Cocktail Hour! - 2024

[smokinjoe]

I consumed a fair amount of 7&7s in my early days, and still enjoy one from time to time when the mood strikes.  I’m finding that Wild Turkey with Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry offers up a nice Holiday highball option.  Enjoying one this afternoon with Falcons on the radio and an AF Best Seller.  I’m still smarting from yesterday’s labor of love, so I’m committed to chillin’ today.  
Yeah, the glass is not glass.  It’s some sort of silicone or rubber type material.  Unbreakable, unlike the two rocks glasses I busted yesterday…

 

I…Am…A…Clod…And, must failsafe myself…Sippy cups are next…

[Skinsfan1311]

8 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

I consumed a fair amount of 7&7s in my early days, and still enjoy one from time to time when the mood strikes.  I’m finding that Wild Turkey with Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry offers up a nice Holiday highball option.  Enjoying one this afternoon with Falcons on the radio and an AF Best Seller.  I’m still smarting from yesterday’s labor of love, so I’m committed to chillin’ today.  
Yeah, the glass is not glass.  It’s some sort of silicone or rubber type material.  Unbreakable, unlike the two rocks glasses I busted yesterday…

 

I…Am…A…Clod…And, must failsafe myself…Sippy cups are next…

WT in a cocktail is always a nice option...Klutz!

[smokinjoe]

37 minutes ago, Skinsfan1311 said:

WT in a cocktail is always a nice option...Klutz!

It’s beyond Klutz, unfortunately…

[fishnbowljoe]

30 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

I consumed a fair amount of 7&7s in my early days, and still enjoy one from time to time when the mood strikes.  

Sorry to edit your post Joe. I had to chuckle a little about your comment on 7&7’s. We have a couple of fairly young bartenders at my American Legion Post. Just the other day, a bottle of Seagrams was emptied, and Mike gave it to a regular who recycles empty bottles. I asked Mike if he ever made a 14. He gave me an odd look and asked me what a 14 was. I told him it was a 7&7. The regulars around the bar had a laugh. Mike just rolled his eyes at me.

[Richnimrod]

6 hours ago, fishnbowljoe said:

Sorry to edit your post Joe. I had to chuckle a little about your comment on 7&7’s. We have a couple of fairly young bartenders at my American Legion Post. Just the other day, a bottle of Seagrams was emptied, and Mike gave it to a regular who recycles empty bottles. I asked Mike if he ever made a 14. He gave me an odd look and asked me what a 14 was. I told him it was a 7&7. The regulars around the bar had a laugh. Mike just rolled his eyes at me.

HA!   Never heard that one, though I can't imagine why I haven't.   It's a natural, eh?   As they say; 'The joke writes itself'!

[scratchline]

On 12/8/2024 at 2:07 PM, smokinjoe said:

I consumed a fair amount of 7&7s in my early days, and still enjoy one from time to time when the mood strikes.  I’m finding that Wild Turkey with Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry offers up a nice Holiday highball option.  Enjoying one this afternoon with Falcons on the radio and an AF Best Seller.  I’m still smarting from yesterday’s labor of love, so I’m committed to chillin’ today.  
Yeah, the glass is not glass.  It’s some sort of silicone or rubber type material.  Unbreakable, unlike the two rocks glasses I busted yesterday…

 

I…Am…A…Clod…And, must failsafe myself…Sippy cups are next…

Okay, this is on my to-do list.  Although I imagine that finding Winter-Spiced Cranberry north of the Mason-Dixon will be a challenge.

[scratchline]

Manhattans.

 

Number one was good but I went with the "dash" of bitters and it overpowered the drink.  I hate to be that guy, but with cinnamon heavy bitters, you need to be careful.  

 

So with number two, I opened a new bottle of whiskey and went drop by drop with my bitters.  Helps that this Abbott's are one of my favorites.  And as far as I know, no longer available.  I prefer the RRSB when drinking straight but this KS is fantastic in Manhattans.  Fixed all the problems of the first round and am well-prepped for Thursday football where I am enjoying a post-season bye in my first go at fantasy.

 

Don't know that I would do fantasy football again, but it's been interesting.  My relative success confirms my opinion that there's more than a little luck involved.  The trash talking on group chat makes the whole endeavor worthwhile.

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2024 by scratchline

[ratcheer]

On 12/12/2024 at 6:56 PM, scratchline said:

The trash talking on group chat makes the whole endeavor worthwhile.

 

Yeah, those don't even look like Manhattans, to me. Mine are always distinctly red. Although I'm sure yours are good.

[scratchline]

7 hours ago, ratcheer said:

 

Yeah, those don't even look like Manhattans, to me. Mine are always distinctly red. Although I'm sure yours are good.

More vermouth, maybe?  Less ice?   I stir my manhattans for a long time and then top with more ice before garnishing.   Next time I make one, I'll strain it into a cocktail glass and check the color.  I imagine it will be a lot darker but I doubt it'll be red.

