And now, a five-pack of wine cocktails from our pals at Wine Investment.
For quite awhile, there was a rigidly held belief in the world of drinksmanship that wine and cocktails go together like chalk and cheese. Thankfully, this outdated attitude is being disputed by modern mixologists to many delicious effects. On that note, here are five wine-based cocktails, including a couple obscure numbers pulled from the archives, that will give you a head start going into the weekend.
Carl Josef
While it’s unclear as to who exactly the Carl Josef cocktail is named for, there’s a pretty good chance that Czechoslovakian brewing master, Carl Josef Napoleon Balling, played a part. Either way, this classic drink is a refreshing before-dinner option. Stir 3/4 oz Kirschwasser (a clear, unsweet cherry brandy) with 1/4 oz Cherry Heering in a mixing glass with ice until cold. Then strain into a chilled Champagne flute and top with 4 oz dry Champagne.
Armour Cocktail
This stout drink has a crisp, robust flavor that’s floral and well-balanced. The recipe is very simple: 1 oz sweet vermouth and 3/4 oz dry sherry. Stir with ice, then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.
The Baron Cocktail
This martini variation adds additional sweet/floral notes to the standard gin-and-dry-vermouth base. Start with 1.5 ounces gin, and from there, add 1/2 oz dry vermouth, 1/2 teaspoon sweet vermouth and 1 1/2 teaspoons orange liqueur. Then stir everything with ice until cold, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Corpse Reviver #2
Maybe you’re considering a lateral career move to the burgeoning field of necromancy, or maybe you just had a heavy night and need something to combat the morning-after blues. Either way, the Corpse Reviver #2 (pictured) is a traditional breakfast drink meant to lift your spirits and propel you forward as you take on the day. Combine equal parts gin, Lillet Blanc (a French aperitif wine), Cointreau and lemon juice, plus a dash of absinthe or pastis. Shake with ice, and strain into a cocktail glass.
Wicked Willy
This ridiculously-named but surprisingly drinkable cocktail combines 2 oz of red wine, 2 oz of ginger ale and 1/3 oz passion fruit syrup. Just pour into a frosted wineglass — no mixing required. For a drier, less sweet cocktail, you can try merlot. For a sweeter flavor, you could use ruby port, though the result is probably too sweet for many palates, so a Chianti or Shiraz is likely a better choice.
