Month: January 2020

Sazerac ingredients

Sazerac Recipe

Posted on | by Oliver Ellsworth | Leave a Comment on Sazerac Recipe

The Sazerac is one of the oldest American cocktails (some will even tell you it is THE original cocktail!), and has gone through many different iterations.

Originally made with French brandy, over time American Rye whiskey came to be the featured spirit- though you can still find folks making them with cognac.

The classic version most people have come to know is described below!


I recommend a solid, middle shelf rye like Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, or Russell’s Reserve. For a slightly nicer version, try something nicer like Angel’s Envy or Michter’s.

What you’ll need:

  • 2 rocks glass (or one glass and one cocktail shaker)
  • 1.5-2.5 oz Rye whiskey of your choice
  • 1 dash (abt .25 oz.) of Absinthe (Anisettes like Herbsaint are a classic choice as well)
  • Bitters (Peychaud’s is the classic choice)
  • Sugar cube (simple syrup or a fine sugar will also do)
  • Lemon peel

Directions:

  • Fill one glass (or shaker) with crushed ice and set aside.
  • Place sugar cube in the other glass, soak the cube in a few dashes of bitters (2 or more, according to taste)
  • Muddle into a sugary slurry (A dash of water or soda here can help dissolve the sugar)
  • Add rye to glass with sugar and bitters, stir with bar spoon
  • Empty first glass of ice, and rinse the glass with absinthe (coat the inside and dump the rest!)
  • Strain whiskey, sugar, and bitters into chilled, absinthe-rinsed glass.
  • Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
  • ENJOY!

Tips:

  • If you aren’t a fan of rye, try it the old fashioned way, with cognac/brandy!
  • For the adventurous; try 50/50 brandy and rye… you will be amazed…

Martini Recipe

Posted on | by Oliver Ellsworth | Leave a Comment on Martini Recipe

The Martini is one of the most ubiquitous cocktails, and yet depending on who you ask, preparation methods vary wildly. 

From using gin vs. vodka, to the garnishes you use, martinis are surprisingly versatile. 

Below I’ll show you a classic dry gin martini, and the more common dirty vodka martini.

Classic Dry Martini

You Will Need:

  • 2.5-3 oz. Gin (London Dry works best)
  • .5-1 oz. Dry (White) Vermouth
  • Orange Bitters
  • Lemon (for garnish)

Directions:

  • Fill a cocktail shaker a little more than halfway with ice
  • Add gin and vermouth and a dash of orange bitters
  • Stir vigorously (getting the mixture frosty-cold is the goal)
  • Strain into martini glass
  • Garnish with twist of lemon peel
  • ENJOY!

Tips:

  • Vermouth amounts will depend largely on personal preference; try using less than you think is enough at first, taste, and adjust accordingly
  • Some people even rinse the glass with vermouth, pouring it out before the other spirits enter the glass!
  • If you don’t have orange bitters on hand, don’t worry, your martini will still be delicious.

Dirty Vodka Martini

Delicious Dirty Martini Fixings!

What You Will Need:

  • 2.5-3 oz.Vodka
  • .5 oz. Dry Vermouth
  • .5 oz. Olive Brine
  • Green Olives (for garnish)

Directions:

  • Fill a cocktail shaker a little more than halfway with ice
  • Add vodka and vermouth and a dash of olive juice (to taste)
  • Stir vigorously
  • Strain into martini glass
  • Garnish with olives, usually 1-3 (as many as you like!)
  • ENJOY!

Tips:

  • For the hardcore dirty martini fan, we offer olive brine sold by itself, so you don’t run out before the olives do!

Martini Ingredient Recommendations:

Gin:

  • Budget: New Amsterdam, Monopolowa, Tanqueray, Broker’s
  • Mid-Shelf: Tanqueray Ten, Walter Collective, Aria, Deluxe
  • Top-tier: Barr Hill, Nikka, Hven

Vodka:

  • Budget: Sobieski, Monopolowa
  • Mid-Shelf: Tito’s, Crater Lake, North Sister
  • Top-tier: Hven, Jewel of Russia

Vermouth:

  • Dolin
  • Vaya

Olives:

  • Sausalito (Blue cheese-stuffed are amazing!)

Kentucky Mule Recipe

Posted on | by Oliver Ellsworth | Leave a Comment on Kentucky Mule Recipe

The Kentucky Mule is a Southern twist on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail.

This refreshing drink stands out from the crowd thanks to its unique presentation in a frosty copper mug. 

For the Kentucky Mule, You’ll Need: (With recommendations!)

  • Copper Mug (Definitely not necessary, but advised!)
  • 1.5-2.5 oz. Bourbon (Rye or other American whiskey will do) (Bang-for-your-buck: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond. Mid-shelfer: Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, or Russel’s Reserve. Top tier: Angel’s Envy, E.H. Taylor, or Balcones)
  • .5-1.5 oz. Lime Juice
  • 6 oz. Ginger Beer (I love Bundaberg, but Cock n’ Bull is the original!)
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Directions:

  • Fill Copper Mug a little more than half way with ice
  • Pour whiskey and lime juice together into Mug
  • Top off with Ginger Beer to taste
  • Garnish with lime wedge
  • ENJOY!

For the vodka fan, try the original! See our Moscow Mule Recipe for an awesome Mule!

