Three Wise Cocktails.

by Al Butler

Poor Brian.

This week we are offering up not one, but three cocktails that will brighten your holiday celebrations, and bring good cheer to your family and friends. With Christmas (that's right) just around the corner we decided to experiment with some more festive drinks. These three drinks are wise choices in that they blend with the theme of the holiday very well. Easy to craft, and consume, you cannot go wrong when serving any of these up at your gatherings. Some may look at these cocktails as effeminate, girly, and not suitable for men of any age. I believe that such branding, though fun, is foolish. I base not my belief in personal tastes or fancy, but rather on experience. Back in the 1980's while all my "Tough Guy" friends were drinking straight whiskey or simply beer, I ordered a Vodka Cranberry instead. Yup I got laughed at, but come the end of the night it was I who had spent most of the evening with a pretty girl while my friends were stuck talking to themselves. So say what you will about the looks of these Christmas cocktails, because in the end, its not what fills your glass that makes you a man, but your lower parts. And I'd rather smile with a fair maiden, than grouse with an angry workman any day of the week.

Crantini.

The Crantini; not really a Martini but the name stuck somehow. A very pretty festive red cocktail.

Ingredients;
2 oz. Vodka or Gin
1 oz. Triple sec
2 oz. Cranberry Juice (not the cocktail kind)
1/4 oz. Dry Vermouth
Real cranberries or lemon peel for garnish

Method:
Chill a cocktail glass. Next fill your shaker with Ice and add Spirit, Triple Sec, Juice, and Vermouth. Shake, then strain into chilled glass. Garnish with skewered cranberries, a lemon peel or both.

You're a mean one Mr. Grinch.

The "Appletini" used to be all the rage with up and comers and Hipsters, however these days it's popularity has waned somewhat. This cocktails vibrant green color makes me think on my favorite Christmas character the Grinch.

Ingredients:
2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. of Sour Apple Pucker
1/4 oz. of lemon or lime juice
Maraschino Cherry for garnish

Method:
Chill a cocktail glass. Fill your shaker with ice, add Juice, Vodka and Schnapps, and shake till cold. Strain into your chilled glass and drop one or two maraschino cherries for a very cool looking cocktail for the holiday.

Winter's Chill.

The vibrant blue of a Winter's Chill really stands out in a crowd, and though many may be afraid to try it, everyone will notice and ask what it is, as you slide it across the bar.

Ingredients:
1 oz. Vodka (citrus Vodka if you have it)
1 oz. Blue Curacao
1 oz. Lime Juice
1 oz. Triple Sec
lime peel or wheel for garnish (very optional)

Method:
Chill a Cocktail glass!!! (do you guys get it yet?). Next fill a shaker with ice and add; vodka, curacao, lime juice, and triple sec. Shake and strain into your chilled glass. You can garnish this if you like with a lime wheel or twist but I think the simple look of this blue eye popper is better left as is.


So my friends there you have three, easy and rather tasty cocktails that you can serve during the upcoming holiday that will be sure to please just about anyone. I do hope that some of you will give at least one of these festive drinks a try, and if you cannot, well at least I can extend a Merry Christmas to you and wish you all the best.

Cheers
AL

 

the Black Widow.

The Black Widow

A couple of weeks ago I was approached by a work mate of mine, one Mr. Mike Levine, and asked what kind of themed cocktails I serve on Halloween? I was a bit stunned, for to be honest, I hadn't given holiday cocktails much thought until that moment. Mike was looking for something he could whip up easily for a small gathering on Old Hallows eve, which not only matched the spirit (no pun intended) of the evening but would please his guests as well. It seems I have become something of the resident barman of the workplace and am sought out for advice and recipes by lots of different folks, I am not sure how I should feel about that.

