Brandy Crusta Cocktail

I’ve been deeply into classic New Orleans cocktails, especially the Sazerac, Vieux Carré, A La Louisiane, and Creole. Here I’ve made a modified Brandy Crusta using Armagnac, Grand Marnier, and ginger simple syrup instead of the original ingredients. This adjustment gave the drink a spicier kick and less sweetness.

Creole Cocktail

My fascination with New Orleans cocktails led me to the Creole Cocktail, featuring rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and maraschino liqueur.

A La Louisiane Cocktail

This cocktail, a variation of the Vieux Carré, features rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, absinthe, and Peychaud’s bitters. Stirred and strained, it is garnished with Luxardo cherries. The absinthe adds a distinctive touch.

Vieux Carré Cocktail

The Vieux Carré cocktail, originating from New Orleans in the 1930s, features a blend of rye whiskey, Armagnac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, and bitters. Despite differing pronunciations, it remains a popular choice. The process involves mixing the ingredients with ice and garnishing with a Luxardo cherry. The debate over pronunciation adds an interesting touch to its history.

Classic Martini Cocktail

The classic martini cocktail is a departure from extravagant concoctions, embracing simplicity and tradition. With gin (or vodka), dry vermouth, and a dash of orange bitters, it offers a refreshing twist. Shaken and served with a lemon twist, this timeless drink is a must-try for those seeking a clean, classic martini experience.

Man o’ War Cocktail

The Man o’ War cocktail is named after a renowned racehorse and has a mysterious origin, likely originating in mid-20th century Kentucky. The cocktail’s balance of sweet Grand Marnier and vermouth with the sharpness of lemon juice and high-proof bourbon creates a delightful flavor. To make, shake bourbon, Grand Marnier, vermouth, and lemon juice, then strain and garnish.

Very Dirty Martini Cocktail with Smoked Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives

This dirty martini recipe features a gin-forward, dry cocktail with smoked blue cheese-stuffed olives, adding a unique twist. The preparation includes stuffing olives with blue cheese, smoking them, and shaking gin, olive brine, and vermouth in a cocktail shaker. The finished drink is then garnished with the smoked olives. Enjoy this very dirty and dry martini.

French Manhattan Cocktail

Here is a recipe for my version of the French Manhattan. This calls for Cognac, sweet vermouth, Grand Marnier and bitters.

Vesper Martini Cocktail

The Vesper Martini, a cocktail from James Bond’s Casino Royale, is traditionally made with Gordon’s gin, vodka, Kina Lillet, and garnished with lemon peel. However, modern versions often use substitutes like Lillet Blanc with aromatic bitters due to the discontinuation of Kina Lillet. The cocktail is usually shaken over ice to dilute the strong liquor content, which includes 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of vodka, and 1/2 ounce of Lillet Blanc.

American Trilogy Cocktail

The American Trilogy is a modern cocktail, first conceived in 2007. It is distinctive for its use of Apple Jack or Apple Brandy, the first distilled spirit in the US, and Rye whiskey, the original American whiskey. The recipe calls for some modification in the quantity of rye whiskey based on personal preference for a stronger cocktail. The unique ingredients combined with a splash of ginger ale and orange bitters make it a compelling drink.