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.

Homemade Triple Sec

I made this the other day, and it turned out great!

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. Vodka
• 12 oz. Everclear
• 3 large Navel Oranges
• 1 drained 15 oz. can of Mandarin Orange Slices
• 5 cups Sugar
• Dash of Orange Blossom Water
• 3 cups Water

Instructions:
Step 1:

1. Heat oven to 180 degrees.
2. Slice the navel oranges into wheels and arrange on a baking sheet.
3. Bake navel oranges 2 hours, flipping after 1 hour (should be gummy but not dry).
4. While oranges are baking, combine drained mandarin orange slices with vodka in a sealed jar.
5. Combine the baked navel oranges with the everclear in a seperate jar.
6. Allow to infuse for 24 hours.

Step 2:

1. Combine the sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
2. Allow to cool.
3. Strain the infused vodka and everclear into a large glass jar.
4. Add the sugar water and a dash of orange blossom water.
5. Allow to rest for 24 hours.

Step 3:

1. Filter the infusion and bottle.
2. Store in fridge.

Sidecar

The Sidecar is another great classic cocktail.  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounce Cognac
• 3/4 ounce Triple Sec
• 3/4 ounce Lemon Juice

Instructions:

1. Pour all ingredients into a shaker.
2. Fill shaker with ice and shake well.
3. Strain into a martini glass.

(Photo by Evan Swigart)

The Perfect Margarita

Here is the recipe that I developed for great margarita on the rocks:

Ingredients:

• 2oz       High-quality Silver Tequila (1800)
• 1/2oz   Grand Marnier
• 1/2oz   Triple Sec
• 1oz       Lime Juice (Rose’s sweetened lime juice)
• 1oz       Orange Juice
• 4oz       Sour Mix

Instructions:

• Shake ingredients together and pour over ice. 
• Serve in a salted margarita glass or highball glass.

Notes:

I use the ½ Grand Marnier and ½ Triple Sec mostly because Grand Marnier is so expensive and the small bottle runs out too quickly.  You can just use 1oz Grand Marnier and it tastes about the same. 

To make this for a group, I have a large Rubbermaid jugthat I pour the ingredients into and then just shake up before serving.  I just change the ounces to cups.  Also, if I make a large amount, I’ll add a few pinches of salt directly into the margarita.