Recipes 375

How Adding Coffee Creamer Can Elevate Your Cocktail Game

As the warmer months recede, our palates shift towards delightful cocktails infused with the essence of autumn and winter—becoming even more delectable when enhanced by a creamy, velvety texture. This appealing consistency can be effortlessly introduced with coffee creamer. Not only can you create concoctions centered around the creamer, but a simple dash can also transform any cocktail with a smooth richness, or even substitute heavy cream in certain recipes, provided the creamer is dairy to maintain the desired thickness.

The allure of using coffee creamers in mixed drinks lies in the variety of flavors available. We recently tested Coffee Mate’s seasonal flavors, discovering how Kit Kat creamer could innovate a chocolate martini, or how Caramel Apple Crisp could morph a cinnamon whiskey coffee into a rendition of apple pie, and Zero-Sugar White Chocolate Peppermint could add a festive spin to a grasshopper. Essentially, any preferred creamer flavor can inspire your mixology creativity once you master the basics of incorporating creamers into your concoctions.

Begin by selecting the best coffee creamer brand for your taste, noting that while non-dairy versions are an option, they may slightly differ in texture compared to traditional heavy cream. It’s important to consider proportions as well—most cocktails benefit from about 1 to 2 ounces of creamer to achieve optimal creaminess without overpowering other elements. Lastly, shaking these beverages is recommended to thoroughly mix and aerate them.

An easy place to start is the classics. Take that retro grasshopper cocktail, made with white crème de cacao, crème de menthe, and heavy cream. Instead of 1 ounce of heavy cream, use Zero-Sugar White Chocolate Peppermint creamer, or a peppermint mocha creamer. Finish it off by garnishing with a candy cane or a rim of crushed peppermints. Or, there’s the white Russian, a blank canvas for assorted creamer flavors. To complement its Kahlua coffee kick, swap out the ounce of heavy cream for mocha or hazelnut creamers, or go seasonal with pumpkin spice and top the drink with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice. While there’s no cream in an espresso martini recipe, ½ of an ounce of creamer in your shaker would make the frothy head even creamier, and you can add any flavor from International Delight’s Cinnabon offering to Coffee Mate’s Himalayan Salted Caramel.

On the martini note, you can build any desserty martini around a creamer flavor. Make a chocolatini with International Delight’s Hershey’s Chocolate Caramel creamer, vodka, and chocolate liqueur; a pecan pie martini with French vanilla creamer, bourbon, amaretto, Frangelico, and brown sugar; or a sugar cookie martini with sugar cookie creamer, vodka, and amaretto. Rum fans will love a boozy root beer float, with root beer, spiced rum, and vanilla creamer. You can even take a non-creamy cocktail and transform it: Make a creamy coconut mojito by adding coconut crème coffee creamer to lime, mint, soda water, and white rum.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

September 10, 2024 Recipes

Cheers to the Stars: Must-Try Cocktails for the 2024 Emmy Awards Viewing Party

The 2024 Emmy Awards, the 76th broadcast of this annual ceremony presented by the Television Academy, will air on Sunday, September 15.

While most viewing parties will spend a lot of time debating which of their favorite stars or programs should win, there’ll be a lot less arguing over delicious signature cocktails to enjoy in honor of the festivities.

The Palm Royale at Proper Grit Whiskey Library & Supper Club at The Ben West Palm, Autograph Collection.

At Proper Grit Whiskey Library & Supper Club at The Ben West Palm, Autograph Collection, The Palm Royale honors the show of the same name.

This is a vodka-based martini featuring flavors of Florida orange and papaya, topped off with a hint of saltiness. Mixologist Randy Castillo explains: “The Palm Royale was designed to reflect the ambience of the nominated show set in our locality, which has been a candidate for 11 Emmy Awards. This drink captures the sophisticated atmosphere of 20th-century West Palm Beach elegance and will be featured at our Emmy viewing celebration. The base of vodka provides a clean and neutral backdrop for the martini. The inclusion of Munyon’s Paw Paw, an orange liqueur made locally in South Florida, brings a sweet citrus flavor. Additionally, the mix of orange and saline bitters introduces subtle hints that remind us of the fresh, salty sea breeze we enjoy at our beaches.”

Moonlight Drive at Lemon Grove rooftop restaurant at The Aster Hotel & Members Club in Hollywood.

