About.com Cocktails

Scotch Expansion from The Macallan and Compass Box

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:29:27 +0000

I love this time of year because it means, without fail, that a myriad of Scotch come in for me to taste. This year started out with a blending seminar with Johnnie Walker for their Black Label and has since been infused with some fascinating boutique Scotches. Two (okay, it's more like four) have made my new favorites list, one being a seasonal release turned non-seasonal and the other three special editions that you have to fly to find - and I will be looking for them on my next adventure.

Orangerie Scotch Infusion
Photo Courtesy of: © Compass Box

The first Scotch that I speak of is not technically a Scotch because it uses an infusion to distinguish itself from other whiskies in the category. That would be the Orangerie from Compass Box. You may vaguely recall this one from a few years ago as a bottle that could only be found during the holiday season, but the great news is that it is back in all its respectable spectacle and it's here to stay (okay, at least that's the word for now). Like all of the other specialty blends that Compass Box produces, this one is not the average Scotch that can be described by words like "peaty," "smoky," or "sweet" - instead this is an infusion of orange, clove and cassia bark with those flavors being prominent as opposed to "notes" that are faintly detectable. Christmas in a glass, Orangerie is that simple.

The other Scotch that has fancied my palate lately is from The Macallan 1824 Collection and I had the chance to sample three of the four bottlings. For me the winner of the collection has to be the Estate Reserve if you are looking for a Scotch to sip because it has in intensity I really enjoy in this style of whisky. Yet, if mixing Scotch is more your style of the moment, I would go with the Select Oak because it is reasonably priced and has a nice balance of sweet, spice and oak. The other offering, the Whisky Maker's Edition, is somewhere between the two, but has its own unique characteristics. The downfall to this announcement is that the 1824 Collection is only available in "Global Travel Retail" markets, meaning that you can't hop down to the local liquor store in hopes of scoring a bottle, but have to go to one at a major airport in hopes of coming across a bottle.

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Scotch Expansion from The Macallan and Compass Box originally appeared on About.com Cocktails on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 22:29:27.

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Timeless Tipple of the Week: Morning Glory

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:36:23 +0000

The combination of whiskey and brandy is one that you will find in many of the great cocktails of all time. This week's timeless tipple is one of those and I love it's name: Morning Glory.

In this classic cocktail those two ingredients are taken to the higher level with rye whiskey and cognac. They are brought together into this delightful drink with a myriad of flavors including orange and anise and adding some syrup and bitters with a splash of soda finishes it off to perfection. However, with all of that going on you need to make sure it retains a balance so pull out that jigger and start measuring. You won't regret the little extra effort.

Morning Glory Cocktail recipe...

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Timeless Tipple of the Week: Morning Glory originally appeared on About.com Cocktails on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 10:36:23.

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More Precautions for Women Who Drink

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:48:21 +0000

It is common knowledge that women should not drink as much as men because our bodies are smaller than men's and it takes less alcohol to get drunk. But, according to this article in last week's Kansas City Star there are more risks when it comes to drinking that women should at least be aware of.

In the article Anne Brockhoff cites a 20-year study performed by the University of North Dakota School of Medicine that states that alcohol causes more damage to a woman's body than previously thought. Women have less of a certain enzyme and water than men and these cause women to not only get drunk faster, but allows the alcohol to have an effect on many of our organs and can increase our chances for liver or cardiovascular disease and "some forms of cancer."

The point of Brockhoff's article and the UND study is that women should be especially vigilant when it comes to how much alcohol we consume. We should each know our limitations and take into account the medical history of ourselves and our families in order to be smart about how much and how often we drink. To help you get started with this, the article includes some sound advice from Natalie Bovis-Nelsen (author of Preggatinis) about how we can cut down on the amount alcohol we drink. Read the full Kansas City Star article...

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More Precautions for Women Who Drink originally appeared on About.com Cocktails on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 11:48:21.

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Sipper of the Week: Sobieski Vodka and The Polished Princess

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:42:15 +0000

Vanilla, cranberries and pumpkin combine for this week's featured sipper. It is one of the cocktails created by the one and only Jonathan Pogash for Sobieski Vodka and it is called The Polished Princess.

