Easy Cocktails with Straightaway Cocktails

Have you ever wanted to just relax with a cocktail at home after a hard day – but then you don’t want to deal with the hassle of concocting it by pulling out the multiple bottles, the fresh juices, the shaker, the measuring and mixing? And then you have to start all over again after you finish that one drink when you want your next? Now you can make easy cocktails with Straightaway Cocktails, who wondered why can’t having a cocktail be as easy as opening a bottle of beer or wine – and then created 5 answers for the question.

Easy Cocktails with Straightaway Cocktails, offering premade shelf stable cocktails Easy Cocktails with Straightaway Cocktails, offering premade shelf stable cocktails

I didn’t know what to expect when I went to their tasting room on the near East Side to try their mini cocktail flight with snack pairings for an influencers event last week (I was not paid to promote them). I thought these pre-made cocktails in a bottle may lean on the sweet side, or not be very alcoholic so that I’d end up with more “mixer” then cocktail. I was impressed when I was proved wrong, I really liked the experience and the products, and that’s why I’m sharing the story with you. Their tasting room is part of Distillery Row, and part of the Portland Distillery Row passport program too. They are new to the Portland drink scene – they just opened in December 2018.

Easy Cocktails with Straightaway Cocktails, offering premade shelf stable cocktails

I didn’t know what to expect when I went to their tasting room on the near East Side to try their mini cocktail flight with snack pairings. I thought these pre-made cocktails in a bottle may lean on the sweet side, or not be very alcoholic so that I’d end up with more “mixer” then cocktail. I was impressed when I was proved wrong.

Easy Cocktails with Straightaway Cocktails, offering premade shelf stable cocktails Easy Cocktails with Straightaway Cocktails, offering premade shelf stable cocktails

Here’s what it will look like if you try one of the mini cocktail flights with pairings at the Straightaway Tasting Room. The snacks may vary from my favorite pairing, which were the hazelnuts with the Old Fashioned, to ginger popcorn with the Cosmo or more.

Easy Cocktails with Straightaway Cocktails, offering premade shelf stable cocktails. Try their mini cocktail flight paired with snacks at their Tasting Room, part of PDX's Distillery Row Easy Cocktails with Straightaway Cocktails, offering premade shelf stable cocktails. Try their mini cocktail flight paired with snacks at their Tasting Room, part of PDX's Distillery Row

[Read more…]
Signature

Ken’s Artisan Pizza Cocktails Menu

During the first week of September, Ken’s Artisan Pizza launched a new Italian cocktail program at this neighborhood stalwart of high quality pizzas in a family friendly and date worthy den of among the top 5 doughs in Portland. Ken’s Artisan Pizza also celebrated it’s 10 year anniversary since opening in 2006, and just like then, there are still lines now for that legendary perfect balance of crispy but chewy, simple but full of flavor toppings that compliment and never overwhelm in ratio to dough, sauce, and cheese. They know their pizzas, and until now, they’ve been paired with beers and wines. Now at 10, it seems Ken’s is ready for a little hard liquor. Here’s a closer look at the new Ken’s Artisan Pizza Cocktails Menu.
Inside of Ken's Artisan Pizza- The tables and bar were crafted from old growth Douglas fir that was once part of The Big Dipper roller coaster at Jantzen Beach (1923-1970) Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12
The tables and bar inside were crafted from old growth Douglas fir that was once part of The Big Dipper roller coaster at Jantzen Beach (1923-1970). You can see photos of it in the back by the restrooms! 

When I say a little hard liquor, I mean that literally- the bar program at Ken’s is very curated and limited in order to keep everyone satisfied with service pace, which is smart and conscientious of them. There are 6 cocktails as part of cocktail offerings and half of them are takes on a Negroni. These are what I enjoyed on my visit, but I expect there will be some rotation of some of the beverages for the season. They were priced from $7-$10.

For something light and refreshing, there’s the Aperol Spritz with Aperol, Sparkling Wine, and orange wheel.
Aperol Spritz with Aperol, Sparkling Wine, and orange wheel, one of six curated cocktails offered at Ken's Artisan Pizza Aperol Spritz with Aperol, Sparkling Wine, and orange wheel, one of six curated cocktails offered at Ken's Artisan Pizza
Their Negroni with Aria Gin, Cocchi Torino, Campari, and orange skin is the ultimate classic sipper but is perfect to balance out the richness of cheesy pizza.
Negroni with Aria Gin, Cocchi Torino, Campari, and orange skin, one of six curated cocktails offered at Ken's Artisan Pizza Negroni with Aria Gin, Cocchi Torino, Campari, and orange skin, one of six curated cocktails offered at Ken's Artisan Pizza
An interesting twist on the classic Negroni is their White Negroni with Aria Gin, Suze Bitter, Dolin Blanc, and lemon skin, offering a slightly more brighter acidicity of citrus then the slight bitterness with citrus you get with orange skin.
White Negroni with Aria Gin, Suze Bitter, Dolin Blanc, and lemon skin, one of six curated cocktails offered at Ken's Artisan Pizza White Negroni with Aria Gin, Suze Bitter, Dolin Blanc, and lemon skin, one of six curated cocktails offered at Ken's Artisan Pizza
Negorni Sbagliato with Meletti 1870 bitter, Cinzano Sweet, Sparkling Wine, and orange wheel is the final Negroni variation that adds extra effervescene and celebration with that sparkling wine, here pictured with a slice of Cherry Tomato Pancetta Bomb with chopped garlic, mozzarella di bufula, and pecorino romano and the other with a whole pie of the Summer Pesto Pizza with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, hazelnut pesto, mozzarella, pecorino romano
Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the Cherry Tomato Pancetta Bomb with chopped garlic, mozzarella di bufula, and pecorino romano along with the cocktail Negorni Sbagliato with Meletti 1870 bitter, Cinzano Sweet, Sparkling Wine, orange wheel Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the Summer Pesto with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, hazelnut pesto, mozzarella, pecorino romano along with the cocktail Negorni Sbagliato with Meletti 1870 bitter, Cinzano Sweet, Sparkling Wine, orange wheel

I didn’t catch a photo of it (the distraction of good eats, drinks, and company alas), but there’s also a classic Americano with Carpano Antica, soda water, and orange slice as an option.

