01-26-2025

This cocktail was created by John Stanton for Bar Clara at Hotel Per La (Los Angeles, CA). I stumbled across this decadent coffee cocktail on Imbibe, which posted about it in January 2024. Agave spirits and coffee are a wonderful combo. The chocolate is also a natural addition here, which is made more decadent with cream. You’ll be sipping every last drop of this one. Cheers y’all!

01-25-2025

This cocktail was created by my friend Ryan (@reallyicetomeetyou). He ups the gin and swaps out the maraschino liqueur for floral elderflower liqueur in this last word riff. The herbaceousness from the gin and Chartreuse work well with the elderflower. The foam adds nice mouthfeel. Cheers y’all!

01-24-2025

This White Negroni variation was created by Leo Robitschek (@lrobitschek) for The Hotel NoMad bar program. Here, the Peruvian spirit, Pisco, is highlighted. This one is floral, earthy, and oh so delicious. Stir this one up and enjoy! Cheers y’all!

01-23-2025

This cocktail is by Joe Briglio (@joebrigs), who created it for Cara Cara Club (@cara.cara.club; Chicago, IL). I found it on Imbibe and had to make it up for this week. I love the interplay of tiki flavors and bitter notes from the Campari and amaro. Fly south with me this winter by sipping on this cocktail. Cheers y’all!

01-22-2025

This cocktail was created by Brian Sandahl of Heavy Muddle (@heavymuddle) in Austin, Texas. If you love margaritas, add this one to your list. I was immediately transported to summer when I sipped this. I love how bright it is with the various citrus elements. Cheers y’all!

01-21-2025

This old fashioned riff was created in 2007 by Phil Ward at Death & Company. Ward coined the term, “Mr. Potato Head,” for the method of swapping an ingredient or two out from a known cocktail to reimagine it. Here, a citrusy gin is added in place of whiskey, and for sweetness, a floral liqueur is used in place of demerara syrup. Cheers y’all!

01-20-2025

I saw this highball featured in a coffee liqueur series by Daelin Jensen (@thecraftedcapture), someone who you should all be following! This cocktail was created by Othón Nolasco in 2021 as part of a highball competition for St. George Spirits, where a max of four ingredients could be used, including St. George Baller Single Malt Whiskey. Simple and absolutely delicious! Cheers y’all!

01-19-2025

Brian Maxwell (@shakerofspirits) created this stirred tiki cocktail in 2020. It reminds me of a Kingston Negroni, but the addition of Averna adds a bittersweet layer with notes of caramel. Agricole adds a grassy and vegetal layer that brightens this one up. I highly recommend the a cinnamon smoke step! I have made it with and without this and both were delicious, but the cinnamon aromas transport you to a tiki bar. Cheers y’all!

01-18-2025

This cocktail was created by Rick Munro (@shallow__water) for his bar, Malpractice (@malpractice.pdx; Portland, OR). It is a Baby Turtle riff that highlights the grassy and funky notes of Oaxacan rum. Acid-adjusting the grapefruit allows you to get all the flavors of grapefruit without introducing another citrus like lime. This one is to die for. Cheers y’all!

01-17-2025

This cocktail was created by Jack McGarry at The Dead Rabbit (New York City), putting a smooth Irish whiskey spin on the Sam Ross original, the Kentucky Maid. It’s a refreshing evolution of a modern classic, swapping bourbon for Irish whiskey and letting the crisp cucumber and citrus shine. Cheers y’all!

01-16-2025

By Jon Armstrong (2016) and found in Death & Company: Welcome Home. What originally started as a simple 3-ingredient drink was made a bit more complicated with an addition of a second rum. He was given the suggestion to add a funky rum (Smith and Cross), to make it more interesting, and boy am I happy he did! Cheers y’all!

01-15-2025

This cocktail is an old one by the amazing Erick Castro and pays homage to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mistress, Lucy Mercer, famously barred from the cocktail hour. He made it at the now-closed Boilermaker in Manhattan (New York). Meletti adds bittersweet depth with caramel and herbal warmth. This sipper is as intriguing as its namesake. Cheers y’all!

01-14-2025

This one was created by one of my favorite drinkstagrammers, Matthias Soberon (@servedbysoberon). This Jungle Bird variation takes a slight detour to Peru. The pisco and raspberry syrup bring a bright, unexpected freshness, while the Campari and pineapple hold it down with a subtle bitterness. Cheers y’all!

01-13-2025

This cocktail was created by Mario Vidal at Arbella (Chicago, IL) in 2023 as part of their seasonal Halloween menu. In their house version, Vidal used a raspberry syrup made with raspberry tea bags that made the cocktail dark for the season. This one is a banger! Cheers y’all!

01-12-2025

This smooth, rich, and bittersweet cocktail was created by Isaiah LaBelle (@onesipclub). LaBelle suggests using Tempus Fugit Crème de Cacao as it has some nice vanilla notes. Stir this one up and let the cacao work its magic, turning a classic into something that feels just a little more indulgent, without losing that Manhattan edge. Cheers y’all!

01-11-2025

Created by Scott Teague (@scottjamesteague) in 2015, this Death & Co. cocktail was made to be undeniably delicious. Teague shared it with David Kaplan and Phillip Kirschen-Clark, whose feedback inspired serving it over a BFC with soda, giving it an effervescent edge that made it a Death & Co. classic. Cheers y’all!

01-10-2025

If you’ve never made this before, you’re missing out. The Saturn is by far the most popular gin-based tiki drink (and my partner’s favorite). In a rum-dominated field, this one stands out. I love trying all the variations when out and about with my partner. This can be served blended, shaken on crushed ice, or up. Cheers y’all!

01-09-2025

I’ve had this idea in my head for a while to combine a Clover Club and Ramos Gin Fizz (named after the song by Zach Bryan). It’s creamy, tart, and has a soft fizz. The absinthe isn’t traditional in either, but it steps in where orange flower water usually goes to keep it interesting. Cheers y’all!

01-08-2025

This cocktail is by Clay Kirkland (@wisecraft_mixology) and is their take on a rum old fashioned. What originally started out to them as a sweet old fashioned was tweaked by the addition of a bitter red liqueur (Campari). I’m obsessed. I have now made this several times and hope you do too. Cheers y’all!

01-07-2025

This cocktail was created by Elliott Clark (@apartment_bartender) and found in his book, “Let’s Do Drinks.” The mix of lightly aged cognac, tart lemon, and raspberry syrup makes for a drink that feels cozy and elevated. The egg white adds that velvety texture that takes it up a notch. Make this one up for someone special or to just treat yourself this winter…this one’s ideal for those Valentine’s Day vibes, or any day you want to feel extra. Cheers y’all!