A fun dessert alternative is the ALIEN BRAIN HEMORRHAGE SHOT. Besides its sweet liqueur-based mix, its layered composition is best described by its name. Peach Schnapps and Blue Curacao provide a nice fruity base. A delicate pouring of Bailey’s Irish...
The ZOMBIE cocktail has been interpreted in many ways since its creation in 1934. Donn Beach and his Los Angeles bar, Don the Beachcomber, are credited not only with inventing the drink but also with launching the entire Tiki trend,...
A SUFFERING BASTARD blends gin and bourbon equally into ginger beer. This Mule cocktail “suffers” the consequences of not being a pure breed like the Moscow Mule (vodka) or Dark ‘n Stormy (rum) — suffering only in that it is...
Bitters / Bourbon / Cognac / Brandy / Daily Mix / Demerara / Scotch
by Keet · Published October 20, 2026 · Last modified October 19, 2026
The NORTH GARDEN is an NYC-created Old-Fashioned variation that adds hints of peat from Scotch, notes of apple from apple brandy, and the familiar sweet character of bourbon — all flavors with autumn appeal. While a garnish is optional, sweetening...
Bitters / Cointreau (orange liqueur) / Daily Mix / Gin / Orange Juice / Vermouth (sweet & dry)
by Keet · Published October 16, 2026
Despite its name, SATAN’S WHISKERS is anything but the drink from hell. It is a complex blend of sweet, bitter & citrusy orange layers. It’s “perfect” in being equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, orange juice and Grand Marnier....
Cognac / Brandy / Daily Mix / Maraschino / Twofer Tuesday
by Keet · Published October 13, 2026 · Last modified October 12, 2026
The citrusy APRICOT BRANDY SOUR is a simple 2-ingredient mix: apricot brandy and sour mix. While you can always buy a sour mix at the grocery store, it will never be as good or fresh as one you prepare yourself....
Bitters / Bourbon / Cognac / Brandy / Daily Mix / Whiskey (blended)
by Keet · Published October 9, 2026
A store-bought pumpkin pie syrup can be easily added to an applejack brandy or bourbon Old-Fashioned in place of the standard sugar selection, resulting in a delicious fall-inspired cocktail — the PUMPKIN PIE OLD-FASHIONED. It’s less filling and more subtle...
A Mist is simply straight liquor poured over crushed ice, in this case Scotch — a SCOTCH MIST. So why do it? Won’t it make the whisky watery? Actually, the crushed ice doesn’t dilute the whisky’s flavor unless you let...
The DIRTY SHIRLEY is simply a play on the Shirley Temple mocktail by adding vodka. Since the Shirley Temple already pretends to be a vodka-type cocktail, it’s not a big leap to add a couple ounces of vodka to the...
The WHISKEY SMASH is very similar to a Mint Julep, but combines with lemon juice to produce a tasty, minty Whiskey Sour. The “smash” likely refers to the muddling of lemon wedges and mint before adding bourbon (rye or Canadian...
The SCOTCH COBBLER earns high marks for its taste, strength and simplicity. Scotch whisky, orange curaçao, brandy, and simple syrup are combined directly in the drinking glass. A quick stir delivers an elevated Scotch experience, free from vermouth or citrus...
Bitters / Cognac / Brandy / Curacao / Daily Mix / Whiskey (blended)
by Keet · Published September 22, 2026 · Last modified September 23, 2026
The BITTERSWEET JACK elevates Jack Daniel’s with a dash of apricot liqueur and orange curaçao. It’s stirred and served like a Manhattan, but with no vermouth involved it more closely resembles an Old Fashioned. Requirements: Jack Daniel’s whiskey, apricot liqueur...
Aperol/Campari/Cynar / Bitters / Daily Mix / Gin / Maraschino / Vermouth (sweet & dry)
by Keet · Published September 18, 2026
The MARTINEZ is a classic precursor to today’s gin martini. It’s also an old-world variation of the Manhattan dating back to the 1880s. The most common mix calls for equal parts gin and sweet vermouth with dashes of both maraschino...