With an embarrassed half grin, I had to tell Mike that I would have to look into it for him as themed drinks had never crossed my mind before, and then began to grill him with the usual litany of questions; "How many people?, do you like drinks served rocks, highball, or up? what liquors do your guests prefer? etc. etc, etc," The answers to those questions would allow me not only to find a drink that might suit his needs, but also help to filter out a lot (and I mean A LOT) of other possible cocktails crafted specifically for the holiday.

Being challenged to find something complete strangers will enjoy on minimal data can seem a little daunting, but one never succeeds if one never even tries, so the research began that very afternoon.Within fifteen minutes I found the recipe for this beautiful Halloween cocktail, the Black Widow, and knew right there and then it was what Mr. Levine had been looking for. This simple drink will sure enough be the hit of any party no matter the time of year but especially on the night when Banshees wail and Pookas lurk.

Be sure to stir before drinking.

Ingredients:

2-3 ounces of Blavod (black vodka from England)
3-4 ounces of Cranberry juice
Lime wheel for garnish (optional)

Method:

Fill a rocks glass with clean ice, add 3-4 ounces of cranberry juice, top off with 2-3 ounces of Blavod black vodka pouring slowly to make a nice neat line between the mixer and spirit. Garnish with lime wheel if desired.

Essentially this cocktail is but a reverse Cape Cod only with black vodka as a float for presentation. It is a very pretty drink, both when you offer it up to your guests and after stirring. Just like with the Dark and Stormy  we suggest strongly giving this drink a good stir before taking a sip. With all the spirit floating on top, that first pull could be a shocker if you fail to give it a spirited whirl with the straw. When mixed your cocktail takes on a nice, dark, blood red color that catches the eye.

Usually specialty liquors such as this vodka disappoint on all levels except with their cool marketing and packaging. I've been caught a couple of times bringing home "the latest and greatest" brand of spirits only to end up pouring them down the drain after a first sip. Fortunately that is NOT! the case with Blavod. This vodka is subtle and smooth and goes down rather well (he says after two stiff drinks).  So for your next Halloween get together to celebrate the dead, mix up a couple of these suave, comforting, and pretty, cocktails for your friends, they will appreciate the night all that much more if you do.

Lastly I'd like to give a special thanks to our friend Mike Levine for not only sparking my curiosity with his question but also for being so trusting of my tastes. A brave man indeed, he chose the Black Widow sight unseen when I first suggested it though I had never made one. Lucky for both of us the drink is so easy even I couldn't screw it up.

Cheers
AL

 

The Cape Cod, or as we say it up here "Cape Coddah."

the Cape Cod

It was on a warm evening in late July 1987 when I first heard the name Cape Cod referenced as a drink. My best friend and I were on vacation visiting my family here in Maine and had decided that life in the slow lane was a bit too slow for our liking. My dear Ma directed us to a small bar over in South Portland called the Snow-bowl or Snow dove or some such stupid name. I suppose Ma figured for her adventurous and wayward son from the big city, such a place was sophisticated enough to sooth my restlessness. Little did she know that I preferred a good Pub above all things then (still do) and that any place in which the staff wore red vests made my skin itch.

Sure enough as we strolled into that painfully empty bar, my eye fell upon the bartender's bright red vest flashing in the overhead lights as she worked her bulk wiping the counter with a rag. Damn, sold out by me own mother! But you just can't leave and not give it a chance now can you? Cause if you  bolt, you are left with telling the lie to the woman who raised you next day when she asks; "how did you like the place?" So with a grimace and a sigh Jim and I walked up like two condemned men knowing the next half hour was going to be slow and painful. Putting on my best plastic smile I looked right at the little round woman and said; " Evening, I'll have a Stoli's and Cranberry please."

Without missing a beat and with a somewhat shrill New England accent she squawks; " oh a Cape Coddah!"

"Excuse me, what?"
"a Cape Coddah" Smiling at me like I'm some sort of special needs case, though we didn't call them that back then.

"No, I'd like a Stolichnaya and cranberry juice, thank you, not a Gabe Kotter or whatever it is you said."

