Drink recipes: Whiskey sour – Part 5

The point of a good Whiskey Sour is to elevate the flavor of a good whiskey. With this in mind, here are four Whiskey Sour recipes that differ slightly based on the kind of whiskey used. Choose your recipe based on whether you prefer a blended, bourbon, Jack Daniels, or Canadian whiskey.

BLENDED WHISKEY SOUR

2 ounces of blended whiskey

the juice of half a lemon

1/2 teaspoon of powdered sugar

1 maraschino cherry

1/2 slice of lemon

Combine the whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a sour or rocks glass and garnish with the lemon slice and top with the cherry.

BOURBON SOUR

2 ounces of bourbon

2 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon of superfine bar sugar

1 orange or lemon slice according to preference

1 maraschino cherry

Combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and sugar into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well until the sugar has been thoroughly disolved. Strain contents into a sour or rocks glass and garnish with the citrus slice and maraschino cherry.

JACK DANIELS TENNESSEE SOUR

2 ounces of Jack Daniels

1 teaspoon of fresh squeezed lime juice

5 ounces of sweet and sour mix

1 orange slice

Combine the Jack Daniels and sour mid in a sour or rocks glass filled with ice. Add lime juice and top with the orange slice.

CANADIAN WHISKEY SOUR

2 ounces of Canadian whiskey

the juice of half a lemon

1/2 teaspoon of superfine bar sugar

slice of lemon

1 maraschino cherry

Combine the whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake vigorously until the sugar is fully dissolved. Strain into a sour or rocks glass and top with the lemon slice and cherry.

Drink recipes: Caipirinha

The Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail which is made of Cachaca, sugar, and lime. You might be asking what Cachaca is – it’s a liquor similar to rum. It’s difference is that it’s made with sugarcane juice, while rum is made with either molasses or sugarcane juice and then aged in oak barrels. Cachaca is only made in Brazil and can be relatively difficult to find in the states for consumer purchase – if you can’t find it, you can definitely substitute it with rum. The Caipirinha is a refreshing cocktail enjoyed not only in Brazil but around the world and is relatively easy to make and is DEFINITELY easy to enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 tsp granulated sugar

8 lime wedges

2 1/2 oz cachaca

To make:

Muddle the sugar and limes together in a glass. Fill the glass with ice cubes and pour in cachaca. Stir well. Just about anything makes an excellent garnish or an addition to the drink – you can add fresh fruit like berries, passion fruit, pineapple, kiwi, grapefruit, grapes, or tangerine. Adding a small amount of cream or soy milk creates a creamy variation. Adding a few sprigs of fresh mint as a garnish makes this cocktail similar to a mojito. Make several variations to serve at your party – your guests will definitely enjoy this cocktail!

Drink recipes: Old fashioned – Part 4

The old fashioned is the first drink to ever be called a cocktail. These days when you think of a cocktail the first thing that typically comes to mind is a martini. Many people do not know about the original and first cocktail. So of course the old fashioned does not get the respect that it is deserved.

The old fashioned dates back to the late 1800’s. These days there are many variations on the drink. So depending on who is making it for you and with what recipe, there are many different ones to try and find the one you like best.

Here are a couple different variations on the old fashioned ~

Old Fashioned ~

3 oz bourbon whiskey

2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 tsp water

1 sugar cube

3 dashes bitter

Muddle with the back of a spoon, the bitters, water and sugar cube in an old fashioned glass. (it has to be old fashioned since the drink has the same name)

Fill the glass with ice.

Add the bourbon.

Garnish with a cherry and a orange slice.

Enjoy!

Old Fashioned ~

1/2 – 1 oz Bourbon

1/2 orange slice

1 maraschino cherry

3 dashes Angostura bitters

1/2 tsp water

1/2 tsp superfine sugar

In an old fashioned glass combine the orange slice, sugar, cherry and bitters. Muddle with the back of your spoon.

Make sure the sugar is dissolved and the fruit is somewhat smashed up.

Add ice to the glass.

Add in the Bourbon.

Stir lightly.

Enjoy!

The history of tequila

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor

As a bartender, I hear that chant often. But just what is tequila, and why does it make you kiss the floor?

Tequila is actually the name of a town in Mexico, two salt shakers away from Guadalajara. This town is known not for its cheerleaders or football team, but for the spirit they make from the agave plant. The Spanish started producing tequila when they ran out of brandy. Lucky for them.

The customary way of shooting a shot of tequila is to lick some salt off your hand, down the tequila, and then suck on a slice of lime. They say the salt drowns out some of the bite of the alcohol and the lime enhances flavor. Tequila is also popular mixed with orange juice and grenadine, a concoction known as a Tequila Sunrise. And of course, tequila is mixed with triple sec and sweet and sour mix in a salted rim glass for your standard margarita.

Its popularity and flexibility make it easy for the drinks to sneak up on you. So be careful if you partake in the tequila experience. And don’t ever pass up the garnish, whether it be lemon or lime. Both are good for you so you can justify your night of excessive drinking as an important part of your diet.

