Mendy Drinks

Rattlesnake

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Rattlesnake

Happy whatever you are celebrating.

2 oz Rye
1 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
1 Egg White
Absinthe rinse

Via the Savoy Cocktail book and PDT

All Bark All Bite

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

All Bark All Bite

I can list many things I did wrong with this cocktail. The wrong ice, the wrong simple syrup, the wrong fernet, the picture is boring. But you know what went right? I made the cocktail and enjoyed it immensely with good friends.

1 oz Blended Scotch
1 oz Rye
1/4 oz Fernet
1/4 oz Simple Syrup

Via The Bartender’s Manifesto

The Hummingbird

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The Hummingbird

Went out on a limb with this one. Was afraid my Cherry Heering was too oxidized. The only difference I could tell was the color. I was afraid this would be too dry but if anything I over corrected and added too much simple syrup. Overall a delicious cocktail.

1 3/4 oz Tequila
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Cherry Heering
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1 egg white

Via The Bartender’s Manifesto

Fitz-G-Honeymooner

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Fitz-G-Honeymooner

It has been a while. I made this New Years Eve for some friends to great success. Not quite a spiked lemonade but that is almost certainly the inspiration.

1 1/2 oz White Rum
1/2 oz Cointreau
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Honey Syrup

Via Frederic Yarm

Lodge Negroni

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

While there are many more posts on this account by my calculations this is cocktail number 300.

I missed the other century milestones so as I approached this one I felt some self imposed pressure to do something “special” to mark the occasion. This pressure led to some trepidation and it was with some anxiety that I looked for a recipe. With this being #negroniweek I pulled this off the hopper from what may be my most used source (thanks @fredericyarm for all the inspiration).

Fernet-inez

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A earthy delicious cocktail. The botanicals of the gin play with the herby Fernet. Using the Maraschino as the sweetener is perfect

2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Fernet
1/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz Maraschino
1 dash Angostura bitters

Via Be Your Own Bartender

Mance Rayder

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Mance Rayder

Well balanced with the earthy notes held in check by the sweet and bitters. The multitude of ingredients is offset by building in the glass.

1 1/2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Mezcal
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/2 oz Cointreau
2 dashes Angostura
2 dashes Orange Bitters

Via hungrybartender and fredericyarm

Improved Whiskey Cocktail

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

I was looking for something simple at the end of a long day. Sometimes it’s fun to keep it basic.

2 oz Rye
1/4 oz Maraschino
1/4 oz Simple Syrup
2 dash Angostora

Via PDT

Afterthought

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Similar to the Sensation which was similar to the Leapfrog. I liked the weighty amount of Angostura in this drink. Today is the last day this year the sun will set after 8pm. Felt appropriate to sip this outside watching the airplanes and listening to the ball game.

1 3/4 oz Gin
1/2 oz Maraschino
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
3 dashes Angostura bitters

Via Served by Soberon

Grape Sour

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

There is probably a sour grapes joke to be made. But the closest I can get is I wish my cocktail had the same gorgeous color as the original. A nice sour just wish it had a little more of the grape juice flavor. Next time I’m going to swap the simple syrup for more grape juice.

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1 oz Grape Juice
1/3 oz Simple Syrup
Egg White

Via Empire Brick of Gin

Pomegranate Gimlet

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Well balanced and tasty. I’ve been on somewhat of a Gin streak recently and will have to experiment with more Gimlet variations.

2 oz Gin
1 oz Pomegranate Juice
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup

Via Drink Loving Couple

Jasmine

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A cross between a sour and a Negroni? If you like bitter cocktails you will love this. Too bitter for my tastes. I would bump the Cointreau to .5 oz next time.

1 1/2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/4 oz Campari
1/4 oz Cointreau

Via The Educated Barfly

Hop Toad

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

1 1/2 Dark Rum
1 oz Apricot Brandy
1/2 oz Lime Juice
3 Dash Bitters

Via Joy of Mixology

“Empire Cocktail"

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

1 1/2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Calvados (Applejack)
3/4 oz Apricot Brandy

Following a New York cocktail with an Empire cocktail. Very dry and very boozy. Some of that is probably due to the ingredients I had on hand. I was in the mood for something simple and straight forward. This three bottle cocktail fit the bill.

Via Savoy Cocktail Book

New York Minute

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

1 1/2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Applejack
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Grenadine
1 dash Absinthe

There haven’t been many vodka cocktails on my feed. But true to the description this is a vodka drink for non-vodka drinkers. All of the flavors are well balanced. The lemon alone probably wouldn’t have been enough to counter the sweetness but the absinthe smooths everything over so well.

Via The Bartender’s Manifesto

Raw but not Strawless

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

1 1/2 oz Rum
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Maraschino
1/4 oz Cointreau

A little bit too much lime but a crisp refreshing drink. Need to work on my ice crushing.

Via Cocktail Detour

Enzoni

Mon, 29 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

1 oz Gin
1 oz Campari
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
5 Grapes

It will always be surprising to me how a bitter cocktail can be refreshing and a great summer cocktail. This is well balanced, it takes both the grapes and the simple syrup to stand up to the gin and Campari.

Via multiple places but I saw it at Steve the Bartender first

The Alligator

Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

2 oz Fernet
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup
1/2 oz Cointreau

The deep herbal of the Fernet almost overwhelms the sweetness of the Orange liqueur but acid of the lime and the spice of the cinnamon balance everything nicely.

Via The Educated Barfly

Seersucker

Mon, 22 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

2 oz Rum (Flor de Cana)
1 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup

Years ago I found the Death and Co book at my local library and copied down several recipes. Now the stars aligned as I have the book and all the ingredients. In the description the drink is served in a pilsner glass with crushed ice. To control the dilution the instructions call for shaking with only three ice cubes. A detail I didn’t notice when I first read the recipe.

Man Overboard

Thu, 18 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

3 dashes Angostura Bitters
2 oz Rum (Flor de Cana)
3/4 oz Lime Juice
3/4 oz Grenadine

Hard to go wrong with Rum, Grenadine and Lime. Why is there an umbrella? Because I can.

Via Be Your Own Bartender

Don Lockwood

Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

3 dashes Angostura Bitters
3/8 oz Maple Syrup
1 oz Islay Scotch (Laphroig)
1 oz Bourbon (Heaven Hill BiB)

Trying to get back into the saddle with this no muss no fuss cocktail. Built in the glass with readily available ingredients. Maple syrup goes well with smokey flavors and once the dilution started the Laphroig no longer overpowered the drink.

Via Kurt Maitland’s Drink

Newark

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

An uninspiring looking drink. But very interesting after the first sip. You get the sweetness of the vermouth, applejack and maraschino. But even the small amount of fernet prevents the sweetness from becoming overwhelming without resorting to sours or bitters. The mouthfeel has a nice viscosity and weight.

2 oz Applejack
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz Fernet
1/4 oz Marashino

Via PDT

Hanky Panky

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Found another new ingredient so time to review the books again. This time it’s for Fernet. On my first taste I think Fernet is a softer Amaro adding a subtler herbal flavor.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
2 dashes Fernet

Via Kurt Maitland’s Drink

Footloose

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

While listed under the sour family, the ingredients seemed too sweet. But the lime juice balances the triple sec and the raspberries aren’t sweet enough to tip the balance.

