Impromptu Cocktails

[Gillman]

I decided to put together something that would seem to work from available materials. I used 2 oz Russian Standard vodka, about 3/4 oz Pernod Ricard absinthe, 1/2 oz white vermouth. Added rocks in a large wide glass, filled with water (maybe 4-5 oz) and added a good dash bitters, Stirrings' orange that Wade had recommended to me (thanks again Wade for that!) and some Angostura. I got a flavourful drink with an anise and herbal note, a little spicy but relatively neutral. Good summer refresher.

Any other ideas for something (from any ingredients) put together at the last minute?

Gary

[ErichPryde]

Not as atypical as yours, but I've been all over old-fashioneds lately. I've been trying various whiskies and combinations of whiskey in them.

I've been using:

one dash orange bitters

about two dashes angostura bitters

a maraschino cherry (and just the tiniest amount of juice)

a teaspoon of sugar and JUST enough water that when swirled, it becomes simple syrup (step one!)

and then 3 or 4 oz of some whiskey or other:

Rittenhouse BIB (nice cocktail!)

Maker's mark

Old Fitzgerald BIB from 1994

Wild Turkey Old #8 from 1996

...and any weird combination thereof. one of the better ones was Old 8 with a dash of PVW15 to liven it up! However, the flat best old fashioned I've made in the last couple of days was actually out of Jefferson's Reserve 15 year old. This particular bottle of JR is decent. Perhaps a bit over-oaked compared to everything else in the bottle- It's got the flavor profile of a well-aged Evan Williams but perhaps a bit more subdued. The oak notes are very nice, but they leave the whiskey somewhat unbalanced as they power everything else to the side. In an old-fashioned though, this stuff really shines.

[Gillman]

Sounds good, I'll try that. I've made them in the past usually without sugar, but I think it doesn't work as well without some. I like combining different whiskeys, it seems often to make it that much better. It's good I think to mix up what you have, following a formula but loosely, adapting that is.

Gary

[ErichPryde]

Sounds good, I'll try that. I've made them in the past usually without sugar, but I think it doesn't work as well without some. I like combining different whiskeys, it seems often to make it that much better. It's good I think to mix up what you have, following a formula but loosely, adapting that is.

Gary

The whole point of a cocktail is to combine different flavors into something new and complimentary. Since you're mixing anyway, might as well mix some of them whiskeys in there, too!

[ILLfarmboy]

Erik, If you like Old Fashioneds, you simply must try one made with Baby Saz.

[ErichPryde]

Erik, If you like Old Fashioneds, you simply must try one made with Baby Saz.

I have some baby saz chillin' in the cupboard right now, actually. I'll give that a shot this evening- Baby saz is not one of my favorites (although it does make a really good sazerac). I'll let you know what I think.