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
Triple Sec
A Holiday Brunch Martini
What's a great beverage to pair with Christmas brunch? A Brunch Martini, of course! It has a nice balance of citrus sour with the sweet of marmalade and a good triple sec—I love Pierre Ferrand’s Orange Curaçao, but you’ll never go wrong with the original, Cointreau. Grand Marnier is great, too, even though it’s not … Continue reading A Holiday Brunch Martini
The Sage Margarita
Winter’s arrival doesn’t mean it’s time to put away the tequila. SAGE MARGARITA3 Fresh sage leaves2 oz Tequila (reposado or better)1 oz Triple sec (Cointreau is ideal)1 oz Freshly squeezed lime juice1 tsp Agave or simple syrup Lightly muddle (to bruise) the sage leaves in the base of a shaker; add the other ingredients and … Continue reading The Sage Margarita
Cool your heat wave with the White Lady cocktail
When life hands you a lemon, find someone with gin and Triple Sec, and make a White Lady! Actually, life is great, and this only involved an *actual* lemon. Cold, refreshing, lemony ... happy birthday to me!! The White Lady is a cousin of the Margarita and the Sidecar, with a century of history and … Continue reading Cool your heat wave with the White Lady cocktail
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
Between the Sheets
By rights, I should start a short series by posting the more classic Sidecar (Cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice), but I love this one even a little more because it adds rum (I love rum!), and I mixed one of these for my tasting at CHM last Saturday, so I’m in the mood for … Continue reading Between the Sheets
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 Colletti Royale
Rooty-tooty, fresh and fruity—the cocktail stars aligned for this one, and it's a great cocktail for sparkling wine lovers. I have some blood orange juice, and Nancy *somehow* came by a bottle of Cava rosé. I may or may not have bought that for her with ulterior motives; I can neither confirm nor deny. Nor … Continue reading The Colletti Royale
Damn the (Bloody) Weather
Damn the weather! An irrelevant observation, really, but I hear that a lot from people in Western New York around late February and March. In their defense, I had a great-uncle who always said something to the effect of, "If I can make it through March, I'll have the year in the bag for sure." … Continue reading Damn the (Bloody) Weather
The Libation Lounge 