2 oz Raspberry Vodka
1 oz Triple Sec
1/2 oz Lime Juice

Via Joy of Mixology

The Gentleman Caller

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

This really needs a dry gin. On the first sip it was very gin forward. But after a moment the sweetness of the other ingredients came through.

1 oz Dry Gin
1 oz Apple Brandy
3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz Brown Sugar Syrup

Via Fredric Yarm

Golden Friendship

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

I love equal parts cocktails. By adding the ingredients in order this starts off like a highball and ends like a much stronger drink.

1 oz Amaretto
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Rum
1 oz Ginger Ale

Fill collins glass with ice. Add ingredients in order and garnish with orange slice

Via Kurt Maitland’s Drink

Churchill

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

A simple cocktail with lots of flavor. It does seem to be a little more sour than I expected.

1 1/2 oz Scotch
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth

Via Fredric Yarm

The Commodore

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Wow. It has been almost a year. Found this in the Bourbon magazine. A fairly simple recipe to get back into the swing of things.

1 1/2 oz Bourbon
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1/2 oz Rum

Via Bourbon Magazine

Harvest Moon

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Apples in a cup. I’m not sure lemon juice was the best sour to cut this with. I think it’s a little over powering or maybe my lemons were a little too sour. May reduce to 1/2 oz lemon juice next time.

1 1/2 oz AppleJack
1/4 oz Honey Crisp Apple
3/4 oz Honey Syrup
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1 dash Angostura

Via Be Your Own Bartender

Pharaoh Cooler

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Another great summertime drink. Takes some time to squeeze the watermelon juice.

1 1/2 oz Tequila
1 oz Watermelon Juice
3/4 oz Grenadine
1/2 oz Lime Juice

Via PDT

Snow Day Swizzle

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

My employer sent us a gift package to celebrate the anniversary of the company’s founding. Included was a spherical ice mold. The first time I used it I was impatient and took it out of the freezer early and discovered I could make hollow ice spheres. So of course I had to attempt to put a cocktail in side one. The cocktail was tasty, the execution not so much. Practice and patience makes perfect.

Marqueray

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Grenadine, Gin and Absinthe is a combination I want to play more with. The grenadine and gin really hold their own against the strong flavors of absinthe. None of these flavors are overwhelming, each lends itself to the drink.

2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Grenadine
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Absinthe

Via Fredric Yarm

Whiskey Business

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Like many people when I get a cocktail book I go through and mark recipes of interest. But when I get a new ingredient I find myself going back through all the books and marking even more recipes. First time using Ancho Reyes for me, excited to use it more often.

1 oz Rye
1 oz Ancho Reyes
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup

Via Kurt Maitland’s Drink

Scotch Lady

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

This might be the first time I was able to replicate not only the look but the taste of a cocktail from this great bar. The foam was spot on, the glass filled to the rim and the balance perfect. This tasted like I was at the bar, the only thing missing was the dim lights, good friends and a second round.

1 1/2 oz Scotch
1/2 oz Applejack
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
1/4 oz Grenadine
1 Egg White

Via Death & Co

Sarah's Evening Ritual

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

While not a nightly ritual, setting out the bar mat, browsing my recipe queue, gathering the tools and ingredients has been a relaxing ritual to end the day. Even the post drink clean up is part of the moment of zen. Somewhere between a mint julep and an old fashion each sip alternates between the two.

2 oz Bourbon
3/4 oz Honey Syrup
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
8 - 10 Mint Leaves
3 Dashes Angostura

Via TheTipsyMuse

Berlin in'77

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

A smokey well balanced cocktail. I think the smoke of the mezcal and the spice of the cinnamon are countered by the orange and tequila.

1 oz Mezcal
1 oz Tequila
1 oz Orange Juice
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup
Bitters

Via Kurt Maitland’s Drink

Cherry Pop

Sun, 30 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000

A rainy start to summer isn’t a reason to skip a summery drink. The color is gorgeous and looks like pink lemonade. A little tart but a refreshing and delicious cocktail.

2 oz Plymouth Gin
1 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Maraschino Liquour
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
2 Cherries

Via PDT

Monseigneur Special

Wed, 19 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000

A little too tart. I think the original ration would have been a little more balanced.

2 oz Rum
1/2 oz Apricot Brandy
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/4 oz Grenadine

Via Fredric Yarm

Colts Neck

Sun, 09 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Basically a Jack Rose with club soda. Not a bad thing since I like a Jack Rose. Also compelled me to challenge my garnishing skills.

2 oz Applejack
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Grenadine
1 dash Angostura Bitters
1 dash Orange Bitters
2 oz Club Soda

Via Be Your Own Bartender

Black Squirrel Old Fashioned

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

I love the Old Fashioned and love this take on the Old Fashioned. The Cherry Herring adds flavor without tasting like cough syrup.

2 oz Bourbon
1/4 oz Cherry Herring
1/4 oz Maple Syrup
3 dash Bitters

Via Fredric Yarm

Vacation

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

We can all use a vacation. Similar to my Last, Right riff on the Last Word.

1 oz Gin
1 oz Maraschino
1 oz Lime Juice
3 dash Bitters

Via Jessica Stiles

Opal

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Keeping it simple

1 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Cointreau
1 oz Orange Juice
2 dash Orange Bitters

Via The Bartender Bible

Happy Birthday to Me

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

I was hoping for a little more foam, but I’m still learning.

1 1/2 oz Rum
1/2 oz Orgeat
1/4 oz Simple Syrup
1/4 oz Lime Juice
Juice of 1 Orange

Via skaterrae

Smoky Bear

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

I thought this would be a take on an old fashioned but it isn’t sweet. Just enough mezcal and absinthe to play nicely together.

1 3/4 oz Rum
2 Tsp Mezcal
2 Tsp Maple Syrup
2 Tsp Absinthe
2 Dash bitters

Via Via Fredric Yarm

Fitzgerald

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1 oz Simple Syrup
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Via Via Death & Co

Bone Crusher

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The spiciness of the siracha went well with the smokiness of the mezcal. You can adjust the siracha to taste. I went more on the spicy side and the second drink had a redder tinge.

2 oz Mezcal
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Nickel sized drop of Siracha

Via Fredric Yarm

Rusty Nail

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

After a renovation I’ve got the cocktail bar set up once again (minus the glassware). The renovation should have been completed months ago but 2020 was a year. Unfortunatly the bar was out of scope for this renovation but I’ve made some adjustments to this old TV cabinet that makes it better suited as a bar. While I have grand plans for a permanent bar for now Bar 2.0 will do just fine.

Mojito

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Ending the summer with a classic. There are as many recipes as days in the summer but I choose the one from Joy of Mixology. Gave me the opportunity to use my new Lewis Bags for crushing ice and my home grown mint.

2 oz Rum
4 Lime Wedges
3 Tsp Sugar
8 Mint Leaves
Soda Water

Via Gary Regan

Siesta

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I could have used one today. Both the drink and the nap.

2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Campari
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Grapefruit Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup

Via PDT

Helsingor

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Yet another cocktail that is heavy on the Angostura Bitters. I might have to buy the large bottle next time.

1 3/4 oz Rye
3/4 oz Apricot liqueur
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Angostura Bitters

Via Drink & Tell

Beachbum

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

A nice refreshing tiki drink after a blazing hot day. The pineapple shines through this drink and the orgeat gets lost in the background.