At Lemon Grove rooftop restaurant at The Aster Hotel & Members Club in Hollywood, this delightful beverage is crafted with Flor De Cana 12 year rum, Licor 43, espresso, and chai whip.

“Blending the timeless espresso martini with the unique touch of a Carajillo using Flor De Cana 12 year Rum and Licor 43 which offers a balanced sweetness, all perfected by a house-made chai foam crafted by Chef Marcel Vigneron,” stated lead mixologist Ash Ramos.

The Pollinator at Bramàre Inspired Italian in Las Vegas.

At Bramàre Inspired Italian in Las Vegas, this cocktail features Smoke Wagon Small Batch Bourbon produced by local Nevada H&C Distilling Co., Heirloom Crème de Flora, a “Millefiori” style Aperitivo liqueur, and Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur. “Originally dubbed the Flower Cask due to its ingredients of blending floral and woodsy notes, the addition of pollen on a honey stick brought all the bright flavors together while creating a unique mouthfeel while still keeping a refreshing and bright flavor in the finish. The golden hue from the bee’s pollen makes it a perfect cocktail to sip and savor during the Emmys,” said Constantin Alexander, co-owner.

Mirror Image at Subject in New York City.

At Subject in New York City, a sophisticated blend of gin, Juliette, Aperitivo, sweet vermouth, and Caribbean and grapefruit bitters. “The Mirror Image is a tropical take on the classic, using a brighter vermouth and a less bitter aperitivo while Juliette lends juicy stone fruit notes and depth to this late-summer sipper,” said Korissa Matta, Spécialiste de Juliette.

Parkside Spritz at Nami Nori in Williamsburg.

At Nami Nori in Williamsburg, the Parkside Spritz is crafted using Suntory roku gin, Campari, grapefruit juice, a hint of sesame oil, crémant de loire, and miso honey. “We love nothing more than practicing our Emmy’s acceptance speeches with the Parkside Spritz, our bright citrusy take on the classic cocktail,” mentions Dylan Capello, Director of Brand Experience and Culture.

Blood & Sand at ATRIO Wine Bar & Restaurant at Conrad New York Downtown.

At ATRIO Wine Bar & Restaurant at Conrad New York Downtown, the Blood & Sand cocktail features Johnny Walker Gold, orange juice, cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth, and lemon.

John’s Secret Dragon Lady at Mister Mao in New Orleans.

At Mister Mao in New Orleans, this cocktail is made with Malort, Benedictine, Combier, Velvet Falernum, and saline. “The Chicago distilled Malort comes out of the gate with a kick and is balanced out perfectly by the team of sweet liqueurs; just like Carmy and his Chefs,” says bar manager Andrea Leibrandt.

Summer in Kyoto at One K Miami.

At One K Miami, the Summer in Kyoto combines Una Vodka with JF Hayden’s lychee liqueur, agave nectar, and clarified lemon juice. Beverage Manager Alexander Sanchez says: “The Summer in Kyoto cocktail is a perfect blend of Una Vodka and JF Hayden’s lychee liqueur, offering a taste of elegance and sophistication, while the agave nectar and clarified lemon juice add a refreshing twist. Each sip mirrors the excitement and glamour of the Emmys, making it the ideal choice to toast the stars and celebrate the night in style.”

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September 9, 2024 Recipes

Moda Operandi Celebrates NYFW with a Stylish Cocktails and Live Jazz Party

In the midst of the first official day of New York Fashion Week, Moda Operandi offered a moment of relaxation in the form of a cocktail party and live jazz show at The Jazz Café at Casa Cipriani.

Guests included Ava Phillippe, Sarah Hoover, Athena Calderone, Charlotte Groeneveld, Talita von Furstenberg, Joseph Altuzarra, Trish Westcoat Pound of TWP, The Frankie Shops’ Gaëlle Drevet and of course, Moda Operandi cofounder and chief brand officer Lauren Santo Domingo and chief executive officer Jim Gold.

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Trays of Aperol spritzes and glasses of rosé swirled about as influencers chatted and swapped fashion week schedules. Attendees were dressed in everything from striped boxer shorts — one of summer’s hottest trends — to flowing red gowns, as was the case with a trio of young women who looked like they were ready for a black-tie affair.