Edited December 14, 2024 by scratchline

[scratchline]

Tis the Season.  The hard freeze is coming and the snow is falling.  Dug out this old bottle of Winter Apfel and decided it had to be used.  1 oz WT rye, 1/4 WA, 1/4 vermouth, cinnamon bitters.  Stir and set briefly in falling snow.  Pretty good.

[Jazz June]

We have a themed (the theme typically being a place) dinner party for NYE some years and this year the theme is France. I do the cocktails and decided to do a Paris during Prohibition cocktail menu, so please hit me with your best cocktail recipes from this era! My menu won’t be as cool as drinking at the Ritz with Hemingway and Fitzgerald, but I’d like to pour some quality drinks while we ring in the new year. Thank you in advance for your great recommendations!

[ratcheer]

My son invented a Christmas cocktail, today, and it was very good. Four Roses Single Barrel, Pierre Ferrand Orange Curacao, heavy cream, a couple of drops of pure vanilla extract, and a cinnamon stick.

[smokinjoe]

On 12/24/2024 at 1:08 PM, Jazz June said:

We have a themed (the theme typically being a place) dinner party for NYE some years and this year the theme is France. I do the cocktails and decided to do a Paris during Prohibition cocktail menu, so please hit me with your best cocktail recipes from this era! My menu won’t be as cool as drinking at the Ritz with Hemingway and Fitzgerald, but I’d like to pour some quality drinks while we ring in the new year. Thank you in advance for your great recommendations!

I asked about this to resident SB.Com cocktail Guru, TANSTAAFL2.  He offered this info:

 

 

Harry MacElhone ran Harry's New York bar in Paris and made lots of cocktails during that era. The French 75, Sidecar, Boulevardier, and the Scofflaw were all his cocktails that all come from that period. His book "Harry's ABC's of Making Cocktails" would be a good resource if they can find one, especially the earlier editions.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_MacElhone

 

The Savoy Cocktail book by Harry Cradfock basically covers cocktails from that period as well. He was an American bartender who moved to the Savoy hotel in London and made cocktails during prohibition there.

 

 

 

 

 

[Jazz June]

45 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

I asked about this to resident SB.Com cocktail Guru, TANSTAAFL2.  He offered this info:

 

 

Harry MacElhone ran Harry's New York bar in Paris and made lots of cocktails during that era. The French 75, Sidecar, Boulevardier, and the Scofflaw were all his cocktails that all come from that period. His book "Harry's ABC's of Making Cocktails" would be a good resource if they can find one, especially the earlier editions.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_MacElhone

 

The Savoy Cocktail book by Harry Cradfock basically covers cocktails from that period as well. He was an American bartender who moved to the Savoy hotel in London and made cocktails during prohibition there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much Joe! I didn't realize Bruce didn't post here anymore, which is a shame.

 

I did some research on MacElhone and Craddock as well. Frank Meier of the Ritz in Paris was another one I looked to. I did go down some rabbit holes, with so many good stories from this time and place. This bit about the day Paris was liberated by the Allies I found especially fun:

 

Hemingway marched through the lobby and the restaurant, in a shouting match with his foes: "I'm the one who is going to occupy the Ritz. We're the Americans. We're going to live just like in the good old days."

He barked at the British in the language of the former German occupiers: "Raus, raus (get out, get out)!"

Hemingway's rivals quickly gave up and fled, and he made a bee-line for the bar where he ordered drinks for the fellow correspondents who had conquered the Ritz with him.

 

Another account I saw said he bought 50 martinis that day.

 

I don't have any of these gentlemen's cocktail books on hand, but fortunately significant portions were available online. I came up with the following tentative menu (thinking of adding a fourth brandy-based drink for symmetry to satisfy my OCD):

 

Sidecar

Champs-Elysees

Jimmie Roosevelt

French 75

Corpse Reviver #2

White Lady

Bee’s Knees

Blood and Sand

Boulevardier

Scofflaw

Toronto

 

[smokinjoe]

Not much of a Manhattan drinker, but a hankerin’ for one came over me today, so fixed one up!  Since Mrssmokinjoe gave me a new jar of Luxardo cherries for Christmas, I figured I’d get busy using up the old ones.  I always struggle getting the proportions of whiskey and Vermouth right for my tastes with a Manhattan.  This one is decent, but not where I would like it.  

[flahute]

9 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

Not much of a Manhattan drinker, but a hankerin’ for one came over me today, so fixed one up!  Since Mrssmokinjoe gave me a new jar of Luxardo cherries for Christmas, I figured I’d get busy using up the old ones.  I always struggle getting the proportions of whiskey and Vermouth right for my tastes with a Manhattan.  This one is decent, but not where I would like it.  

I also struggle with proportions in these as well as getting the amount of bitters just right in Old Fashioneds. 

