No, seriously, I am. I mean, if you understand that I have red-green (not Red Green) deficient vision, it's exciting and newsworthy when I *actually see* red. I can only imagine what you so-called normal people see. Of course, I thought Manhattans were already red. This is essentially a conventional Manhattan, enhanced with doses of … Continue reading I’M SEEING RED (Manhattans)!!!
Sweet Vermouth
Less alcohol and fewer calories, but I’m not “Bitter, Giuseppe”
I know some of my friends are wisely on the more-sober, more-healthy path with their cocktailing, so tonight we go into the low-alcohol/low-calorie cocktail zone. The readily accessible ingredients of this one put its net alcohol by volume at about 16 percent—in the neighborhood of a vermouth, port, or sherry. What is Cynar? You can … Continue reading Less alcohol and fewer calories, but I’m not “Bitter, Giuseppe”
The New York Minute Cocktail
When you're hunkering down against a major rain or snow storm but you wish you were somewhere warm and sunny, try this little vacation in a glass. Sip slowly so those coffee beans steep some of their flavor into the drink, put your feet up, close your eyes, and imagine you're in Jalisco, Mexico—the home … Continue reading The New York Minute Cocktail
The Bloody Blood and Sand
I love freshly squeezed blood orange juice in cocktails, but it can be hard to find blood oranges at local supermarkets sometimes. So keep this between us, okay? We wouldn’t want everyone else to go buy them out, would we? The Blood & Sand is a classic Scotch whisky recipe that first appeared in Harry … Continue reading The Bloody Blood and Sand
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!”
The Reverse Manhattan (or is it “inverse?”)
Here’s a fun way to get out of a cocktail rut: Take a classic and reverse it. This won’t work for every cocktail, but even where it arguably doesn’t, the experiment will add to your visceral understanding of what various ingredients bring to a mix. Let’s start with the venerable Manhattan—conventionally two parts bourbon or … Continue reading The Reverse Manhattan (or is it “inverse?”)
The Slope
Last week, I poured a whiskey tasting at Basin Wine & Spirits in nearby Bushnell’s Basin, NY, and the whiskeys were (frankly speaking) fairly pedestrian. That is not to say they were bad; they are solid, reasonably priced, readily available spirits: Evan Williams 1783 (a “more aged” version of the distillery’s Evan Williams Black); Evan … Continue reading The Slope
Her Majesty’s Favorite: Was she Team Dubonnet or Team Martini?
Royal funerals are certainly more sober events than royal weddings, but just as rare, so I hope everyone will forgive this descendant of English yeoman farmers for being fascinated by the moment. In fact, Nancy and I plan to watch the entire proceeding on Monday, September 19—provided we succeed in recording it all. (We’re interested, … Continue reading Her Majesty’s Favorite: Was she Team Dubonnet or Team Martini?
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)
The Libation Lounge 