Licensed image-NOT a Baltimore Bang Cocktail (def.): A mixture of spirits, liqueurs, wines, sugar, bitters, or water; an elevated presentation of spirits prepared for enjoyment by people of discriminating tastes. As declared by the gods of Whoever Declares National Days, today is “National Cocktail Day.” I’ve also checked with my resident theologian (he lives in … Continue reading Happy National Cocktail Day!
Apricot Brandy
Cocktail of the Week: Holy Joe
Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor For those who observe, the 2024 season of Lent—40 days of preparation for Easter (not including Sundays)—began yesterday, so with a wink and a nudge we offer the Holy Joe cocktail. And in that spirit, I also humbly announce that I’m giving up … vodka … … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: Holy Joe
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 Gin Blossom Martini
Here’s a great drink to try for anyone who *thinks* they don’t like gin. (Side note to those people: There are more than 5,000 brands of gin in the world; have you tried them all?) It’s also a nice cocktail for the summer-to-fall transition. It’s light and a little fruity but not all the way … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Gin Blossom Martini
Paradise Passion Martini
Citrusy cocktails are awesome—lime, lemon, orange, and grapefruit—but nothing is more exciting (to me) than finding cocktail uses for the seemingly exotic fruits that show up for only a few weeks or months out of the year. One of those is the passion fruit—or passionfruit, if you prefer. (In the dictionary, it’s two words, but … Continue reading Paradise Passion Martini
Hop Toad No. 2
I’m excited that we finally have some warm weather and can enjoy cocktails on the patio again! And what spirit does warm (even hot) weather bring to mind? Rum, of course. There are several variations on the Hop Toad cocktail, all of them including apricot brandy liqueur and lime juice; the primary difference is which … Continue reading Hop Toad No. 2
The Voodoo I Do
I was searching for more cocktail recipes to use up some pineapple we had (because there is just never “a little” pineapple—there’s always more than one needs), and I was captivated by the name of this one. It’s a recollection of the great Sinatra hit, “You do something to me.” In particular: Let me live … Continue reading The Voodoo I Do
Golden Dawn
The name of this drink seems fitting for a New Year’s Day. I haven’t mixed it since last summer, when the weather was warm enough here to enjoy it on our patio. (Of note, I don't know why someone named this a "dawn" drink. It looks more like sunset to me … but I quibble.) Guess … Continue reading Golden Dawn
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
Dear old Aunt Emily
With a name like "Aunt Emily," you might expect this to be a riff on the Old Fashioned or a Dubonnet Cocktail—or a glass of wine. But nope. However old she is, Aunt Emily is a happenin' chick and somewhat of a boozer. Between the liqueur and the grenadine, this cocktail is on the sweet … Continue reading Dear old Aunt Emily
The Libation Lounge 