Drink recipes: Caribou Lou – Part 1

Ah, the infamous Caribou Lou. This knock-you-down-if-you-have-too -many drink originated in Kansas City, Missouri, but became famous to millions of rap fans when Tech N9ne made it the centerpiece of his song, “Caribou Lou”:

“Ya it’s like the ultimate party favor baby ya know

Caribou lou

It’s like

151 rum

Pineapple juice, and Malibu, caribou, get them all numb”

The drink couldn’t be easier to make. Mix

1 part of pineapple juice

1 part of coconut rum

1 part of 151 proof rum

Shake. Serve over crushed ice in a tall (highball) glass. Add a garnish of mint leaves, if you like the flavor of mint.

To make a Caribou Lou slushy, put ice, the pineapple juice, coconut rum, 151 proof rum and some chopped up pineapple into a blender. Mix to a fine, slushy consistency and pour into a tall glass. Yum!

Another recipe calls for substituting vodka for the 151 proof rum, but Caribou Lou purists say it’s the high-test rum that really makes this drink and to ignore any suggestion of substituting vodka.

Remember – the sweetness of the pineapple juice might make you forget about the 151 rum until you’ve had one too many Caribou Lous. One too many when it comes to the Caribou Lou just might mean two drinks.

Enjoy!

Drink recipes: B & B

I have two B&B recipes I have used in the past for parties. The B&B is not a very popular drink but always good to have in your bag of tricks. On a side note for both recipes you will need Benedictine. Not a staple in most bars; it is based on Cognac, and is flavored with various aromatics, fruit peels, and herbs. You will need to make a simple sugar syrup. This can be done by placing cup of sugar to cup water. Warm until sugar dissolves.

Classic Recipe:

oz Brandy

oz Benedictine

Float Brandy on top of Benedictine in cordial glass without mixing and serve.

Favorite Recipe:

1.2 oz lemon juice

1 oz brandy

oz Benedictine

5 oz soda water

1 oz sugar syrup

Pour Brandy, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water into a tall frosted glass two-thirds filled with ice. Sprinkle Benedictine on top. Serve with straws, and garnish with a cherry and slices of orange and lemon.

Drink recipes: Sidecar – Part 2

A Sidecar comes in two very distinct versions-a brandy or a cognac version. First I will give you the basic recipe for each, and then I will give some tips for customizing these smooth and simple drinks.

BRANDY SIDECAR

1 ounce of brandy

3/4 ounce of triple-sec

3/4 ounce of fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Gently combine all ingredients and then pour into a chilled “old-fashioned” or rocks glass. A garnish of lemon peel is optional.

COGNAC SIDECAR

1 ounce of cognac (Hennessey is great for this recipe, though if you are feeling a bit luxurious go for the Courvoisier VSOP or the Remy-Martin VSOP)

3/4 ounce of triple-sec

3/4 ounce of fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Briefly shake to blend and then pour into a chilled cocktail/martini glass. Garnish with a lemon or orange peel.

Several substitutions can be made upon these two base recipes. The most popular is to replace the triple-sec with Cointreau or Grand Marnier for a more complex and richly flavored Sidecar. Some bartenders also like to lightly rim the glass with sugar for a sweeter Sidecar. To put an New England touch on the Sidecar, prepare the above recipe except substitute 3/4 ounce of brandy and 3/4 ounce of light rum for the 1 ounce of brandy to make a Boston Sidecar. Applecars are another popular variation by preparing the base recipe, but substituting applejack or apple brandy for the regular brandy.

Lastly, if you are new to drinking brandy, you can make a lighter, sweeter version with this recipe:

1/4 ounce of lemon juice

1/4 ounce of triple-sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier

1 ounce of fresh-squeezed orange juice

1 ounce of brandy

Combine all of the above ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange or lemon peel. This lighter version of the sidecar is great with a slightly sugared glass.

So whether you prefer brandy or cognac, a Sidecar is a delicious and simple mixed drink to enjoy anytime. Served in either a rocks or martini glass, it will always offer sophistication and class at hand.

Drink recipes: Vodka martini – Part 1

There is nothing quite like enjoying a cool, crisp martini after a long hard day of espionage. At least this is what we learn from James Bond, the man who made vodka martinis famous. The martini is traditionally made with gin, and while that is my favorite way to enjoy a martini I also appreciate the crispness and versatility of vodka.

While vodka and gin martinis are quite similar, aside from their main ingredient, you should definitely not treat them as equals. The first thing to remember is that a vodka martini should be shaken, not stirred as gin should be, and served ice cold. When in doubt, remember Mr. Bond.

To make a vodka martini you will need:

1 1/2 oz of vodka

3/4 oz of dry vermouth

1 – 3 olives or lemon peel

Add the vodka and vermouth to a shaker filled with ice. Shake it until it chills your hand and smoothly pour into a martini glass. Garnish with olives or lemon peel and enjoy.

Once you get the hang of the basic recipe you can feel free to experiment with flavoured liqueurs and/or fruit juices. You can create your own signature martini or stick to the classic. A word of warning, the martini may soon become your drink of choice. Soon you will be saddling up at the bar ordering a martini like a pro with your very own set of instructions for the bartender. Just don’t become a snob about it, unless of course you are James Bond.