Fresh off her performance at the LuisaViaRoma store opening party, Charlotte Lawrence serenaded the crowd with her musical talents as the night neared close.

Launch Gallery: Inside the Moda Operandi Kick-Off Cocktail Party

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September 8, 2024 Recipes

Shake Up Your Friday Night: 10 Easy 3-Ingredient Cocktails

As Friday evening approaches, signaling the end of the workweek, the thought of a refreshing cocktail is especially enticing. However, after a tiresome day, the last thing anyone wants is a complicated drink requiring a myriad of ingredients or expert mixology skills.

Whether your taste leans towards the citrus delight of a Hugo spritz, the rich spices of a Manhattan, or a sophisticated whisky and clementine sour, we have compiled 10 cocktail recipes that are delicious, simple, and quick—requiring only three ingredients apart from ice and an optional garnish, which you might already have at home.

No special equipment is needed either; a standard shaker or even a jug with a long spoon will suffice. So, dust off that neglected bottle of gin or the leftover wine and mix, shake, or stir your way into a memorable Friday evening.

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September 7, 2024 Recipes

12 Zodiac-Inspired Cocktails for September: Find Your Perfect Sweet and Spicy Mix

September is that peculiar time of year when one might need a light jacket to ward off the cool air or shorts for the surprisingly warm days. This change from summer to autumn often influences our beverage choices as well. If summer was all about enjoying spritzes at your preferred rooftop venue, the beginning of fall introduces equally thrilling and enjoyable cocktails.

“The drinks for September are certainly getting richer, featuring warmer tones and more spicy components,” notes Wesley Dyer, the bar manager at the Stone Bar at Antigua’s The Inn at English Harbour.

From robust red wines to cocktails that blend sweetness with spiciness, to options for enjoying Beyoncé’s new whisky brand, there is a variety of drinks to suit different tastes and personalities. Many of these cocktails are easy to make at home with just a few ingredients, or you can opt to order one when you’re out socializing with friends.

“I’m an Aquarius, and we are known for our uniqueness and intense passion for our beliefs. The pisco sour parallels that—it’s a drink with a distinct taste and texture unlike any other,” states Djibril Webb, the executive chef at Chicago’s Mordecai, discussing this brandy-based cocktail.

“It’s tasty, but boozy, and is easy on the eyes,” Rodrigo Pulido, the bar manager at elNico, describes the Cosmopolitan. “Not that Pisces necessarily share the same qualities, but it’s the perfect drink to order when you want to ease into a night of talking.”

Aries, known for their energy and impulsiveness, would appreciate a Bee Sting, according to Dyer. This cocktail blends honey simple syrup, lemon, jalapeno, and gin or tequila into a concoction that’s sweet with a spicy kick.

For the grounded Taurus, Webb recommends a classic gin and tonic. “Its simplicity leaves no room for surprise and the botanicals are a subtle nod to its earth family.”

While martinis are a common choice, consider trying one garnished with tomolives, the pickled green tomatoes that resemble olives. They add a perfect salty finish to your gin or vodka martini.

It’s always summer for the water-loving Cancer. Hold on to those last few days of the warmer months with a Tinto de Verano. The Spanish drink, which translates to summer red wine, is equal parts wine and a lemon-lime soda. Simple and refreshing.

Leos love a bit of flair, so opt for a Lambrusco Aperol spritz. The fun, fizzy red wine makes for the perfect fall upgrade to the go-to summer drink.

The ultimate Virgo debuts her spirit line this month, so it’s only right to try a cocktail using Beyoncé’s SirDavis whisky. The Honey Bee (whisky, lemon juice, and honey syrup) is sure to be your new post-work cocktail.

“For a Libra, white negronis are a bit more balanced than their red counterparts,” says Pulido. The spin on the classic cocktail has a lighter flavor and is a bit more floral thanks to the substitution of gin and Lillet Blanc, a fortified French wine.

The espresso martini continues to be a divisive cocktail, yet Dyer mentions that the passionate Scorpio who leans towards sophistication might enjoy this robust and boozy caffeinated mix.

For his fellow energetic and adventurous Sagittarians, Dyer suggests the Compass; a blend of two ounces of rum, Sorrel simple syrup, bitters, and a dash of ginger zest.

Just like the detail-oriented Virgo, Capricorns are eager to try Queen Bey’s whisky. However, practical Capricorn, you typically prefer simplicity. Opt to sip the whisky neat, allowing yourself to savor its pure and unaltered flavors.

