Cocktails, Spirits and Mixology Thread

The WSJ:

FOR TOO LONG, COCKTAILS have been too big. A benchmark is the Martini: Consider the prewar versions favored by Mame Dennis, the chic Manhattanite of "Auntie Mame." We're told in the 1958 movie version that she abjures an olive garnish because it takes up too much room in such a little glass—which, in that era, might have measured anywhere between 2 and 4 ounces. By contrast, in modern glasses of 8 or 10 ounces (or more), there's so much space that three overstuffed olives have become the norm.

Drinkers serious about their Martinis have always known to keep them on the small side; a big drink served straight up gets dishwater-warm before it's half finished. Cocktails in general and Martinis in particular "should be cold and refreshing," said Chantal Tseng, bartender at the Tabard Inn in Washington, D.C. "No one likes the last few sips of a warm gin Martini." Better bartenders have been moving toward smaller drinks for several years, but not without resistance. When Ms. Tseng endeavored to make better Martinis by serving them in 5-ounce glasses, customers in the habit of drinking supersize cocktails assumed they were being cheated with a stingy pour.

http://online.wSportsJournalists.com/article/SB10001424127887323830404578143231998981460.html

 

In a related topic, if I'm ordering a bottle beer, I don't like the entire bottle poured into a glass.
I prefer that I get about a third to a half of the glass filled, and then just leave me the bottle.

 

Penicillin



2 oz. Scotch
3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
3/8 oz. Honey Syrup
3/8 oz. Sweetened Ginger Juice
1/4 oz. Islay Scotch

Honey Syrup is 3 parts honey to one part Hot water

Sweetened Ginger Juice is 4 parts ginger juice (you'll need a juicer) to 3 parts granulated sugar

Courtesy Milk & Honey, NYC

(I forgot to include a lemon in the picture!)

 

Bourbon Highball



2 oz. Bourbon
1/2 oz. Lime Juice
3/4 oz. Sweetened Ginger Juice
Top with Club Soda

 

Cotton Cocktail



2 oz. Rye
1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
2 Dashes Orange Bitters
Absinthe Rinse

 

New Orleans Buck



2 oz. Aged Rum
1 oz. Orange Juice (I used Clementines)
1/2 oz. Lime Juice
3/4 oz. Sweetened Ginger Juice
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Top with Club Soda

 

Preakness Cocktail



2 oz. Rye
3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz. Benedictine
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

http://www.foodrepublic.com/2012/05/17/preakness-cocktail

 

Cock 'N Bull Special



3/4 oz. Bourbon
3/4 oz. Benedictine
1/2 oz. Cognac
1/4 oz. Cointreau
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

 

Deep Blue Sea



2 oz. Gin
3/4 oz. Lillet Blanc
1/4 oz. Creme de Violette

 

Arsenic and Old Lace



2 oz. Gin
3/4 oz. Dry Vermouth
1/4 oz. Creme de Violette
Absinthe Rinse

 

Blood Orange Whiskey Sour



2 oz. Rye
3/4 oz. Blood Orange Juice
1/4 oz. Lemon Juice
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
One Egg White

http://www.undergrounddetroit.com/2011/03/blood-orange-in-cocktails/

 

Blood Orange Margarita



1.5 oz. Tequila
1 oz. Grand Marnier
1.5 oz. Simple Syrup
1 oz. Lime Juice
1.5 oz. Blood Orange Juice

http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/01/blood-orange-margaritas/

It's blood orange season, and both of the blood orange drinks have been excellent.