I’m excited that we finally have some warm weather and can enjoy cocktails on the patio again! And what spirit does warm (even hot) weather bring to mind? Rum, of course. There are several variations on the Hop Toad cocktail, all of them including apricot brandy liqueur and lime juice; the primary difference is which … Continue reading Hop Toad No. 2
Rum
Daisy de Santiago: Original Version
Think of this drink as a rum-based gimlet or an herbal daiquiri. It delivers a little less pucker than the gimlet, and the dab of Chartreuse gives the drink a gentle vegetal lift that makes beautiful music with the mint garnish. The sweetness of the rum and simple syrup keep the lime in its happy … Continue reading Daisy de Santiago: Original Version
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!)
Wordsmith: The perfect cocktail for … wordsmiths
“You are what you drink.” Or is it, “you drink what you are?” In the instant case, either would make me old, tart, and full of medicine. Pretty close to the mark. I’m one of the minority of humans fortunate enough to have made a living sitting on my brains and bandying words for hire. … Continue reading Wordsmith: The perfect cocktail for … wordsmiths
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
The Pedro Martinez
I found this recipe in Imbibe Magazine a couple of years ago, enjoyed another one last night, and I love absolutely everything about it—even the absinthe, which is an acquired taste that’s grown on me over the past decade. Michael Shea, at the Rum Club in Portland, Oregon, gets credit for creating this drink. The … Continue reading The Pedro Martinez
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
A day late, but never a daiquiri short
Yesterday (July 19) was Daiquiri Day. I hereby claim authority to dismiss any tickets you get from the cocktail police for celebrating a day late. Or days late. Seriously, I try to stay up on all the cocktail “holidays,” but I almost missed this one. I apologize. I happened to drop in on http://www.diffordsguide.com for … Continue reading A day late, but never a daiquiri short
Egg me with some rum: Casablanca No. 1
Casablanca … Recite with me: “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine ... and orders a rum drink.” Eggs and rum have an interesting relationship, rather like Rick and Ilsa in the classic film. During the winter holiday season, eggs take the lead in their … Continue reading Egg me with some rum: Casablanca No. 1
St. Croix Sunset
We're a long way from the Caribbean, but there's steel drum music on the Bose and strong rum in the cupboard just aching for some sunshine and warm weather (as we all are). This cocktail is refreshingly acidic and citrusy, with layered flavors and the rich color that gives it its name. ST CROIX SUNSET … Continue reading St. Croix Sunset
The Libation Lounge 