This week we feature a very versitle cocktail, which is aptly named “Night & Day”. I figured it would be perect for the New Years Weekend a head. A tasty combination of Champagne, Cognac and a bit of Campari, I may just be sipping these all weekend.

If you missed it last week, don’t for get to vote for your Absolute 100 (shameless plug for our sponsor), I posted a few of mine here.

on to the drink…

Happy Holidays! ‘Tis the season to be jolly and what makes me more jolly than a few cups of holiday cheer. We’ve put together a fun hip collection of cocktails & punches for you to to test on your party guests. Keep checking back as this list will be growing throughout the month. Cheers!

Holiday Cocktails
Holiday Punches

Q: What is the best way to drink brandy?

A: Brandies, including fine Cognacs and Armagnacs can be enjoyed many different ways. One of my favorites is the classic sidecar, a refreshing blend of brandy, lemon/lime and triple sec.

If you have a cheap bottle (not recommeded) mix it with something, anything. Here’s a few drink recipes made with brandy. In some places, brandy is used instead of whiskey in many drinks. In Wisconsin, Old Fashions and Manhattans are routinely made with brandy.

The classic way to enjoy a well aged brandy is in a brandy snifter at room temperature. The drinker then holds the bowl of the snifter in the palm of his/her hand to gently warm the brandy and release all the aromas. Brandies are typically served in this fashion as an after dinner drink.
There is a general age rating system for brandies. This system is a good guide for cost and taste for selecting brandies:

AC - aged at least two years in a barrel
VS - “Very Special” - 3 year minimum in a barrel
VSOP - “Very Superior Old Pale” - 5 year minimum in a barrel
XO - Extra Old”, Napoleon or Vieille Reserve - 6 year minimum in a barrel
Vintage - Aged in the barrel and marked with the vintage date when bottled (kinda like wine)
Hors D’age - So old, don’t ask if you should mix it with coke. Really this is old shit, savor every sip!

Brandy can be enjoyed neat, in a cocktail, as a fine after dinner drink. So be sure to read the label and drink accordingly.

There are numerous stories on the Sidecar’s origins. However, Harry’s Bar in Paris is generally credited with inventing the Sidecar for a patron who often rode in the sidecar of a motorcycle. Pictured is the Sidecar we drank at Harry’s.
I am grateful to this unknown and unsung mixologist who brought us this cocktail, as it is my personal favorite, and I am eternally grateful to the Bix in San Francisco for introducing me to the wonderful libation.

Like the Martini, the Sidecar has recently experienced a renaissance. The Sidecar was invented in the early 1900’s and was popular until the beginning of World War II, but unfortunately was forgotten by most when the War came to an end. A few years ago, my request for a Sidecar was often met with “are you sure, that’s what my grandmother drinks?” Luckily, the Sidecar is now enjoying a renewed popularity and can be easily had at most drinking establishments.

When we began our Sidecar journey, I had no idea so many types of Sidecars existed. There are Sidecars for those who prefer brandy, cognac, gin, vodka and even irish whisky.

Join me in a toast to the Sidecar with a few of these concoctions. After all, it would be a shame if the Noble Sidecar were once again forgotten.

…And Now on to the Sidecars

This week’s drink is made with Everglo, a new liqueur from Holland made with vodka, tequila, ginsing and caffine. Fuck ya - this stuff has everything and it’s NEON GREEN. Can anyone say clubbin’! This was sent over by Tara at CyberNY, the makers Everglo’s cool website. Thanks, and hook us up;) on to the drink…

A nice reader sent us this wonderful note

“You guys are truly life savers. My father is 75 years old with severe asthma. He is Irish and remembered a drink called a Hot Toddy that his grandmother used to make when he was sick. I typed in Hot Toddy and there you were. He is sleeping soundly and his wheezing has stopped. He is breathing easy.Thank you so much for being there…”

- Marilyn

Of course, we cannot guarantee this will work for you and since we aren’t Doctor’s please don’t take this as any sort of medical advice.

Thanks for the kind words Marilyn!

But will it get you drunk?

Red Ruby

stir together these ingredients (the 1 carat ruby is optional):

- 1.5 ounces Grey Goose L’Orange vodka
- 0.5 ounce Hpnotiq cognac
- 0.5 ounce orange juice
- 0.25 ounce Pama (pomegranate) liqueur
- a splash Dom Perignon champagne

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