Another Round of Whiskey Sours: the Ward 8 Cocktail
As the saying goes, “myth and legend are the kudzu of history,” and cocktail history is as much overgrown as any. Today’s case in point: the pre-Prohibition Ward 8 Cocktail, one of the most famous of...
View ArticleThe X-15, Saturn, and the Finer Points of Bad Behavior
My father introduced me to model airplane kits, and I was hooked. I always enjoyed the fun of learning about the airplanes, selecting the “next one,” working through the pieces of the kit, adding paint...
View ArticleThe Rise of Vermouth and the Pantomime Cocktail
If you’ve been drinking Martinis for any length of time, you’ve likely heard of movie director Alfred Hitchcock’s famous disregard for vermouth. According to the tales, the closest Hitch would come to...
View ArticleThe Automobile Cocktail, Two Ways
There have been many drinks bearing the name Automobile Cocktail. Two of them are particularly interesting. The earliest of the lot is a variant of the Champagne Cocktail. It’s been around since at...
View ArticleThe Tale of the Tuxedo Cocktail
The mystery of the Tuxedo Cocktail is trying figure out just which Tuxedo we’re talking about. The Tuxedo is more a spectrum of recipes, rather than a single formula. One thing we can say is that the...
View ArticleSazerac Variations: the Cooper Union Cocktail
In abstract terms, you could think of the Sazerac as an Old-Fashioned with a strongly aromatic rinse on the glass. Typically, it’s made with rye whiskey or cognac, but Phil Ward’s Cooper Union...
View ArticleWhat’s Wrong with the Blood and Sand Cocktail?
I wouldn’t normally write about the Blood and Sand Cocktail. I don’t like it. I’ve never met anyone who likes it. The flavors make no sense to me. Four ingredients, all fighting with each other. Harry...
View ArticleTall and Cool: the Gin Rickey
Just the thing for a hot summer day. Gin, lime, soda, and plenty of ice: the Gin Rickey.
View ArticleTequila and Grapefruit — the Paloma
Cinco de Mayo and tequila just go together, and the Paloma is the vehicle to get you there. A delicious highball of tequila and grapefruit soda, and lots of ice in this tall cooler.
View ArticleChasing the Jungle Bird
One of the latest great tiki drinks, the Jungle Bird is all about Pineapple and Jamaican rum—and, uniquely, Campari.
View ArticleDark Horse: The Preakness Cocktail
Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Benedictine and bitters make up this Manhattan variant's tribute to the Triple Crown: the Preakness Cocktail.
View ArticleClassic Tiki: the Jet Pilot
Lime juice, grapefruit juice, cinnamon, falernum, Pernod, and rums, don't forget the rums! The classic tiki Jet Pilot, and its predecessor, Don the Beachcomber Test Pilot. Time to rev up the blender!
View ArticleThe Olympic Cocktail
Cognac, orange juice, and Grand Marnier—the Olympic Cocktail, named for the Titanic's sister ship.
View ArticleRum and Falernum — the Corn ’n Oil Cocktail
Rum, falernum, and lime: Barbados's spicy Corn ’n Oil Cocktail
View ArticleMixing the Pisco Sour
Pisco brandy, lime juice, sugar, egg white, and bitters: Peru's turn-of-the-century Pisco Sour.
View ArticleChasing the Gibson Cocktail
Gin, vermouth, onion: that is the Gibson. Simple, cold, clean, crisp, and urbane.
View ArticleHair of the Dog: the Morning Glory Cocktail
Whiskey, cognac, curacao, and absinthe—the Morning Glory Cocktail, a brown-spirits brunch delight and "hangover cure."
View ArticleWhiskey Sours and Embittered Last Words: the Paper Plane Cocktail
The Paper Plane Cocktail: bourbon, amaro, and lemon in a modern take on the Whiskey Sour.
View ArticleCynar and Scotch: The Choke and Smoke Cocktail
Scotch whisky and Cynar, who knew that was such a good combination? Artichoke amaro and smoky whisky in the Choke and Smoke Cocktail.
View ArticleBack to the tropics with the 151 Swizzle
Overproof rum, lime, sugar, bitters, and a bit of absinthe. And ice, lots of ice: the 151 Swizzle.
View ArticleWhiskey and Barspoons: the Brainstorm Cocktail
Whiskey (you choose), vermouth, and Bénédictine—the 1916 Brainstorm cocktail.
View ArticleSearching for the Bamboo Cocktail
Fino sherry, bianco vermouth, and orange bitters: the classic, light, aperitif Bamboo Cocktail, from the 1880s.
View ArticleThe Creole Cocktail Four Ways
There are many versions of the Creole Cocktail. My favorite looks a lot like a Sazerac: whiskey, curaçao, and bitters, with a fragrant nose of absinthe.
View ArticleIn for Repairs: the Brooklyn Cocktail
Rye whiskey, Italian vermouth, Maraschino, and bitters: reviving the original Brooklyn Cocktail.
View ArticleRepairing the Brooklyn Cocktail, part 2
Monongahela-style rye whiskies may be the key to a subtle, balanced Brooklyn Cocktail.
View ArticleHome Remedies and the Penicillin Cocktail
Scotch whisky, lemon, honey, and ginger. Looks like a classic cold remedy to me. It also turns out to be one of the best Scotch-based cocktails going: the Penicillin Cocktail.
View ArticleThe Ray Long Cocktail
The Ray Long Cocktail, an elegant, absinthe-tinted brandy Manhattan: Cognac, sweet vermouth, absinthe, and Angostura bitters. If you want to put a spin on the original, this is the way to go.
View ArticleAquavit and the Trident Cocktail
The Trident Cocktail — a savory version of the Negroni, with aquavit, Cynar, and sherry.
View ArticleA martini with something in it — the Ford Cocktail
A Martini with something in it — the Ford Cocktail: Old Tom gin, dry vermouth, Bénédictine, and orange bitters.
View ArticleA martini with something in it — the Alaska Cocktail
Life after death in the cocktail world. Old Tom Gin and Yellow Chartreuse: the Alaska Cocktail.
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