Professor Cocktail

Cocktail of the Day: Scorpion (a la Trader Vic)

Scorpion

2 oz Light Rum
1 oz Brandy
1 1/2 oz Orange Juice
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Orgeat

Shake with a lot of crushed ice and then pour unstrained into a large glass.

A version of Trader Vic's classic Scorpion Bowl, a drink served in a large bowl for 2-4 guests to enjoy, rejiggered to an individual size. This was originally a blended drink, but I've found it still tastes great when made with crushed ice.

(If you want a large version, as seen in the picture, just double everything.)

Cocktail of the Day: Miehana

Miehana

1 oz Gold Rum
1 oz Coconut Rum
1 oz Grand Marnier
1 oz Pineapple Juice
3/4 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Orange Juice

Shake with ice, then pour unstrained into a Collins glass. Add more ice if necessary.

It's Tiki time, baby! Adapted from a recipe by Jeff "Beachbum" Berry.

Marie Brizard USA Cocktail Challenge Finals

Marie Brizard makes some of my favorite liqueurs, and their cocktail competition at the recent Tales of the Cocktail featured some really interesting drinks. Here is the winner:

And the winner of the Marie Brizard USA Cocktail Challenge Finals is… 

Miami’s Robert Montero of Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, with his winning cocktail, “Sunny Crusta!” Robert received a cash prize of $1,000 and a complimentary trip to represent the U.S. this November in the annual Marie Brizard International Bartender Seminar and Competition in Bordeaux, France where he will be competing against top mixologists and bartenders from across the world who will all be preparing their original Marie Brizard cocktail to be sampled and judged by an expert panel.

The Runner-Up was James Menite of NYC’s Crown with, The “Made” Cocktail. James received a cash prize of $500.

The Marie Brizard USA Cocktail Challenge Finals consisted of 6 contestants judged on technique, appearance, aroma and taste battling for the coveted spot to represent the U.S. in the 30th annual Marie Brizard International Bartender Seminar and Competition this November in Bordeaux, France.

Sunny Crusta
Created by Robert Montero (Yardbird Southern Table & Bar)

1/2 oz. Marie Brizard Orange Curaçao
3/4 oz. Marie Brizard Blackberry
1 1/2 oz. Tequila Ocho Blanco
3/4 oz. Grapefruit Juice
1/2 oz. Lime juice
1/4 oz. Agave Syrup

Shake ingredients together and strain into a sugar-rimmed wine glass. Garnish with a grapefruit peel and 3 Filthy Black Cherries.

Congratulations to Robert!

Cocktail of the Day: The Last Minute

In celebration of the launch of his new book, The Last Minute, my friend Jeff Abbott has created a cocktail. It's called, appropriately enough, The Last Minute. In this video, he shows you how to make one.

The Last Minute, the second thriller featuring Sam Capra, is already getting some great reviews. Booklist called it "a fast-paced thriller with a likable, morally conflicted hero," while Publishers Weekly praised it as "exciting."

Reviewing one of his earlier books (Panic) in the Chicago Sun-Times, I called it “compulsively readable…an engaging page-turner that makes for fast and enjoyable reading.”

Jeff's a good guy and a good writer -- and he likes cocktails as well. What more could you ask for?

Cocktail of the Day: Sangria del Matrimonio

Not a cocktail, per se, but a great drink for the summertime. I made this recently at a party for my brother-in-law's wedding (thus the name) and it was a big hit.

Sangria del Matrimonio

750-ml Bottle of Dry White Wine
5 oz Grand Marnier
8 oz Pineapple Juice
12 oz Peach Soda or Nectar

Mix in a pitcher with sliced peaches and oranges. Strain into cups with ice to serve.

Cocktail of the Day: Skinny Colada

Skinny Colada

2 oz Jamaican Rum
2 oz Coconut Water
1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
Splash (squeeze) of Lime Juice

Stir in a glass with ice.

A cool, flavorful drink without a lot of calories. Make sure to use a good quality rum, since there isn't a lot of syrup covering it up. 

Cocktail of the Day: Liberal

Liberal

1 1/2 oz Rye Whiskey
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
1/4 oz Torani Amer (or Amer Picon)
1-2 Dashes Orange Bitters

Stir ingredients with ice in a rocks glass.

A variation on the Manhattan.

Cocktail of the Day: Cherry Mojito

 
Cherry Mojito

2 oz White Rum
4 Cherries
6 Mint Leaves
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Lime Juice 
Soda Water

In the bottom of a tall glass, muddle cherries with mint leaves, lime juice and simple syrup. You don't need to muddle it too hard. Add rum. Fill the glass 3/4 of the way with ice and stir. Top with soda water.

A cool, tall, refreshing drink for summer.

Cocktail of the Day: Millionaire Cocktail

Millionaire Cocktail

2 oz Dark Jamaican Rum
1 oz Sloe Gin
1 oz Apricot Brandy
3/4 oz Lime Juice

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Adapted from a recipe by Ted "Dr. Cocktail" Haigh (Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails), which was itself adapted from a recipe in Harry Craddock's The Savoy Cocktail Book.

Cocktail of the Day: Red Berry Delicious

Red Berry Delicious

1 1/2 oz Raspberry Vodka
1/2 oz Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
1/2 oz Licor 43
3 Large Srawberries
1 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Demerara Sugar Syrup

In a mixing glass, muddle the strawberries with the lemon juice and sugar syrup. Add the remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. (If you don't want little pieces of strawberry floating in it, you can double strain it.)

Adapted from a recipe by Charlotte Voisey.