Recipes Page 3

Barrel Aged Cocktails

NO RECIPE!

This is the post that started it all: the genesis of Barrel Aged Cocktails. Inspired by a visit last October to see Tony Conigliaro at the unnamed bar at 69 Colebrooke Row in London last fall, where Manhattans are aged in glass vessels to sublime and subtle effect, the barrel aged cocktails I’ve been serving | Read More

Dry Vermouth Sangaree

If there’s one thing I hate about living in the Pacific Northwest, it’s the stretch of time from late October until late June, when the sun makes only the most occasional of appearances. I typically pack on an extra 10-15 pounds during those rainy months, partly due to over-consumption of wintertime drinks like dark beer, | Read More

How to Make Your Own Grenadine

While this is a topic that has been covered by pretty much every cocktail blog under the sun, I haven’t yet written about it. Why? Well, for one, I’m lazy and never got around to it. But after having made various versions of grenadine for years at my bars and after doing a little research | Read More

Egg Nog (Base Recipe)

Well, folks, it’s time of year again. I repost this recipe every year because I’m a man on a mission. You see, I love egg nog, but I can’t stand the thick, gelatinous goop they sell at the grocery store. Even if you were to cut it with alcohol, it’s still so overly-pasteurized and full | Read More

The Solera Club

You may or may not have known this, but I like making cocktails out of wine. Or things that were once wine. Or things that were made from wine. However you want to say it, I like making cocktails out of wine. So when I saw that there was a cocktail competition coming up that | Read More

The Black Dog at Tales of the Cocktail

My good friends over at Embury Cocktails were kind enough to stop by the Boca Loca luncheon at Tales of the Cocktail this year, and captured me on film while Jason Rowan grilled me after a late night and an early morning of prepping for the lunch.    

Norwegian Wood

“Here, see if you can make me something with this”, the liquor rep taunted as he dropped a bottle of aquavit on the bar. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I don’t really work that well under pressure. I try, but it literally takes me weeks to come up with | Read More

Caneflower

With my recent move to Portland and consequent adjustment to a new work environment, new living situation and new selection of great bars and restaurants to explore, I’ve been a little lax on the new drink recipes. Fortunately I have my cruel taskmasters at Boca Loca Cachaça to keep me toiling away, day and night, | Read More

Autumn Leaves

This recipe is part two of my New Orleans Mixology Monday post. For the complete story behind this drink, please click here. And here’s a short video of the Autumn Leaves shot by Philip Beech:  

The Beauty Beneath

“Try this.” The wine rep looked determined. The wine salespeople in town usually know better than to waste their time with me, as I have little-to-no influence on the wine list. If it’s a distilled product you’re trying to push then I’m the man behind the bar to talk to. Otherwise, you’ll probably want to | Read More

How to Make Sangrita

Not to be confused with the Spanish wine-and-fruit-based alcoholic beverage sangria, sangrita (meaning “little blood”) is a traditional accompaniment to a tequila served completo; a non-alcoholic sipper that cleanses the palate between fiery doses of agave. Years ago I was taught that sangrita is a blend of tomato and orange juices, with the addition of | Read More

How to Make Your Own Tonic Water

UPDATE: So much has been discovered since this post originally went up, about the dangers of quinine in people with quinine sensitivity. Big thank you to reader Jonathan for providing this informative link about this. I’m leaving this post up as an archive, but I encourage you to read that article first, and if you | Read More

Mixology Monday: Rum

Clearly I have been smiled upon by a greater power as of late, for I have been fortunate to take on so many new readers over the past month. If you’re one of those new to the site: welcome! For the benefit of the newcomers, I feel I should explain how things work around here. | Read More

Mint Julep

I’ve you’ve never made – or enjoyed – a mint julep before, be sure to check out this post, with lots of information from myself, and videos from the real experts.

Dark and Stormy

An authentic Dark and Stormy made with Gosling’s rum and homemade ginger beer is the ideal prelude to summer, when the spring months are arriving like lions and one’s mind turns to thoughts of lambs. The national drink of Bermuda, a true Dark and Stormy is never made with Jamaican ginger brew or weak ginger | Read More