September 6, 2024 Recipes

Celebrating BeyDay in Style: 4 SirDavis Whisky Cocktails to Toast Beyoncé’s Birthday

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Cheers to Beyoncé! SirDavis American Rye Whisky became available online and in select stores on Wednesday (Sept. 4), coinciding with Queen Bey’s 43rd birthday.

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The release marks a new chapter for the multi-platinum selling singer who in the last two years, gave us Renaissance and Cowboy Carter, embarked on a world tour with merch to match, debuted the Renaissance tour film and introduced the world to Cécred— all before revealing her latest venture.

In classic Beyoncé form, the announcement of SirDavis Whisky surprised most fans, but the Houston native may have dropped an Easter egg on the Cowboy Carter track “II Hands to Heaven” where she sings: “Bottle in my hand, the whiskey up high.”

To commemorate Beyoncé’s birthday, I had the opportunity to partake in an early sampling of SirDavis Whisky and prepared four of their signature cocktails (which are both simple to make and visually appealing).

Read on for more about SirDavis and how to host a cocktail hour inspired by Beyoncé.

The origins of SirDavis Whisky trace back to Beyoncé’s paternal great-grandfather, Davis Hogue. According to online records, Hogue was born in Alabama around 1871 and was recorded as having around six children, one of whom was Beyoncé’s paternal grandmother, Lou Helen Knowles. U.S. Census records reveal that Hodge was not only a farmer but also dabbled in moonshining, a fact Beyoncé shared recently.

“Discovering my great-grandfather’s moonshine background made my personal affinity for whisky seem predestined,” she stated. “SirDavis is my tribute to him, creating a new legacy we both share.”

Though whisky has its American roots in Tennessee, it has a long and complicated history with Alabama. The state outlawed alcohol in the early 1900s, nearly a decade before federal prohibition laws went into place. For a century, whisky was illegal in Alabama making it even harder for Black distillers like Beyoncé’s grandfather to make it without risking arrest.

It took 100 years, but Alabama’s first legally distilled whisky was finally released in 2015. SirDavis Whisky, however, is headquartered in Beyoncé’s hometown of Houston, highlighting both her family’s Alabama and Texas ancestry in one bottle.

$89.99

Buy Now at reservebar

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Housed in a beautiful, ribbed glass bottle, SirDavis offers a nod to Texas in the form of a golden horse centered on the front. The recipe blends a “distinctive grain selection of 51 percent rye and a 49 percent malted barley” matured in sherry casks similar to the way Japanese and Scotch whiskies are made.

Although I’m far from a connoisseur, I’ve attended my share of tastings and can appreciate a nice, smooth rye whisky. Per the product description, SirDavis offers a “rich and buttery toffee flavor” which I can attest to, along with hints of honey, cinnamon and clove, a subtle but lingering taste of cherries with a dash of spice that dances on the palette.

See below for directions on how to make SirDavis cocktails.

Based on the packaging alone, SirDavis was made to stand out. The 88-proof whisky from Beyoncé and Moët Hennessy, mingles well with fruity cocktails, pairs perfectly with lemon and it’s smooth enough to enjoy by itself (I would recommend sipping slowly though, SirDavis packs a punch).

Following along with the recipes on the brand’s website, I made four cocktails including the Honey Bee, Hot Toddy, Mint Julep and The Houston.

To complete the vintage vibe of the bottle, I used these ribbed cocktail glasses and glass coffee mugs from Amazon and a couple of cocktail glasses from my own collection. The cocktail ingredients are available at just about any grocery store, but I purchased everything on Amazon Fresh including vermouth, blackberries, honey, lemon juice, cocktail sticks and garnish. The Hot Toddy needs just a handful of ingredients: SirDavis Whisky, hot water, lemon juice, honey and Angostura aromatic bitters.

The Houston is crafted from two ounces of whisky, one ounce of sweet vermouth, a quarter ounce of honey syrup, and two dashes of Angostura bitters. The Mint Julep is a blend of pressed blackberries, fresh mint leaves, and honey syrup, served over a generous amount of crushed ice.

Out of the four, the Honey Bee wins my top spot, not just for its simplicity and minimal ingredients. The sharpness of the lemon flawlessly offsets the whisky, enhancing rather than dominating the drink.

