Old Fashioned Variation

The other night, I wanted an old fashioned, but I didn't have any oranges.  I like the hint of orange that an orange slice adds to an old fashioned.  So, I added a dash of homemade triple sec.  It turned out delicious!

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
• 1 splash Triple Sec
• 2 dashes Augostura Bitters
• 1 Sugar Cube
• 1 splash Water
• Maraschino Cherry

Instructions:

1. Muddle the sugar cube with the water and bitters in the bottom of an old fashioned glass until the sugar dissolves.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add whiskey and triple sec and stir.
4. Garnish with a cherry.

Cherry Vanilla Vodka Recipe

I am going to be posting a series of flavored vodka recipes over the next few weeks.  The first one is Cherry Vanilla Vodka:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Vodka
• 1 jar drained Marachino Cherries
• 1 can drained Tart Cherries
• 1 Vanilla Bean

Instructions:

1. Cut the vanilla bean in half and split down the middle.
2. Pour all ingredients in a glass jar.
3. Seal and allow to rest for one month.
4. Strain and filter.
5. Bottle and enjoy.

Notes:

Since I wanted less of a vanilla taste, I removed the vanilla bean after one week.  I recommend tasting the infusion periodically, and removing the vanilla bean when you hit the desired strength.

Manhattan Recipe

Here is my recipe for a great Manhattan:

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces Rye Whiskey
• 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 1 Maraschino Cherry

Instructions:

1. Pour the rye, vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
2. Stir or shake well.
3. Strain into a martini glass or over ice in an old fashioned glass.
4. Garnish with a cherry.

Notes:

I prefer mine on the rocks in an old fashioned glass.

Traditionally, a Manhattan is made with rye.  However, it can be made with Canadian whiskey or bourbon.  A Manhattan made with scotch is a Rob Roy.

(Photo by larryvencent)

Old Fashioned Recipe

Here's a recipe for another classic cocktail, the Old Fashioned:

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
• 2 dashes Augostura Bitters
• 1 Sugar Cube
• 1 splash Water
• Orange Slice
• Maraschino Cherry

Instructions:

1. Muddle the sugar cube with the water and bitters in the bottom of an old fashioned glass until the sugar dissolves.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add whiskey and stir.
4. Garnish with orange slice and cherry.

Notes:

I prefer my Old Fashioned with bourbon, typically Makers Mark.

(Photo from IBA)

Whiskey Sour

This is my new favorite cocktail for summer.  It's a refreshing drink when sitting outside on a patio with a cocktail and a cigar.  I was enjoying these last night on the patio of J Buck's in Clayton while smoking a Padron 1964 Principe Natural. 

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bourbon (Makers Mark)
• 2/3 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 1 maraschino cherry

Instructions:

1. Stir sugar and lemon juice together in a shaker.
2. Add bourbon.
3. Fill shaker with ice.
4. Shake bourbon, lemon juice, and sugar.
5. Strain into a martini glass, or serve over ice in an old fashioned glass.
6. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Notes:
Traditionally these are served in a martini glass or a whiskey sour glass.  However, I prefer mine in an old fashioned glass with ice.