The MATCHA GIN cocktail is a wonderfully refreshing cocktail for those who enjoy pineapple-flavored drinks. Japanese matcha powder adds a richness to the mix, giving it an unusual green color and is a welcome addition to the world of gin...
Aperol/Campari/Cynar / Cachaca / Daily Mix / St-Germain (elderflower)
by Keet · Published September 11, 2026
Those who know cachaça largely associate it with the popular Brazilian Caipirinha. If you’re a fan of the lime-flavored Caipirinha like me, you might have a bottle of cachaça at home; if not, you might want to get one and...
Cointreau (orange liqueur) / Daily Mix / Vodka
by Keet · Published September 8, 2026 · Last modified September 5, 2026
The KAMIKAZE was designed for good-time shooters in the ’70s & ’80s, but later became respectable as a cocktail. Fans of the Lemon Dropor the Cosmo should enjoy this limey orange-liqueur-and-vodka mix. What pushes the Kamikaze into respectable territory is...
Bitters / Cointreau (orange liqueur) / Daily Mix / Falernum / Grenadine / Orange Juice / Pineapple Juice / Rum
by Keet · Published September 4, 2026 · Last modified September 3, 2026
Bermuda and its native Goslings Rum are at the heart of the delicious and very popular RUM SWIZZLE. One of the most popular stops in Bermuda is the Swizzle Inn, where one is invited to “Swizzle inn, stagger out.” This...
If you can’t attend the U.S. Tennis Open in person to drink its signature HONEY DEUCE cocktail, you can easily make it at home. This “fruity & tart” vodka highball has been the tournament’s best-selling drink since its introduction in...
The SEABOARD is a smooth lemon-flavored cocktail that blends whiskey with gin. Like the Woodstock, it combines lemon juice with gin. And like the Long Island Iced Tea, its multiple liquor combination has no dominant flavor. The ingredients work together...
This dark rum and brandy version of the BOLERO is fruity yet complex. The proportions largely depend on your taste for dark rum (I prefer Myers’s Dark). My favored mix emphasizes the dark rum, but still has enough sweet and...
Cointreau (orange liqueur) / Daily Mix / Tequila / Mezcal
by Keet · Published August 21, 2026 · Last modified August 19, 2026
The idea of the CADILLAC MARGARITA is to upgrade the margarita using more top-shelf ingredients. Most margaritas use silver tequila, aged 0-2 months and sometimes considered harsh. The Cadillac Margarita uses Reposado tequila (gold), which is aged between 2-12 months...
The PLANTER’S PUNCH is the purest and simplest of the rum punches. It’s also likely the strongest, with 3 oz. of dark rum in each serving. Even without the addition of pineapple or orange juice — as in the Rum...
Daily Mix / Grenadine / Orange Juice / Pineapple Juice / Rum
by Keet · Published August 14, 2026 · Last modified August 13, 2026
The BAHAMA MAMA is a warm-weather drink of choice when you’re in the mood for a fruity tropical rum cocktail. If you have its five main ingredients, just a couple of minor extras will finish the mix. REQUIREMENTS: white rum,...
Bourbon / Cointreau (orange liqueur) / Daily Mix / Vermouth (sweet & dry)
by Keet · Published August 11, 2026
The MAN O’ WAR is a delicious bourbon cocktail associated with horse racing. Though largely overshadowed by the bourbon Mint Julep, the Man o’ War often becomes a repeat order after a first taste. It’s a good drink for every...
Bitters / Curacao / Daily Mix / Rum
by Keet · Published August 7, 2026 · Last modified August 6, 2026
The DISCOVERY BAY is a gold rum, lime & curacao cocktail that offers a citrusy embellishment to your favorite gold rum. Despite its pastoral green color—the result of mixing blue curaçao with gold rum—the taste is a tart, minimally sweet,...
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Curacao / Daily Mix / Grenadine / Schnapps / Shots on Saturday
October 30, 2026
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