Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor This is a refreshing, citrusy cocktail with some bittersweet notes and a lovely color contributed by Campari. The dollop of rich simple syrup is optional, but I think the mix is just a little too tart without it. For the gin, I stick to high proof … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: The Jasmine
Orange liqueur
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 Ampersand
What a curious thing, to name a cocktail after a punctuation mark. The Ampersand isn’t the only punctuation-themed cocktail in the world. There’s the Three Dots and a Dash (what’s Morse code, after all, other than a long string of punctuation marks?), and there’s an Oxford Comma cocktail (apparently nothing less than an Oxford comma … Continue reading Cooks World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Ampersand
The Voodoo I Do
I was searching for more cocktail recipes to use up some pineapple we had (because there is just never “a little” pineapple—there’s always more than one needs), and I was captivated by the name of this one. It’s a recollection of the great Sinatra hit, “You do something to me.” In particular: Let me live … Continue reading The Voodoo I Do
Cranberry Margarita
Moving on with more holiday-themed cocktails… Call this one a Christmas Margarita if you like, but heck, it would work at Thanksgiving or any other time of the year for that matter. Cranberries are good for you, too! This recipe's perfectly balanced and extremely enjoyable. CRANBERRY MARGARITA2 oz Cranberry juice1 oz Fresh lime juice1½ oz … Continue reading Cranberry Margarita
The Grande Champagne Cosmopolitan
This is not your Desperate Housewives Cosmo. It’s a frothy, creamy, elegant, Cognac-based Cosmopolitan that takes its name from the sub-region of Cognac, France, considered to produce the highest quality grapes for the iconic brandy we know as Cognac: Grande Champagne. Of note, this part of the Cognac region has nothing at all to do … Continue reading The Grande Champagne Cosmopolitan
The Parlez-vous Irish Cocktail
Continuing the Franco-Irish theme from yesterday’s Brotherhood cocktail, here’s a great recipe that actually does include Cognac alongside the Irish whiskey. It’s up to you whether to go full Franco-Irish and use Hennessey Cognac or select your favorite other Cognac. I happened to use Jameson Black Barrel Irish whiskey for this one, but use your … Continue reading The Parlez-vous Irish Cocktail
The Irish Blonde
Enough with the Irish coffees and car bombs; there are a lot of delicious, less traditional ways to enjoy your Irish whiskey. This cocktail was created by Dale DeGroff, a noted American bartender—most famously the chief bartender at New York City’s Rainbow Room from 1987-1999—and author of two best-selling cocktail books: The Essential Cocktail and … Continue reading The Irish Blonde
The Dubliner
As long as you're stocking up on Irish whiskey for St. Patrick's Day, consider this easy-to-make variation on the classic Manhattan. Instead of bourbon or rye, use your favorite Irish whiskey, and instead of a full ounce of sweet vermouth, use half-ounces of Grand Marnier or another curaçao and a hearty sweet vermouth. It's an … Continue reading The Dubliner
Orange Liqueurs Classified and Explained
Or, “When is a curaçao not a curaçao, and should I even care?” Full disclosure: I work a few hours a week assisting customers at Pinnacle Wine & Liquor here in Rochester, NY. The orange liqueurs we carry at Pinnacle are pretty typical of what’s available across the country, and I’m linking to Pinnacle’s website … Continue reading Orange Liqueurs Classified and Explained
The Libation Lounge 