Jim gave a bit of a snicker and headed off to pick a place to sit.

Squinting her beady eyes a bit at me she let out an irritated little grunt, which made me think of her rooting around in a pen, and then she tried to recover with an explanation: "A Cape Coddah, is from Cape Cod Massachusetts its made with vodka, cranberry juice, seltzer water, and lime."

"Oh Yeah? give me one of those then, only without the seltzer water, or the lime, and make the vodka Stolichnaya. Sounds grand! Thanks."

With a bit of a snarl she mixed it up a slid it over and in return I gave her my very best smarmy smile and a thanks then went to join my friend. My confusion and irritation lay in the fact that I had been drinking Vodka Cranberries for two years before anyone called it anything but simply, a Vodka Cranberry. Why would you have to name something so ridiculously simple as that? Obviously someone felt the need to brand it, for whatever reason. Maybe they thought it would somehow make it special or cool sounding, I guess they were right because if my four foot five, two hundred pound server knew the name, it had to be at least as famous as Ho-Ho snack cakes. With which, I am quite positive, she was rather well acquainted.

But putting red vests, screeching Harpys, and Ho-Ho's aside, the Cape Cod really is a great, refreshing highball cocktail that can be enjoyed year round. There are two schools of thought on how to make these simple drinks and I have given the methods for both below.

Ingredients:
2 Ounces Vodka (Stolichnaya or Grey Goose)
3-4 ounces Cranberry Juice
Lime for garnish

Method #1:
Fill either a rocks or highball glass with ice, add vodka, top off with cranberry juice, stir, add lime wedge for garnish and serve.

Method#2:
Fill a Highball glass with ice, add vodka, add 3 ounces cranberry juice, top off with club soda, squeeze lime wedge over the drink to add juice, stir and serve.

Being a purist I prefer method one when making these, but for those of you who find cranberry juice too acidic cutting it with club soda, as in method two, will probably work best. Either way this drink, which for me brings back fond memories of the Reagan era, will bring a smile to your face with its rich bold flavor.

A side note: As you should already know if you ask for a Cape Cod or Vodka Cranberry in a bar, they will generally make it with well stock. Which are the bottles of lower grade spirits that they keep in the serving well. This of course will suffice after you have had a couple, but to get the full benefit of this or any drink I suggest asking by brand. I.e. your favorite liquor. Hence my asking for a "Stoli's and Cranberry", or Bulliet Rye Old fashioned when out and about. By doing so you have quietly and nonchalantly caught your server's attention. You have in essence said: I enjoy good spirits and appreciate their quality. A good barman or barwoman, will remember your drink choice much easier and, service level generally will be raised just a bit in your favor.

Lastly as this fair beverage comes from Massachusetts I think it only appropriate to leave you with another awesome gift from that state, the Dropkick Murphy's!

Cheers
AL

Al's Blackberry Vodka Tonic.

Al's Blackberry Vodka Tonic.

If any of you have not yet guessed, I am something of a drink geek, which goes hand in hand with my other "geeky" traits like gaming and reading zombie novels. I am always on the look out for different cocktails, and recipes, so when I came across the base formula for this concoction the wheels began to spin, and my mind raced.

The original was a gin based drink that used lime instead of lemon, and I am sure it works well if one was to stick with it. However, I decided to switch it up and substitute fresh lemon juice for the citrus and Vodka for the base alcohol, and I can say with confidence I nailed this right out of the gate. After making a couple of these two weeks ago and bragging to everyone at my work about it the next day (vanity runs strong in me), I received no less than five requests for the ingredients list and method. I don't think my cohorts have shown this much interest in my mad alchemy experiments since I introduced them to the Dark and Stormy.

Ingredients:

6 large ripe Blackberries
.5 to 1 ounce of fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup
1.5 to 2 ounces of Vodka (Grey Goose is my preferred brand)
2 to 3 ounces of Tonic Water

Method:

1. Muddle Blackberries and lemon juice in the bottom of a cocktail shaker or Boston glass. Fill with ice then add simple syrup and vodka. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.

