04-17-2024

This rum Negroni riff is from Courtney McKamey (@qrtny), who created it for NYC’s Weather Up. This drink was featured in Imbibe in 2023, which is how I came across it. How can I say no to rum and banana?! This tropical take is a good option for a stirred drink as the warmer weather approaches. Cheers y’all!

04-16-2024

This drink was created by fellow cocktail creator and photographer Claire (@shaker_and_twist). This is a fun margarita riff where the forbidden juice, Yellow Chartreuse, helps as a sweetener in addition to providing that herbal complexity. The chile adds a little bite that isn’t too overpowering. This is a good one! Cheers y’all!

04-15-2024

This cocktail was created in the 1950s and is one of the most popular drinks in Brazil. When translated, it means “tail of the rooster,” or cocktail 😁 The origin is that an Italian vermouth factory (Cinzano) opened in São Paulo, which led to folks mixing the Brazilian spirit (cachaça) with sweet vermouth. This used to be served as a shot in dive bars. Cheers y’all!

04-14-2024

This drink, invented in 2007 by Phil Ward at Death & Co., is one of the most well known riffs on the Last Word. Here, gin and lime are swapped out for rye and lemon. I forget how much I love the spice of rye, which works wonders with the herbal Chartreuse. Maraschino adds some sweetness and boldness that the lemon balances out. Cheers y’all!

04-13-2024

Meet the unofficial cocktail of the Masters tournament. This cocktail is huge in Augusta, GA this time of year for golf lovers. This recipe has been modified to make it a bit more balanced and complex (thanks to @bitter_barkeep). This one goes down easily! Cheers y’all!

04-12-2024

This Last Word riff is by Matthias Soberon. The lower ABV DOM Bénèdictine is used instead of Chartreuse. To balance, use a navy strength (higher ABV) gin. Use a little less maraschino so it doesn't overpower the Bénédictine. As Matthias says, "The existence of DOM Bénédictine implies the existence of SUB Bénédictine.” Cheers y’all!

04-11-2024

This elevated aquavit sour was made by Connor Stehr (@shake_and_stehr). Stehr incorporates wonderful flavors here: orange, lemon, almonds, fresh herbs, and spices. Aquavit is a delightful Scandinavian spirit that varies in flavor profiles, but must contain caraway. Make sure you fine strain this one! Cheers y’all!

04-10-2024

This drink was made by Michael Berry for Death & Co. (Denver). This cocktail is described as being bright, tropical, and summery. I love the split of tequila and rum here. Gum syrup adds a nice texture and mouthfeel. Cheers y’all!

04-09-2024

This is an original cocktail Oven and Shaker in Portland, OR. Their recipe calls for vodka, but gin can easily be used (and how I make them). This is the cocktail you need to be sipping on when the sun is shining; lemon, honey, and basil are the spring and summer trifecta. Cheers y’all!

04-08-2024

This drink was created by the wonderful Justin Sajda (@thirstywhale_). If you're a fan of equal part recipes, you should definitely add this to your rotation. This cocktail is bursting with complexity and is absolutely delicious. The addition of salt makes all the flavors POP. Cheers y’all!

04-07-2024

The exact origin of this cocktail is unclear, though it did appear in Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide in 1974. However, its popularity in the early 2000s is given to New York bartender Gary “gaz” Regan (RIP). This slightly bitter cocktail reminds me a bright tequila Negroni. So good! Cheers y’all!

04-06-2024

I got this recipe from Jordan Hughes (@highproofpreacher). This recipe just shows you how you can transform and elevate the traditional espresso martini (usually made with vodka). Here bourbon is used as the base and it is sweetened with some chocolate liqueur and vanilla. Cheers y’all!

04-05-2024

This cocktail was made by Ryan (@reallyicetomeetyou). This stirred drink will take you to the tropics, but not in the traditional crushed ice tiki sense. Think of a Kingston Negroni. Bonal is a fortified aperitif wine with gentian and quinine. The pineapple comes through beautifully but you still get some bitter notes from the Aperol. Cheers y’all!

04-04-2024

This drink was created by my good friend Emily Pavela for Hattaway’s on Alder in Walla Walla, WA. I can’t count how many times my partner has asked for me to make it for him since we first had it at Hattaway’s. This cocktail is complex, creamy, and matches how amazing Donna Summer was. Cheers y’all!

04-03-2024

This cocktail is now available for only $14.99! Kidding. This clever recipe is by Jon and Siobhan (@subtletiki). Who can say no to a blue drink? They usually get a bad rap, because they are often made as sugar bombs, but this recipe is balanced and complex. Give it a try! Cheers y’all!

04-02-2024

The classic Mai Tai is one of my favorite cocktails. I decided to make a riff inspired by some spirits from Mexico: Oaxacan rum and Nixta Elote liqueur. This rum has a funky and grassy taste to it that is similar to an unaged rhum agricole. I used the corn liqueur in replace of traditional curaçao. Cheers y’all!

04-01-2024

This drink was created in 2007 by Toby Maloney, author of, “The Bartender’s Manifesto.” This is a spicy margarita that took a trip to Spain. Licor 43 is a yellow vanilla Spanish liqueur made with 43 different Mediterranean herbs. Cheers y’all!

03-31-2024

This is a tiki cocktail from the 1970s that is primarily made with rum, but can be made with gin. I stumbled across this in my copy of “Smuggler’s Cove.” My partner loves gin drinks so I had to reshake it for him with gin. This should be flash blended, but I chose to whip shake with some pebble ice. Cheers y’all!

03-30-2024

This drink is by Callum Rixson (@gb_bartender) and it’ll have to reshaking another after taking the first sip. Your tongue will be dancing as you experience sweetness from the pineapple, island spices from the falernum, then the heat from the habanero. Rixson uses a blended scotch here (Monkey Shoulder). Cheers y’all!

03-29-2024

Move over espresso martini, the coffee grog is here. This cocktail comes from Two Dots and a Dash in Chicago. They recently shared his recipe on Instagram and I had to reshake it. I love the orange and coconut combo! Cheers y’all!