Cocktails

BarSmarts Wired

August 30, 2009

I just registered for BarSmarts Wired. I’ve always heard great things about Pernod Ricard’s BarSmarts Advanced Program, but have never had a chance to participate. Now they have created an online version, and are running it through September for the very low price of $45. The BarSmarts Wired program consists of 16 hours of online […]

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Tequila Por Mi Amante

August 29, 2009

Tequila por mi amante1 is a wonderful combination of tequila and ripe strawberries. This is my second year making tequila por mi amante, and this year’s result was far superior to last. I pretty slavishly followed Chuck Taggart’s recipe. Tequila por mi amante 750 ml resposado tequila (Sauza Hornitos) 3 pints fresh ripe strawberries, hulled […]

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MacArthur Cocktail

August 28, 2009

I found this lovely little cocktail when revisting the cocktails listed in the back of Wayne Curtis’ And a Bottle of Rum. MacArthur Cocktail 1.5 ounces light rum 1 barspoon dark rum 0.75 ounces triple sec dash of egg white (Cointreau) I made this with Appleton white rum and Zacapa Centenario. The result was very […]

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Port of Barcelona Gin

August 27, 2009

I usually want a gin that plays well with others, one I can use in all sorts of different drinks. Some gins are more particular though, getting along famously with some and acting aloof and standoffish with others. Port of Barcelona gin is one of those gins. It is produced in the Kingdom of Spain […]

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Make Your Own Grenadine

August 25, 2009

It took a long time for me to warm up to grenadine as a cocktail ingredient, after a childhood chock full of bright red Rose’s Grenadine Shirley Temples. But now I know how many great cocktails include grenadine. A couple of personal favorites are the El Presidente and the Blinker. And now that I know […]

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A Very Tales Birthday

July 9, 2009

What if you were having your birthday and the whole liquor industry showed up to celebrate? That’s a bit what it felt like for me on the opening day of Tales of the Cocktail. I was a bit trepidatious when I saw the Tales schedule and discovered it started on my birthday. I normally like […]

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Martin Miller’s Gin

June 17, 2009

A lot of high end liquors try to sell you with a story. Martin Miller’s Gin has quite a doozy – after distillation, the raw spirit is shipped from England to Iceland to be combined with water to bring it to proof. I can tell you after receiving a sample bottle, and having enjoyed it […]

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Ramos Gin Fizz

May 22, 2009

You can’t claim to be a cocktail geek if you haven’t tried to make a Ramos Gin Fizz. This New Orleans classic was created in the 1880s by Henry C. Ramos for his bar at Meyer’s Restaurant. He started with a blend of gin, citrus, and cream, then added some orange flower water for a […]

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Monteleone Cocktail

May 18, 2009

Here’s my entry for the Monteleone Cocktail contest. Monteleone Cocktail 1 ounce 100 proof rye whiskey 1 ounce cognac 1 tablespoon Domain de Canton ginger liqueur 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters 4 ounces extra dry sparkling wine (Domaine Ste. Michelle) 1 spring mint for garnish Shake all ingredients except mint and sparkling wine, and strain into […]

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MxMo XXXIX: Amaro — Averna

May 18, 2009

Another month, another time to sort out what Roman numeral comes next. It’s Mixology Monday, and this month our fearless host is Chuck Taggart, who blogs about food and cocktails over at Looka! on the Gumbo Pages. Chuck has asked us to tackle the world of potable bitters: You could use something gentle, like the […]

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