Ingredients:

2 oz. SirDavis American Whisky

.75 oz. Lemon Juice

.5 oz. Honey Syrup

Garnish: Honeycomb

Honey syrup, a crucial component in various SirDavis cocktails, is simple to prepare. Combine two parts honey with one part water in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix until the honey dissolves, allow it to cool, then store it in a sealed container.

To create your Honey Bee cocktail, first pour the liquid elements into a cocktail shaker, then add ice. Shake well and strain into a glass, finishing with a honeycomb or lemon wedge garnish as desired.

For more information on where to purchase SirDavis Whisky, continue reading.

SirDavis Whisky can now be found at shops including ReserveBar, Total Wine & More, and Caskers, along with GoPuff, BevMo!, Spec’s, and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. Available regions include California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Washington D.C., as well as select locations in London, Paris, and Tokyo. More markets are expected to be introduced soon.

Are you ready to jet off soon? Look for SirDavis at DFS duty-free shops in various airports like John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport. While at JFK and LAX, travelers can partake in exclusive SirDavis tastings available within the DFS stores.

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September 5, 2024 Recipes

Why Watermelon Paloma Cocktails Are Perfect Year-Round

Once you have your chips and salsa ready, you might typically glance at the margarita menu. While the classic margarita is a favorite, there are more unique beverage choices at Mexican restaurants that could enhance your experience. Consider the paloma, a traditional yet underappreciated cocktail, blending tequila with lime and grapefruit-flavored soda or grapefruit juice and club soda. Served chilled, this drink offers a sour yet slightly sweet flavor profile without the overwhelming sweetness of some pre-mixed margaritas. Moreover, the paloma is adaptable, much like its popular counterpart.

Enhancing a paloma with watermelon juice elevates this already delightful concoction, creating a perfect balance between the mellow sweetness of watermelon and the zesty bite of lime, rounded off by the smoothness of tequila. If you have watermelon available, you can simply juice it to add a fresh and fruity layer to your cocktail, complementing the existing flavors beautifully.

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Preparing a paloma is straightforward—mix the ingredients together. Adding watermelon juice is effortless and enriches the drink with a delightful sweetness and an attractive pink color, perfect for a poolside photo. Start with your preferred version of a paloma, whether it’s with grapefruit soda or a blend of grapefruit juice and soda water. Incorporate a healthy pour of fresh watermelon juice for an enhanced taste. Utilize the juice collected at the bottom of the container when chopping watermelon as an additional flavor enhancer. If you’re out of grapefruit juice, substituting it with watermelon juice can transform your paloma beautifully.

If you own a juicer, you might find it tempting to juice an entire watermelon for your guests. This can be made into a delightful, large-scale tequila mixer. Just combine ample amounts of watermelon juice with tequila, lime juice, and soda for a tantalizing beverage that’s bound to please your guests. Adding a touch of salt either directly into the drink or around the glass rim enhances the flavor, as salt tends to amplify the taste of watermelon. Consider rimming your glass with Tajin and garnish with slices of watermelon or lime. For an extra creative touch, present your paloma in a carved out watermelon, ensuring a spectacular display.

Read the full article on Chowhound.

September 4, 2024 Recipes

Exploring the Differences: Singapore Sling vs. Gin Sling Cocktails

Choosing between cocktail options at a bar can often be confusing, particularly when the choices are similar or belong to the same category. This is frequently the case with the gin sling and the Singapore sling.

Though both cocktails use gin as their primary spirit and follow a basic recipe structure, they diverge significantly in their mixtures. A typical sling formula combines a base spirit such as gin, brandy, whiskey, or rum with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup or sugar, shaken together and topped with soda water, exemplified by the traditional gin sling.

The Singapore Sling opts for a fruitier blend, incorporating cherry brandy, pineapple, and lime juice, along with other liqueurs like Cointreau and Benedictine. It is the only one of the two to include aromatic bitters and has a notably sweeter taste due to other components like grenadine syrup, giving it a distinct pink color, unlike the clear appearance of a perfect gin and tonic. Additionally, the garnishing differs; the gin sling usually garnished simply with a lemon or lime, whereas the Singapore Sling might be adorned with a variety of fruits, sometimes including pineapple and cherry.

