Sazerac
In 1838, Antoine Amedie Peychaud, owner of a New Orleans apothecary, treated his friends to brandy toddies of his own recipe, including his “Peychaud’s Bitters,” made from a secret family recipe. The toddies were made using a double-ended egg cup as a measuring cup or jigger, then known as a “coquetier” (pronounced “ko-k-tay”), from which the word “cocktail” was derived. Thus, the world’s first cocktail was born!
Read More
Rusty Nail
While no one seems to know when the Rusty Nail came across the bar I would suspect that it was in the late 30’s early 40’s. It would have been difficult to get Drambuie during prohibition. There is a brief history on the Drambuie http://drambuie.com/us/#origins” Made from honey and secret blends http://drambuie.com/us/#secret-recipe the Rusty Nail is equal parts Scotch and Drambuie. A smooth drink that gets better as the Scotch gets better, we tried Johnny Walker Red but Cutty Sark would also be a good starting point.
Read More
Old Fashion
The original Old Fashioned recipe would have used whiskeys available in America in the late 1800’s, either Bourbon or Rye Whiskey. The first recipe is from 1895. But in some regions, especially Wisconsin, brandy is substituted for whiskey (sometimes called a Brandy Old Fashioned). Eventually the use of other spirits became common, such as a gin recipe becoming popularized in the late 1940s. The first mention of the drink was for a Bourbon whiskey cocktail in the 1880s, at the Pendennis Club, a gentlemen’s club in Louisville, Kentucky.
Common garnishes for an Old Fashioned include an orange slice or a maraschino cherry, although these modifications came around 1930, sometime after the original recipe was invented. The practice of muddling orange and other fruit gained prevalence as late as the 1990s. In muddling the fruit make sure to muddle the fruit but try not to muddle the peel too much. You want to release the oils and fruit flavor but not a lot of the acid. As with spirit only drinks what whiskey/brandy you make this drink with matters. The fun is in trying to find which one you really like!
Oh Be Joyful*
Amazing cocktail with a very complex flavor profile. The smokey sSotch rinse really elevates this cocktail.
Read More
Monte Carlo
Why the Monte Carlo? Even if you’re not getting together for cards this weekend with the guys it goes well with any guy themed event. This is a smooth drink that goes well with fall, cards, sports, guy talk and cigars!
Man of the Moment
A different way to drink Scotch, with a sweet addition of Grand Marnier and grenadine with a splash of lemon juice to take the edge off.
Read More
Little Italy
Perfect fall sipping cocktail for the whiskey lovers out there looking for something a little different.
Read More
Jamaica Shake
Jamaica Shake is an interesting blend of Bourbon and Dark Rum combined with cream. Shouldn’t work but it does. Just use a really high quality dark rum.
Harvey Wallbanger
The Harvey Wallbanger is reported to have been invented in 1952 by three-time world champion mixologist Donato ‘Duke’ Antone (Paolantonio). The Harvey Wallbanger was made popular by then Galliano salesman, George Bednard. Legend has it that the drink was named after a Manhattan Beach surfer who was a regular patron of Duke’s ‘Blackwatch’ Bar on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood during the early 1950s.