The Polished Princess
Photo Courtesy of: © Sobieski Vodka

I particularly like this cocktail because it is a mix of the best flavors of the season. You have a smooth vanilla vodka from Sobieski, the sweetness of fresh cranberries and the light spice of pumpkin pie. It all combines into one lovely mix that is backed up and brought together by egg white for that rich, creamy texture without the cream. I can see The Polished Princess as an ideal pairing for that Thanksgiving Day pumpkin pie...YUM!

The Polished Princess cocktail recipe...

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Sipper of the Week: Sobieski Vodka and The Polished Princess originally appeared on About.com Cocktails on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 14:42:15.

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The Latest of Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Bourbon

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:34:22 +0000

In recent years the Master's Collection of Woodford Reserve has included some innovative bourbons. While the Sonoma-Cutrer Finish of two years ago may have been too much like wine for some people, you have to admit that it is fun to explore the distilleries experimentation with barrels. Just this month the fourth edition of the series was released and, while it again uses a special barrel, it is the exact opposite of that chardonnay-aged predecessor.

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Seasoned Oak Finish Bourbon
Photo Courtesy of: © Woodford Reserve Bourbon

This 'Seasoned Oak Finish' is the boldest oak that I have yet to taste from Woodford Reserve and I like it. This is not the average "oakiness," but instead brings in spices and, most surprisingly anise, to a rich, extra-aged bourbon that is something new and it is fascinating. The key is that the barrels are "seasoned" by the changing seasons of 3-5 years in Kentucky. For $90 a bottle it's not in everyone's budget. However, if you are up for a very unique bourbon to enjoy on ice this is one you may want to look into.

Full review of Woodford Reserve Seasoned Oak Finish Bourbon...

The Latest of Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Bourbon originally appeared on About.com Cocktails on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 01:34:22.

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Timeless Tipple of the Week: Brandy Daisy

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:24:32 +0000

If you take a look at many classic cocktail you will notice that there are many drinks that fit into a style, or a family. From the fizzes to the crustas and the sangarees to the smashes, many of these groups of drinks are made with a base spirit of choice and the rest of the drink follows a somewhat specific formula. This is the case for this week's timeless tipple of study, the beautifully named Daisy.

Daisies are a mix of spirit, syrup, lemon, either curacao or maraschino, and soda. Possibly the most popular of the lot is the Brandy Daisy, which also happens to be my favorite. This one has a nice balance of spirit, sweet and sour and the soda topping adds a little glimmer to the mix. This is also a classic cocktail in which you can employ those large cocktail glasses because the extra room can be used to increase the soda to your liking.

Other Daisies include the Gin Daisy, Rum Daisy (or according to Jerry Thomas, a Santa Cruz Rum Daisy, which uses "Santa Cruz rum"), and the Whiskey Daisy. Find these recipes and the Brandy Daisy here...

Timeless Tipple of the Week: Brandy Daisy originally appeared on About.com Cocktails on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 20:24:32.

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Cocktails from Jerry Thomas' 1887 Bartenders Guide

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:14:43 +0000

Fans of old-fashioned mixology know the name Jerry Thomas. He was the 19th century bartender who penned the first bartending guides and left us a written history of the age when cocktails were in their first glory. David Wondrich's book Imbibe! goes into great detail about Thomas and the theory of cocktails at the time and I highly recommend it for any enthusiast who has not yet read it.

If you can find an original copy of one of Thomas' bartending guides, which include How to Mix Drinks (1862) and the 1876 and 1877 editions of Bar-Tenders Guide, you are lucky but will have to spend a few hundred dollars or more. For those who want to experience the books without the high cost there are reprints available that often have introductions by modern mixologists. This is the route I went to obtain the 1877 Bar-Tenders Guide and I've begun to pull and adapt cocktails from this fascinating bar book.

To begin with here are four cocktails that have recently been added to my cocktail database...

