With a look ahead to Dry January You may have guessed by now, but my motto is "Moderation in all things—including moderation." We’re almost there, folks. All of the November and December excuses for excess, except New Year’s Eve, are behind us. Here comes 2024, ready or not, and after the Day of Endless Bowl … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Two “session” cocktails and tips for New Year’s Eve
Recipes
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Here comes cocktail Santa Claus
There are dozens and dozens of holiday-themed and holiday-appropriate cocktails one can make to please and amaze family and friends at this time of year. I’ll begin with my very favorite, which I originally posted on this blog a year ago, and then move on to a few others. And my very favorite holiday cocktail … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Here comes cocktail Santa Claus
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Blackthorn and Other Sloe Gin Delights
The holidays are upon us, and too often this is a season of excess, so if you’re interested in beverages you can sip all evening without shooting holes in your liver and brain, I have two words for you: Sloe. Gin. “Sloe Gin? I’ve heard of that—what is it, anyway?”Sloe gin isn’t quite gin; it’s … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Blackthorn and Other Sloe Gin Delights
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Ramos Gin Fizz
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
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!
The Libation Lounge 