Russian Spring Punch

Ingredients

1.5 oz.	Vodka
1 oz.	Raspberry Liqueur (or Crème de Cassis)
.75 oz.	Lemon Juice
.5 oz.	Simple Syrup
To Top	Champagne (Sparkling Wine)
Garnish	Raspberries

Directions

Combine the Vodka, Liqueur, Lemon Juice and Simple Syrup in a Cocktail Shaker with Ice
Shake for 15 seconds
Pour into a Highball Glass over Ice
Top with Champagne
Garnish with Raspberries and a Straw

The Russian Spring Punch was invented in the 1980’s by Dick Bradsell in London, England. He apparently made it for his friends at a cocktail party while trying to minimize the cost. It’s name comes from Vodka which is usually associated with Russia and the Tom Collins, which is considered a spring cocktail. This is an Official IBA Cocktail.

April 4, 2023 0

Swizzles Cocktail

Ingredients

2 oz.	Gin
1 oz.	Lime Juice
.75 oz.	Simple Syrup
3 Dashes	Angostura Bitters
Garnish	Blueberries

Directions

Fill half a Collins Glass with Crushed Ice
Combine the Gin, Lime Juice and Simple Syrup in the Collins Glass
Swizzle with a Swizzle Stick till combined
Top with Crushed Ice
Float Angostura Bitters on top
Garnish with Blueberries and a Straw

Swizzles Cocktail is a Swizzle from Harry Craddock’s book from 1930 The Savory Cocktail Book. Though not very common, it is a tasty drink.

March 29, 2023 0

Star Boy

Ingredients

1.5 oz.	Vodka
.75 oz.	Elderflower Liqueur
.5 oz.	Lemon Juice
.5 oz.	Simple Syrup
4	Starfruit Slices
2	Sage Leaves

Directions

Combine the Alcohol, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Sage and 3 Starfruit Slices in a Cocktail Shaker with Ice
Shake for 15 seconds
Double Strain into a Cocktail Glass or Coupe
Garnish with a Starfruit Slice

I had a Starfruit and wanted to make a cocktail with it. As you could probably guess, there are not many out there. I did come across this one by Laura Lee on her website. It turned out to taste pretty good, so I’m posting it here. She named it after The Weeknd (Ft. Daft Punk) song “Starboy.”

March 23, 2023 0

Queens Park Swizzle

Queens Parks Swizzle

Ingredients

2 oz.	Demerara Rum
1 oz.	Lime Juice
.75 oz.	Simple Syrup
10	Mint Leaves
4 Dashes	Angostura Bitter
Garnish	Mint Sprig

Directions

Combine the Mint Leaves and Simple Syrup in a Collins Glass
Muddle the Mint Leaves
Add the Rum, Lime Juice and 2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters to the Glass
Add Crushed Ice and Swizzle with a Swizzle Stick till combined
Top with more Crushed Ice
Garnish with 2 Dashes of Bitters over the top, a Mint Sprig and Straw.

The Queens Park Swizzle was invented at the Queens Park Hotel in Port of Spain, Trinidad in the early 1900’s. Another drink to come out of this Hotel was the Queens Park Super Cocktail.

March 17, 2023 0

London Calling

Ingredients

2 oz.	Gin
.75 oz.	Sherry
.5 oz.	Lemon Juice
.25 oz.	Simple Syrup
2 Dashes	Orange Bitters
Garnish	Grapefruit Peel

Directions

Combine the Ingredients in a Cocktail Shaker with Ice
Shake for 15 Seconds
Double Strain into a Cocktail Glass or Coupe
Garnish with a Grapefruit Peel

The London Calling is a cocktail invented in 2002 by Chris Jepson at the Milk & Honey in London, England. The name is perhaps a reference to The Clash song of the same name.

March 16, 2023 0

Fat Elvis

Ingredients

1.5 oz.	White Rum
.5 oz.	Banana Liqueur
1 oz.	Peanut Butter Whiskey
.5 oz.	Lime Juice
.25 oz.	Simple Syrup
1	Banana

Directions

Combine the Ingredients in a Blender with Ice
Blend till Combined
Pour into a Highball Glass
Add a Straw

The Fat Elvis was a specialty drink I had at the Mellow Mushroom in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on New Years 2021. It was really good, so I decided to remake it. It is just a Frozen Banana Daquiri with Peanut Butter Whiskey, a reference to Elvis Presley’s snack of choice, the peanut butter and banana sandwich.

March 15, 2023 0

Toronto

Ingredients

2 oz.	Canadian Rye Whiskey
.25 oz.	Fernet-Branca
.25 oz.	Simple Syrup
2 Dashes	Angostura Bitter
Garnish	Orange Peel

Directions

Combine the Ingredients in a Mixing Glass with Ice
Stir for 15 seconds
Strain into a Cocktail Glass or Coupe
Garnish with an Orange Peel

The oldest records we have of the Toronto are from 1922. It is unclear if the drink originated in Toronto, or is just named such because it specifies Canadian Whiskey.

March 8, 2023 0

South Sea Dipper

Ingredients

1 oz.	White Rum
.5 oz.	Dark Rum
.5 oz.	Rhum Agricole
.75 oz.	Lemon Juice
.75 oz.	Pineapple Juice
.75 oz.	Passion Fruit Puree (or Liqueur)
.25 oz.	Simple Syrup
1 Dash	Angostura Bitters
To Top	Port Wine
Garnish	Mint Sprig

Directions

Combine the Liquor, Fruit Juice, Passion Fruit, Simple Syrup and Bitters in a Cocktail Shaker with Ice
Shake for 15 Seconds
Strain into a Rocks Glass over Cracked Ice
Float the Port on Top
Garnish with a Mint Sprig

The South Sea Dipper is another Trader Vic Cocktail, although it is one of his lesser known ones. It’s Wine Float makes it look sort of like the New York Sour.

February 23, 2023 0

Illegal

Ingredients

1 oz.	Mezcal
.5 oz.	Overproof White Rum
1 Barspoon	Maraschino Liqueur
.5 oz.	Falernum
.5 oz.	Simple Syrup
.75 oz.	Lime Juice
2 Drops	Egg White

Directions

Combine the Ingredients in a Cocktail Shaker
Dry Shake for 15 Seconds
Add Ice to the Cocktail Shaker
Wet Shake for 15 Seconds
Double Strain into a Cocktail Glass, Coupe or Terra Cotta Mug

The origins of the Illegal are a complete mystery. Nothing about this drink is against the law, but maybe it’s a reference to Prohibition, I don’t know. This is an Official IBA Cocktail.

February 22, 2023 0

Improved Whiskey Cocktail

Ingredients

2 oz.	Bourbon (or Rye)
1 Barspoon	Maraschino Liqueur
1 Dash	Absinthe
.25 oz.	Simple Syrup
3 Dash	Angostura Bitters
1 Dash	Peychaud’s Bitters
Garnish	Lemon Peel

Directions

Combine the Ingredients in a Mixing Glass with Ice
Stir for 30 Seconds
Strain into a Rocks Glass over Ice
Garnish with a Lemon Peel

The Improved Whiskey Cocktail was invented sometime in the 1800’s and was supposed to be an “improvement” to the Old Fashioned. This isn’t the only “improved” Cocktail as there is also the Improved Gin Cocktail and the Improved Brandy Cocktail.

February 7, 2023 0