2 oz Rum
1 oz Pineapple Juice
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1/2 Apricot Liquor
1/2 oz Orgeat

Via PDT

Old Ironsides

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I can’t remember the last cocktail I made without a syrup or juice of some sort. I wasn’t sure why a drink with so many seemingly sweet components would have a name like “Old Ironsides”. But this cocktail has a pleasant dark old leather aroma and taste. The amaretto comes in at the end to give just a little bit of nuttiness.

1 1/2 oz Rum
1/2 oz Blackstrap Rum
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 Tsp Amaretto
1 Dash Bitters

Via Death & Co

Smoke and Mirrors

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This cocktail has a wonderful aroma, the freshness of the mint with the smoke of the scotch. The little bit of licorice from the absinthe gives the extra subtle finish with every sip. I usually find cocktails that call for peaty scotch get overwhelmed by the smoky flavors. This cocktail does a good job balancing the smoke with the other flavors.

4 Mint Leaves
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
1 oz Scotch
1/2 oz Peaty Scotch
3/4 oz Lime Juice
2 dashes Absinthe

Via Cocktail Detour

Police and Thieves

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The mixture of juices and syrups really shines in this cocktail. The brightness of the gin and pineapple is punched up by the cinnamon and lime.

2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup
1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
1/4 oz Grapefruit Juice

Via One Bottle Cocktail

Sensation

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

As I was looking at my recipe queue I found one that is almost identical to the Leapfrog. This version has cherry as the fruit flavoring instead of apricot. It might be the quality of ingredients but I have to say I like this version better.

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Maraschino
1/4 oz Simple Syrup
6 Mint leafs

Via Fredric Yarm

Leapfrog

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

A refreshing summer drink. I think the mint and gin overpower the apricot and this needed a little more sweetness to balance things out.

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Apricot Liquor
1/4 oz Simple Syrup
2 Dash Orange Bitters
6 Mint Leaves

Via PDT

Lucino's Delight

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Time to see what the hype is about. I had hoped to do a rum based cocktail in homage to Hamilton’s origins but alas in a fit of bad planning I finished by Black Seal rum last week. I’ll let the reader insert their own pun regarding disposal of a small measure of alcohol.

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz Maraschino
1/4 oz Amaro

Via Death & Co

Daywalker

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I finally got a bar mat to contain my spills. Right on cue I dripped multiple times. But it was worth it for this cocktail. I has a gorgeous color and a velvety texture. The cinnamon syrup pulls out the spice of the Angostura while the rye provides a great base.

1 oz Rye
1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Angostura Bitters
1/4 oz Cinnamon Syrup

Via Frederic Yarm

In Woolworths We Buy Sweets

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I thought I shook this long enough to get the foamy head but if I tripled my usual shake I must need to add several orders of magnitude. This cocktail has the velvety mouthfeel from the rum and pineapple. The Campari punches up the tartness of the pineapple and limes. Next time with the long shake I need to use a little less ice to prevent dilution.

1 1/4 oz Spiced Rum
1/4 oz Campari
1 oz Pineapple Juice
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1/4 oz Simple Syrup

Via Mixology Brothers

Riccardo

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I enjoy a recipe where all ingredients are in equal parts. After a long day not having to measure multiple amounts is welcome. In the book this is billed as a mezcal take on the Blood and Sand and similar to its namesake the strong flavor of the mezcal more than stands up to the sweetness of the other ingredients. The hot sauce comes it at the end to give a welcome kick.

Cinnamon Girl

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This might be one of the more involved recipes yet. Multiple spirits? Check. Multiple syrups? Check. Muddling? Check. Crushed Ice? Check. Garnish? Check. The stars aligned and I had all the ingredients on hand in sufficient quantities. I do wonder how to judge adding the right amount of crushed ice before filling the glass with the cocktail. I presume when you do this nightly you get a feel. This starts with the orange notes which mellows into the agave from the tequila. I’m not sure if it’s the rum or the cinnamon that tie the flavors together. They certainly don’t play a leading role but elevate the stars.

Moscow Mule

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Turns out that I had never made one of these classics. So when my office sent a kit in lieu of a summer party I had no choice but to make one.

2 oz Vodka
3/4 oz Lime Juice
3-4 oz Ginger Beer

Applejack Rabbit

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I find that maple syrup gets lost in a cocktail. I can’t quite taste the maple over the sour of the lemon juice and the fruit flavors from the orange juice and applejack. This is a solid sour that’s a little more complex then a simple whiskey sour.

2 oz Applejack
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Orange Juice
1/2 oz Maple Syrup

Via PDT

Jack Rose

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Many cocktails call for applejack and I have always had to pass them over. So I was estatic to find a kosher certified applejack from Black Dirt. I wanted to start from the basics and of the many versions of the Jack Rose recipe I took the one from Imbibe. The applejack gives this a tang that bourbon or rye could not.

2 oz Applejack
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Grenadine

Via Imbibe

Apple Business

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This recipe calls for “runny honey” but didn’t quite explain how that was made. So I took 1/2 oz of honey and added 1/4 of hot water. Once I was fiddling with the ingredients I decided to fiddle with the garnish as well. This is a boozy drink and the Gin shines through the sweetness of the honey and apple juice.

2 oz Gin
1 oz Apple Juice
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Runny Honey

Via Cocktail Detour

202 Steps

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Being a fan of both bourbon and the Old Fashioned, this riff in the Death & Co book caught my eye. I’ve found that when muddling I need slightly more then listed in a recipie so I used almost a half a tangerine. The tangerine gives this a nice brightness.

2 oz Bourbon
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1/4 Tangerine
2 Dash Orange Bitters

Via Death & Co

Queen's Smile

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

There isn’t much to smile about in the world today. The sweetness of the Drambuie and Apricot are not enough to overpower the botanicals and lemon in this drink.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Apricot Liquor
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Drambuie

Via Drink & Tell

Leave it to Me

Mon, 25 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I was paging through the Savoy Coctail book looking for inspiration when I came across this gem. I struggle with converting “dashes” to ounces but I figured that three dashed made a 1/4 ounce, especially with grenadine and lemon juice. Use a good gin and vermouth as those flavors dominate.

1 1/2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Apricot Brandy
3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
1/4 oz Grenadine
1/4 oz Lemon Juice

Via Savoy Cocktail Book

Lion's Paw

Mon, 25 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I have a slew of recipes in the queue that call for cinnamon syrup. After I made a fresh batch today this cocktail was up first. Another crisp summer cocktail. The recipe called for serving it over crushed ice tiki style but since the inspiration was from an old fashioned I went that direction and poured it over my new “diamond” shaped ice cube. The lime and cinnamon went well together bound by the nuttiness of the orgeat.

Purple Fog

Sun, 24 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I picked up The One-Bottle Cocktail a while ago and there are so many good recipes. This one called for concord grapes which I did not have so I tried to adjust the count to accommodate. The grape flavors shine through. This is a crisp refreshing cocktail for a summers day. I think it has a little too much lime and would make it 1/2 oz next time.

2 oz Vodka
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
4 Concord Grapes

Via The One-Bottle Cocktail

Speaking in Tongues

Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Continuing to try and and work on my techniques. Double straining is absolutely required when muddling but I think I might start always double straining into a cocktail glass or coupe. The result looks cleaner and crisper. The smoke from the mezcal goes real well with the herbs in the amaro. I muddled two strawberries instead of one and was happy with the result.

