Various writers call this drink a “Jazz Age cocktail”—Jazz Age meaning roughly the 1920s and 1930s, which as a history student I also saw labeled the “Aspirin Age,” and which most people probably call the Prohibition Era. But, okay, it was the Jazz Age—when people went to nightclubs *strictly* to appreciate the lively, sophisticated music … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Minnie the Moocher
Dry Vermouth
I know why you don’t like vermouth
Spoiler alert: It’s not the vermouth. Here’s an actual conversation I had at a recent spirits tasting—and l have some version of this conversation at least once a week with someone somewhere: Customer: “Oh, I like that cocktail. I hate dry vermouth, but I like that cocktail.”Me: “Why do you hate dry vermouth?”Customer: “Because it … Continue reading I know why you don’t like vermouth
The Quarantini: Who says it’s enjoyable only during a pandemic?
Facebook Memories regularly remind me of things I posted years ago—which isn’t always a great feeling, by the way. Today, though, FB dug up a cocktail I came up with and posted three years ago today at the very beginning of the Great Pandemic, along with the YouTube video I made to demonstrate and explain … Continue reading The Quarantini: Who says it’s enjoyable only during a pandemic?
The Left Bank Martini
Our adorable tabletop Christmas trees will move to the attic shortly for the off-season, and—Epiphany notwithstanding—here’s one last cocktail photo with the colorful seasonal backdrop. The drink is a lovely change of Martini pace, taking its name from St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, which in turn takes its name from the Left Bank neighborhood of Paris … Continue reading The Left Bank Martini
The Martinez
I’m back after knocking off for a while to polish up a presentation for the vermouth seminar I did at Pinnacle Wine & Liquor on October 26. Some of that material will appear here on the Libation Lounge in upcoming weeks. Meanwhile, back to mixing cocktails! Today’s feature is a minor but (I believe) historically … Continue reading The Martinez
Seminar offering: “Vermouth—A star is reborn!”
When: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 - 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Where: Pinnacle Wine & Liquor, 1720 Monroe Ave, Brighton ( just west of Twelve Corners)Advance ticket purchase required. Registration link: https://www.pinnacleliquor.com/events/i81121322p Seminar Description: Using a selection of vermouths available at Pinnacle Wine & Liquor for illustration, this seminar will review the history and evolution of … Continue reading Seminar offering: “Vermouth—A star is reborn!”
Damn It Jimmy
I'm kind of obsessed these days with cocktails that include sake. Sake is a complex and fascinating beverage; it’s not wine (no, it’s not “rice wine”), it’s not distilled booze, and while it’s brewed, it’s not beer either. It's … sake. Click on this link for a terrific illustration of how sake is made and … Continue reading Damn It Jimmy
The Lucien Gaudin
When I made this recipe the first time, I kiddingly described it as a “warm-up” cocktail—the one you have while you mix your “real” one—due to its diminutive size. It tops out at 3 ounces, including ice melt. But it’s a cocktail with history, created in Paris almost a century ago (when 3 ounces was … Continue reading The Lucien Gaudin
The Income Tax Cocktail (and about making fun garnishes)
Fellow Americans, not only is this Passover and Easter weekend, it is income tax weekend. Do you know where your return is? You had to know there’d be a cocktail named for this annual Rite of Citizenship, and here it is. I recommend against indulging in many of these while you prepare your return, but … Continue reading The Income Tax Cocktail (and about making fun garnishes)
Traditions, and where my cocktail journey began
It is Masters final-round Sunday, 1980-something. I am still a young(ish) man who’s lived his entire life in Central or Western New York State, where winter’s cold jaws can take a bite out of life right through the end of April and into early May. (Raise your hand if you’re from around here and you … Continue reading Traditions, and where my cocktail journey began
The Libation Lounge 