For tequila lovers, check out our Mexican Mule recipe!

Moscow Mule ingredients

Moscow Mule Recipe

Posted on | by Oliver Ellsworth | Leave a Comment on Moscow Mule Recipe

The Moscow Mule, despite its name, is a classically American cocktail.

This refreshing drink stands out from the crowd thanks to its unique presentation in a frosty copper mug. 

Dreamed up in the 1940’s, this drink technically belongs to the “buck” family of cocktails -a drink consisting of spirit, ginger beer (or ale), and citrus-, and can be endlessly tweaked depending on what spirits and ingredients you prefer. 

For the classic Moscow Mule, You’ll Need: (With recommendations!)

  • Copper Mug (Definitely not necessary, but advised!)
  • 1.5-2.5 oz. Vodka (Bang-for-your-buck: Sobieski. Mid-shelfer: Tito’s or Crater Lake. Top tier: Hven or Jewel of Russia)
  • .5-1.5 oz. Lime Juice
  • 6 oz. Ginger Beer (I love Bundaberg, but Cock n’ Bull is the original!)
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Directions:

  • Fill Copper Mug a little more than half way with ice
  • Pour vodka and lime juice together into Mug
  • Top off with Ginger Beer to taste
  • Garnish with lime wedge
  • ENJOY!

For tequila lovers, check out our Mexican Mule recipe!

For the whiskey fan, replace vodka with whiskey! See our Kentucky Mule Recipe for a truly awesome Kentucky Mule!

American Whiskeys

Classic Whiskey Cocktails

Posted on | by Oliver Ellsworth | Leave a Comment on Classic Whiskey Cocktails

These classic whiskey drinks have been around forever, and there’s a reason for it; they are simple and delicious, allowing the whiskey to really shine. If you like fruity drinks or cocktails that mask the flavor of the spirit, these may not be the drinks you’re looking for…

The Old Fashioned

Old Fashioned Ingredients
Everything you need for an awesome Old Fashioned!


For bourbon lovers, the Old Fashioned is the grand daddy of them all.

Check out our Old Fashioned Recipe to get started!

The Manhattan

Manhattan Fixings
Everything you’ll need for a classic Manhattan!

For someone with a fondness for Rye whiskeys, the Manhattan is the way to go! Traditionally served “up” as opposed to in a rocks glass, this classy cousin to the Old Fashioned is a must try!

Check out our Manhattan Recipe to learn how to make this classic!

The Hot Toddy

A Hot Toddy is one of the most simple and delicious concoctions for the chillier times of year. Our recipe will warm your bones in no time!

Manhattan Fixings

Manhattan

Posted on | by Oliver Ellsworth | Leave a Comment on Manhattan

For someone with a fondness for Rye whiskeys, the Manhattan is the way to go! Traditionally served “up” as opposed to in a rocks glass, this classy cousin to the Old Fashioned is a must try!

I recommend Sazerac, or Woodford Reserve Rye; or for a fancier version, try Michter’s Single Barrel or Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye

What You’ll Need:

  • Cocktail glass (aka Martini glass; champagne coupe or other stemmed glass will work in a pinch)
  • 1.5-2.5 oz. Rye whiskey (bourbon can suffice, but rye is classic)
  • 1-1.5 oz. Sweet Vermouth (Carpano Antica or Dolin are great options) 
  • Bitters

Directions:

  • Fill cocktail shaker about halfway with ice
  • Stir whiskey, vermouth, and a few dashes of bitters together in shaker
  • Strain into glass
  • Garnish with a quality cherry (Toschi Amarena are the best in my opinion)
  • ENJOY! 

Tips:

  • Garnishes are totally personal preference and optional; omit the cherry if you don’t like ’em, you’re the one drinking it!

Old Fashioned Ingredients

Old Fashioned

Posted on | by Oliver Ellsworth | Leave a Comment on Old Fashioned

For the bourbon lover, the Old Fashioned is simple and amazingly delicious, allowing the whiskey to really shine. If you like fruity drinks or cocktails that mask the flavor of the spirit, this may not be the drink you’re looking for. 

I recommend a solid, middle shelf bourbon like Woodford Reserve, Eagle Rare, or Buffalo Trace. For a slightly nicer version, try a step-up whiskey like Four Roses Single Barrel, or Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 rocks glass (or similarly thick bottomed glass)
  • 1.5-2.5 oz Bourbon of your choice
  • Bitters
  • Sugar cube (simple syrup or a fine sugar will also do)
  • Orange peel
  • Maraschino (or other quality) cherry

Directions:

  • Place a sugar cube in your glass
  • Soak the cube in a few dashes of bitters (3 or more, according to taste)
  • Muddle into a sugary slurry (A dash of water or soda here can help dissolve the sugar)
  • Add whiskey to glass, stir with bar spoon
  • Add ice according to preference (I recommend a whiskey stone or large ice ball to avoid diluting your delicious whiskey too much!)
  • Garnish with a twist of orange peel, and/or a nice quality cherry (I recommend Toschi Amarena)
  • ENJOY!

Tips:

  • Garnishes are totally personal preference and optional; omit the cherry, skip the orange, you’re the one drinking it!
  • If you don’t have a fresh orange on hand, orange bitters can take its place!