When I think Spring, I think gin cocktails. Gin sours, to be exact, though I never seem to drink a plain ol' gin sour -- it's always a variation, like the Aviation, the Fitzgerald, or the Tom Collins...or that praise-worthy classic, the Southside. Southside Cocktail 2 ounces Gin [Plymouth] 3/4 ounce Lemon Juice 1/2 ounce... Continue Reading →
Sometimes, simpler drinks are better. True, you can whip up some smoked air to mix with your cardamom- and saffron-infused gin (the gin itself being homemade...who needs commercial gin, right?) and pour it over all the passion fruit juice ice cubes and Cointreau caviar you want -- but that concoction sounds like something best left to the... Continue Reading →
Ah yes, the Hurricane. Like many faux-tropical drinks, it has a messy history, though it's not quite as convoluted or controversial as those of the Mai Tai and the Zombie. For one thing, we know the time and location of its origin -- Pat O'Brien's Bar in the French Quarter, circa late 1940s (though I have found... Continue Reading →
Ah yes, the Pimm's Cup. If I had to pick one highball to drink for the rest of my life, this would probably be it. What? You've never had one? Well, here's what you do: go and get yourself some Pimm's No. 1 liqueur -- you'll find it at just about any semi-decent liquor store... Continue Reading →
After a two-month hiatus, it's finally time for another Mixology Monday! Locked in the dead cold of winter (well, it's in the 60s here in Georgia), our venerable host, Doug, of the Pegu Tiki Blog has decided on a Tiki theme, bringing us a burst of faux-tropical sunshine to lift our spirits. He's invited us to... Continue Reading →
There is a certain period of time that's referred to as the "Dark Ages" of mixology...somewhere between the 1950s and the 1990s. Yes, certain pockets of resistance still existed during these decades, especially in the better bars and Tiki restaurants, but mixed drinks as a whole seemed to suffer, especially during the 70s and 80s... Continue Reading →
Today we'll take an in-depth look at the history and recipe of a particular cocktail: The Martinez. First, a bit of history. Is it a precursor to the Martini? A cousin? A variation? And what about the Manhattan? The truth will likely never be known, though we can safely assume that the Martini and the... Continue Reading →
Tempered Spirits 