretty woman, but she had style and carriage. Nicks inspired the boho style of peasant tops, jeans and wedge heels, which I still wear.”Favorite designer: Carolina Herrera.Favorite place to shop locally: Ginger-Snaps in League City. “I can find a lot of linen and embellished silk — my uniform — there.”Best place to snap up a fashion bargain: T.J. Maxx.Favorite online fashion store: beyondtherack.com.Favorite place to shop in the world: Ortega’s On The Plaza in Santa Fe, N.M.Dream fashion purchase: ballgown by Carolina Herrera.Fashion crime: Not dressing age appropriately. “Leggings are not pants.”Favorite trends this season: “The bohemian trend continues to thrive.”Celebrity wardrobe you’d love to raid: Julianne Moore’s. “She is always impeccably dressed, plus she has my coloring.” What Missy is wearing:Top and skirt by Double D ranch made in yoakum, Texas. Military-style suede jacket with brass grommets. Sterling concho elk strap belt by Jason Maida, sterling and coral ring by Paul Livingston, Navajo cuff bracelet by White buffalo, and earrings by Navajo designer, e. Largo. Necklace of turquoise, lapis, coral, gaspeite and spiny oyster with Kingman Turquoise Mine pendant by Sunwest Silver. Cognac and turquoise tooled-leather boots, custom-made by Fort Worth-based M.L. Leddy’s, which makes boots for the bush family. The hat is straw/hair on hide with leather roping and silver medallions by Heads Or Tails. “I always have on my gold cross that my father brought to me from Vietnam when I was 11 years old. I’ve never taken it off.” COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2016 69Turquoise, red, white and brown Lucchese square-toe boots with typical western scroll made in Texas: “I don’t wear socks with boots. I prefer to sprinkle baby powder inside and just slip my bare feet right in.”Turquoise and black mules with pink heart aflame that says “Lov’Em All”: “I got these in round Top from a girl selling out of a pink trailer.”Black elk hide belt with sterling silver and turquoise concho belt from Sleeping Beauty Mine: “It’s an anniver-sary gift from my husband.”Art deco chain mail flap-per’s evening bag from the 1920s made by Whiting & Davis: “This is an heirloom piece in perfect condition.”Turquoise Navajo earrings from Sleep-ing Beauty Mine. Necklace of spiny oyster, coral and turquoise designed by Leo Feeney: “all my jewelry is Navajo.”Black jacket with embroidered “tree of life” design on the back with soutache trim by Double D Ranch: “because this is heavyweight cotton, I can wear this up until april.”Vintage thunderbird sterling silver necklace with turquoise and coral inlay from the 1940s: “I got this in Santa Fe, N.M. and can wear it anywhere, even to church.”Mary Frances artful handbags: “I have about 20 of these that I’ve bought at various places. They are whimsical and fun.”Next >