Author Archive

Scofflaw – famous Prohibition era cocktail

During Prohibition, a Boston newspaper asked readers to help coin a word for those who still enjoyed drinking spirits. The winning entry was “scofflaw,” and the paper paid the winners the princely 1924 prize of $200. The name spread quickly. Less than a week later, Harry’s Bar in Paris created this namesake drink. Scofflaw 1 […]

 

Brunch Breeze – an easy spritzy cocktail

Fritz! A Spritz, please! Swilling down hammer-heavy alcoholic brunch drinks can blur the rest of the day. Lighter and easy to consume, this wine-based mix goes well with a range of weekend brunch options from Eggs Benedict to smoked salmon and cream cheese on toasted bagels. And this is not where we pull the cork […]

 

Parkeroo – a 1930 cocktail

Before the 1950s, American cocktails books had few – if any – drinks made with tequila. Tequila’s early appearance in Lucius Beebe’s The Stork Club Bar Book, circa 1930, is a supporting role for sherry. While sherry is an acquired taste for many Americans, this is a nice two ingredient mix and comes together quickly. […]

 

Black Friday – the post-Thanksgiving cocktail

This smooth cocktail is designed to take the sting out of what you have spent after the stand-in-line-early sales today that literally and figuratively ring in the holiday shopping season. Serve it on the rocks, while you count your victories and smooth away your losses. 1 1/2 ounce bourbon 1 tablespoon Kahlua 1 tablespoon Southern […]

 

T-Day – Thanksgiving in a cocktail glass

There’ll be wine with the holiday bird and its surrounding trimmings, but how about a drink to get us ready for the feast? Reminiscent of an Old Fashioned, this has been tailored to capture flavors in the meal about to weigh down the table. The ingredients blend tart, spicy, sweet, bitter, warm, and cool, bringing […]

 

Shirley Temple – the classic Thanksgiving Mocktail

This foremost non-alcoholic “Mocktail” is named for America’s famous child movie star. It was concocted at Hollywood’s long-gone Chasen’s restaurant. Maybe her studio just didn’t want her drinking in public. It’s a great cooler for adults, too. Shirley Temple 8 ounces of ginger ale 1 ounce of grenadine Garnishes Maraschino cherry (stem on, if available) […]

 

Rasputin – a monkish cocktail

That wily Russian monk Rasputin really got around. This violet-hued mixture comes from The South American Gentleman’s Companion, published in 1939. The author discovered Rasputin in Buenos Aires at a time when vodka, as a base for US cocktails, was virtually unknown. This drink should be served very cold. Rasputin 2 ounces vodka 1/2 ounce […]

 

Ward 8 – modern tastes meet an old school cocktail

As November draws toward its blustery close and we head into another election cycle (saints preserve us), we are reminded about a drink with a political past. Ward 8 hails from Boston, home of so many lovely hard drinking politicians. A Southie barman, when called upon to create a drink celebrating a state legislator’s election, […]

 

My Gin – a serious strawberry cocktail

Mondays often call for clarity and focus. Meet My Gin (with apologies to Lanvin). The clear fresh taste of ripe strawberries is heightened by the citrus and balanced by the gin. It redeems Monday, and inspires us to talk about gin, which is enjoying new popularity. There are some interesting gins being distilled in these […]

 

French 75 – a perfect Sunday cocktail

The French 75 is the first caliber in a series of drinks named after old school military artillery pieces. This originally European champagne cocktail is a lovely integration of bubbles and smooth citrus, and dates from the period of World War I. It is made with dry gin. We will move up to the higher […]

 

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