As we close the bar on 2007, I felt it appropriate to take a look back. Sure everyone does these lists, but it is fun to look at the year that was. I I figure, hey! why not?

So with out further ado, here are some of my favorites from 2007.

Cheers!

January
- Gin, The New Vodka?
- Super Bowl Cocktails
- Top 10 US Party Cities

February
- Suck & Blow
- Presidential … Read more

This spooky Halloween treat takes advantage of the ever popular monk-made French liqueur chartreuse. This herbal treat has been made for centuries in one particular monestary, making it perfect for a Halloween potion.

Ingredients

1 oz apple brandy
½ oz Benedictine
½ oz yellow chartreuse
Dash angostura bitters

Instructions

Combine everything in a shaker with ice. Mix well and stain in to a chilled cocktail glass.

The New York Time’s Eric Asimov writes on his blog, “The Pour,” this in-depth review of Clear Creek distillery’s Pear Eau de Vie. Oregon’s Clear Creek takes ripe Bartlett Pears to make this clear fruit brandy.

It is bottled fresh, not aged, and comes in at a pleasing 80 proof. Clear Creek doesn’t add any sweetener to the mix, so the skill is in the process of brining out the natural sweetness of the pears. … Read more

This week is America’s 231st Birthday, so what else but an American Beauty? This cocktail can be had on the rock, up or as a shot. Cheers to the USA!

Ingredients

1 oz brandy
1 oz dry vermouth
¼ oz ruby port
¼ oz grenadine
1 oz orange juice

Instructions

Mix everything in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, an ice-filled highball glass or into a shot glass (pictured here) … Read more

Time to take a midsummer pause to celebrate Independence Day. It may mark our struggle against tyranny and taxes, but for the majority of us it means fireworks, parades and food! This means drinks for all that celebrating and washing down those eats. We’ve assembled a fun collection of cocktails with an American theme.

Here’s a few to get you started:

All American
American Sweetheart
Americano
Red White & Blue

Vote for your favorite picture of the year through cocktails.

Enjoy watching the Academy Awards with one of these Best Picture Nominee-inspired cocktails. These drinks will sure to have you on your feet by the end of the night, declaring: “You like me, you really like me!”

Royal-Tea

(Created in honor of the Academy Award-nominated film The Queen)

2 parts Beefeater Gin
2 parts brewed and chilled Earl Gray Tea
Squeeze of lemon juice… Read more

This is quite a busy week, with Chinese New Year, Presidents Day and Fat Tuesday right in a row and the Oscars coming up on Sunday. So enjoy them all and watch for some new themed cocktails for your Oscar Party.

This week’s drink was sent in by reader Cavan and is a refreshing mixture of cognac, apricot brandy, and lemon-lime soda (and we just can’t find enough good brandy drinks!). Thanks, Cavan!

Onto the … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more