Last week, I poured a whiskey tasting at Basin Wine & Spirits in nearby Bushnell’s Basin, NY, and the whiskeys were (frankly speaking) fairly pedestrian. That is not to say they were bad; they are solid, reasonably priced, readily available spirits: Evan Williams 1783 (a “more aged” version of the distillery’s Evan Williams Black); Evan … Continue reading The Slope
Recipes
Her Majesty’s Favorite: Was she Team Dubonnet or Team Martini?
Royal funerals are certainly more sober events than royal weddings, but just as rare, so I hope everyone will forgive this descendant of English yeoman farmers for being fascinated by the moment. In fact, Nancy and I plan to watch the entire proceeding on Monday, September 19—provided we succeed in recording it all. (We’re interested, … Continue reading Her Majesty’s Favorite: Was she Team Dubonnet or Team Martini?
The Pedro Martinez
I found this recipe in Imbibe Magazine a couple of years ago, enjoyed another one last night, and I love absolutely everything about it—even the absinthe, which is an acquired taste that’s grown on me over the past decade. Michael Shea, at the Rum Club in Portland, Oregon, gets credit for creating this drink. The … Continue reading The Pedro Martinez
Tequila Mockingbird
Puns have been called the lowest form of humor (wrongly, I insist), but I nominate this cocktail for “highest form of libation," punnish name and all. Watermelon is in season as we speak, and there’s no shortage of great watermelon cocktails out there on the internet. If you love watermelon as much as I do, … Continue reading Tequila Mockingbird
Damn It Jimmy
I'm kind of obsessed these days with cocktails that include sake. Sake is a complex and fascinating beverage; it’s not wine (no, it’s not “rice wine”), it’s not distilled booze, and while it’s brewed, it’s not beer either. It's … sake. Click on this link for a terrific illustration of how sake is made and … Continue reading Damn It Jimmy
Original Sin
As a doctrine, it's arguable, but as a cocktail it's just short of a religious experience. I'm not sure where the name of this came from, but there's little doubt that the "green fairy" (absinthe) has accelerated many a soul's journey along its already sinful path. In this case, the delicate notes of Junmai sake … Continue reading Original Sin
Cool your heat wave with the White Lady cocktail
When life hands you a lemon, find someone with gin and Triple Sec, and make a White Lady! Actually, life is great, and this only involved an *actual* lemon. Cold, refreshing, lemony ... happy birthday to me!! The White Lady is a cousin of the Margarita and the Sidecar, with a century of history and … Continue reading Cool your heat wave with the White Lady cocktail
Blog Feature: Useful links for my friends
Lest anyone think I’m dreaming up all of these cocktails myself, I’m not—and at long last I’ve added a “Useful Spirits & Wine Links” tab to my blog. See the updated menu above. There are thousands of internet sites where anyone may find great cocktail recipes and other useful information about cocktailing at home or … Continue reading Blog Feature: Useful links for my friends
What’s the difference between a “smash” and a “crush?”
That’s a burning question…but…who cares, really?? Fresh fruit is a slave driver. ("USE ME! NOW! OR I'LL ROT ON YOU!!") Peaches are in season right now, and a handful of ripe, luscious Lori Ann peaches is really nagging at me, so bring on the smashes and crushes. Here are two delicious summer cocktails—one with gin, … Continue reading What’s the difference between a “smash” and a “crush?”
A day late, but never a daiquiri short
Yesterday (July 19) was Daiquiri Day. I hereby claim authority to dismiss any tickets you get from the cocktail police for celebrating a day late. Or days late. Seriously, I try to stay up on all the cocktail “holidays,” but I almost missed this one. I apologize. I happened to drop in on http://www.diffordsguide.com for … Continue reading A day late, but never a daiquiri short
The Libation Lounge 