About Cocktails

Non-Alcoholic Bartending Guide: Zero-Proof Cocktails

2009-07-05T12:09:16Z

We have seen a rise in popularity this year in non-alcoholic cocktails that are above average and use the same modern tastes found in many of the new liquor-based cocktails. This has led to a few bartending guides that use this as a focus. Just last month a new book was released that has this exact concept in mind. In Zero-Proof Cocktails, Liz Scott has created a collection of mocktails that are fantastic alternatives to alcoholic cocktails.

Zero-Proof Cocktails Book by Liz Scott
© Pricegrabber.com

You can read my full review of Zero-Proof Cocktails here, and I recommend adding it to your drink library. If you are one of the many who avoid alcohol by choice or necessity you'll find fantastic and tasty ideas for spicing up your drinks and if you do a significant amount of entertaining you can use these recipes as alternatives to cater to your non-drinking guests. The recipes include some amazing ideas and I can hardly wait to use some of Fever Tree's new ginger beer in Scott's Ginger Beer Shandy this afternoon (simply 1:1 ginger beer and lemonade) and some of my left over pear nectar for an A-Pear-Itif (pear nectar and juice with balsamic vinegar) with the smoked salmon that is tonight's dinner.

Scott has captured a snapshot of creative non-alcoholic cocktails that are invaluable, yet equally valuable are her little tips for drinking alcohol-free without loosing the charm of a cocktail. A few of the points she reminded me of are great to keep in mind when skipping the "tipsy" side of tipples.

Blue curacao can be found in an alcohol-free version. To find it look in the section of the liquor store that houses all the apple martini and margarita mixers which are bottled and alcohol-free (a place I usually recommend avoiding) and seek out "blue curacao syrup" not "blue curacao orange liqueur." By using this syrup you can still have those appealing blue drinks.
Bitters are not out. While most bitters include alcohol but are used in insignificant dashes, some people cannot have any alcohol and the Stirrings brand is the popular alternative. Scott readily employs Stirrings blood orange in her mocktails.
"Non-Alcoholic" beer and wine are not zero proof. Instead, these bottlings often contain .5% alc/volume so you will want to keep that in mind as well.

Saturday Sipping: Lavender Martini

2009-07-04T12:12:38Z

Lavender has so many benefits from stress relief to an antibacterial for the skin and I am one of the herb's biggest fans. That is why this week's sipper is one of the many cocktails I've created using that little purple herb and that drink is the Lavender Martini.

There are many ways to add lavender to cocktails. One option is to infuse vodka with the herb and even pair it with other herbs like I often do for a lavender-rosemary vodka and the other option is to make a lavender simple syrup. I use the latter when mixing with other spirits besides vodka and the Lavender Martini is a prime example.

For this Martini I've simply added the infused simple syrup to a classic gin and vermouth mix. The sugar of the syrup adds a slight sweetness to the cocktail and the lavender adds an aromatic, almost therapeutic, quality to the botanicals already in the cocktail. It is a pick-me-up type of drink that is ideal for an afternoon on the back porch in the warm summer sun.

When using lavender you'll want to pick a stem before the buds have bloomed, right when they are at a full purple and remove the buds from the stem. I do prefer to use fresh lavender but dried is okay, you will just loose some of the essence.

Lavender Martini recipe...

Give A Little, Take A Little: Fresh Fruit, Quality Spirit

2009-07-03T18:25:03Z

Despite all of the recession talk and many people struggling there are upsides to the whole mess. I heard this week that some states are reporting higher alcohol sales than previous years and I've seen evidence of it in my own community. More people are spending their money on "take home drinks" for a good reason, the money lasts longer than at a bar.

Patron Pineapple Cocktail
© Patron Tequila

That said, when we stop by the liquor store for something to mix up we don't have to skimp on quality as much as we may think. Where that $15 bottle of tequila or $8 bottle of vodka may have a good looking price tag, the taste is likely to reflect it. Sure there are decent brands in a decent price range (my picks for vodkas and gins), but more often than not you're going to be disappointed.

