Cocktail of the Week: Wet Martini—but wait! It’s not what you think.

Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor  Regular readers of the Libation Lounge know that one of my drinking crusades is to restore the dignity and worth of vermouth in the American public’s eye. Vermouth is a noble aperitif in Italy, France, and Spain but is misunderstood and criminally maligned in the United … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: Wet Martini—but wait! It’s not what you think.

Cocktail of the Week: The Scofflaw

Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor Licensed image The Scofflaw cocktail was born in Paris in 1924 but was a product of the Prohibition era in the United States. The word “scofflaw” won a contest held by Delcevare King, a prominent Boston banker and temperance advocate, who offered $200 in gold for … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: The Scofflaw

Cocktail of the Week: The Geisha Martini

Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor I am ashamed (yes, truly) that I haven’t posted this cocktail long before now. It’s a longstanding favorite of mine, and it’s where my fascination with saké began. Simon Difford created it in 2016—not in Japan, but in London, England.  One could make this drink with … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week: The Geisha Martini

Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Gin Blossom Martini

Here’s a great drink to try for anyone who *thinks* they don’t like gin. (Side note to those people: There are more than 5,000 brands of gin in the world; have you tried them all?) It’s also a nice cocktail for the summer-to-fall transition. It’s light and a little fruity but not all the way … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: The Gin Blossom Martini

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 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!”