Bitters / Daily Mix / Maraschino / Tequila / Mezcal / Vermouth (sweet & dry)
by Keet · Published May 29, 2026 · Last modified May 27, 2026
The NEW YORK MINUTE has several cocktail renditions, my favorite being the recipe published by Difford’s Guide. The drink may have earned its name because it tastes like a tequila version of a Manhattan. It’s quick to prepare since it...
Daily Mix / Grapefruit Juice / Maraschino / Rum
by Keet · Published May 26, 2026 · Last modified May 25, 2026
The HEMINGWAY DAIQUIRI is known for its reduced sweetness, achieved by adding the bitter-tart qualities of grapefruit juice, omitting all sugar or simple syrup, incorporating maraschino liqueur and doubling the rum. Bartenders have since balanced Hemingway’s original recipe, often reducing...
Aperol/Campari/Cynar / Daily Mix / Maraschino / Vermouth (sweet & dry) / Whiskey (blended)
by Keet · Published May 22, 2026 · Last modified May 20, 2026
If you’re in the mood for a Manhattan, but would like a tasty variation, the BENSONHURST is a must-try. This cocktail replaces the sweet vermouth of a classic Manhattan with dry vermouth. Splashes of maraschino liqueur and the Italian aperitif,...
Aperol/Campari/Cynar / Daily Mix / Pineapple Juice / Rum
by Keet · Published May 19, 2026 · Last modified May 18, 2026
The SALTY BIRD is a great transition drink into warmer weather. It’s a tropical-style drink that uses black rum, preferably black-strap rum, which has more of a smoky overtone than white rum. A pinch of salt is added to the...
The tequila version of a Black Russian is the BRAVE BULL. Silver blanco tequila and coffee liqueur (Kahlua preferred) complement each other as if they were always meant to be. With only two ingredients and no bar tools necessary, this...
Bitters / Daily Mix / Gin / Maraschino
by Keet · Published May 12, 2026 · Last modified May 11, 2026
TheCASINO is an elegant gin-based cocktail featuring Maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and orange bitters. It is one of the few gin cocktails that suggests using a sweeter gin like Old Tom versus a London dry gin. Requirements:gin (Old Tom preferred),...
Aperol/Campari/Cynar / Bitters / Daily Mix / Tequila / Mezcal / Vermouth (sweet & dry)
by Keet · Published May 8, 2026
The ROSITA is a delicious tequila-based alternative to the ever-popular margarita, featuring Campari. The Rosita re-balances the Italian bitter Campari by using equal parts sweet and dry vermouth and adds Angostura bitters as an anchor. The bitter-sweetness of Campari, which...
The KENTUCKY MULE is a cousin to the Moscow Mule. While it maintains the same refreshing ginger-beer base, this cocktail features bourbon instead of vodka and adds mint along with lime. Whether celebrating the Kentucky Derby or any festive occasion,...
The MINT JULEP is best known as the featured beverage at the Kentucky Derby, which runs this Saturday, May 2nd. There are strong opinions about the correct way to mix a Mint Julep, especially in the U.S. South. The Keet’s...
Bitters / Bourbon / Creme de Cacao / Daily Mix / Maraschino / Vermouth (sweet & dry)
by Keet · Published April 28, 2026 · Last modified April 27, 2026
The MANHATTAN SWEET W/ BITTER CHOCOLATE adds a teaspoon of crème de cacao and maraschino liqueur, along with a dash of chocolate bitters, to the classic Manhattan. This addition perfectly complements the bourbon and vermouth with nuanced hints of chocolate...
Daily Mix / Martini Monday / Vermouth (sweet & dry) / Vodka
by Keet · Published April 24, 2026 · Last modified May 25, 2026
DIRTY MARTINI (vodka) – Olive lovers enjoy adding olive juice or brine into the martini mix, making the vodka “dirty.” If you’re on calorie watch, it adds only about 25 calories more to a dry vodka martini’s 125 calories. The...
Daily Mix / Gin / Maraschino / Shochu & Saki
by Keet · Published April 21, 2026 · Last modified April 19, 2026
Pick a few cherry blossoms from a cherry blossom tree this spring to garnish a SAKURA MARTINI. The Sakura Martini combines Japanese sake with dry gin, creating a softer martini than the standard gin and vermouth. It was created by...
Cointreau (orange liqueur) / Daily Mix / Scotch / Throwback Thursday / Vermouth (sweet & dry)
by Keet · Published April 17, 2026
The scotch-based CHURCHILL was created as a dedication to the man, but not a cocktail he personally drank. With the added flavor of lime juice and orange liqueur, this drink is shaken rather than stirred. The citrus flavors enhance the...
