Archive for Cocktails
Brandy Champerelle
by Dennis Mayer on April 27th, 2012 | Budget-Friendly Wine Review, Liquor, Mixed Drinks
I'm always suspicious of trends, and one of the biggest trends in mixology these days is to turn back to the past and resurrect old recipes and ingredients. This isn't the worst trend to follow, but it can be a mixed bag. I've written before about how I think brandy is due for a huge resurgence as a primary cocktail ingredient, and while I'm not sure you ever need more than one bottle of bitters on your bar, I love that there are an expanding number of options to choose from. On a less exciting note, there's maraschino liqueur,
Cosmopolitan
by Dennis Mayer on April 20th, 2012 | Cocktails, Liquor, Martinis
For such a ubiquitous cocktail, the Cosmo hasn't been around for that long. A quick run-down of the drink's etymology suggests that the drink is younger than many of its drinkers (though perhaps not younger than they claim to be.) The Cosmo isn't a terrible drink, if it's made correctly, though its association with Sex and the City gives it an unfortunate link to stuck-up socialites and bachelorette parties.
At its core, though, the Cosmo is a model of the blueprint we use to create just about every flavored martini. There's a long pour of a base spirit (in
At its core, though, the Cosmo is a model of the blueprint we use to create just about every flavored martini. There's a long pour of a base spirit (in
Dark and Stormy/Moscow Mule
by Dennis Mayer on April 13th, 2012 | Cocktails, Liquor, Mixed Drinks
Back in February, when we were experiencing an early (if not sustained) rush of spring, I wrote about the Suffering Bastard as a potential season-bridging drink, for its mix of refreshing summer flavors and warm winter notes. But honestly, one ingredient in that drink fits that description all by itself. Ginger beer is a sharp, refreshing mixer that contains enough spicy heat to either warm you up on a cold day or help you sweat off the weather on a hot one.
The extra spice makes ginger beer completely different from its more boring cousin, ginger ale, but it
The extra spice makes ginger beer completely different from its more boring cousin, ginger ale, but it
Sugar-Rimmed Glasses
by Dennis Mayer on April 12th, 2012 | Ask the Bartender, Cocktails, Martinis
A few of the martinis that I have ordered at restaurants have been presented in a cocktail glass with a sugar coated rim. To make the same presentation at home, can I use regular white sugar? Also, what would I use to make the sugar stick?
You can use plain sugar -- most bars do as well. The fancier bars use superfine sugar, a granular sugar with a thinner consistency than "regular"' white sugar, that is also known as "baker's sugar." Superfine sugar is still granular, so it's not quite as thin as powdered sugar, but the smaller granules stick
You can use plain sugar -- most bars do as well. The fancier bars use superfine sugar, a granular sugar with a thinner consistency than "regular"' white sugar, that is also known as "baker's sugar." Superfine sugar is still granular, so it's not quite as thin as powdered sugar, but the smaller granules stick
“Skinny Girl” Margarita
by Dennis Mayer on April 6th, 2012 | Cocktails, Margaritas
We're here today to complain. Specifically, we're here to complain about the Skinny Girl Margarita.
Now, I get it. We're all trying to cut back on calories, and alcohol contains an unfortunate amount of our daily recommended amount of fuel. Every drink is the equivalent of sucking down a glass of sugar water. But is some sort of mass-marketed calorie-light substitute really the answer?
Let's look at Bethenny Frankel's "Skinny Girl" Margarita Mix. The concoction, at 12.7 percent alcohol by volume, is purported as a way for calorie-conscious consumers to enjoy a bit of alcoholic indulgence and diet at the
Now, I get it. We're all trying to cut back on calories, and alcohol contains an unfortunate amount of our daily recommended amount of fuel. Every drink is the equivalent of sucking down a glass of sugar water. But is some sort of mass-marketed calorie-light substitute really the answer?
Let's look at Bethenny Frankel's "Skinny Girl" Margarita Mix. The concoction, at 12.7 percent alcohol by volume, is purported as a way for calorie-conscious consumers to enjoy a bit of alcoholic indulgence and diet at the