[flahute]

Forgot to take a photo so I’m using the authors photo for his single serve eggnog recipe. I was skeptical but this guy always nails it so we gave it a shot. My wife and I were both very pleased. Very creamy with a good mouthfeel. I’m out of WT101 so used OF100. I sprinkled nutmeg and cinnamon on top. 
 

[smokinjoe]

15 minutes ago, flahute said:

Forgot to take a photo so I’m using the authors photo for his single serve eggnog recipe. I was skeptical but this guy always nails it so we gave it a shot. My wife and I were both very pleased. Very creamy with a good mouthfeel. I’m out of WT101 so used OF100. I sprinkled nutmeg and cinnamon on top. 
 

Perfect for the Season!  Looks and sounds delish.  I would need to just get the cinnamon stick, but have the rest.  I will do one tomorrow!

I’ve since moved on to the Manhattan style that is my house go-to since introduced to me by the aforementioned cocktail guru TANSTAAFL2.  Black Manhattans are now up, and really much better for me!

[Skinsfan1311]

2 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

Perfect for the Season!  Looks and sounds delish.  I would need to just get the cinnamon stick, but have the rest.  I will do one tomorrow!

I’ve since moved on to the Manhattan style that is my house go-to since introduced to me by the aforementioned cocktail guru TANSTAAFL2.  Black Manhattans are now up, and really much better for me!

I've pretty much given up on traditional Manhattans and do the same as you, except I use Amaro Montenegro.

Given my druthers, I'd rather drink an Old  Fashioned...

[flahute]

5 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

Perfect for the Season!  Looks and sounds delish.  I would need to just get the cinnamon stick, but have the rest.  I will do one tomorrow!

I’ve since moved on to the Manhattan style that is my house go-to since introduced to me by the aforementioned cocktail guru TANSTAAFL2.  Black Manhattans are now up, and really much better for me!

The first Black Manhattan I made was when you posted here making one a fair number of years ago. I really like them a lot better as well.

[GaryT]

Sending 2024 off with my favorite cocktail from this year - a Fig Old Fashioned (not a double, but half-again a single), whilst also wishing the Red Wings a better 2025!  Absolutely stunning NYE day here in Marietta, damn near 70 on the back porch and mostly sunny (although the breeze is kicking up as winter remembers 'oh sh!t - forgot about them Georgians for a few days!')   Cheers SB, and hope everyone has a Happy Near Year!

 

[tanstaafl2]

On 12/27/2024 at 12:13 PM, Jazz June said:

 

Thank you so much Joe! I didn't realize Bruce didn't post here anymore, which is a shame.

 

I did some research on MacElhone and Craddock as well. Frank Meier of the Ritz in Paris was another one I looked to. I did go down some rabbit holes, with so many good stories from this time and place. This bit about the day Paris was liberated by the Allies I found especially fun:

 

Hemingway marched through the lobby and the restaurant, in a shouting match with his foes: "I'm the one who is going to occupy the Ritz. We're the Americans. We're going to live just like in the good old days."

He barked at the British in the language of the former German occupiers: "Raus, raus (get out, get out)!"

Hemingway's rivals quickly gave up and fled, and he made a bee-line for the bar where he ordered drinks for the fellow correspondents who had conquered the Ritz with him.

 

Another account I saw said he bought 50 martinis that day.

 

I don't have any of these gentlemen's cocktail books on hand, but fortunately significant portions were available online. I came up with the following tentative menu (thinking of adding a fourth brandy-based drink for symmetry to satisfy my OCD):

 

Sidecar

Champs-Elysees

Jimmie Roosevelt

French 75

Corpse Reviver #2

White Lady

Bee’s Knees

Blood and Sand

Boulevardier

Scofflaw

Toronto

 

I haven't posted in a while but I wander thru every now and again. Thanks to Joe for passing the info I sent him along. I had intended to do it myself but I just don't have as much time on my hands since I retired... 

[smokinjoe]

I’ve been getting a chicken ready for the Dutch oven this afternoon, and now that it’s cooking it smells great.  Relaxing now with some tunes and a delicious Creole cocktail.  That KC Rye gave it up for this one.  

[flahute]

2 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

I’ve been getting a chicken ready for the Dutch oven this afternoon, and now that it’s cooking it smells great.  Relaxing now with some tunes and a delicious Creole cocktail.  That KC Rye gave it up for this one.  

Well dang - I've never had one of these. Looking up recipes and am finding a wide variety.

What did you use for this one?

[smokinjoe]

11 hours ago, flahute said:

Well dang - I've never had one of these. Looking up recipes and am finding a wide variety.

What did you use for this one?

Here’s the recipe that I used, but while put into my cocktail, I inexplicably failed to include the Benedictine in my picture…

 

Posted it in the wrong (2024) thread as well…What a dolt…

 

Creole

 

2.5 oz rye

1 oz sweet vermouth

1-2 splashes Benedictine

1-2 splashes maraschino liqueur 

Stir with ice in mixing glass 

Strain into coupe glass

Lemon twist garnish