This brings me to the point that you can upgrade your spirit selection but save a bit on the mixers and simplify the drinks. Take this trio of drinks - the Patron Grapefruit, Patron Pineapple and Patron Pomegranate - from Patron for instance. In each of them you can save money by buying fresh produce, juicing it yourself and mixing it with a premium tequila. The result is a refreshing, tall drink that lasts awhile, tastes like a high-class cocktail and doesn't lead to a sweltering headache the next day.

It's a give and take situation and there are many more options like this available. The choices we make can be that simple and we can still fully appreciate what we're drinking without spending a fortune.

10 Cheap Drinks to Make at Home and Save Money

Get Ready Big Easy, Tales of the Cocktail is Coming

2009-07-01T22:36:16Z

This coming Tuesday New Orleans will be opening its doors to the cocktail world once again. Yes, the week we've all been waiting for is finally here as everyone converges there for Tales of the Cocktail. It's quite exciting for me because it will be the first time my husband and I will be attending. There are so many fascinating people to meet and the list of seminars are far too impressive that filling our schedules was littered with difficult decisions.

If you are headed to New Orleans and don't have all of your tickets you should act quick (via the website). Many of the events are selling out quickly and quite a few are already unavailable. Beyond the days being filled with seminars of all kinds, from 21st Century Gin to Mixologists and there Toys, there are Spirited Dinners and Lunches, the Spirit Awards and parties every night of the week.

One of the events I'm most looking forward to is the On the Fly Competition. This should be great fun because the stars of modern mixology will go up against each other to create the best cocktails using only what Jeffrey Morgenthaler has in a "swag bag." What will they come up with? Who knows but it is sure to prove what is possible with just a few mini bottles and who knows what else.

If you want to keep up on the happenings of the week there are many venues to do so. Of course, I will be reporting all week long and pass on the findings of our adventures. You can also keep up on the collaborative Tales of the Cocktail Blog. On that site many of the best cocktail bloggers are uniting to cover the event in its entirety from every perspective possible. They have already begun this to lead up to TOTC and one of the most helpful blogs came out not long ago. If you are in New Orleans next week you will want to read through the post "How to Drink All Day at Tales without Getting (Too) Drunk." Personally, I'll be taking it much easier than that (moderation is key to happiness), but it's helpful advice from the experienced attendees. For immediate updates you can also follow #TOTC09 on Twitter.

As we come up on the biggest week for the bartending and spirits industry, I wish all safe travels and happy cocktails. I'm sure that we will all have a lot to say and many new cocktails to share when it's all over.

Patriotic Cocktails

2009-07-01T12:10:51Z

The Fourth of July...it's one of the three summer holidays that every American looks forward to if for no other reason than it means a day off (for most of us anyway). The picnics, barbecues, fireworks, flags - there is so much to fun to be had and with all of these celebrations one needs a fine drink to go along.

Red, White and Sapphire Cocktail
© Bombay Sapphire Gin

Many of the cocktails that are perfect for the 4th use the "red, white and blue" theme and most are designed for the dog days of summer we find our selves in. For this season those tall drinks are best because they are refreshing and the ice keeps them cooler for longer. You can find a list of my Fourth of July cocktail picks here and more tips for enjoying this weekend's holiday at Summer Fun on About.com.

Tuesday's Timeless Tipple: The Hurricane

2009-06-30T15:55:02Z

It's summer, it's hot and next week the cocktail world will converge on New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail. So, I thought that the Hurricane would be a fitting "Timeless Tipple" this week.

Hurricane
© www.CocktailTimes.com

The story of the Hurricane goes that Pat O'Brien created this rummed-up cocktail during World War II to get rid of a large supply of rum. His purpose was to sell the rum off so he could stock more whiskies, which were more popular at the time. The hurricane lamp-shaped glasses it was served in led to the name and, in the end, it became one of the most popular cocktails of its time.

The Hurricane has not lost its splendor and is still as popular in New Orleans' French Quarter. Pat O'Brien's bar is still there too and serving Hurricane after Hurricane. This fruity mix is perfect for hot summer days in the city or anywhere you happen to be.

Hurricane Cocktail recipe...

A Sangria with a Little Green Fairy Inside

2009-06-28T12:07:02Z

For all the Sangria recipes out there, there are usually common ingredients: brandy, red wine, orange liqueur and a ton of fruit. Yet those are not set in stone as this Sangria list demonstrates, but I don't think one has gone quite as far as this Brazilian Sangria.