1 oz Mezcal
1 oz Amaro
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
2 Strawberries
3 dash Angostura

Via flos.drinking.spirit

Amaro Sour

Wed, 20 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I finally took the plunge and used egg whites. I’ve had it before in bars but never had the courage to add them at home. My first attempt at a dry shake didn’t go as well as I’d liked as the shaker didn’t quite seal. But once I cleaned up the mess the result was tasty and looked great.

1 1/2 oz Amaro
3/4 oz Bourbon
1 oz Lemon Juice
1/4 oz Simple Syrup
1 egg white

Via Cocktail Explorer

Grandma’s Apple Pie

Sun, 17 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This does really taste like apple pie. I might add a 1/4 oz of cinnamon syrup instead of dusting. I do wish there was a way to make it a bit thicker. Having the apple garnish would give it a bit of a crunch.

2 oz Bourbon
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1/4 oz Creme de Cacao
1 oz Apple Juice
1 Dash bitter

Stir and dust with cinnamon

Via The Weekend Mixologist

Coronation

Tue, 12 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This is such a simple recipe, three ingredients with a 3:2:1 ratio. A wonderful riff on the martini that doesn’t just taste great but looks great as well.

1 1/2 oz Plymouth Gin
1 oz Dry Vermouth
1/2 oz Orgeat
1 dash bitters

Via Cocktail Virgin

Periodista

Sun, 10 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Grabbed my copy for Drink & Tell and found this straight forward cocktail. This drink wasn’t nearly as sweet as I expected.

1 1/2 oz Gosling Black Seal
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1/2 oz Apricot Brandy
1/2 oz Lime Juice

Via Drink & Tell

Straw Dog

Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me how potent peaty scotch can be. I think this needed a little more strawberry.

1 Strawberry
1 1/4 oz Scotch
1/4 oz Peated Scotch
1 oz Dry Vermouth
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1 Dash bitters

Via Death & Co

The Showdown

Sun, 03 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Usually cocktails call for a dash of bitters, this one called for a 1/2 ounce. It takes a lot of sugar to counter the bitterness so the rum, simple syrup and even the lemon juice take the bite out. Even so I paired it with some homemade peanut chews my daughter made and was not overwhelmed by sweetness.

3/4 oz Rum
1/2 oz Blackstrap Rum
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Angostura Bitters
1/2 oz Lemon Juice

Via Frederic Yarm

Fancy Nancy

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Since the cocktail is “fancy” I decided to be more fancy than usual. I don’t usually double strain when I make a cocktail but I did this time. I also flamed the orange peel as directed. I couldn’t really taste either but visually the drink looked nice for having been double strained. The cocktail starts off with bright orange flavors with the Campari bringing up the rear.

1 oz Gin
1 oz Orange Juice
1 oz Cointreau
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/2 oz Campari

Via Cocktail Detour

Swearengen Sling

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Went to the Death & Co book this evening. It is fun when you can look at a recipe and understand why the creator added the ingredients that they did. This is a fun drink. It has a bunch of alcohol so it goes into a highball with plenty of ice. The strong flavors of the Amaro and Cherry Heering are balanced by the lemon juice, but the simple syrup makes sure it isn’t sour. While the bourbon gives the baseline depth. A fun and easy cocktail.

Bourbon and Butter

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This recipe caught my eye with two things I like, peanut butter and bourbon. The author was correct don’t look into the tin after shaking. I desperately want to find a good cocktail with peanut butter that is good from beginning to end. This one started off with only a hit of the peanut butter but by the end it came through.

1 3/4 oz Bourbon
1/4 oz Orgeat
1/4 oz Cacao Liqueur
1 Bar Spoon Peanut Butter

Via Cocktail Detour

Jockey Club Cocktail No 2

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Moving along the Gin theme I pulled this simple cocktail from the Joys of Mixology. More sour than sweet, the lemon overwhelms the amaretto.

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Amaretto
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
Dash of Angostura bitters

Via Joy of Mixology

Dodge Special

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The recipe from Savoy called for 1/2 part gin, 1/2 part Cointreau and a dash of Grape Juice. So what is 3 dashes? I went with a 1/4 oz and was happy with the result. The Milk & Honey gin stood up well to the other two sweet ingredients.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1 1/2 oz Cointreau
1/4 oz Grape Juice

Via Savoy Cocktail Book

Professor

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Back in the saddle after almost two years away. Start off with a simple recipe with accessible ingredients.

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lime Juice
3/4 oz Grenadine
1 Dash Orange Bitters
1 Dash Absinthe

Via Frederic Yarm

Can't Elope in Panama

Mon, 03 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Clear rum, clear simple syrup, clear lime juice all of the gorgeous color of this cocktail comes from the cantaloupe. The alcohol is hidden well behind the sweet and tart. A well balanced recipe.

4 cubes cantaloupe
1 1/2 oz Light Rum
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup

Via The One Bottle Cocktail

Spanish Penny

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Three ingredients, build in the glass, can’t get any simpler than this recipe. No special tools needed. This is one of the first recipes I’ve done with vinegar. Time to expand into shrubs.

2 oz Rye
1 Tsp Maple Syrup
1/4 Tsp Sherry Vinegar

Via The One Bottle Cocktail

American Berry Smash

Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve scrolled by this recipe in my queue for a while, always missing at least one ingredient. Finally the perfect storm of berry supply unlocked this delicious cocktail. It was not as boozy as the two ounces of bourbon might suggest. Loads of berry flavor and not overly sweet

1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Wild Turkey American Honey
1 Strawberry
10 Blueberries
1/2 Lemon quartered
1/4 oz Honey Syrup

Muddle the fruits with the Honey Syrup. Add the alcohol, shake, double strain into a rocks glass.

Barrio Viejo

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I always enjoy a good old fashioned riff. The quicker and simpler to construct the better. This was a nice sipper while I worked the grill before dinner. I think I need to recalibrate my “dashes” or my “rinses” as the bitters got lost behind the mezcal/absinthe rinse.

2 oz Tequila
1 Tsp Simple Syrup
2 dash Peycauds Bitters
2 dash Angustora Bitters
Absinthe & Mezcal rinse

Via Fredric Yarm

Bee Sting

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000

This simple tequila cocktail is quick and easy. Presuming you have honey syrup on hand. Used up the last of mine with this recipe.

2 oz Tequila
3/4 oz Honey Syrup
3/4 oz Lemon Juice

Via The Weekend Mixologist

Mott and Mulberry

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Looking at the ingredient list you would think the rye, lemon juice and amaro would cut down on the sweetnes in this drink. But not the demerara and apple juice vanquish and stand out.

1 oz Rye
1 oz Amaro
3/4 oz Apple Juice
1/2 oz Demerara Syrup
1/2 oz Lemon Juice

Via Cocktail Detour

Wooden Nickel

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I was excited to try out this new book The One Bottle Cocktail by Maggie Hoffman. While each recipe only requires one bottle of alcohol they are anything but simple. The Wooden Nickel is similar to the Exile in Ryeville from the other day but much sweeter. The bourbon instead of rye and the tangerine juice instead of cointreau make for a much sweeter and brighter drink. The tangerine juice was harder to produce then I would have thought. I may have made a mistake peeling the tangerine first.