As for me, I’m at heart a whiskey girl (whether it’s barrel aged in whiskey barrels beer, neat, or in a cocktail), so my favorite of the six was Ken’s Old Fashioned with Evan Williams, Ramazotti Amaro, demerara sugar, Angostura bitters, and orange skin. I loved it with my favorite pizza of Ken’s, the very seasonal while the corn is sweet Fresh Corn Pizza with corn, mozzarella, ricota salata, smoked pickled jalapenos, scallions. The hint of smokiness with the heat of those jalapenos with this cocktail are damn perfect.
Ken's Artisan Pizza offers 6 cocktails now as part of their limited, curated cocktail offerings. This is the Ken's Old Fashioned with Evan Williams, Ramazotti Amaro, demerara sugar, Angostura bitters, and orange skin Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the seasonal Fresh corn with corn, mozzarella, ricota salata, smoked pickled jalapenos, scallions and the Ken's Old Fashioned with Evan Williams, Ramazotti Amaro, demerara sugar, Angostura bitters, and orange skin

Let me finish with just some evidence of why if you haven’t been to Ken’s yet, you should. Yes, there’s a line (more reasonable if you come earlier so you can be in the first seating when they open – that’s what I do). If you’re not into cocktails don’t forget Ken’s still continues to offer 4 beers on tap, and a 100-bottle wine list with a selection of local Pacific Northwest as well as French, Italian and Spanish wines, with 15 – 20 options by the glass available.

Most importantly, here are examples of the 12 inch thin crust perfections you will be able to enjoy… these are usually around the $13-$18 dollar range, with the meat heavy ones being the more pricey and most hovering around $15. The Summer Pesto and Corn are example seasonals that rotate and were on the menu when I visited in early September.

Pomodoro Royale with tomato sauce, basil, evoo, Pecorino Romano, enjoyed here with the Aperol Spritz (with Aperol, Sparkling Wine, orange wheel) as I liked how the sparkling lightness went with the simplicity of this pizza
Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the Pomodoro Royale with tomato sauce, basil, evoo, Pecorino Romano, enjoyed here with the Aperol Spritz (with Aperol, Sparkling Wine, orange wheel)

Margherita with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil
Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the classic Margherita with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil

Cherry Tomato Pancetta Bomb pizza with chopped garlic, mozzarella di bufula, and pecorino romano
Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the Cherry Tomato Pancetta Bomb with chopped garlic, mozzarella di bufula, and pecorino romano, enjoyed here with the Aperol Spritz (with Aperol, Sparkling Wine, orange wheel) and White Negroni (with Aria Gin, Suze Bitter, Dolin Blanc, and lemon skin)

Summer Pesto Pizza with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, hazelnut pesto, mozzarella, pecorino romano
Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the Summer Pesto with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, hazelnut pesto, mozzarella, pecorino romano Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the Summer Pesto with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, hazelnut pesto, mozzarella, pecorino romano

The Beautiful Pig with local pork beef salami made with chianti, tomato sauce, basil, and mozzarella
Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is The Beautiful Pig with local pork beef salami made with chianti, tomato sauce, basil, and mozzarella Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is The Beautiful Pig with local pork beef salami made with chianti, tomato sauce, basil, and mozzarella

As stated earlier, IMHO the genius combination of sweet and spicy with corn and smoked pickled jalapeno is the all star win of all the pies for me.
Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the seasonal Fresh corn with corn, mozzarella, ricota salata, smoked pickled jalapenos, scallions and the Ken's Old Fashioned with Evan Williams, Ramazotti Amaro, demerara sugar, Angostura bitters, and orange skin Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the seasonal Fresh corn with corn, mozzarella, ricota salata, smoked pickled jalapenos, scallions and the Ken's Old Fashioned with Evan Williams, Ramazotti Amaro, demerara sugar, Angostura bitters, and orange skin

Confession! I will admit one thing- I’ve never had dessert at Ken’s, and the only appetizer has been their wood roasted vegetables. Instead, I always over order pizza because I can always take it home, and then I go down 2 blocks to Cheese & Crack for some soft serve. But you can see why I’d focus on pizzas over everything on the menu, wouldn’t you?

What about you? What is your stalwart pizza place? Have you been to Ken’s Artisan Pizza? Which of these pizzas and/or cocktails sounds right up your alley?

Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is a classic Margherita with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil and the Ken's Old Fashioned with Evan Williams, Ramazotti Amaro, demerara sugar, Angostura bitters, and orange skin Ken's Artisan Pizza, 12 inch thin crust perfection, this one is the Summer Pesto with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, hazelnut pesto, mozzarella, pecorino romano

Disclosure: I attended a complimentary media dinner where I was able to share and sample all of the beverages and pizzas shown, but I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. I was already a fan of Ken’s Artisan Pizza before this meal and continue to be so – this opportunity just gave me a chance to try more than I would normally be able to order, although I’d certainly want to order all of these! The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own.

Ken's Artisan Pizza Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Signature