Love in a glass

Well, in honor of the 3rd season of Boardwalk Empire, we are drinking the hard stuff.  Yum!

I have already given a monologue on my love for bourbon, so I won't wax rhapsodic on its merits any further.  Except to say, this is a wonderful drink!

This is one of my first exercises in mixology.  Aside from knowing what flavors were likely to go together, I had no recipe.  I mixed, I scored!

After tasting his first sip, Everett called it love in a glass.   It seemed fitting.  So there you have it....

Makes 2 cocktails:

4 oz bourbon (we used Makers Mark first round, Bulleit second round - we both preferred Bulleit)
1 oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
2 oz Cherry Stomp (fresh cold pressed cherries and apples) - see photo
juice of one lemon
4 dashes cherry bitters
splash of lemon bitters

Shake with ice, serve on rocks (I used my giant ice cubes), garnish with a cherry

Enjoy!

It is tart, rich, spicy and sweet.

The Green Door reconstructed

Friday, the UT campus was evacuated due to a bomb threat.  No bombs were found (thank goodness) but the day was sort of shot work-wise for Everett.  So, we decided to take in a movie at Violet Crown Cinema - a good idea for a Friday afternoon. We had a cocktail in the lounge before our movie started.  Everett had his standby, the Sazerac, though it was made with Herbsaint rather than true absinthe, and I had the special, The Green Door.  It was delicious, and I inquired as to the ingredients.  After the film was over, we went to Specs, and I purchased Velvet Falernum to be able to make the drink.

I feel I was quite successful in recreating this drink.  I did not know exact measurements, but gave it a whirl (or a shake), and the result is similar to the drink I had as well as pleasing.

The Green Door

juice of 1/2  lime
2 oz bourbon (I used Bulleit, but MM or Woodford would be good too)
1 oz Velvet Falernum
1/2 oz Green Chartreuse

Shake juice, bourbon and falernum with ice in shaker.  Strain into glass.  Float Chartreuse on top.  Serve on the rocks.  Enjoy!

Meier's modified Manhattan

I made aviations tonight, and then because I made aviations, rather than go to the gym I used my shaker as exercise and made Manhattans.  But they were slightly modified Manhattans.  And I will make them again for sure.  Wow.  

4 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon (or your preferred Bourbon or Rye)

2 oz sweet vermouth (I used Martini and Rossi)

2 oz Cocchi Americano

4 dashes of Angostura bitters

2 dashes of blood orange bitters

Flame a lemon peel over drink

Now, I am a fan of Manhattans anyways.  If I am going to order a grown up drink at a steakhouse, I'll likely choose Manhattan over Martini.  But without sounding too self congratulatory, this tipple is one of my best attempts.  I will be making it again (and again, and again, and again).  It has the deep, oaky flavor of the bourbon with a nice citrus jolt, and it is very smooth.  Finished with notes of caramel and spice.   All of it is nice.  

Come on over, I'll make you one.  

Cheers.