Last night I wandered into one of my favorite local cocktail spots and ordered an Aviation, that tasty, well-balanced drink with gin, maraschino and fresh lemon juice. A few minutes later, when a nearly purple cocktail was placed in front…
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Composed of cachaça, limes and sugar, the Caipirinha (pronounced kie-purr-REEN-yah) is Brazil’s national cocktail. Cachaça is the most commonly distilled alcohol in Brazil, and is often referred to as “Brazilian rum.” But unlike rum, which is typically distilled from the…
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The coca leaf has a long and storied history dating back thousands of years. From its use by Bolivian farmers for its energy giving properties to its use in the production of cocaine, the coca leaf is surrounded in a…
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Mixology Monday is a monthly (well, almost monthly. Heavy drinkers don’t abide by the same calendar as mere mortals) online cocktail party that rounds up drinks pertaining to a particular theme chosen by a rotating host. This month’s theme is…
Read MoreWhile there’s always a place for intricate cocktails boasting fun ingredients like Benedictine, Orgeat or Maraschino liqueur, sometimes you just want to simplify your life and your drinks. Comprised of five simple ingredients found in any reasonably stocked home bar,…
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With Thanksgiving nearly upon us and a slew of other holidays on the horizon, it’s time to pull out cocktails that you don’t make any other time of the year. Drinks with ingredients like pumpkin puree and vanilla liqueur are…
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I’m no fan of flavored vodkas, but I’ve long been a firm believer in combining vices. Enter Three Olives Triple Shot Espresso Vodka, which allows the drinker to take the bite out of winter with some caffeinated booze. From Three…
Read MoreThe Singapore Sling was invented around 1910 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon at the Raffles Hotel’s Long Bar in Singapore. And like many classic drinks, the recipe was lost decades ago, resulting in bartenders scrambling to make an interpretation of…
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Many cocktails have predecessors, but perhaps none was quite as important as the under appreciated Martinez, a gin and sweet vermouth concoction that helped pave the way for the ubiquitous martini. As with many cocktails, origins of the Martinez are…
Read MoreLike so many good tiki drinks from the glory days of Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron and Don the Beachcomber, the Fogcutter dwindled into obscurity for decades. But after its turn languishing in obscurity, this drink has again begun to appear…
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The Manhattan, a classic cocktail and a favorite among serious drinkers, is a great way to pass the time. Traditionally composed of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters, the Manhattan is a perfect drink to enjoy on a cool…
Read MoreSimple syrup is found in cocktails ranging from the Cable Car to the Sazerac, and it’s an important component for any home bartender serious about making drinks. Luckily, it’s incredibly easy to make and can be produced in whatever quantity…
Read MoreThe Harvey Wallbanger cocktail was invented in 1952 by highly-regarded mixologist Duke Antone. Supposedly, he named the drink after a Manhattan Beach surfer who was a regular of Duke’s Blackwatch Bar in Hollywood. I’m generally not a big fan of…
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The Jack Rose is a simple Applejack cocktail that gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. While there are several theories as to the origin of its name, including talk of a notorious gangster, the drink likely got its name because…
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No drink quite embodies the Kentucky Derby like the Mint Julep, the classic concoction of bourbon, sugar and mint served in an iconic silver cup. But another cocktail, simply known as The Derby, was created to commemorate the Kentucky Derby. The…
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As the seasons change, I often retire certain foods while introducing others to better complement the changing weather. Hot summer days call for cold beers and barbeque, while cooler weather means hot soups and cozy cocktails to be enjoyed by…
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The Cable Car cocktail is a variation of the classic Sidecar. But while the Sidecar dates back to World War I, the Cable Car is a recent creation, as far as drinks go, and was created in 1996 by Tony…
Read MoreGrenadine is a classic sweetener found in many drinks, and often an integral flavor agent in popular cocktails. So it’s a wonder that such an essential ingredient can be so cheap, bastardized and dishonest. Once a pomegranate-based syrup, today’s grenadine…
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Now that October’s here, it’s finally starting to cool down in Texas. Hell, I even spent some time outside yesterday. And with the advent of fall’s welcome respite from the summer heat, I retire the Gin Rickey until the first…
Read MoreThe classic Aviation cocktail is simple, well balanced and refreshing, plus it’s crafted with ingredients that one can easily obtain: gin, fresh lemon juice and maraschino liqueur. Like many classic cocktails, history of the Aviation’s origin is a bit cloudy,…
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