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Posted by on Dec 2, 2013 in infused | 0 comments

ruby red rover

ruby red rover

  Winter is when you want citrus – for staying healthy, and for a glimpse of bright, sunny flavors in the stark cold. The sweet and beautiful ruby red grapefruit is nearly as fragrant on the outside as it is on the inside, and it’s simply a shame to let all of those aromatic essential oils go to waste after you’ve finished consuming the fruit. If you don’t like grapefruit, that’s fine – but don’t confuse the tangy, acidic fruit inside with the sweet, almost floral notes of the zest on the outside. I happen to love grapefruit, but the Greyhound cocktail (vodka and grapefruit juice) is often too tart and harsh for my taste. So, I turned it inside out (or maybe outside-in?) and infused the vodka with ruby red grapefruit zest. This makes for a much smoother and more delicious cocktail that’s incredibly refreshing. This dog has much less of a bite. ruby red rover 1 shot ruby red grapefruit-infused vodka 4-5 ounces lemon-lime soda grapefruit zest for garnish To infuse the vodka,...

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Posted by on Nov 26, 2013 in infused | 0 comments

cinnapolitan

cinnapolitan

  Cranberry is a favorite Thanksgiving flavor. So is cinnamon. Ever thought of trying them together? In a cocktail? A classic Cosmopolitan takes on a distinct late autumn feel when the lime is omitted in favor of a stick of aromatic bark. This is a pitcher-friendly cocktail that your holiday guests will enjoy sipping on while the turkey is roasting; just be sure each glass gets its own cinnamon swizzle stick! Instead of plain vodka and triple sec, I think orange- or other citrus-infused vodkas make a better Cosmo. For a subtle citrus flavor, use Absolut Citron or equivalent. For a more noticeable orange flavor, use Absolut Mandarin. Both are excellent in this version of the classic Cosmo. To make your own orange-infused vodka, remove strips of zest from a fresh orange and put it in a sealed container with vodka overnight. More zest and/or a longer infusion time will result in a stronger orange flavor. For my cranberry cocktails, I prefer the all-natural Northland brand because of its trueness...

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Posted by on Sep 6, 2013 in muddled | 0 comments

sage screwdriver

sage screwdriver

  The simplicity of the classic screwdriver is appealing, but I’ve always found it to be a tad harsh and slightly one-dimensional. With a couple of carefully selected aromatics, however, this drink takes on a pleasing, almost velvety – kinda like the sage leaf itself – flavor. Sage has been used since ancient times for warding off evil and a plethora of other maladies. Its unique flavor has countless culinary uses, including cocktails, and it – along with freshly ground nutmeg – turns this cocktail into a lovely autumn beverage. Another addition to this version of the screwdriver is Angostura bitters. Contrary to what the name implies, bitters are not at all bitter. They are simply an infusion of wonderful aromatics (including herbs, spices, and goodness-only-knows what else – the exact ingredients are not named) in an alcoholic base. While there are many bitters available, my favorite is Angostura (made in Trinidad and Tobago), because of its flavor. It was originally developed as a tonic, and still is known for its stomach-soothing properties....

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Posted by on Aug 31, 2013 in shaken | 0 comments

ohio-rita

ohio-rita

  A refreshing Midwestern twist on a timeless drink, the Ohio-rita features Columbus-based Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. This cocktail was developed specifically for the Patrón Cocktail Lab – Regional Pride Contest. Voting runs from August 31 – September 13 (click on “browse & vote”), so please check it out and vote for our creamy concoction that’s part cocktail, part dessert! Jeni prides herself on using locally and regionally sourced organic ingredients to produce her nationally renowned ice creams. Known for her innovative combinations, Jeni takes a standard lime frozen yogurt and adds a spicy note of cardamom in her summer specialty, Lime Cardamom Frozen Yogurt (available online and in some specialty markets and shops nationally). We paired it with Patrón Silver and added triple sec, lime juice and smoked sea salt to bring a little bit of Mexico to the Midwest. The sweet creaminess of the frozen yogurt balances the bite of the tequila, and Indian cardamom serves as a nod to the place Columbus was trying to find...

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Posted by on Aug 22, 2013 in shaken | 0 comments

oranjack and coke

oranjack and coke

  Jack and Coke is a classic combination. It’s an easy go-to cocktail when you’re at a bar and don’t want to have to think too much or peruse a six-page cocktail menu. It’s simple. And it’s very tasty. But it’s a little… boring. I was staring at a half-full bottle of Mexican Coke (leftover from my mexican mexican coke experiment) and wondered what I could do with it. I opened the liquor cabinet, and the Jack Daniel’s jumped out at me. Okay, nice. But what else? How could I brighten this standard beverage and make it more interesting? I started looking around the kitchen, and that’s when I saw it. Sitting in a beautiful red wooden bowl, just waiting and hoping to be noticed. The humble orange. Orange zest takes this classic cocktail from boring to bright. From tasty to frickin’ terrific. Seriously, my first sip elicited a “Holy crap, that’s excellent!” (Actually, I don’t publish any recipe that doesn’t produce that reaction.) And it’s easy. Just grab a fine grater and...

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