Making gravy is surprisingly easy. If you’re already making a Thanksgiving turkey, with about 15 minutes extra work you can also have homemade gravy. And like most foods, gravy is even better when you add booze.

Bourbon Gravy
4 cups turkey or chicken stock
3 tbs. butter (unsalted)
1/3 cup flour
Pan drippings from turkey (pour fat off first)
1/2 cup bourbon
salt and pepper to taste

Cook butter in a large saucepan on medium heat. Add in the flour and whisk it for a minute. Then pour in the stock (already heated) and simmer on low heat for about a minute while continuing to whisk. You can make this portion several days ahead and refrigerate it, in which case you would reheat it before continuing with this recipe.

After you’ve removed the turkey from your roasting pan, pour the excess fat from the pan and leave the drippings. Place the roasting pan on burner over medium heat and pour in the bourbon. Stir with a wooden spoon to loosen browned bits. Don’t cook the bourbon completely down, just until the alcohol smell is no longer strong. Pour the roasting pan contents into warm gravy and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Makes about 4 cups

The nice folks at Wild Turkey have made a traditional thanksgiving meal out of Jimmy Russel’s creation, Wild Turkey 101. Yes, it is 101 proof, almost cask strength bourbon, and perfect for getting you through Thanksgiving with the Mother-in-law. It’s so easy to prepare, there’s no need to learn how to cook. Cranberries and rosemary make great traditional side-dishes, so you’ll have a well-rounded Thanksgiving meal.

For turkey that you can’t overcook:

Thanksgiving 101

Wild Turkey 101 on the rocks
Cranberries
Rosemary

Serve in a rocks glass. Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.

Holiday Cocktails
past Drink of the Week Cocktails

recipe & photo courtesy: Wild Turkey Bourbon

Beam just introduced (ri)1 in the midst of rye whiskey’s comeback from more than 70 years in the shadows.

In the 19th and early 20th century, rye was the go-to liquor. Many traditional cocktails — like the manhattan and the old fashioned — originated as rye cocktails.

But after Prohibition ended in 1933, American distillers turned all their attention to bourbon.

No one knows for sure why, but it could be because corn was cheaper than rye. It wasn’t until a few years ago that rye started to come back in demand.

End of history lesson. On to (ri)1 …

The stylish bottle and hard-to-portray name will appeal to those arriving to the rye trend a little late and hoping for something cool.

However, the liquid inside the bottle is as carefully manufactured as the packaging.

(ri)1 is a solid rye offering — deep color, pleasant nose and a smooth, slightly warm taste. (more…)

The folks at Asylum asked, “now that Absinthe is legal and no longer so dangerous, what drinks are most dangerous?”

Well, they came up with a list. Included are favorites such as Moonshine, Everclear and various other potent concoctions from around the world.

Read the Whole List:

Absinthe Deemed Safe, So We Reveal Other Dangerous Drinks - Asylum

Of course, not drinking responsibly is dangerous now matter what you’re drinking.
Please drink responsibly!

Molecular mixology recipes are often just a new interpretation of a classic cocktail. This recipe for a Vessel 75 is a play on an old fashioned cocktail, using a maple syrup foam instead of a sugar cube or simple syrup. Since this recipe uses common ingredients and tools, it’s a great one to try at home for those curious about molecular mixology.

The maple syrup foam is light and thin, adding a subtle flavor and texture to the cocktail without overpowering it. It is definitely a stiff drink and not a dessert.

(more…)

I know it is just Labor Day, but Autumn is just around the corner. To keep us all warm as it starts to cool off, check out our collection of cocktails that are served warm.

Classics such as the Hot Toddy, Tom & Jerry and Irish Coffee and a host of newcomers are ready to warm you inside and out until Spring.

Hot Drinks

The NFL and College Football are back in full swing. Here’s a few cocktails to celebrate.

Got a cocktails honoring your favorite team? We want to hear about it!

2 Point Play
All American
Badgertini
Black & Silver
Bloody Halfback
The Crimson Tide
Gatorade
Kentucky Draw
Napoleon Sneak
Orange Crush
Orange Turf
Patriot Tea
Quick Kick
Red Zone
Super Bowl Buster
Whiskey Blitz