Let's improve family cocktail recipes

Cafe Society
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1

I’ll start with a highball my grandfather used to mix:

1 jigger Jacquin’s Apricot Brandy
1 jigger Imperial whiskey
Top with Canada Dry over ice in a highball glass

My improvement:

1 jigger Rothman & Winter Orchard Apricot Liqueur
1 jigger Makers Mark bourbon
Top with Boylan’s ginger ale over ice in a highball glass

Delicious but not overpoweringly sweet.

Your turn Dopers.

2

I free pour, so my recipes do not include measurements. (Most people use jiggers?)

My White Russian (aka Caucasian) recipe involves Vodka, Kalúha, and Vanilla Soy Milk. Pour into a glass, stir, then add ice.

3

I’ve simplified my parents favorite Manhattan. First I started leaving off bitters, then the cherry, finally vermouth.

Three fingers of whiskey, fill with ice. Going neat is just for tequila.

4

My parents largely didn’t drink, so I don’t have any real family recipes to add.

That said, I’m very fond of this, which is one of the many variants of the Papa Doble/Hemingway Daiquiri:

  • 1½ ounces white rum
  • ¼ ounce maraschino liqueur (Luxardo is the best brand)
  • ½ ounce fresh grapefruit juice
  • ¾ ounce Simple Syrup
  • ¾ ounce fresh lime juice

Shake and strain into cocktail glasses.

5

Both my parents were near teetotalers. The only “cocktail” I ever saw my father drink was red beer when we were back on the farm. I’ve modified it by swapping out the beer for vodka (same proportions!) and adding a few spices and such.