Sounds redundant, doesn't it? I mean, aren't all parks green? But this is a delightfully vegetal summer cocktail, made with fresh basil plucked from our own plants. The fragrance of basil greets your nose as you lift the glass, and the flavor of celery weighs in from the bitters as you sip. GREEN PARK6 Fresh … Continue reading The Green Park
Recipes
The “Pastry War Margarita”
You read that right, and with this recipe you get a free history lesson. (“Make it a double, bartender—this is gonna take a little while!”) I confess needing to look up what the Pastry War was, and thank you to Wikipedia for telling us all we need to know about this quaint, three-month fracas. Top … Continue reading The “Pastry War Margarita”
Gin and tonic been berry berry good to me
There are so many delicious ingredients to combine with gin and tonic water that I decided to focus this post on a theme rather than a specific recipe. The theme? It’s the berries. All kinds of berries. Berry harvesting begins in early summer around the Northeastern United States, and who wouldn’t love to toss some … Continue reading Gin and tonic been berry berry good to me
Fun fact and a special drink for Dad
First, the fun fact. This year—the Year of Our Lord 2022—Father’s Day and National Martini Day fall on the very same day: Sunday, June 19. Coincidence? I think not. So, if you’ve been putting off what to do for Dad this year and woke up this morning with your hair on fire about it (so … Continue reading Fun fact and a special drink for Dad
Watermelon & Basil Cocktail
Oh, there are so many more summer gin cocktail options than a mere gin and tonic. When the earth erupts with fruits, herbs, and fresh vegetables, the menu is boundless. Let's start with watermelon. Many of you have had watermelon and basil salads sprinkled with feta cheese, yes? Well, muddle that salad and pour in … Continue reading Watermelon & Basil Cocktail
The Silk Road
Road trip!! It's been a couple of years of little or no travel, so doesn't hitting the Silk Road sound amazing? That network of ancient trade routes spans China and Asia, into the Middle East and southeastern Europe, and it brought us spices that are the roots of our modern cuisine ... and beverages. Long … Continue reading The Silk Road
The Caneflower Cocktail
Over the summer, I’ll be rolling out a few drinks that feature cachaça—a unique rum from Brazil, made by distilling juice freshly pressed from sugarcane. This particular cocktail is far from how Brazilians typically enjoy their favorite spirit (more about that soon), as it’s blended here with two very European, herbal liqueurs. The flavor is … Continue reading The Caneflower Cocktail
The Modern
You've heard of the Old Fashioned? Well, this is The Modern. And wow, there is a LOT going on in this glass! You’ll need sloe gin, which raises the point that “sloe gin” is mostly a misnomer, although gin is involved. It’s a gin-based liqueur produced by macerating sloe berries with a significant amount of … Continue reading The Modern
Paradise—two tickets optional
That's the name of the drink: Paradise. Tip of the hat to the late Eddie Money for the ticket reference. This is one of a few recipes I have that call for “apricot brandy liqueur,” and the most common brand of that spirit you’re likely to find around my region is Hiram Walker—which is fine, … Continue reading Paradise—two tickets optional
José’s gin and tonic
As previously noted, it’s officially G&T season, and there’s so much more to gin and tonic than lime wedges! This G&T is credited to none other than master chef, restaurateur, and amazing humanitarian José Andres. The fruits and herbs should be readily available in most locales. Here in Rochester, I’ve gotten lemon verbena plants at … Continue reading José’s gin and tonic
The Libation Lounge 