A toast to 2014, before we turn our thoughts to what’s new and next. For our final cocktail of the year, a riff on a fortified champagne or sparkler. Blue Train, narrow gauge 1/2 ounce brandy 1/2 ounce pineapple juice Chilled dry sparkling wine or Champagne Chill a martini or large coupe glass. Pour brandy […]
Here’s a tribute to the Tennessee sour mash elixir produced by George Dickel, an American company that spells whisky without the “e.” It riffs off a whiskey sour but the hard citrus notes are balanced by using a good quality thick-cut orange marmalade. The mint provides a nice herbal touch. Sour Mash Marmalade 1 1/2 […]
This smooth cocktail is designed to soothe stress and reflect on the possibility of a lovely day off. Serve it on the rocks, while you put up your feet and relax. Absolutely no shopping allowed. Black Friday 1 1/2 ounce bourbon 1 tablespoon Kahlua 1 tablespoon Southern Comfort 1 tablespoon heavy cream Combine all ingredients […]
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 […]
(A year ago, we launched our site with this cocktail, a lovely integration of bubbles, gin, citrus, and a touch of syrup. We’ll gather the ingredients tonight for a celebration.) The French 75 was the first in a series of drinks named after military artillery pieces. This caliber of cannon saw service with American soldiers […]
At Dishoom, an incredibly popular Indian restaurant in London, one of the house drinks is a foamy version of an Old-Fashioned. We had it with a basket of the deep-fried okra, a house speciality. The egg white foam softens the drink and balances out the simple syrup. Whiskey Nimbus 2 ounces of bourbon 1 egg white […]
Moonshine, even the best of it, provides today’s cocktail makers with the same challenges Prohibition era bartenders faced: How to compound a drink both masking and revealing an un-aged spirit. We’ve done this with a martini approach, using a touch of cucumber, and a flavorful and chewable mint garnish. New Moon 1 1/2 ounces moonshine […]
This wine-based cocktail is adapted from a similar basil-flavored recipe used during London Cocktail Week at the Balfour Bar at St. Bart’s Brewery in London’s Clerkenwell District. Our version offers an easy low-alcohol drink, the combination of basil, almond syrup and soda providing a light refreshing sip with good bar food. Vina 2 ounces red […]
Halloween has become a holiday of such popularity it seems to outsell Christmas in decorating costs. Lawns of inflated ghosts and huge animals; more witches and wizards than a Hogwarts reunion; and tons of candy to hauled away by the young. In the midst of all this hysteria, here’s a themed drink to celebrate getting […]
It is hard to watch a team falter. We refer here to the early innings of Game 6, 2014 World Series. The San Francisco Giants aren’t pitching, fielding, or batting well. Kansas City Royals playing hard, pushing hard, are up 8-0 and it’s only the 4th. As long time San Franciscans this is a time for […]
