What's a great beverage to pair with Christmas brunch? A Brunch Martini, of course! It has a nice balance of citrus sour with the sweet of marmalade and a good triple sec—I love Pierre Ferrand’s Orange Curaçao, but you’ll never go wrong with the original, Cointreau. Grand Marnier is great, too, even though it’s not … Continue reading A Holiday Brunch Martini
Recipes
Home for the Holidays
This isn’t exactly a beginner’s drink, but it’s completely delicious, gorgeous to look at, and in tune with the December holiday season. It took several attempts to make it the way I like it. The original recipe, which I found online, didn’t include simple syrup, so between the lemon and cranberry juices it came across … Continue reading Home for the Holidays
‘Tis the season for a Christmas Cheer-y
Welp, the December holiday season *is* the crazy-busiest time of year for anyone working in the retail spirits and wine business, and that’s my excuse for not posting a thing in 10 days. I’ll try to make up for it. After all, the Twelve Days of Christmas haven’t even started yet (I call on my … Continue reading ‘Tis the season for a Christmas Cheer-y
Snowbound in Jalisco
I'm breaking out some holiday-themed (at least, loosely holiday-themed) cocktail recipes. The official name of this one, according to Esquire magazine, is "Winter Margarita." However, I prefer "Snowbound in Jalisco." The skim of "snow" on this drink is egg-white froth. If you'd like to read more about using egg whites in your cocktails, visit this … Continue reading Snowbound in Jalisco
I said, THIS IS A “LOUD SPEAKER”
This drink is really delicious—citrusy, but balanced. Lime juice can overwhelm other ingredients, but this recipe is was spot on. You don't see brandy and gin together very often, but it really works. For brandy, I prefer a nice (but affordable) French one over the less expensive California brands, but that's your call. LOUD SPEAKER1 … Continue reading I said, THIS IS A “LOUD SPEAKER”
I’M SEEING RED (Manhattans)!!!
No, seriously, I am. I mean, if you understand that I have red-green (not Red Green) deficient vision, it's exciting and newsworthy when I *actually see* red. I can only imagine what you so-called normal people see. Of course, I thought Manhattans were already red. This is essentially a conventional Manhattan, enhanced with doses of … Continue reading I’M SEEING RED (Manhattans)!!!
Wordsmith: The perfect cocktail for … wordsmiths
“You are what you drink.” Or is it, “you drink what you are?” In the instant case, either would make me old, tart, and full of medicine. Pretty close to the mark. I’m one of the minority of humans fortunate enough to have made a living sitting on my brains and bandying words for hire. … Continue reading Wordsmith: The perfect cocktail for … wordsmiths
The Mule’s Hind Leg
Yes, it's a Mule's Hind Leg, but I've been kicked harder in my life—just not recently. There are multiple layers of flavor going on here - very harvesty: Apples, apricots, herbs, and maple syrup (have I mentioned that maple syrup and maple sugar candy are one of my few sweet-tooth vices?). But there is also … Continue reading The Mule’s Hind Leg
It’s almost Thanksgiving—a holiday made for “Drunk Uncles”
The old adage says, "you are what you eat." Or, in my case, "you are what you drink,” and I do have a dozen nieces and nephews. I can’t think of a better holiday than Thanksgiving to enjoy a cocktail named for a tipsy uncle. One description I found calls this cocktail a "Scotch Negroni." Ehhhh … Continue reading It’s almost Thanksgiving—a holiday made for “Drunk Uncles”
The Sage Margarita
Winter’s arrival doesn’t mean it’s time to put away the tequila. SAGE MARGARITA3 Fresh sage leaves2 oz Tequila (reposado or better)1 oz Triple sec (Cointreau is ideal)1 oz Freshly squeezed lime juice1 tsp Agave or simple syrup Lightly muddle (to bruise) the sage leaves in the base of a shaker; add the other ingredients and … Continue reading The Sage Margarita
The Libation Lounge 