Author: Keet

Gold Rush Cocktail (a.k.a. Chapel Hill)

When lemon and orange flavoring are mixed with bourbon, good things happen. The GOLD RUSH (EXPANDED) is one such drink and is one of my favorites. If you ask for one at a bar, they’ll hand you a Whiskey Sour...

Flying Dutchman

The FLYING DUTCHMAN is a legendary ghost ship from the 17th century that can never make port and is doomed to sail the oceans forever (see “History” below). Or, it’s a classic gin cocktail. This is a simple yet tasty...

Melon Ball Drop

The Japanese melon liqueur, Midori, is the predominant flavor of the MELON BALL DROP. The sweetness of the Midori, and to a lesser extent the elderflower liqueur, is balanced nicely by vodka and fresh lemon juice. It’s a popular choice...

Mojito

The MOJITO is an iconic Cuban cocktail that emerged from a Havana bar around 1910. It’s a bartender’s least favorite concoction to make in a bar, not because it requires many types of liquor, but because it’s time-consuming to prepare...

Caipirinha

Cachaca is to Brazil’s CAIPIRINHA, as Tequila is to Mexico’s Margarita; though the Caipirinha is less Americanized as the Margarita. The Caipirinha’s basic recipe is very simple but requires that you muddle sugar onto crushed quarters of lime before adding...

Cooper

The COOPER is a combo of Irish whiskey, St-Germain elderflower liqueur and a hint of Laphroaig scotch. It’s a “tasty and tough” cocktail pour from the ingenious folks at one of Pittsburgh’s popular Strip District restaurants, Bar Marco. Recipe is...

Rum Punch

The RUM PUNCH can easily be too sweet, or it can be perfectly balanced and refreshing. This particular recipe is one I consider excellent, balanced between fruity refreshment and gutsy rum strength. Learned from a Cape Cod bartender, the key...

Tequilas: 10 Best Cheap Brands

A few months ago, some expert bartenders and beverage consultants from the United States Bartenders’ Guild were asked what some of their favorite cheap bottles of tequila are, for sipping and/or for cocktails. Per Jonah Flicker‘s report in Liquor.com, the...

Father’s Day Cocktails

Recommendations for Father’s Day cocktails (pictured above) are mostly well-known, tried & true. Two or three are less known. But, they’re all delicious, depending on dad’s preferences, and deliver enough punch to make it count. Categorized by spirit, they are:...

Keet’s Choice

As I go through the maze of cocktails which have been created either incidentally or methodically across the globe, it makes me think some people had too much time on their hands. The ingredients used are sometimes perfect, other times...