When I began looking through my library for references to the Singapore Sling, it immediately became apparent that I could easily turn this article into a recipe comparison. The variety of recipes was astounding. So astounding, in fact, that I’ve decided to save the comparison for another time. Instead, I’d like to marvel at how […]

“I’d like a Martinez, heavy on the vermouth, warmed in the microwave for 23 seconds.” What’s the difference between a chilled cocktail and an Arctic-cold cocktail? One word: perfection. The colder you can get a drink and the longer you can keep it cold, the better. I could make this article a treatise on the […]

Beachbum Berry’s Grog Log arrived at my doorstep today along with the Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book, and after five minutes of leafing through each, I wish I had picked up the Triple Play containing all of Jeff’s tiki books. Without delving too much into the layout or contents of this tikian tome, which I will […]

The last bit of snow has melted, and the temperatures have begun their gradual climb into spring, where it will no doubt get cold and snow again. But in hopes that winter has finally averted its icy gaze, I have begun to stock up on rum. Just like food, cocktails seem to situate themselves with […]

The Gentleman’s Companion Volume II: The Exotic Drinking Book lists many recipes that contain raw eggs, including many modern recipes that have since omitted them. A well-shaken egg changes the texture of the drink, adding a bit of foamy creaminess to it, and in the case of a yolk, a richness that only a golden […]

When I first saw this cocktail, I grinned. Not because it was so similar to one of my loves, the Rob Roy, but because I recognized the name. My grandfather is Robert Burns. It just so happens that he, Mr. Burns, worked much of his life as an executive for a nuclear engineering firm, but […]

I must say, I don’t think I’ve experienced better customer service from a company in a long while. My phone conversation went something like this. “I don’t believe that your product is distributed to my area; is there a way I can still order some syrups?” “Of course! We will gladly ship them directly to […]

This Pendennis, like the Barnum Cocktail, contains apricot brandy. There is just something magical about how this liqueur brightens a cocktail. Although fairly sweet, it is usually paired off of other interesting flavors. This allows it to go into the background and throw you little pieces of paper that say, “Hey, your cocktail is so […]

Every single cocktail book I have in my house has a different recipe for the Aviation Cocktail. Trader Vic’s version, oddly enough, contains equal portions of Dubonnet and sweet sherry, but all of the others have the same three ingredients in various quantities: gin, lemon juice, and maraschino liqueur. Gary Regan, in The Joy of […]

Before the spirit of the Olympics fades, I must share this cocktail with you. It introduces an interesting ingredient too: Campari. Lucien Gaudin 1oz gin 1/2oz triple sec 1/2oz Campari 1/2oz dry vermouth orange twist Stir with ice, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist. From: Vintage Spirts and Forgotten […]