Mr. Howell

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

A while ago a sharp eyed viewer spotted the Star Wars Lego figurine my son left the shot. That happy accident is an ant next to the giant that is Scotch Trooper. I noticed that his posts had declined but nothing prepared me for the reason. I watched his interview on Scotch Test Dummies a couple of days ago and was amazed at the story. I alternated between sadness over what had happened and anger over the bullying of an artist. I’m going to try and find away to support his work and so should you. #istandwithtrooper #wesupportyouscotchtrooper

Exile in Ryeville

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

As I was making this drink I though it would be sweet but it really isn’t. Rye cuts down the sweetness in a way bourbon or rum couldn’t.

I usually don’t bother with fancy garnishes when I’m mixing a single drink. But I had some extra time tonight so I decided to give this cocktail its due. Garnish is a skill like any other and needs practice. Any tips for practicing glass rimming?

Cuban

Sun, 15 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

1 1/2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
3/8 oz Grenadine
1/4 oz Maraschino
2 dash Orange Bitters

Via Fredric Yarm

Kidnapped

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

1 1/2 oz Rum
1 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Mezcal
1/2 oz Demerara Syrup

Via Boxes and Booze

The Bishop

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I don’t often drink wine so this recipe has been in the hopper for a while. We had some wine leftover from our 4th of July B-B-Q so I made this sangria variant. It was a little on the sweet side and I think I would have added some more Lime Juice to balance out the cocktail.

1 1/2 oz Rum
1 oz Red Wine
1/4 oz Lime Juice
1/4 oz Simple Syrup

Via The Humble Garnish

Hunter

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I’m lucky to live in a city with several world class cocktail bars. Even so it is sad when one has to close. The other day the Dead Rabbit was impacted by a fire in an adjoining building. Hopefully they will be back up and running soon. So in tribute I choose a cocktail from the Dead Rabbit Drinks Manual. The Hunter is a perfect representation of a great Dead Rabbit cocktail. Pretty to look at, plenty of booze, based on a classic, complex and makes you want to keep sipping.

Pinky Gonzales

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Everyday Drinkers was one of the first bloggers/youtubers I started following. Derrick is a character and watching him certainly inspired me to begin making cocktails. This is nice tequila version of a Mai Tai.

2 oz Tequila
3/4 oz Lime
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1/2 oz Orgeat

Via Everyday Drinkers

Hollow Point

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000

A take on the boulevardier. A little late for Negroni Week.

1 1/2 oz Bourbon
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
3/8 oz Apricot Liqour
3/8 oz Campari

Via Frederic Yarm

Stork Club

Sun, 03 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000

After a month off for an impromptu dry May I’m back in the saddle. My supply of syrups and juices has been depleted so I needed to find a straight forward recipe with common ingredients. The Stork Club fits the bill nicely. The cocktail has a gorgeous color and is well balanced. Not too sweet and not too tart. It’s good to be back mixing drinks.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1/4 oz Lime Juice
1 oz Orange Juice
1 Dash Angostura

Via Cocktail Detour

Curse of Scotland

Thu, 03 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000

This cocktail fools you into thinking it will be smoky. There is enough sweet to cover most of the smoke. It starts of feeling smoky with the aroma but the first sip is cloyingly sweet with both honey and cherry notes. The peat finally breaks through at the end with a lingering smoky flavor.

3/4 oz Islay Scotch
3/4 oz Maraschino
3/4 oz Drambuie
3/4 oz Lemon

Via Frederic Yarm

Rio Grande

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Some days it’s nice to come home and put together a complicated cocktails. Other times you want something simple and easy. It doesn’t get any more straight forward than a equal parts three bottle cocktail. This is an excellent recipe to try different styles of Tequila and Gin with. Different brands would make a huge difference in this drink.

1 oz Gin
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Tequila

Via Frederic Yarm

Caricature Cocktail

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I’d like to find the cocktail this is based on. Not quite the recipe with the most ingredients but very close. There is enough sweetness in this cocktail to counter the bitterness of the Campari.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Grapefruit Juice
1/2 oz Campari
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/2 oz Triple Sec

Via Joy of Mixology

Sugarplum

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

It’s time for me to start experimenting with different types of gin. I used Plymouth Gin in this recipe to avoid some of the overly juniper notes and allow the juices to shine. I didn’t even attempt the garnish displayed in the original but this was a really tasty drink. You get the sweetness of the juices followed by the bite of the gin.

2 oz Gin
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
1/2 oz Grenadine

Via Cocktail Detour

Humuhumu Nukunuku

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Gin and Tiki aren’t usual companions. As Rysse points out there is something off about the balance in this recipe. I think it has a little too much sour. Next time I’m going to flip the Lemon Juice and Orgeat amounts and see if that has enough sweetness.

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Orgeat
2 Dashes Bitters

Via Mommy Mixology

Blood Orange

Sun, 22 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

It isn’t often that I come across a recipe with orange juice. I was worried that the color on this drink would be very dark. But never underestimate the coloring powers of Campari. Also never underestimate the bittering factor of Campari. This is a rather herbaceous drink with the juniper from the gin, the bitter from the amaro and Campari all overwhelming the orange juice.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Campari
1/2 oz Amaro
1 oz Orange Juice

Via Cocktail Detour

Which Word

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I spotted the Pete’s Word in the Death & Co book and was drawn to the combination of peat and lime. Peat and Maraschino go well together, the dark cherry notes of the Maraschino blend with the smokiness of the Scotch. As they mention in the book, the lime and peat shouldn’t make sense but works well.

Instead of the Green Chartreuse called for in the book I switched in Etrog Liquor. I’ve been meaning to test Etrog Liquor as a Chartreuse substitute for a while and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. However, I wasn’t sure if this departure was enough to warrant a new name. I’ve swapped styles of rum or gin in the past without changing the cocktail name. So I consulted with a friend who helps me arbitrate all things cocktail. We figured the citrus of the Etrog was different enough from the herbal Chartreuse required a name change. Let me know in the comments your thoughts. How much of a deviation demands a new name?

Purkhart's Peck

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

According to my notes this is drink number 200. A surprise since it has not seemed like that long since I’ve started this journey. But it is almost exactly two years since my first post on Instagram. I don’t think my photography has improved but the range of ingredients and the number of bottles in my bar certainly has grown. I’ve made multiple syrups from scratch, experimented with clear ice and expanded by glassware collection. Maybe tomorrow I’ll post a statistical break down of the 200 cocktails but tonight we drink!

Blueberry Lemon Drop

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

While you wouldn’t know from the weather outside it is currently spring. So let’s try to encourage mother nature with a spring cocktail. This was wonderfully tart, almost a berry lemonade. Next time I’ll make this with gin to get a little more botanical flavor.

1 1/2 oz Vodka
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1/4 cup Blueberries
1 tsp Sugar

Via J.E. VanDerKern

Sea B3

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve wanted the Death & Co book for quite a while. When I got an unexpected Amazon gift card I decided to treat myself. The book itself is beautiful and the content is tremendously fun. I’m not sure which I enjoyed more, the essays from the regulars or the description of a typical 24 hours at the bar. But the best part was flipping to a random page and finding a perfect cocktail for my mood. The orange juice gets a little lost in the rum but this is a wonderful drink.

The Entrepeneur

Sun, 08 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Back in the saddle after the Passover break. The sweet notes of the grenadine and maple syrup are balanced by the lemon. I’m still trying to get a handle on how different sugars are offset by sours. Rye is a perfect alcohol for this mixture, it doesn’t get lost in the other flavors. My garnish game isn’t quite as good as the original.

