Courtesy of Chivas Regal.

December Cocktail

Ingredients:
1 ¼ oz Chivas Regal 12 yo
Dash cinnamon syrup
2 oz apple juice

Instructions:
Build all the ingredients in an old-fashioned glass and add ice cubes. (Cinnamon syrup can be made by mixing equal parts of powder sugar and warm water. Heat with a stick of cinnamon and let rest until cold, when the cinnamon will have infused fully). Garnish with a pinch of Cinnamon powder, flamed.… Read more

We were recently asked to taste two amazing whiskies head to head, Johnnie Walker Blue Label vs. Chivas Regal 18.

Chivas Regal 18

Chivas Regal 18 includes over 20 of Scotland’s rarest single malt whiskies

Quite strong on the nose with a slight oakyness.

The color is a rich dark amber.

On the tongue Chivas 18 is smooth, fruity and warm with caramel accents. Every sip is smooth, velvety and wonderful.… Read more

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Winter Slumber

Ingredients:
1 part whiskey or bourbon
½ part Hiram Walker pumpkin spice liqueur
¼ part chai
1–½ part heavy whipping cream
Cinnamon & sugar for rim garnish

Instructions:
Place liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a cocktail glass rimmed with cinnamon and sugar.

Rocky Mountain Ginger Crisp

Ingredients:
1 part premium whiskey
½ part Hiram Walker gingerbread liqueur
1-½ part apricot nectar
1-½ part sparkling … Read more

Normally, when I pick a scotch, it’s single malt all the way. But Black Bull 12 year blended scotch was a Whiskyfest find that I wouldn’t mind finding wrapped up for me under the tree this year!

Bottled by Duncan Taylor, which has a great stable of whiskies, this scotch is very mellow. The light vanilla and sherry nose gives way to a slightly peaty honeyed scotch that goes down smooth.

So if you have … Read more

Celsius Cocktails, a pop-up cocktail bar in Bryant Park in New York City is offering warm winter drinks made with Kahlúa s rich blend of vanilla and 100% arabica coffee beans. If you’re in Manhattan this season, stop by, I hear the cocktails are reasonable ($8–$12) but if not, the recipes below will help keep you warm. Courtesy of Kahlúa.

Snowcap

Ingredients:
1 part Kahlúa Mocha
1 part Absolut Vanilla
Hot chocolate

Instructions:
Combine ingredients … Read more

Everything’s better with a little booze. So here are some Drink of the Week-approved ideas for Thanksgiving recipes that incorporate the bottle.

Bourbon Turkey with herbs de provence
Whiskey-Glazed Carrots
Orange Liqueur Stuffing
Drunken Cranberry Sauce
Rum Raisin Sweet Potato Pie
Frangelico Pumpkin Cheesecake

This fall cranberry cocktail is perfect for Thanksgiving. It’s light enough that it won’t compete with a plate full of turkey and mashed potatoes. But the unique mixture of cranberry, honey, bourbon, green tea and ginger ale is full enough to satisfy the taste buds.

Name your poison! Named after a beautiful but deadly plant, this drink has a dark color that hints at something sinister.  But don’t worry, instead of using poisonous flowers or berries, we used black currant juice and black currant liqueur (also known as crème de cassis).

The word “punch” is derived from the Hindu word “panch or paunch” meaning “5”. Thus, there are typically five main components to a punch- Spirits, spice, citrus, water (or other dillutant, eg. Tea) and a sweetener. This is a modern interpretation of this classic 17th/18th century “punch service” style of imbibing. Courtesy of Domaine de Canton.