Bitters / Daily Mix / Grapefruit Juice / Grenadine / Whiskey (blended)
by Keet · Published April 14, 2026 · Last modified April 17, 2026
The BLINKER is one of a few cocktails that uses grapefruit juice. It’s a medium-strength alternative to a Boulevardier — similar, but without the Campari used in a Boulevardier. It’s simple to make, easy to remember, and a delightful way...
Bitters / Cachaca / Cointreau (orange liqueur) / Daily Mix / Grapefruit Juice
by Keet · Published April 10, 2026
The UPPER CUT mixes Cointreau, grapefruit and lemon juice with the Brazilian spirit, cachaca. In this rare cocktail occurrence, Cointreau takes the lead instead of just a supporting role, measuring twice that of cachaca. The cachaca gives a sharp upper-cut...
Daily Mix / Gin / Throwback Thursday / Vermouth (sweet & dry)
by Keet · Published April 7, 2026 · Last modified April 17, 2026
The GIBSON is a classic martini, typically made with gin and garnished with a pickled cocktail onion instead of an olive or lemon twist. It’s an unusual gin martini because it doesn’t use bitters like others do. The cocktail onion...
Cognac / Brandy / Daily Mix / Gin / Rum / Seasonal Sunday / Tequila / Mezcal / Vodka / Whiskey (blended)
by Keet · Published April 4, 2026 · Last modified April 7, 2026
Recommending cocktails for Easter isn’t as easy as recommending drinks for Christmas. But here are suggestions that could make a good brunch cocktail, dessert-type cocktail, or spring-celebration cocktail. Bloody Mary — https://keetscocktails.com/bloody-mary-2/ (vodka, tomato juice, lime juice); Brandy Alexander —...
Bitters / Daily Mix / Gin / Orange Juice / Vermouth (sweet & dry)
by Keet · Published March 27, 2026 · Last modified March 26, 2026
The INCOME TAX cocktail and its twin, the Bronx cocktail, are both in Harry Craddock’s 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book. The only difference between the two cocktails is the Angostura Bitters added to the Income Tax. Otherwise, both concoctions require...
The STANLEY is a cocktail from Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book, published in 1930. It pairs dry gin with light rum, adds lemon juice and achieves sweet balance from grenadine and simple syrup. Since the quantities are easier to...
The TULIP is a semi-sweet cocktail, but not excessively sweet, perfect for spring. It is complex and somewhat floral from applejack (or calvados), apricot liqueur and lemon juice. The mix is traced back to Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book,...
Here are a few Irish Whiskey cocktails to help celebrate SAINT PATRICK’S DAY. Though a pint of Guinness is almost a requirement, it can be replaced by the following cocktail mixes … then of course chased by a pint of...
Cointreau (orange liqueur) / Daily Mix / Whiskey (blended)
by Keet · Published March 13, 2026 · Last modified March 12, 2026
The IRISH MARGARITA uses the same template as a standard tequila margarita but substitutes Irish whiskey for the more common tequila. Most recipes recommend Grand Marnier as the preferred orange liqueur, though Cointreau and Triple Sec are occasionally used. A...
Absinthe/Anise/Anisette / Cointreau (orange liqueur) / Daily Mix / Maraschino / Pernod / Whiskey (blended)
by Keet · Published March 10, 2026
If you like the idea of a Manhattan-style Irish whiskey cocktail with a hint of licorice, the BLARNEY STONE will hit the spot. It features a delicious whiskey base that keeps you interested with each sip. The Pernod makes its...
It’s an Irish whiskey Manhattan — the EMERALD. However, it more closely resembles the Scottish Highlander by infusing orange flavors from orange bitters and orange peel into Irish whiskey, rather than using maraschino cherry in bourbon or rye. Because Irish...
Bitters / Daily Mix / Scotch / St-Germain (elderflower) / Whiskey (blended)
by Keet · Published March 3, 2026
The COOPER UNION is a Sazerac-style whiskey cocktail that pre-rinses a glass with peaty Scotch instead of the traditional absinthe.The base is Irish whiskey, complemented by a smaller amount of St-Germain liqueur. This recipe is taken from Death & Company‘s...
Welcome to my blog! Feel free to look around and leave me a comment if you find something interesting or helpful.
More
Bitters / Daily Mix / Maraschino / Tequila / Mezcal / Vermouth (sweet & dry)
May 29, 2026
Aperol/Campari/Cynar / Daily Mix / Maraschino / Vermouth (sweet & dry) / Whiskey (blended)
May 22, 2026
Recent Comments