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
Bourbon
Spiced Eggnog With Bourbon/Cherry Drizzle (and more!)
Life is short; drink dessert first. If you’re tiring of that eggnog you bought before Christmas, here’s something delicious to do with it. It's as delicious as it looks. Milkshakey. Eggs with eggnog sauce and Bailey's and … well, here's the recipe. And then another, less fussy eggnog cocktail. They had me at "with bourbon … Continue reading Spiced Eggnog With Bourbon/Cherry Drizzle (and more!)
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)!!!
The Suburban
This is a blend that starts off sounding a little like "garbage pail punch”—who’d think of mixing bourbon, rum, and tawny port?—but it's a tasty, refined cocktail with a lot happening around that clear ice. In the classic booze-bitter-sweet model of Old Fashioned cocktails, this one is half sweet, as the rum and tawny port … Continue reading The Suburban
A word to anyone prowling for “allocated” bourbons
In which we address the burning question, “Do you prefer that allocated bourbon because you’re **supposed** to or because you actually enjoy it?” Warning: Actual tasting experience ahead. Related spoiler alert: Tasting bourbons “blind” may change your mind about what you love. As a marketing guy, I believe there is only a faint, fuzzy boundary … Continue reading A word to anyone prowling for “allocated” bourbons
The Reverse Manhattan (or is it “inverse?”)
Here’s a fun way to get out of a cocktail rut: Take a classic and reverse it. This won’t work for every cocktail, but even where it arguably doesn’t, the experiment will add to your visceral understanding of what various ingredients bring to a mix. Let’s start with the venerable Manhattan—conventionally two parts bourbon or … Continue reading The Reverse Manhattan (or is it “inverse?”)
What’s the difference between a “smash” and a “crush?”
That’s a burning question…but…who cares, really?? Fresh fruit is a slave driver. ("USE ME! NOW! OR I'LL ROT ON YOU!!") Peaches are in season right now, and a handful of ripe, luscious Lori Ann peaches is really nagging at me, so bring on the smashes and crushes. Here are two delicious summer cocktails—one with gin, … Continue reading What’s the difference between a “smash” and a “crush?”
Happy National Bourbon Day!
Today, June 14, is best known across the United States as Flag Day, but it is also (not making this up) National Bourbon Day (do you know where your bourbon is?)—a day to celebrate that most American of spirits. Well, it’s not really the *most* American of spirits. It may be only the second or … Continue reading Happy National Bourbon Day!
Yes, I’m pushing “The Panic Button”
This is a great mix for the kind of in-between weather we’ve been having in Rochester for the past couple of weeks—a bourbon cocktail with interesting bitter and sour notes, served on a big old rock. This is the "Panic Button," which Imbibe magazine credits to the Living Room Bar at Charleston's Dewberry Hotel. THE … Continue reading Yes, I’m pushing “The Panic Button”
In-Seine
I got this recipe from Crazy Edouard—he’s … IN-SEINE!!! I know. I'm showing my age, and references to 1970s tri-state area electronics retailers and divey pop-culture icons don’t really belong in a sophisticated cocktail blog such as this, but … Simon Difford created and named this drink, so don’t blame me! (You kids just click … Continue reading In-Seine
The Libation Lounge 