Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquors Hey, it's great to be back after a post-holiday break! Happy New Year to all of you, near and far. Early last summer, we featured a Ramp Gibson using the Isolation Proof distillery’s nuclear Ramp Gin, and that Gibson remains my favorite Gibson of all time. … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: A gin to transform your favorite whiskey and rum cocktails
Curaçao
Cocktail of the Week: For Saké’s Sake
Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor Leading up to World Saké Day (October 1) and Pinnacle’s “Saké Simplified” Seminar on October 2, offering yet another saké cocktail only makes sense. First, a shameless plug……for that seminar: Pinnacle still has seats available. I’ll present an overview of the range of saké expressions … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: For Saké’s Sake
Cocktail of the Week: The Mai Tai (“A Getaway in a Glass”)
Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron claimed he created this rum sour in 1944 to freshen the bar menu at his eponymous restaurants, but he also created a great deal of confusion by keeping the recipe secret. When it became popular in the 1950s, amid the wild post-war … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: The Mai Tai (“A Getaway in a Glass”)
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
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 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
A Holiday Brunch Martini
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
Dead Parrot Colada
With summer almost upon us (a boy can dream can’t he?), it's time for frozen tropical drinks. DEAD PARROT COLADA1½ oz Gin1½ oz Coconut water½ oz Akvavit½ oz Blue Curaçao Liqueur¼ oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur½ oz Fresh lemon juice½ oz Simple syrup Blend all ingredients with crushed ice and serve in a Collins glass with … Continue reading Dead Parrot Colada
I don’t name them, I only mix them: “Adios Motherfucker”
I assume everyone reading this is over 21, yes? Apologies if the name furrows anyone’s brows. My beloved, 90 percent proper First Niece tells me that back in nursing school they referred to this more simply as the "AMF." That works, too, although for me that conjures memories of stinky bowling alleys. Also, apologies if … Continue reading I don’t name them, I only mix them: “Adios Motherfucker”
Genever and the Dutch Martini riddle
The riddle: Two Dutchmen walk into a bar, and each orders a Dutch Martini, but neither gets the same drink. What’s up with that?? I tripped across the Dutch Martini on a search of the very excellent Difford’s Guide website for another recipe, and when I did a wider internet search, I found at least … Continue reading Genever and the Dutch Martini riddle
The Libation Lounge 