Recently, I've been drinking French 75s. It's a good drink, but a local bartender claimed that the original used cognac instead of gin and had a hint of chartreuse. I don't rightly know, but I do know it was good. Anyway, I only know how to make about half of these, but it's always good to learn something new.
Not too shabby a list really, definitely a good set of staples it you're into spirits. One of my own bastard mixers is somewhere between a Mojito and a Dark 'n Stormy: 1part Vodka (Belvedere, Vodka 0)
1part Spiced Rum (Sailor Jerry's, Kraken)
Mint
Lime wedges
Raw or white sugar
Ice
Soda water Muddle the mint, lime and sugar in the bottom of a glass, add the rum and vodka, muddle the mint/lime/sugar some more, chuck in the ice, some more mint and a slice of lime, top with the soda water. No name for it, but it'll go down well on a warm/hot day.
I have a friend that makes a similar drink but without the Vodka and it's not spiced rum, just dark rum. It's damned good though and like you suggest, it goes down nicely on a warm day. Rum is one of the spirits I haven't worked that much with. I have a ton of gin recipes, but I really need to branch out. I have two full bottles of vodka that are unopened too but the truth is I find vodka to be a pretty boring spirit. Rum is great though.
I haven't done a great deal with rum, I am more of a vodka fan I admit, although with a better range of dark/spiced rums opening up my way, it's leading to some good experimentation. Out of curiosity, in what way do you find vodka to be a boring spirit? You should try a vanilla vodka (Absolut's is better than Smirnoff's I find) with vanilla coke (or normal coke it not available); served ice cold it's like liquid velvet, I've had to ween off it for a while as 1-2 quickly became half the bottle in a sitting.
I like liquor that I can taste, but what I do not like are flavored spirits. Whether it be vanilla vodka or even bacon infused bourbons. In fact, I'm not a huge fan of spiced rum either. I don't know, I'm not trying to be a snob but my days of having mixed drinks like coke and vodka are behind me. They were fun days though, no doubt but if I drink whiskey or bourbon it tends to be neat or with rocks or some variation of a manhattan. Vodka is pretty tasteless for the most part and I don't think I'd enjoy vanilla vodka on the rocks. I like drinks with a few ingredients that enhance the main spirit. I love the juniper and pine-like flavors of gin. I enjoy nice tequilas and I love sipping absinthe. I have a handful of drinks I like to make and I love just experimenting, like a mad scientist. A drunken mad scientist. :)
If there's one thing in life it's not only ok, but down right dignified to be a snob about, it's good liquor. There are so many amazing spirits out there that it blows my mind anything else is even consumed. I don't even mean expensive (although that certainly helps at times). If you know what to look for there are some very reasonably priced whiskeys that are amazing. However I've yet to taste an inexpensive cognac that I enjoyed.
Sounds like a same same but different: I started in earlier days with tequila and flaming absinthe, now. Rarely touch either. Now I've become a drunken mad scientist with mixes! Lately I've also been branching into single malt whiskeys and scotches, and quickly establishing the expensive hobby it will become haha.
What is flaming absinthe? Here are two of my favorite recipes. Also, read this post by cW.
Wow. I've only ever known Absinthe to be served on its own; those sound fantastic, thanks! Flaming absinthe, where a sugarcube is soaked in the glass of absinthe, then lifted out, placed onto a slotted spoon resting over the glass, and is then lit with a match.
A lovely blue pyramid of flame should go from inside the glass, through/over the spoon, and begin melting the sugar. After half a minute or so, turf the sugar into the absinthe, throw in a heap of crushed ice, and drink!
It's night time over here! I noticed in your "bastard mixer" that you list Belvedere or Vodka 0. Have you by any chance, tried Khortytsa vodka from Ukraine? I particularly like their "Platinum" iteration-- it's so clean. The price is pretty nice too. I just picked up a bottle for $15, in Boston. It's unusual to find such a good quality vodka for that price anywhere over here, much less in Boston. I guess it's not very well known though, so that might have something to do with it.
No I haven't, but I'll keep my eyes peeled! Over here in the great Down Under, spirits are ridiculously priced compared to the States; Belvedere and Grey Goose is now around $50-60 a bottle, Vodka 0 is an Aussie vodka (which has won a few international awards) and can be picked up for $30-36. What can be bought for the $19-29 range, in spirits.. Well, you generally wouldn't, unless you need a drink as well as a nail polish remover and a cleaning solvent!
Half of this list is a pretty darned good start. Over the last few years, cW has gotten me in to the world of mixing cocktails and its been a lot of fun. What's cool is that as your catalog increases, so does your bar. Thanks for the link, if you ever make one if these drinks, snap a photo and post the #recipe. I started doing this with some drinks.
Do bartenders know how to make a Jack Rose anymore? That sounds amazing.