Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor This cocktail belongs to the distinguished class of “Martinis with other stuff in them.” Like many Martinis, the Caprice starts with gin, dry vermouth, and orange bitters—the fundamental building blocks. Then, it adds the sweet herbal notes of Benedictine D.O.M. liqueur. The 3:1 (gin:vermouth) ratio in … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: The Caprice
Dry Vermouth
Cocktail of the Week: Wet Martini—but wait! It’s not what you think.
Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor Regular readers of the Libation Lounge know that one of my drinking crusades is to restore the dignity and worth of vermouth in the American public’s eye. Vermouth is a noble aperitif in Italy, France, and Spain but is misunderstood and criminally maligned in the United … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: Wet Martini—but wait! It’s not what you think.
Cocktail of the Week: The Scofflaw
Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor Licensed image The Scofflaw cocktail was born in Paris in 1924 but was a product of the Prohibition era in the United States. The word “scofflaw” won a contest held by Delcevare King, a prominent Boston banker and temperance advocate, who offered $200 in gold for … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: The Scofflaw
Cocktail of the Week: The Geisha Martini
Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor I am ashamed (yes, truly) that I haven’t posted this cocktail long before now. It’s a longstanding favorite of mine, and it’s where my fascination with saké began. Simon Difford created it in 2016—not in Japan, but in London, England. One could make this drink with … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: The Geisha Martini
It’s World Sherry Day. Try a Bamboo!
Happy World Sherry Day to all of my friends who observe! I took a break for the past couple of weeks to complete a sherry course (I'm talking immersion here), so I'll be back with more about that very soon. Meanwhile, today is World Sherry Day. If you've never tried a Bamboo cocktail, there's no … Continue reading It’s World Sherry Day. Try a Bamboo!
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 Blackthorn and Other Sloe Gin Delights
The holidays are upon us, and too often this is a season of excess, so if you’re interested in beverages you can sip all evening without shooting holes in your liver and brain, I have two words for you: Sloe. Gin. “Sloe Gin? I’ve heard of that—what is it, anyway?”Sloe gin isn’t quite gin; it’s … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Blackthorn and Other Sloe Gin Delights
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
The right way to order a Martini
Help the bartender help you This article says, "First lesson: There isn't one." I disagree. Admittedly I’m bandying words, but I mean it; the article is saying "there are lots of Martini recipes, and none are wrong." I'm saying that you, as a consumer, need to hold up your end of the conversation when you … Continue reading The right way to order a Martini
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