In the mid to late 1800s, “a cocktail” primarily consisted of liquor, sugar, and water. The Improved Whiskey cocktail added imports like maraschino liqueur or absinthe. The original recipe does not include strawberry simple syrup but can be substituted with other syrups. Serving it on the rocks balances the strong flavor.
Tag: Drinks
Corpse Reviver No. 1 Cocktail
In 2023, I made the Corpse Reviver No. 2. It’s my favorite non-whiskey drink, with a balance of sweet and sour flavors and botanical notes. I also discovered the Corpse Reviver No. 1, which I slightly modified with Armagnac and extra measures.
Casino Cocktail
The Casino cocktail, a classic dating back to the 1930s, falls under the Daisies category, known for their boozy, savory/sour profile. The original recipe calls for Old Tom Gin, but London Dry works well. To make it, mix gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters, then strain and garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
Apple of Your Rye Cocktail
My Version of the “Apple of My Rye” cocktail, substitutis applejack for apple cider and uses two types of whiskey for extra depth. The recipe includes barrel proof rye, Rittenhouse Rye, applejack, Amaro, walnut bitters, and a thin apple slice for garnish.
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.
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.
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.
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