The word “scofflaw” applies to one who flouts the law. During the dark days of Prohibition, this term was a popular one, thrown at those brave, thirsty souls forced into hidden speakeasies by their own government. With a disapproving nod…
Read MoreThe Rob Roy is basically a Manhattan that uses Scotch instead of rye. It’s believed to have been named after Robert Roy MacGregor, who was a Robin Hood-like figure in 18th century Scotland. Hence the Scotch. For best results, opt…
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The Negroni starts with an Americano base–sweet vermouth and Campari–and adds the boozy stoutness of gin. While the Negroni is an aperitif and meant to stimulate the appetite before a meal, too many of these guys on an empty stomach…
Read MoreThe French 75 cocktail is named after the 75mm howitzer artillery gun, a popular weapon during World War I. Legend has it that fighter pilot Raoul Lufbery enjoyed champagne, but wanted to drink something with more of a kick. So,…
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Once every month cocktail fanatics band together to create a booze-soaked collection of recipes for Mixology Monday. Our hosts for this month are the guys at eGullet, who chose “Dizzy Dairy” as the theme. From Chris Amirault of eGullet –…
Read MoreThe Blinker dates back to the 1930s and was traditionally composed of rye, grapefruit juice and grenadine. After hiding in obscurity for decades, the Blinker has seen a resurgence of late due to its inclusion in Ted Haigh’s Vintage Spirits…
Read MoreIn the 1920s, the Pegu Club was a bar in Rangoon, Burma (at the time a British colony) that served a drink of the same name. And while this drink was popular through the ‘30s, it largely died out after…
Read MoreA classic but oft-forgotten cocktail, the Rusty Nail is a smooth, scotch-based drink that’s much tamer than its name suggests. By adding Drambuie—a honey- and herb-flavored scotch liqueur—to scotch, you are able to cut some of the biting peat flavor…
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The martini is one of the world’s best known and most popular cocktails, having been immortalized by such drinking greats as Winston Churchill, James Bond and Frank Sinatra. However, nowadays, half the martinis made in a bar use vodka instead of…
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The Vieux Carré was born sometime prior to 1937 in New Orleans at what would later become the Carousel Bar at the Monteleone Hotel. According to Ted Haigh’s Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, the cocktail was named for the old…
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The Seelbach is a pre-prohibition cocktail that originated at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, KY. Lost to drinkers for nearly 80 years, the recipe was rediscovered in 1995. The drink is simple to make but fairly complex in flavor, with…
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Most recipes for the Gimlet call for Rose’s lime cordial, as opposed to fresh lime juice. While I tend to use fresh juices and generally believe fresh juice is always better than artificially sweetened cordial, the addition of Rose’s does…
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The Last Word is a prohibition-era cocktail that was first served at the Detroit Athletic Club to great acclaim. But following its short-lived success, it faded into obscurity for decades before making a recent resurgence in some of the better…
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This aptly named cocktail traces its origin back to the days when drinking in the morning didn’t have a stigma. When cocktails were breakfast drinks and every man, woman and likely a few children started their day with a smile…
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The Vesper Martini was first popularized in the James Bond book by Ian Fleming, Casino Royale, and gained further, more recent notoriety in the 2006 film of the same name. The drink was named for Bond’s love interest Vesper Lynd,…
Read MoreMany drinkers have one liquor they just cannot stomach. The one spirit from their past in which they “had a bad experience.” For me, and many others, that liquor was tequila. Though I’d learned to tolerate tequila over the years…
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The Tom Collins recipe first appeared in print in 1876. It was created by Jerry Thomas, the “father of American mixology,” and famed author of The Bartender’s Guide. Tom Collins 2 ounces gin 1 ounce lemon juice 1 teaspoon of…
Read MoreDon’t worry, you won’t find any tea in this hard-hitting collection of booze. Long Island Iced Tea 1 part each of vodka, tequila, gin, rum and triple sec 1 part lemon juice Cola Lemon slice Shake vodka, tequila, gin, rum,…
Read MoreOur country’s bird in cocktail form. Not sure how the name applies, but we’ll go with it. The Bald Eagle is very tart, but the flavors come together into a pretty refreshing package. The Bald Eagle 2 ounces reposado tequila…
Read MoreA little slice of America, in a rocks glass. American Pie Cocktail 2 ounces whiskey 2 ounces apple liqueur 4 ounces cranberry juice Shake whiskey, apple liqueur and cranberry juice with ice. Pour mixture into a rock glass.
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