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Queen Elizabeth
by Dennis Mayer June 18th, 2013 | Cocktails, Mixed Drinks
As we’ve often discussed, one of the major tricks of the craft cocktail movement is to rescue old liqueurs with unique flavor profiles and reuse them to create something new. Usually, we’re talking about something with a bitter taste; while historically, the Western world has had quite a sweet tooth, refined drinkers have long preferred less saccharine tastes, and many of the more complex liqueurs available reflect this. (These dryer tipples would traditionally have been developed as aperitifs, or before-dinner drinks; anything with too much sugar would be regarded as an appetite killer. Conversely, by that logic, any sweet
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky
by Jason Lightner June 12th, 2013 | Liquor
From one flavored whisky and onto another, this week we'll be taking a look at Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. The story of Fireball, as it is told by the creators, is as follows:
"Rumor has it that Fireball Whisky was forged sometime in the mid-80s during the coldest winter Canada had ever seen when a mixologist turned mad scientist accidentally created a permanent solution to frostbite. The concoction slowly and quietly made its way around North America for a few years as a secret handshake between veteran bartenders. Fireball took an important turn when several bottles were smuggled
Black Velvet Toasted Caramel
by Jason Lightner June 5th, 2013 | Liquor
Sometimes my sense of adventure outweighs my sense of, well, sense.
To make this one as short of an explanation as possible, I saw a new bottle of booze at a new bar. The establishment served up chilled shots of it out of a Jägermeister dispenser and were looking to put something new in. Unfortunately, the bottle of booze had to be finished first, and it wasn't selling well. Jason Lightner to the rescue, I suppose.
The words Black Velvet can mean any number of things to any number of people. For music lovers, it can mean the hit song by
To make this one as short of an explanation as possible, I saw a new bottle of booze at a new bar. The establishment served up chilled shots of it out of a Jägermeister dispenser and were looking to put something new in. Unfortunately, the bottle of booze had to be finished first, and it wasn't selling well. Jason Lightner to the rescue, I suppose.
The words Black Velvet can mean any number of things to any number of people. For music lovers, it can mean the hit song by
Belmont
by Dennis Mayer June 4th, 2013 | Cocktails
Gin is the summer spirit of choice for many drinkers. It's free of the sugar and heavy body that characterizes some of my favorite, yet more winter-friendly drinks like brandy and whiskey. In fact, some of gin's better flavor characteristics are suited perfectly to the summer.
All gins aren't made equal, however. You've got some that are juniper-heavy, some that have a more full spice bouquet, and some that are citrus-based. Cucumber-based gins were all the rage a few years ago, led by a surge in popularity for Hendrick's. And all those gins work equally well
All gins aren't made equal, however. You've got some that are juniper-heavy, some that have a more full spice bouquet, and some that are citrus-based. Cucumber-based gins were all the rage a few years ago, led by a surge in popularity for Hendrick's. And all those gins work equally well
Amaretto Di Amore
by Jason Lightner May 28th, 2013 | Liquor
Last night, while out having some of the best wings I'd had in some time, I spied a bottle of amaretto liqueur I'd been meaning to try, but never had the opportunity to do so. That bottle belonged to Amaretto Di Amore, an Italian liqueur based on the tried and true recipe for the classic almond-based cordial.
You see, the lady is a big Disaronno drinker, and on my trips to the spirits shop I'm always seeing this bottle of Amaretto Di Amore on the shelf, less expensive than Disaronno, and maybe just as good. Though I tend
You see, the lady is a big Disaronno drinker, and on my trips to the spirits shop I'm always seeing this bottle of Amaretto Di Amore on the shelf, less expensive than Disaronno, and maybe just as good. Though I tend