Brazilian Sangria
© Lucid Absinthe

It is an interesting Sangria, one of the more fascinating and unique ones I have seen in quite awhile. The base is Spanish brandy, red wine and orange liqueur, but it throws in a twist with cachaca and, then, Lucid Absinthe. Yes, the "green fairy" has found its way into one of the most popular summer punches and it is a fantastic addition.

One would think that the anise flavor would protrude through all of the fruits but it actually adds an herbal, bitter quality that adds a spark and dimension. I see Lucid's reaction in this cocktail the way I see it in the Monkey Gland: it's there as an extra element, it contrasts the fruits, but it sits in the back like the quiet genius with all the answers to the world's problems.

Also try this Spanish Sangria recipe from Lisa & Tony Sierra, About.com Guide to Spanish Food

Saturday Sipping: Grey Goose L'Orange As Night Falls

2009-06-27T15:15:10Z

This week's sipper is a special one that was designed and served at Chateau de Grey Goose at this year's Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. Although you probably won't find this delightful cocktail at the cocktail lounge near you, thanks to John Mitzewich, About.com Guide to American Food, you can enjoy the Grey Goose L'Orange As Night Falls at home.

As Night Falls is a fantastic cocktail, filled with flavor and spice, and it is no wonder that Grey Goose chose it for the culinary festival. The base is Grey Goose L'Orange and white grapefruit juice. Paired with those fruit flavors are the spices of peppercorns, ginger and coriander. The orange zest and star anise garnishes make a fancy finish that sets off the stunning display.

As Night Falls Cocktail Recipe...

Fancy J�germeister Cocktails

2009-06-24T20:40:16Z

I am one of those people who did something I swore I would not. I swore off a liquor because of one night's experience with generous friends who had a taste for rounds of strong shooters. The liquor was Jägermeister and that drink (if you could call it that - okay, it is a liquid) is the Jager Bomb. Yet, since then I have opened my mind has opened up to the taste of Jägermeister, however for me it has to be diluted into a well-balanced cocktail and imbibed in moderation.

I think it was those bad experiences like mine that have given Jägermeister a bad reputation - granted it could also be due to the numerous clubs who line a top shelf with empty Jager bottles and have a Jager shot dispenser as the focus of the bar. If you sit down and sip a chilled shot of Jägermeister very slowly you can begin to appreciate the nuances of the complex botanicals in the spirit. You should be able to pick up the same acknowledge the same herbal qualities we do in Benedictine and Chartreuse. As with other "bad experience" spirits, sometimes it takes an open mind, a more mature palate and a little fresh perspective that allows us to open ourselves up to its inner beauty.

With that in mind, the taste of Jägermeister can go far beyond the shots. In what I've been calling "fancy Jager cocktails" you will find that it works quite well. Two of my favorites are originals posted this week at A Muddled Thought, they are simply amazing and a result of someone taking a new look at the liqueur. Also, I have other suggestions like the Widow Maker (a little potent but tasty), a Bed of Roses (a sweet and sour Jager cocktail), and the MasterMix (the Jager version of the Martini). Then there is my new favorite by far, the Golden Raspberry. It brings in tequila (choose a flavorful one) with raspberry juice and is simply delicious. I think I am finally a believer in Jägermeister.

More about Jaegermeister with more cocktails and shooters...

Follow me on Twitter | Join my Facebook Group

Tuesday's Timeless Tipple: Horse's Neck

2009-06-23T10:28:20Z

It's already a hot and sultry summer and this means we need to refresh with some light cocktails. This week's tipple is one of those great classics, the Horse's Neck, which can be served with or without the alcohol and stay traditional.

The Horse's Neck is named specifically for its garnish, a long lemon spiral which is laid in the glass with its "neck" hanging over the edge (similar to the Sazerac picture on the right, only longer). When placed properly it looks as if a horse is sticking its neck out of your cocktail. There are a few versions of this cocktail as well, I believe people have just made it however they felt at the time. Choices include bourbon, brandy or skip the liquor entirely and go with straight (yet "fancy") ginger ale for a non-alcoholic summer refresher you can call by a funny name.

Horse's Neck Recipe...