Category: Liqueurs & mixers

Cognac / Brandy / Creme de Cacao / Daily Mix

Brandy Alexander

In the mid-70’s, the BRANDY ALEXANDER was one of the most-ordered drinks at the downtown restaurant where I waitered. It’s been pushed aside by newer cocktails since then, but is still the same brandy-cream-creme de cacao cocktail it’s been since...

Bourbon / Cranberry Juice / Daily Mix

Cranberry Cooler

The CRANBERRY COOLER is a cranberry juice cocktail for whiskey lovers. Either bourbon or Canadian blended whiskey can be used. Some recipes call for equal parts Canadian whiskey and cranberry juice. The bourbon mix expands the whiskey proportion. My preferred...

Absinthe/Anise/Anisette / Bitters / Daily Mix / Throwback Thursday / Vermouth (sweet & dry) / Whiskey (blended)

Waldorf

The WALDORF cocktail hearkens back to the early 1900’s and gives the traditional rye Manhattan an absinthe accent. The original mix was very boozy with equal parts absinthe-rye-vermouth, but has been modified for today’s drinker by reducing the absinthe and...

Absinthe/Anise/Anisette / Daily Mix / Gin / Martini Monday / Pernod / Vermouth (sweet & dry)

Absinthe Martini

The ABSINTHE MARTINI takes the classic gin martini and adds a touch of Absinthe, making it anise-fresh, icy-smooth and boozy. While strong, it goes down like a light digestive. The licorice flavor adds balance to the botanicals of gin. Requirements:...

Absinthe/Anise/Anisette / Cognac / Brandy / Cointreau (orange liqueur) / Daily Mix / Vodka

International

The INTERNATIONAL successfully combines a mesh of flavors that make this cognac cocktail smooth and special. Anisette is a key agent in the mix, which when downplayed (as in the recipe below) can elevate the others without dominating. The cognac...

Daily Mix / Falernum / Rum

Autumn Wind

The AUTUMN WIND is a two-layered Mai Tai variation whose bottom layer combines tequila, falernum and lime juice while black strap rum provides the top-layer floater. Black strap rum provides depth and a rich molasses flavor. The equal parts in...

Curacao / Daily Mix / Grenadine / Schnapps / Videos Demos

Alien Brain Hemorrhage Shot

A fun desert alternative is the ALIEN BRAIN HEMORRHAGE SHOT. Besides its sweet liqueur-based mix, the composition is layered in a way that is best described by its name. Peach Schnapps and Blue Curacao give it a nice fruity base....

Bitters / Bourbon / Fizzy Friday / Gin / Ginger Beer

Suffering Bastard

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 less...

Bitters / Brennivin / Fizzy Friday / Ginger Beer / World Wednesday

Nordlig Lykke

The NORDLIG LYKKE (pronounced “Nore-lig Leek-ya”) won the 2021 cocktail competition in Reykjavík, sponsored by Brennivin. It features the popular Icelandic aquavit Brennivin combined, as it often is, with lime juice. The addition of ginger beer with aromatic bitters and...