# Cocktails **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 7, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164 "2005-04-07T03:54:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/41 "2005-04-09T13:57:43Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > The caipirinha I had didn’t have chunks of lime in it, but I’m pretty sure it was made with fresh lime juice. \ > Daniel My technique involves cutting up 3/4 or so of a lime into small pieces. Place the pieces in a tall glass and add a couple teaspoons of sugar. Use a pestle (or anything vaguely pestle-like) to crush up your lime pieces. Fill glass with ice. Pour in Cachaca, filling the glass. Now dump all ingredients from glass into a shaker and shake with vigour. Then dump back into glass. Done correctly there will be a little foam from the shaking, and each sip will deliver some lime pulp. 😃 **lee** …you might wanna plant a little mint (with care…it can be an invading pest…sorta like my sister’s husband’s parents). Y’all are making me thirsty! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/42 "2005-04-09T14:22:48Z")
> [@lee](#): > > The old fashioned was delicious. I made it with one cube of sugar, a dash of bitters, a teaspoon of water and muddled that with a bit of lemon zest. I then added ice and two ounces of 1792 bourbon I stirred it with a swizzle stick and served garnished with a cherry, half and orange slice and half a lemon slice speared onto a pick. It was delightful. > > I don’t think mint leaves will stay fresh for two weeks, or I might try that. You could make the mint-sugar-water in advance, I think it’s better when it ages overnight anyway. I keep it in the refrigerator, but I must confess, I’ve no idea what the shelf life is because it tends to move pretty quickly in our house! But a few days, certainly. I’ve always thought the fresh mint garnish was just that, a little garnish, because the real minty taste comes from the bruised mint in the sugar water. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/43 "2005-04-09T19:39:51Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > …and any drink with cola is right out, in my dispomanial opinion. Did you mean dipsomaniacal? [I had to look it up.](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=dipsomaniac) What a cool word! I must use it about someone I know today. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/44 "2005-04-10T05:51:23Z")
I took most of the remaining mint and muddled it in simple syrup. I think I will try another julep in a few days made with that with the mint fragments strained out. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/45 "2005-04-10T13:14:08Z")
I’m ashamed to admit I like terrible things like Black Russians (topped with a Guinness head) and Long Island Iced Tea. Personally, I’m not sure if drinks with two ingredients really count as cocktails, but if they do then my favourites would be: Brandy and Ginger beer Rum (either Bundaberg or Morgan’s Spiced) and Coca Cola Gin (Bombay Sapphire) and Tonic A drink that works well, but sounds like a hangover cure is whiskey and milk, with a little sugar to taste. It’s nice as a nightcap with warm milk too. Obviously it’s best not to use your best single malt. In my family there’s a bottle of Bushmills single malt for the whiskey drinkers, and some Coleraine Whiskey for those of us who like hot whiskeys and whiskey and milk. No point wasting the really good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/46 "2005-04-10T13:42:54Z")
A martinie only has 3 ingredients if you count th olive, so two ingredient cocktails do count. How does one make a long island iced tea? I have seen as many different recipes as I have seen recipes for this drink. I finally found Trader Vic’s recipe for a Mai Tai so I have a recipe for that to try. I am such a geek. I am working on a database for cocktails. Not easy. It needs to know things like Armagnac and Cognac are both brandy and either will work in a recipe that calls for brandy. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/47 "2005-04-10T16:38:26Z")