This basic understanding may help you decide on your order, but you might still encounter some variations within the same drink, especially with the Singapore Sling. This cocktail is believed to have evolved from the gin sling, created in the early 20th century in Singapore at the Raffles Hotel. Like many cocktail histories, the details of its invention and changes are debated, particularly its ingredients and proportions. In his 1948 cocktail book “The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks,” author David A. Embury stated, “Of all the recipes published for this drink, I have never seen any two that were alike.”

While many variations are subtle (often, the differences are in the ratio or the quantity of a particular ingredient from one bar to another), some are more distinct. For example, the well-known San Francisco bar Smuggler’s Cove takes a unique approach by leaving out the pineapple juice and Cointreau, instead opting for orange bitters. Meanwhile, some versions simplify the Singapore Sling considerably, using just gin, Benedictine, cherry liqueur, and soda water, resulting in a drier beverage. With this in mind, if you decide to make slings at home, you’ll be part of a crowd customizing drinks to their taste.

Making your own sling includes you in a centuries-old tradition, dating back to the 1700s when they were made with a spicy edge, often from nutmeg. The term derives not from a bartender quickly mixing drinks but from the German word schlingen, meaning “to swallow,” likely due to its easy drinkability. Slings can be served hot, similar to a classic hot toddy, and there’s even a specific sling glass, which is tall and footed.

Today, you can freely and easily craft slings; they are straightforward to adapt, given their basic formula. With the classic gin sling, you might use an infused syrup or a flavored spirit, replace the soda water with ginger ale or a flavorful seltzer (or add a hard seltzer), swap lemon juice for grapefruit or another citrus, and add herbs like basil or mint for aroma, flavor, and visual appeal. For those looking to put a personal twist on a Singapore Sling, consider using extra imaginative elements like substituting grenadine for Thai basil syrup, or pineapple for lychee or rhubarb. Whichever direction you go, these drinks remain iconic in their deliciousness.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.

September 3, 2024 Recipes

Clarified vs. Infused Cocktails: Exploring the Art and Science Behind Each Technique

From methods to mouthfeel, garnishes to flavors, bartending jargon can intimidate even experienced bar-goers. Roll up with your friends to a cocktail lounge and you may encounter a menu featuring clarified and infused cocktail drinks. Before you order, let us guide you through common terms in the hospitality world so you can confidently choose your drink.

Bartenders wield a variety of techniques to craft delicious beverages for you to enjoy. Clarifying cocktails removes impurities from the alcohol, while infusions introduce new flavors. Understanding the difference will help you make a more informed choice between a clarified jungle bird and a gimlet with basil-infused gin, eliminating the need to consult your friend in embarrassment.

When you see clarified cocktails on a menu, it signifies meticulously curated recipes. A clarified cocktail involves a meticulous process that removes particulates, resulting in a visually appealing, clean, and clear drink. Various methods are employed by bartenders to achieve this clarification, including centrifugation, freezing, and quick-gel techniques, as well as milk-washing, a technique dating back to the 1700s.

One of the most well known clarified cocktails is a milk punch. It involves combining brandy, a sweetener, juice, and whole milk to let the mixture curdle in the fridge. The clumpy liquid is strained, and the remaining concoction can be served. Clarifying a drink offers bartenders smoother liquids that can be combined with others for a more impressive finish. In addition to eliminating potentially cloudy or murky visual effects, clarification can also help slow oxidation, extending the overall shelf life without having to sacrifice quality or taste.

Infusing booze with ingredients may be an even older process, as people have added spices and nuts to alcohol since early civilization. This process allows bartenders to express their creativity as they craft original flavor combinations to be used in cocktails. Once ingredients are combined, the original spirit will take on some of the characteristics of whatever ingredients have been added.

Combining alcohol with herbs or roots and letting them mingle can result in a more flavorful outcome — and some pretty unique cocktail creations. While there are different ways to infuse alcohol with flavors from varied ingredients — maceration, sous vide, or nitrogen cavitation, for example — the finished result paves the way to an unexplored world of drink making. Once an alcohol has been infused, the flavored drink can lend unique dimensions to familiar cocktails. Infusing bourbon with dates can elevate an old fashioned, while Nutella-washed rum can help build a hot buttered rum that is difficult to set down. Have fun experimenting with infused concoctions you make at home, without needing to shell out cash at a local lounge.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

September 2, 2024 Recipes

6 Perfect Cocktails to Elevate Your Tailgating Game This Season

Tailgating season is here.