2 oz Rye
1 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Maple Syrup
1/2 oz Grenadine
Dash Absinthe

Via The Weekend Mixologist

Monkey Margarita

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I shouldn’t be surprised how well Mezcal and Absinthe play together. I don’t usually use fresh squeezed orange juice and this cocktail made me question that practice for the first time.

2 oz Mezcal
1 oz Orange Juice
1/4 oz Lime Juice
1/4 oz Absinthe
1/4 oz Grenadine
1/4 oz Cointreau

Via Frederic Yarm

Bumblebee Man

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Smoke and honey play real well together.

2 oz Mezcal
1/4 oz Lime Juice
3/4 oz Honey Syrup

Via Mr Muddle

Honeysuckle

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000

A short hiatus from both mixology and puzzling ends tonight. I’ve been meaning to make honey syrup for a while now and I’m glad I finally spent the time. Honey syrup is much easier to work with then straight honey. The honey adds a nice sweetness to this “honey daiquiri”.

2 oz Rum
3/4 oz Lime Juice
3/4 oz Honey Syrup

Via The Weekend Mixologist

The Billionaire

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000

A very nice sour cocktail. The grenadine adds a more interesting note to the sweetness. This cocktail begs for experimentation. I’d like to try it with a lime instead of lemon or maybe a sour mix with grenadine instead of simple syrup.

2 oz Bourbon
1 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Grenadine
1/2 oz Simple Syrup

Via Flo

Count Your Trumps

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The name of this cocktail might as well have been bittersweet. Bittersweet is the perfect word to describe the flavor mix of the Campari and the Amaretto. The nutty bitterness is perfect. While the recipe calls for equal parts of Campari and Amaretto it is an easy one to tweak. If you like bitter make it a fat 3/4 oz of Campari. Like it sweet? Use a fat 3/4 oz of Amaretto. Couldn’t be simpler.

Estocada

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

After a hiatus I turned to this straightforward cocktail from Frederic Yarm. The dark fruits of the Cherry Heering are enhanced by the Amaro and the smokiness of the Mezcal adds dimension. I need to work on my garnish game. I’m sure I can find some how to videos on youtube.

1 oz Mezcal
1 oz Amaro
1 oz Cherry Heering
1 oz Lime Juice

Via Frederic Yarm

Lions of Baltimore

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve had my eye on this recipe for I while to see how the orgeat, lime and allspice would play together. It has an almost grapefruit flavor. Delightfully tart instead of sour.

2 oz Rum
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1/4 oz Orgeat
1 dash Allspice Dram
1 dash bitters

Via Carla Camerieri

Gin Lane

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

This was a nice drink. It has a bunch of sour but plenty of sweet to balance. I added a bit too much ginger ale as a topper but it created a wonderful foam top. I’d love to try this again but with ginger beer instead of ginger ale.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1/4 oz Apricot Liqueur
1/4 oz Cointreau
1 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Orgeat
Ginger Ale

Via Cocktail Detour

Sherman

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

An inverse Manhattan at the end of a long day.

1 oz Bourbon
2 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 Bsp Absinthe
1 Dash Bitters

Via Frederic Yarm

The Meat Hook

Mon, 05 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Instagram post #200. I didn’t think I would reach this post. I started of as basic as a new person could begin. Along the way I’ve branched out in ingredients, equipment and composition. Much thanks to all the instagram mixologists and bartenders who provided inspiration and recipes. Looking forward to the next 200 posts!

1 1/2 oz Rye
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
2 Tsp Islay Scotch
1 Tsp Maraschino

Via Bar Faith

Commando

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

In a recent survey at work I was asked what I liked to do for “fun”. My answer was “Watch hockey, bake with my kids and make interesting cocktails”. Three for three this evening, watching the Rangers, baking caramel chip cookies and make the Commando. A riff off a sidecar this was a tasty drink.

1 1/2 oz Bourbon
3/4 oz Triple Sec
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1 bsp Absinthe

Via Frederik Yarm

Old Pal

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The last couple of cocktails were sweet and sour. To round out the favors I found a recipe that features bitter. I love the color that Campari gives a cocktail.

2 oz Rye
3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
3/4 oz Campari

Via PDT Cocktail Book

The C Old Fashioned

Sun, 28 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

I love each of the Sukkah Hill products. The Besamim Liqueur reminds of so much of Saturday nights. I would have thought the combination of Besamim and cinnamon would be overpowering. I was wrong, each of the ingredients stands out in this cocktail. My only regret is I didn’t have a big ice cube and the drink watered down towards the end.

2 oz Besamim
1 oz Rye
1/8 oz Cinnamon Syrup
5 drops Vanilla Extract
10 Drops Orange Bitters

Via Sukkah Hill & OurFoodHobby

Brooklyn Eagle

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

After a longer than intended hiatus I wanted something simple, sour and bourbon. This cocktail fits the bill on all three. I appreciate a cocktail that fills the glass and I don’t feel guilty at all about the higher alcohol content.

2 oz Bourbon
1 oz Triple Sec
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Lime Juice

Via Cocktail Detour

Cocoa Republic

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Much Cocoa flavor in this drink. I think the vermouth served to enhance the cocoa flavor otherwise I would not have though 1/4 oz would be so potent.

1 1/2 oz White Rum
3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
1/4 oz Cointreau
1/4 oz Creme de Cacao
1/4 oz Grenadine

Via Frederic Yarm

Creative Differences

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The alcohol is completely masked in this cocktail. Even with a strong rye whiskey the taste of alcohol is covered by the orange, almond and lemon flavors. This is the second cocktail I made with my “frozen” orgeat. After making a batch of orgeat I froze half the batch in an ice tray. With enough notice I can remove one of the “cubes” and have orgeat without worrying about spoilage.

Twist of Fate

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The first thing you notice about this drink is the color, a beautiful dark red. The second thing you notice is the great balance of sweet/sour between the grenadine and lime. I’m going to note down that ratio for future reference. Next time though I’m going to double all the measures, this was delicious but there wasn’t enough!

1 1/2 oz Peated Whiskey
1 oz Grenadine
3/4 oz Lime Juice
2 dashes grapefruit bitters

Via Boxes and Booze

Snow Bomb

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

After surviving the “bomb cyclone” I’m glad for Tiki the snow away to help melt the last flakes. My contribution is the Snow Bomb. I wanted the cocktail to be red not brown so I used a white rum. But I also wanted some spice so I added the Besamim Liqueur. I was aiming for a sweeter result but overall I was pleased with the result.

2 oz Rum
1 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Grenadine
1/4 oz Besamim Liqueur

Cyclone Hot Toddy

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The ‘bomb cyclone’ did not disappoint. I’m not sure how much snow we got as the drifting snow was all over the place. I was standing on the clear bricks of my patio and six feet away was a four foot drift. After clearing my house (with a snow blower), picking up my brother from a stranded LIRR train and digging out my parents cars (without a snow blower) I was ready for a hot drink. But I was too tired to find a recipe so I made up my own. A fitting inauguration of my High West cut. I didn’t even measure the ingredients. Not the booziest drink but certainly warming and sweet, which after all is the whole point.

Blackberry Sap

Tue, 02 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

With a big winter storm incoming we continue with the berry theme. The blackberries are real fragile and plump. You don’t need to muddle them at all and you have to be careful not to crush them while washing. Double straining is a must! This recipe has plenty of berry flavor and is refreshingly cool. Come the summer time I’ll premake a big batch and bring it to the beach.

