Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor One of my favorite bourbon cocktails of all time This Friday (June 14) is National Bourbon Day—a perfect occasion to spotlight one of the best bourbon cocktails I’ve come across in the past year or so. Prospector No. 2 is a full-bodied, bourbon-forward cocktail with contributions … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week (National Bourbon Day Edition): Prospector No. 2
Bourbon
Two Cocktails of the Week for “Cinco de Derby” Weekend
Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor Please note: There will be no Cocktail of the Week posts for May 16 or May 23, as I'll be taking an intensive course on sake those two weeks. Derby Day and Cinco de Mayo are always near each other, but only sometimes on consecutive days, … Continue reading Two Cocktails of the Week for “Cinco de Derby” Weekend
Cocktail of the Week: The Mint Julep
Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor The first weekend of May is a convergence of near-astronomical events. There’s May Day, the ancient European festival marking summer’s beginning and, in modern times, International Workers Day. Cinco de Mayo is bound to be close to the first weekend of May, if not directly within … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: The Mint Julep
Cocktail of the Week: The Vieux Carré
Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor The Vieux Carré (pronounced VOO ca-RAY) was created in 1938 by Walter Bergeron, the head bartender at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, and takes its name from the French term for "The French Quarter”—le Vieux Carré ("Old Square"). The Monteleone is one of the Quarter's … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: The Vieux Carré
Happy National Cocktail Day!
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!
Cocktail of the Week (Valentine’s Day Edition): “Boys on the Side”
Brought to you by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor What should a Valentine’s Day cocktail be? It should definitely be rich and decadent, and it should probably involve chocolate, right? Here you go, with a tip of the hat to the “Cocktail Contessa,” Heather Wibbels—a kindred spirit in Kentucky who delights in creating … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week (Valentine’s Day Edition): “Boys on the Side”
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Old Fashioned & its many riffs
What it is and why we call it “Old Fashioned” The name of the Old Fashioned cocktail is a textbook example of truth in labeling. We call it that because it was, indeed, the earliest form of American cocktail. During the pre-revolutionary and pre-refrigeration era, when whiskey and rum were coarse and often offensive to … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Old Fashioned & its many riffs
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
The Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Peach Smash
Make this fruity treat while peaches are still in season! You’ll need a muddler and a highball glass—a nice 16 ounce tumbler will be just fine (pretty is as pretty does!). PEACH SMASHOne third of a fresh, ripe peach, sliced3 oz Bourbon whiskey1 tsp fresh lemon juice1 oz Simple syrupSplash of seltzer or soda water … Continue reading The Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Peach Smash
Grab some sake and make this your “summer” Manhattan
If you haven’t heard it from me yet, you’re destined to hear me say this repeatedly: Get over the notion that brown spirits are for winter and white spirits are for summer. Here’s an excellent example of how to make your favorite whiskey cocktail more summer friendly—or simply more of a ‘session’ drink if you’re … Continue reading Grab some sake and make this your “summer” Manhattan
The Libation Lounge 