Category: Bourbon

Manhattan Minute*

The MANHATTAN MINUTE is self-created and is offered to the home bartender as a Manhattan substitute when preparation-time is short or good sweet vermouth is not available. Aperol replaces the sweet vermouth and bitters which comprise a traditional Manhattan, allowing...

Bourbon Mash Comparisons

Most bourbon whiskies use three grains: corn, rye, barley. The corn percentage must be 51% or greater to be classified as bourbon. When comparing the mash compositions, there are a few outliers. Makers Mark uses wheat in place of rye....

“Classic Cocktails Every Drinker Should Know”

One of the online drinking sites — Liquor.com — published recently its view of the top 24 cocktails which all drinkers should know (which is about as objective as deciding the top 24 songs of all time). Though I disagree...

Brown Derby

The peak season for ruby-red grapefruit (November-June) is winding down. And so a good time to make a BROWN DERBY or other grapefruit-based cocktails is now. Using a sweet, juicy red grapefruit makes all the difference, the difference between “Wow!”...

8 Cocktails to Make for New Year’s Eve

As we approach a new year, it’s nice sometimes to toast the outgoing and incoming with something different, something memorable. If your go-to cocktail or champagne is too anti-climactic this year, here are some New Year’s suggestions as previously posted...

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:...

New York Sour – Shots

I’ve always tested new mixes with shot-equivalent portions . Truthfully, I sometimes enjoy these “shots” more than drinking out of the correct glassware, maybe because I know it’s freshly shaken and I can go back to another fresh portion whenever....

Old-Fashioned

The OLD FASHIONED is still a favorite 200 years after being introduced. It’s one of the simplest to make, but might have been the first step into the world of mixed drinks.  It props up your favorite whiskey-rocks drink with...

Manhattan (Classic)

Like the martini, the MANHATTAN can be custom-mixed by preference or mood. Those who are constitutionally opposed to the sweeter version can choose a rye whiskey or a dry vermouth. The classic version allows your choice of bourbon, rye or...