Blackberry Bourbon Sour

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

It seems that blackberries must be in season as I’ve seen them in several local stores. Seems strange in the middle of fridged weather. I’ve several bookmarked recipies that call for blackberries so it seems 2018 will begin with a theme. The first thing I noticed about this cocktail is the beatiful deep purple color. The sour wasn’t quite there and I wonder if I had added the egg white as called for by the original recpipe. The agave syrup is a great call as it brings out the berry flavors.

Shadow Kick

Thu, 28 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

When the temperature is well below freezing you turn to Islay for the warming smoky flavors. The dark cherry balances the smoke from the peat. The Besamim is a great choice of sweeting agent lending more character than a simple syrup. Most recipes don’t fit as perfectly as this one did in my coupe glasses.

1 oz Islay Scotch
1 oz Besamim Liqueur
1/2 oz Cherry Brandy
3/4 oz Lime Juice
3/4 oz Orgeat Syrup
1/8 oz Rose Water

Via Sukkah Hill) and Jason Walsh

Martinez

Wed, 27 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Stirred not shaken. There is something beautiful about a clear cocktail. This one is a botanical martini with bitters.

1 1/2 oz Old Tom Gin
1 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz Maraschino
2 dashes Bitters

Via PDT

Evening Redness No 1

Tue, 26 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I inaugurated a new bottle of Angostura bitters with a cocktail that called for 1/4 of an ounce! When I first read the recipe I thought it was a typo but it turns out such recipes do exist. The cocktail was not nearly as bitter as I would have thought, with a slight cinnamon tinge

2 oz Gin
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz Campari
1/4 oz Angostura Bitters
1 Tsp Simple Syrup

Via Fredric Yarm

Black Sail

Sun, 24 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I continue the stirred not shaken streak. The Black Sail is aptly name with a dark color and dark flavor notes. The cinnamon from the syrup blends wonderfully with the nuttiness of the amaro. The bourbon provides the punch and they lemon zest gives it a tiny bit of brightness.

1.5 oz Bourbon
1/2 oz Amaro
1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup
2-3 dashes Bitters

Via Whisky Cast

Punisher

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

A chilly day here in NYC so I choose a Mezcal cocktail for the warming smokiness. Even with three sweet ingredients the mezcal dominates. If you like mezcal you will like this cocktail.

1 oz Mezcal
1 oz Rum
1/4 oz Drambuie
1/4 oz Demerara Syrup

Via Apartment Bartender

Laura Lee

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Many people are posting their favorite book purchases of 2017 so I went to my favorite purchase Drink & Tell. This is an excellent book with many accessible recipes from the Boston scene. Lots of dark stone fruit in this drink which is unsurprising given the ingredient list. The rye got lost amongst the liquors and I wonder if a tequila or rum would lend more of an influence.

2 oz Rye
3/4 oz Apricot Liqueur
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/4 oz Cherry Heering
1 dash bitters

Via Drink & Tell

First Night

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Tonight marks the first night of Chanukah, celebrating the victory of the few over the many. One of the recent traditions is to eat doughnuts, specifically jelly doughnuts. I wanted to make a cocktail that paid some homage to that tradition. So I threw together some gin, strawberry jam and lemon juice. The result was a little more tart than I was aiming for so I will certainly add some simple syrup or maybe some muddle strawberries in the next edition.

Hot Buttered Rum

Mon, 11 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

After several days in a row of sub freezing temperatures I was happy to attempt Hot Buttered Rum for the first time. There are many recipes out there so I turned to a trusted source. I tried several times but could not float a tab of the batter on top. Also note to self, using a metal measuring cup with hot water is a bad idea.

2 oz Rum
8 oz hot water
2 tbsp batter

From Frederic Yarm

North Star

Sun, 10 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

With the first snow of the year I flipped through my bookmarks looking for a good Besamim recipe. The North Star from Garnish Girl has hints of smoke from the mezcal and the warming spice of the Besamim. The lemon juice adds a brightness to a wonderful cocktail for sitting inf ront of the fire.

1 oz Mezcal
1 1/2 oz Besamim Liqueur
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Black Tea Syrup

From Garnish Girl

Maiden's Prayer

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I enjoy comparison tasting. Taking a cocktail and swapping one ingredient to see how the balance and taste change is loads of fun. This is one of the many reasons I’ve been enjoying The Joy of Mixology. Here is the Maiden’s Prayer which is related to the Maiden’s Blush. I prefer this version which is not as sweet.

1 oz Gin
1 oz Cointreau
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Orange Juice
Bitters to taste

From The Joy of Mixology

21 Sour

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Usually I forget about Repeal Day, not this year. A Repeal Day cocktail needs whiskey or gin as its base spirit. While in Vegas last week I had an interesting take on a whiskey sour that used marmalade as the sour agent rather than citrus. I added a little bit of cinnamon syrup and I have the 21 Sour. 21 for the amendment and sour because I like whiskey sours.

Autumn Daiquiri

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Even though it is December it is not yet officially winter so this Autumn Daiquiri is still in season. You certainly get the lime on the first sip with the cinnamon hinting in the background, the pineapple gets a little lost. The recipe called for bitters but it probably could do without.

2 oz Rum
1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/4 oz Demerara Syrup
1/4 oz Cinnamon Syrup
1 Dash Angostura Bitters

Via Fredric Yarm and Death & Co

Commando Sling

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

After returning from Thanksgiving dinner I wanted a themed cocktail but nothing caught my eye. So I decided to combine a sidecar riff and the Bardstown Sling. The cranberry and orange do remind me of pumpkin and the absinthe prevents the drink from being too sweet.

1 1/2 oz Bourbon
3/4 oz Cranberry Juice
3/4 oz Cointreau
1 bsp Absinthe

Gunslinger

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Another coffee cocktail. This one a modified version of the Gunslinger. This is a high alcohol content cocktail. It tastes like smoked coffee and I rather enjoy the flavor. The bourbon seems to get a little lost and I wonder how it would taste with rum instead of bourbon.

2 oz Bourbon
1/2 oz Coffee Liquor
1/2 oz Mezcal

Found from Captain Cocktails

“Ruby Slippers”

Sun, 19 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I’m a big fan of the Etrog Liquor from Sukkah Hill. When I saw this recipe on their feed it immediately went onto the queue. I was worried that the drink would be too sour with both the lemon and the etrog but both are needed to balance the raspberry syrup. I’m not sure how they were able to get the light red color as the raspberry syrup I have is a much darker color.

“Astor Martini”

Wed, 15 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Campari is a recent addition to my bar so I was excited to try this martini variation. Though just a small portion of the drink the floral bitterness comes through strong. I think the addition of grapefruit matches the color but lends too much acidity to the cocktail. I might try it with some grenadine or cranberry juice. Or maybe just some simple syrup.

2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Campari
1 oz Grapefruit Juice

Found from The Joy of Mixology by Gary Regan

Goodnight Kiss

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

We had some Godiva Chocolate Liquor left over from a baking recipe. I found this cocktail on their website. The classic combination of strawberries and chocolate was overly sweet. The strawberries did come through the chocolate but the sweetness was hard to get past. The cocktail did not come out as dark as I imagined but I tried to “float” my garnish above the surface of the drink. Idea was good, execution not so much.