Absinthe Cocktail - a double dose of anise flavor and a cocktail that is not for the weak of heart.
Morning Glory Cocktail - a complex mix of rye, brandy, curacao and absinthe with a sparkling top.
Saratoga Cocktail - a Manhattan-esque drink that brings brandy into the neat mix.
Soda Cocktail - a non-alcoholic drink that is essentially a homemade soda.

Cocktails from Jerry Thomas' 1887 Bartenders Guide originally appeared on About.com Cocktails on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 19:14:43.

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Sipper of the Week: Loft Lavender Cello and Herbal Pleasures

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:40:52 +0000

I have been infatuated with herbs since I married into a family whose matriarch was a master herb gardener and she taught me everything I wanted to know about growing and using all sorts of herbs. Since diving into the wonderful world of mixology I have been experimenting with a wide variety of herbal concoctions and a handful have worked out really well. However, most of the time those drinks require some homemade mixers to work and while I love ingredients straight out of the garden, they are not always attainable. That is why I created an herbal cocktail, Herbal Pleasures, that incorporates these tastes straight out of commercially-available bottles.

The cocktail is a celebration of countless herbs because its taste depends on the gin brand's recipe which you choose to pour (I do suggest a London Dry but have found that the cucumber of Hendrick's makes things equally interesting) and the secret recipe of Yellow Chartreuse (arguably the best herbal liqueur ever, IMHO), but the one sure fire flavor is lavender. This is because I have found that Loft Lavender Cello is an awesome source for year-round lavender and upon my first taste I knew this had many special places in cocktails. In Herbal Pleasures it not only adds that relaxing taste of lavender, but balances out the dryness of the other spirits with it's sweetness that is not overbearing but not transparent. I also prefer to go with a lemon twist garnish here, although a sprig of lavender may seem the natural choice. This is because the lemon brings in a tart citrus touch that none of the ingredients have, again, all bringing a balance to the drink.

Herbal Pleasures cocktail recipe...

Sipper of the Week: Loft Lavender Cello and Herbal Pleasures originally appeared on About.com Cocktails on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 16:40:52.

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Kahl�a's Gone Creamy

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:00:43 +0000

We all know Kahl�a and most of us regularly stock it in our bars, but for the next few months we can get a taste of the richer, creamier side of Kahl�a. For this holiday season the famous coffee liqueur brand has released Kahl�a Coffee Cream and it is spectacular. For as good as it is it will only last for awhile (so the story is at this moment) and we should enjoy it while it lasts then chalk it up as yet another coffee cream liqueur that will vanish (anybody recall Starbucks attempt?).

It is quite a shame that Kahl�a Coffee Cream is supposed to be a fleeting bottle because I have come to dig it as a smooth cream for my afternoon coffee, a relaxing dessert, and an quick alternative to the many Kahlua and cream mixed drinks. The balance of coffee and cream is nice; not too rich, nor too sweet and just the right amount of coffee flavor without the caffeine kick. This one also has those luscious chocolate, vanilla and caramel notes that are signature Kahlua. At any rate, while it's around I encourage you to check this liqueur out and enjoy it on the long, cold nights ahead in some of your favorite coffee-flavored cocktails.

Full review of Kahl�a Coffee Cream and cocktail ideas...

Kahl�a's Gone Creamy originally appeared on About.com Cocktails on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 01:00:43.

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Timeless Tipple of the Week: French 75

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:43:16 +0000

The cocktail of the week is notoriously a hard hitter despite its elegant look and that is why the French 75 is named after a piece of World War I artillery. In fact, in The Savoy Cocktail Book Harry Craddock says that it, "Hits with remarkable precision."

Like many of the cocktails of its day, the French 75 has some controversy. It is still debated if the original cocktail Harry MacElhone concocted was made with brandy or gin. Then there's the adaptation to a French 76, which brings vodka in as the base and with that one most agree. For me the French 75 is excellent with either of the two spirits, and yes both do pack a punch, but the brandy version has a richness that is extra delightful. Which one you choose probably depends on your mood at the time: if you feel like something semi-sweet go with the brandy and if dry is more to your taste at the moment go with the gin. Both are good choices.

French 75 cocktail recipe...

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Timeless Tipple of the Week: French 75 originally appeared on About.com Cocktails on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 11:43:16.

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