Fair warning that this cocktail is more complicated to make than most of the drinks we’ve featured so far—but the holiday season is upon us, and what better time to impress your family and friends with rich, creamy, delicious cocktails? And aren’t they worth it? Aren’t you?? The Ramos Gin Fizz has a long, colorful … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Ramos Gin Fizz
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Peat’s Dragon
It’s December again. Well, not quite—but there was snow in the air and on the ground in Western New York early this week, so I call the horseshoes rule: It’s close enough. But you didn’t click over here for a weather report; either you’re here and know this already, or you aren’t and you don’t … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Peat’s Dragon
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Sumo in a Sidecar
…and a little about other ways to enjoy sake—a great ingredient to have when you're drinking more than one! I love sake, and I love using sake in cocktails. Too many Americans think of sake only as the warmed-up, often less-than-pleasant beverage typically served in Japanese-themed chain restaurants. There’s an entire, wonderful world of sakes … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Sumo in a Sidecar
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: the Surf and Turf Cocktail
I see no steak. I see no lobster. So what’s with this cocktail's name? It was created only recently by Simon Difford (of Difford's Guide fame), but it's a riff on a drink that's at least 125 years old - the Turf Club Cocktail, which was named after one of the saloons that first merchandised … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: the Surf and Turf Cocktail
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Champs Élysée
This cocktail recipe is almost 100 years old (at least) as it appeared first in the recipe collection “Drinks Long and Short” in 1925. It took an appearance in Harry Craddock’s 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book, to popularize the drink. For my fellow travelers who never took French classes—click here to learn the correct pronunciation. The … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Champs Élysée
Cooks World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Ampersand
What a curious thing, to name a cocktail after a punctuation mark. The Ampersand isn’t the only punctuation-themed cocktail in the world. There’s the Three Dots and a Dash (what’s Morse code, after all, other than a long string of punctuation marks?), and there’s an Oxford Comma cocktail (apparently nothing less than an Oxford comma … Continue reading Cooks World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Ampersand
The right way to order a Martini
Help the bartender help you This article says, "First lesson: There isn't one." I disagree. Admittedly I’m bandying words, but I mean it; the article is saying "there are lots of Martini recipes, and none are wrong." I'm saying that you, as a consumer, need to hold up your end of the conversation when you … Continue reading The right way to order a Martini
Happy International Gin and Tonic Day!
Happy International Gin & Tonic Day! I have been really sloughing off on my G&T game this year (but, okay, in favor of mixed cocktails), and the very least I can do to atone for my negligence is to be enthusiastic about International Gin & Tonic Day. (Disclaimer: I've no idea who is empowered to … Continue reading Happy International Gin and Tonic Day!
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Canadian Maple Leaf
In honor of Canadian Thanksgiving (Monday, October 9), this cocktail features Canadian whisky and Canadian maple syrup. And lemon juice—almost certainly not from Canada, but I’m confident our Canadian neighbors don’t mind. Here’s a fun way to look at it: The Maple Leaf is what would happen if the Manhattan and a Whiskey Sour had … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Canadian Maple Leaf
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Minnie the Moocher
Various writers call this drink a “Jazz Age cocktail”—Jazz Age meaning roughly the 1920s and 1930s, which as a history student I also saw labeled the “Aspirin Age,” and which most people probably call the Prohibition Era. But, okay, it was the Jazz Age—when people went to nightclubs *strictly* to appreciate the lively, sophisticated music … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Minnie the Moocher
The Libation Lounge 