Ok… my alcohol Larder currently consists of a small bottle of Smirnoff, and a thingy of cheap Brandy. What would you consider the basics of a decently stocked home bar? Keep in mind, and this is gonna sound terrible, that Tequila isn’t allowed in the house. Ick! I’m gonna have to look up some of these drinks though. I loves me a tasty alcoholic beverage! Although I usually just get a Vodka and Cranberry, with an occasional shot of Stoli. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/48 "2005-04-10T17:34:45Z")
I put \* by the essentials. I did not want tequila in the house, but 1800 Silver is a bottle too pretty to pass up and it makes decent cocktails. Beefeater is a decent gin that is not too expensive. You should have a couple of liqueurs in flavors you and your guests like. I highly reccomend Godiva Chocolate and Cappuccino Liqueurs. They have intense but smooth flavors that blend well. I have never found a creme de cacao that I like so I use Godiva instead. **Spirits** [ul] [li]Gin\*[/li][li]Whiskey, preferably a bourbon\*[/li][li]Brandy[/li][li]Vodka[/li][li]Scotch[/li][li]Light Rum[/li][li]Dark Rum[/li][li]Tequila[/li][/ul] **Liqueurs** [ul] [li]Triple Sec\*[/li][li]Peach Schnapps\*[/li][li]Melon Liqueur\*[/li][li]Creme de Menthe[/li][li]Liqueurs of your favorite flavor[/li][/ul] **Wines** [ul] [li]Sweet Vermouth\*[/li][li]Dry Vermouth\*[/li][li]White Wine[/li][li]Red Wine[/li][li]Champagne[/li][/ul] **Other Ingredients** [ul][li]Angostura Bitters\*[/li][li]Ice\*[/li][li]Grenadine\*[/li][li]Olives\*[/li][li]Cherries\*[/li][li]Limes\*[/li][li]Lemons\*[/li][li]Oranges and Juice\*[/li][li]Cranberry Juice[/li][li]Cocktail Onions[/li][li]Club Soda[/li][li]Tonic[/li][li]Cream[/li][li]Sugar [/li][li]Salt[/li][li]Ginger Ale[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/49 "2005-04-10T17:47:50Z")
Liquour stores often have inexpensive glassware for sale. They get promotional items in to sell as well as stocking some normally. I bought wonderful blue stemmed cocktail glasses, whiskey sour/short champagne flutes, and various other glasses for a quarter a piece at my local Binny’s and have seen other similar deals at other stores. Sometimes they will have logos, but many times they are just clear glass. Dominics had nice large cocktail glasses for $3 each. IKEA often has decent plain glassware at a good price. Target has decent prices on some items. Just after New Years, Bed Bath and Beyond had martini sets on sale. Linen and Things online has 7 piece bar sets (shaker/jigger etc.) for about $5 each right now. I am a big believer in not drinking out of plastic and having the right glasses for the right drink. Glass can be nearly as inexpensive as disposable glasses and it is the better deal in the long run. I tend to buy plain clear glass so that it all goes together. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/50 "2005-04-10T23:18:55Z")
I don’t have a name for this, but I really like it. 1 1/2 oz Gin 1 1/2 oz Ogreat Syrup Pineapple juice Bitter Lemon soda In a collins glass filled with ice cubes, add the gin, orgeat, and fill with equal parts bitter lemon and pineapple juice. ---
**Author:** ![wonderwench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/35a633/32.png) [@wonderwench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderwench)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2005, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/51 "2005-04-10T23:32:43Z")
How about a Brain Hemmorahge? Baileys A few drops of grenadine Peppermint Schnapps The Bailys curdles and the grenadine makes it look like a bloody brain. Disgustingly Refreshing! ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/52 "2005-04-12T05:08:30Z")
That is quite an image, **wonderwench**! Tonight I had an Algonquin. Bourbon, dry vermouth, and pineapple juice, shaken with ice adn served in a cocktail glass. The dry vermouth keeps it from being too sweet. It really is quite amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/53 "2005-04-28T07:08:11Z")
