Category: Liqueurs & mixers

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...

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...

Cave Creek

The CAVE CREEK cocktail has a similar theme as the Boulevardier, but balances the Campari with grenadine, and substitutes rye and Scotch whisky for bourbon. Nate Dumas, at the Shanty (NY Distilling Co., Brooklyn, NY), originally mixed it to be...

Blinker

The BLINKER is one of the few cocktails that uses grapefruit juice. It’s a medium-strength alternative to having a Boulevardier if you have no Campari. It’s simple to make, easy to remember, and a very nice way to use rye...

Quarantine

The QUARANTINE is a nine-ingredient cocktail that I admit is worth the gathering of ingredients. Aside from separating egg-white in order to add into the drink, it really only takes ten minutes to prepare. And what better drink for our...

Martini (Dry)

The VODKA MARTINI gradually overtook the popular gin martini when vodka achieved worldwide popularity beginning in the 1940’s. It didn’t hurt that the “vodka martini, shaken-not-stirred” was ordered in every James Bond movie in the 60’s. It’s simple to make,...

Cosmopolitan (Cosmo)

The COSMOPOLITAN martini, or “Cosmo”, can vary from bar to bar. If you know what you like in the Cosmo, you can usually request it be made that way. If you don’t know what you like, the establishment’s mix might...

Boulevardier

When the Negroni switches out gin for whiskey, it becomes the Boulevardier (“boo- lah-var-dee-ay”). It’s 100-year anniversary can be traced back to an American writer and publisher for The Boulevardier magazine in 1920’s Paris, Erskine Gwynne. The cocktail has an...