Football fans are primed for gametime, and working on their favorite recipes for chili or wings. But while planning their dishes and transporting all that food, it’s also time to work on cocktails perfect for the occasion.

Bleacher Tea at Mordecai in Chicago.

At Mordecai in Chicago, the Bleacher Tea features bourbon, Montenegro, Earl Grey, lemon, white balsamic shrub, and sassafras. “The name Bleacher Tea is a nod to the bleachers at Wrigley Field, located right across from Mordecai in Chicago. This bourbon cocktail is delightfully fizzy, complex, and refreshing with earthy notes thanks to the white balsamic shrub and sassafras intending to inspire memories associated with baseball,” said Rena Long, Bar Manager at Mordecai.

Breakfast of Champions at Bar Stillwell at Loews Kansas City.

At Bar Stillwell at Loews Kansas City, this cocktail is made with Bloody Mary mix, Modelo Especial, Tajin rim and a fresh lemon. The cocktail was created by bartender and Chiefs fan, Anne Mercer, who wanted to make something in the classic Chiefs red and the perfect tailgate drink. “What a great way to start the season, and who doesn’t want to be a champion? Go Chiefs!” said Mercer.

Ray’s Lake Hour Frozen Rita at Ray’s Bar in New York City.

Ray’s Bar in New York City teamed up with Lake Hour, the canned cocktail brand by actor Wyatt Russell and producer Richard Peete to create Ray’s Lake Hour Frozen Rita. This cocktail is perfect for tailgating and pairs Lake Hour with a frozen mezcal margarita. “The Lake Hour-a-Rita at Ray’s in New York City is all about sharing good times. With its icy punch and bold flavor, it’s a hit. Special thanks to Carlos and Anna for the inspiration, Sweeney for the flavor combos (like the smoky Mezcal Mango Margarita and Watermelon Cucumber Lake Hour combo), Jack & Cousin Tommy for the vibes and Ben, Dylan & co. for serving them frosty. Matt Charles & Wyatt Russell are still tied for most Lake Hour-a-Rita’s drank in one night,” said Richard Peete, co-founder of Lake Hour.

Spiced Cherry Rum Runner at Rusty’s Lakeside Pub in Glasgow, Kentucky.

At Rusty’s Lakeside Pub in Glasgow, Kentucky, this cocktail is made with dark rum and fresh lime blended with Make & Muddle’s Spiced Cherry Vanilla and seltzer. “Cherry and lime go together like peanut butter and jelly! Adding rum to the mix takes this from a cocktail to a party!” said Jennifer Brian of Make & Muddle.

El Diablo at St. Paul Grill in St. Paul, Minnesota.

At St. Paul Grill in St. Paul, Minnesota, this cocktail is made with Codigo Tequila Blanco, Vida Mezcal, ginger syrup, Jamaican bitters, club soda, Creme de Cassis Float, and flamed rosemary garnish. “Get ready to elevate your tailgating game with a drink that’s as bold as your team spirit! This sweet, smoky highball, crafted with a winning combination of Tequila and Mezcal, is the perfect companion for those pre-game celebrations. The ginger and citrus add a refreshing kick that will keep you coming back for more. As you sip, the flavors build, just like the excitement before kickoff, leaving you with a smoky, fiery, yet sweet finish that’s as satisfying as a game-winning touchdown. Cheers to a drink that scores big at your next tailgate!” said Jacob Zimmerman, bartender.

Lion’s Tail at St. Paul Grill in St. Paul.

Also at St. Paul Grill in St. Paul, this cocktail is made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, allspice, lime juice, Luxardo liqueur, Angostura Bitters, and flamed cinnamon stick garnish. “Add a touch of nostalgia to your tailgate with this savory cocktail, a timeless classic that’s evolved from its Prohibition-era roots. With a slightly burnt cinnamon stick, it brings back memories of holidays at Grandma’s house, where the flavors of Christmas and Thanksgiving filled the air. This drink isn’t just about savoring the moment; it’s about reliving those warm, festive gatherings right at your tailgate. Perfect for sharing with friends before the big game, it’s a cocktail that blends tradition with tailgating in the most delicious way,” said Wesley Winfield, bartender.