White Lady

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I stumbled across this straight forward recipe in the Savoy Cocktail book. I enjoyed the way the orange of the Cointreau plays with the anise of the absinthe. I used 1 oz portions and had exactly enough in the bottle of Cointreau. That’s what you get when you measure everything. Not sure what I would have done if I needed more.

1 oz Rum
1 oz Gin
1 oz Cointreau
Dash of Absinthe

Found from Savoy Cocktail Book

“Revolver”

Sun, 12 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I dug this out of my inbox of recipes to attempt. [Common Man Cocktails](http://everydaydrinkers.com) was the first blog or podcast about cocktails that I consumed. It has been fun to watch his format change over the years. The Revolver is a deceptively simple drink to make but has a lot of flavor. The little bit of coffee liquor goes a long way. If you like your coffee black you will like this drink. If you like your coffee sweet or light you probably want to add some simple syrup to cut the coffee bitterness.

2 oz Rye
1/2 oz Coffee Liquor
2 dash orange bitters

Found from Common Man Cocktails

Paradise

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I was discussing cocktail books with a coworker, searching for recommendations. He graciously offered to lend me his copy of The Joy of Mixology. The last book he lent me was the PDT book which I proceeded to purchase so he has a good track record. I barely got through the introduction when I added this to my Amazon cart. The Paradise is a little sweet and the Apricot gets a little lost.

Fire Rain

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I rarely make my own recipes. I don’t have the confidence or the palate knowledge yet to create my own cocktails. But tonight I couldn’t find anything that matched my appetite for something warming and spicy on a rainy evening. I took some inspiration from the Wake Up Call but didn’t want the bitter spice of jalapeño. Instead I mixed some cinnamon syrup I made over the weekend with bourbon. I’m pleased with the results but need to tweak the proportions. A little less bourbon and lemon juice next time.

Jubilee Line

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I flagged this recipe from the excellent Drink &Tell book in the event we ended up with Marmalade in the house. This is the third drink I’ve made recently with jam or preserves and double straining makes a big difference. I think there was a little too much lemon in this drink or it could be the extra tartness of the Marmalade.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1 Tbsp Marmalade
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Triple Sec

Found from Frederic Yarm’s excellent Drink & Tell

Almond Brother

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I would have though this cocktail would be too sweet or too nutty with both orgeat and amareto. But the tequila does come through at the end of a sip. It is fun to mix a cocktail with half a dozen ingredients. I didn’t realize how many components were involved until after I had lined them all up before I began mixing.

2 oz Tequila
1/4 oz Amaretto
1 tsp Apricot Liquor
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1/4 oz Orgeat
1/4 oz Maple Syrup

Found from Coctail Detour and the Death & Co book

Blinker

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Who would have put grapefruit and rye together. This cocktail is amazingly balanced. Just enough sweet and no alcohol burn.

2 oz Rye
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
1/4 oz Simple Syrup
tbsp Raspberry Syrup

Via the PDT cocktail book

Separation Anxiety

Mon, 30 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

The weather is finally beginning to turn cooler so I looked for autumn themed cocktail. I found this on the Boxes and Booze site. It has the warm spice notes you imagine in a autumn cocktail. The Besamim Liquor certainly shines. It does need a beefy bourbon to stand up to the spice of the Besamim and the sweet of the Demerara.

2 oz Bourbon
1/2 oz Besamim Liquor
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Dererara Syrup
2 Dashes Bitters

From Boxes and Booze

Viaduct

Sun, 29 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Sometimes I bookmark a recipe with the intention of making the cocktail when we end up with the ingredients in the house and the completely forget. When my wife had a little bit of apricot jam left after a baking recipe it tickled my memory about this drink. I didn’t have Curacao so substituted Cointeau instead. The drink came out a little more tart than I would have expected.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Curacao (Cointreau)
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1 short tbsp Apricot Jam

Via Fredric Yarm

De Rigueur

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

A while ago my cousins bought me a set of “bartender glasses” from MOMA. I needed to make room and toss the box so I decided to stage a quick photo shoot. Turns out the De Rigueur is also a Savory cocktail with several takes on the proportions of ingredients.

1 1/2 oz Whiskey
3/4 oz Grapefruit Juice
1/4 oz Honey

Via the Savoy Cocktail book and Kikkerland

Rosita

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

The Mr. Boston book was the very first cocktail book I bought long before I thought to seriously dabble in cocktails. I wasn’t a huge fan of this cocktail. I think a little too much bitter from the Campari.

1 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/2 oz Dry Vermouth
1 oz Campari

Via Mr. Boston Official Bartender Guide

Hole in the Cup

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I enjoy the anise taste of absinthe so I am always on the lookout for cocktails with absinthe in the ingredient list. I’m not a big fan of tequila so I was interested to see how these two would play together. There is enough sweetness in this cocktail to balance the sharpness of the absinthe and you get a fun give and take between the agave and anise.

1 1/2 oz Blanco Tequila
1 oz Pineapple Juice
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
1/4 oz Absinthe
Cucumber Garnish

Found from Fredric Yarm

Whiskey Daisy

Sun, 22 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Eighteen months ago I decided to start making cocktails. I’ve been recording of them on a instagram account in a rather sparse fashion. Long enough that it is time to add a little more verbosity. I’ve created a web page and will start using hashtags. Lets see where this goes.

I came to this via whiskey so it is appropriate to feature a whiskey forward cocktail. This tasted similar to a whiskey sour but the orgeat added a sweeter, nuttier flavor

Corpse Reviver (No 2)

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve had this cocktail on the queue for a while. A friend shared a menu from a bar that was completely Halloween themed so I played along with the Corpse Reviver. Equal ratio cocktails are easy to make and this one wasn’t overly dry or tart.

3/4 oz Gin
3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
3/4 oz Triple Sec (Cointreau)
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
Dash of Absinthe

From the Savoy Cocktail book.

Cameron's Kick

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I started going through the PDT Cocktail book tonight. With the various ingredient constrains I tend to go through a book and mark interesting and available cocktails for future reference. I wanted to start using up my homemade orgeat before it starts to turn.

1 oz Blended Scotch Whiskey
1 oz Irish Whiskey
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Orgeat

Via the PDT Cocktail Book

Jungle Bird

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Tonight I picked another cocktail with Campari. With so many recipes to choose from I find myself selecting an ingredient to highlight and then searching for cocktails that contain that ingredient.

2 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
3/4 oz Campari
1 1/2 oz Dark Rum

Found from Cocktail Detour

Seven Past

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Third in my Succot themed cocktails. I made this on the seventh and last day of the holiday. I wanted to reflect on the being the day the holiday moves into the past. A bunch of years ago my parents developed the habit of putting the Etrogim in bowl to dry out. When I got a home of my own I continued the practice.

1 1/2 oz Etrog Liquor
1 oz Grenadine
1/2 oz Gin

Recipe by me.

Jalapeno Margarita

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Day two of Succot/Etrog themed cocktails. The receipe did not specify if you were supposed to muddle the jalapeno. I chose not to muddle and it was a mistake. The result did not have nearly enough halapeno flavor. First time I did a salt rim and I need practice.

2 oz Reposado Tequila
1 oz Etrog Liquor
1 oz Lemon Juice
3 slices Jalapeno
Splace of Agave Syrup

Via Sukkah Hill and @ourfoodhobby