Bumping this, because I just made couple of damn fine Manhattan cocktails. Not sure of the exact measurements, but it was something like: 3 dashes of Fee Brothers angostura bitters 1.5 oz Basil Hayden’s bourbon 3/8 oz King Eider vermouth 3/8 oz Stock maraschino (for the first drink, I used it straight out of the bottle; for the second, I dug out a jar of cherries that had been macerating in maraschino for a few years) 3 or 4 ice cubes Dump the ice cubes in the glass, add the bitters, then the bourbon, then the vermouth and maraschino. Stir (don’t shake), add a cherry, and serve on the rocks (it’s okay to have the ice add a little water as it melts–just drink it fast enough so it doesn’t melt too much). A couple of other good cocktails that I’ve had recently are as follows (recipies are from the Savoy Cocktail Book, but I suspect the bartenders made them a bit differently): Pegu Club Cocktail 1 dash angostura bitters 1 dash orange bitters (do a search for Fee Brothers) 1 tsp fresh lime juice 1 part Cointreau 2 parts dry gin Aviation Cocktail 1 part lemon juice 2 parts dry gin 2 dashes maraschino (I know the bartender put in more maraschino than that) French 75 (this is possibly my favorite cocktail–it’s great on a hot day) 2 parts gin [I’d use dry gin] 1 part lemon juice 1 spoonful powdered sugar Pour into tall glass with cracked ice, and fill up with champagne ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/54 "2005-04-28T07:56:36Z")
…and then try making a Manhattan according to the above recipe, but substitute Cruzan Single Barrel rum for the bourbon. Having just spent waaaay too much time poking through a cocktail recipe book, it appears that this concoction doesn’t have a name. Jeez, I thought _somebody_ woulda come up with this before I did. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/55 "2005-04-28T13:22:53Z")
I had the best cocktail last night: Brandy Crusta [ul] [li]2 oz. Brandy[/li][li]1/2 oz. Triple Sec[/li][li]1/2 oz. Lemon Juice[/li][li]1/2 oz. Maraschino Liqueur[/li][li]Dash of Bitters [/li][/ul] Moisten the rub rim of glass with lemon peel and juice. Dip in sugar. I used multicolored sugar from my ice cream sprinkle shaker mixed with granulated sugar for a confetti look. Add a long spiral lemon peel. Shake ingredients in cocktail shaker and strain int a cocktail glass. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/56 "2005-05-01T16:47:19Z")
> [@Hunter Hawk](#): > > French 75 (this is possibly my favorite cocktail–it’s great on a hot day) > > 2 parts gin [I’d use dry gin] > 1 part lemon juice > 1 spoonful powdered sugar > Pour into tall glass with cracked ice, and fill up with champagne That one goes back a ways. I think brandy is more commonly used than gin (champagne plus gin would probably be a waste of both drinks to many modern palates, plus it must be about a 9.5 on the hangover index). There’s also a variant with Cointreau instead of the lemon juice. There was a champagne/gin cocktail called the Duke Ellington in the '30s, but no recipe seems to survive. I’m a great fan of Duke’s so I’d love to find one. One of my former favorites (in pre-diabetes days) was a rum punch called the Silversmith, as made at the Century Club in New York. The actual recipe is a club secret, but I used to mimic it this way: **Silverplate** 2 parts brandy 2 parts white rum 1 part lemon juice Combine in pre-chilled metal goblet. Fill with soda water. Optional garnish: lemon twist. I also used to enjoy a [sidecar](http://www.drinkboy.com/Cocktails/recipes/Sidecar.html) now and then. (Link shows the evolution of the drink.) FWIW, both French 75 and sidecar get their names from WWI…the 75 being a famous artillery piece. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2005, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/57 "2005-05-01T17:05:44Z")
> [@lee](#): > > I don’t have a name for this, but I really like it. > 1 1/2 oz Gin > 1 1/2 oz Ogreat Syrup > Pineapple juice > Bitter Lemon soda > > In a collins glass filled with ice cubes, add the gin, orgeat, and fill with equal parts bitter lemon and pineapple juice. I love naming cocktails (altho it’s a lot easier if you can taste them first). How about **Orgiast**? ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/58 "2005-05-03T16:59:57Z")
Or better yet, **Threadkiller**? ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164/59 "2005-05-03T17:04:41Z")
Threadkiller it is! We had Mai-Tais last night after making the simple syrup. BTW the homemade mint syrup is now going to be a stock item in our fridge. It is great for sweetening tea. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocktails/298164.md?page=2)