2. Fill a Collins glass with ice. Double strain into serving glass using a cocktail strainer on your shaker and mini fine mesh strainer (held over the glass). The double strain prevents seeds and pulp from getting into the drink. Add tonic water and stir gently.

3. Garnish, you can garnish with a lemon wheel, skewered Blackberries, or you can simply toss two or three berries into the drink itself.



What it is supposed to look like.

I know this looks really simple but once you start crafting you find that simplicity too, has its pitfalls, so note the following:

When Muddling the berries, really crush them up good. Don't be a frisky Eejit and just start slamming your muddler down in the shaker, because if you do you will find yourself and your counter covered in purple stains. Yes, I'm an Eejit and did that on my first go. When straining, the pulp from the fruit will want to clog your cocktail strainer, thus you will need to give the shaker a wee shake with your wrist every now and again to loosen it up. Lastly do not over stir!!!! When I say stir Gently that is exactly what I mean. If you over stir you will flatten the drink.

This little pick me up is just the right combination of citrus, sugar and alcohol. It doesn't overpower with sweet or tart flavor, but simply blends the best of both together smoothly. I don't suggest making these for big gatherings, as they are bit time consuming. But at home on a sunny afternoon, one taste of this summer drink will make all the effort worth it.

Cheers
AL

Black Cherry Cola

"Grey Goose Cherry Noir"

                                                      

Some months ago on a sleepless night I wandered down to my living room at 2:00 am and picked up a Forbes magazine. Too tired to actually read, but too awake to sleep I simply thumbed through the pages looking at all the nice advertisements for cars and watches I'll never own. About halfway through the magazine I turned a page and found a large ad for Grey Goose Cherry Noir Vodka. For those of you who do not appreciate, or possess a love of fine spirits it will be hard to explain how so very excited I became upon seeing this new product. I read every last word over and over along with the few recopies they added to tempt the pallet. I had been waiting for this top shelf brand to start infusing their product as I knew they would do it well. To be honest I wanted to skip work the next day and drive to New Hampshire just to see if I could get a bottle.

Well after many a month and much searching I finally got a fifth and decided that I would share with my friends one of the cocktails Grey Goose suggested in the original ad, called a Black Cherry Cola.

"Black Cherry Cola"

Black Cherry Cola

1 1/2 Parts Grey Goose Cherry Noir

3 1/2 Parts Cola

1/2 Part Grenadine

To make these is simple: Fill glass slightly above the rim with cubed ice, add in Vodka, then Cola and lastly the Grenadine in that order. Add a soda straw and garnish with a fresh cherry.

Stir the drink slightly with straw to mix ingredients, just a light spin should do it. If you over stir (which we all do) the carbonation tends to dissipate leaving you with a flat beverage.

As we live in the frozen northeast fresh cherries are hard to come by so when we got together on the 21st I had no garnish. However, the group seemed to approve, well, all except Brian who somehow has developed a "Moral Objection" (his words) to the spirit Vodka in any and all of its forms.

The flavor of this cocktail is rather sweet, with a slight herbal twist. Valerie said it tasted like a cherry cordial and most agreed. This drink will more than likely not become a standard for our game day gatherings until I can refine my portions correctly. I think I used too much grenadine in a couple and I failed to go gently on the stir. Practice makes perfect and though it will pain me greatly I will mix and consume until I have this one down to a science. A small sacrifice for my friends. Mike mentioned that the cocktail would be a great summer drink, and I agree, we'll leave it for warmer weather and sunny days to introduce once again.

"You got me straight trippin Boo"

Lastly I do not like the name of this cocktail. Black Cherry Cola is too generic to my liking, so I have decided to call these Queen Latifahs. Because they are black, sexy, and sweet just like she is. 

I am open to suggestions as to names of course so feel free to put in your two cents.

Cheers

AL