The Cocktail of the Week - Archives

This simple cocktail can be made easily in the home or at the bar. The dry apple and Sherry flavors ideally compliment the rich flavors of Irish Whiskey. It is ultra refreshing in winter and is an ideal aperitif.

In the final days of February we can’t help but to think of spring.  This great and easy to construct punch is ideal for brunch. We like to use a full-flavored Rosé with just a hint of sweetness. Don’t skimp on the Rosé but don’t go over-board either.

This is one of those strange old cocktails that most have never heard of, and once you have the recipe in sight you may wonder why anyone would drink it! Admittedly, it is a strange sounding concoction but it does take away the chill on a cold and snowy February day.

This classic cocktail is one of the oldest drinks you will find in English print. The exact origins are much fodder for debate. Perhaps it was a signature drink of the old Knickerbocker Boat Club in New York. Regardless of its origins, there is no denying that it is a tasty cocktail in any era.

Nothing says brunch and/or the morning after like the Bloody Mary. When it’s really needed even a mediocre Bloody Mary is good but a great Bloody Mary sticks in your memory for years.

The Commodore is a classic old cocktail is included in the Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book and relies upon Rum as its Spirit of choice. Through the years, the Commodore has been turning-up as a Whisky cocktail featuring both Bourbon and blended Scotch Whisky.

Scotch Whisky and Sherry go together like peas and carrots. Most Scotch Whisky lovers know of the long practice of maturing Whisky in casks once used for Sherry. This cocktail plays on that pairing albeit seriously ramping-up the Sherry component...

This tasty cocktail is a slight but clever variation on the classic Rob Roy with the distinctive flavor of anise provided by the Pastis...

We really like the simplicity and tasty goodness of the old Culloden cocktail that is a simple concoction of Drambuie and Sparkling Wine. While we like it, it does not meet the session test, as it is just a bit too sweet. We added a modest dose of fresh lemon juice and a splash of ginger ale (a spicy ginger beer is even better) to add balance.

Perhaps there is no other beverage that says Christmas and New Year like eggnog. This decadently rich beverage is a hallmark of the holiday season and is a guilty indulgence in the holiday season. It is certainly not for everyday drinking!

Mulled, spiced wine is one of the great and classic staples of the Christmas season. It’s a universal signal of the season being found anywhere that a December chill can be found.

This classic winter cocktail can soothe us and at times heals us with its warmth and clever dose of Whiskey. It can be made with great ease and requires no special skills or ingredients.

The Sidecar is a classic cocktail with somewhat disputed origins. Some insist that it hails from London while others will swear that it’s Paris. However, this Thanksgiving Day inspired variation is 100% American in derivation.

How have we gone so long without addressing the kingpin of all cocktails, the Martini? This cocktail, more than any other perhaps, is the subject of debate and a serious victim of identity theft.

This classic cocktail is named for the once glamorous mode of transportation. It beckons to a time when the friendly skies were indeed friendly, the flight attendants where eye-catching and well appointed, the food (yes, they once fed you) was impeccable, and your fellow passengers were smartly dressed and well-mannered.

There are countless variations of the classic Manhattan; some good, some bad, and some beyond description. Recently I rediscovered this variation that I mixed up some years ago when asked to make a version utilizing Irish Whiskey.

Bolero may spark images of a dance or perhaps the sounds of a Latin beat or a very forgettable Bo Derek film circa 1984. Come on now you put Bo Derek in a skimpy outfit, on horseback, in a black bolero… what could go wrong?