I’m a whiskey girl at heart, but give me a lovely gin with florals and citrus notes and I fall right into fun cocktails like this easy Lavender Gin Cocktail – basically a lavender gin sour. I created the cocktail with Highclere Castle Gin – made with botanicals from the estate where Downton Abbey was […]
Gin
Stirred, Strained and Bitter, the Negroni Book Review
I came to the Negroni via a side door – the Boulevardier. As a bourbon fanatic Campari’s red bitterness and bourbon’s sweet heat made me backtrack to the original version: the Negroni. Because I love reading about cocktails almost as much as making them, reading through the short book Negroni by David T. Smith and […]
The Suze Sour – A Must Mix Angry Cocktail
This Suze Sour, with its cheery yellow color, balances sweet citrus and bitter herbaceous notes in a tangy and bitter sour. The bitterness compels you to keep drinking – just to check. It’s sweet, but that spice and hint of bitterness coat the tongue, making it an intriguing cocktail I had stolen from my hand […]
Must Mix Gin Toddy
Try this Gin Toddy and you’ll know for a fact that hot toddies are meant for more than whiskey. You may have seen a random rum toddy, but the gin hot toddy is relatively rare, and I’m here to tell you, it shouldn’t be. (Post may contain affiliate links.) What is a Hot Toddy in […]
Best Ever Aperol Sour
Aperol’s bittersweet citrus flavors shine in this easy Gin Aperol Sour. While some build this cocktail without the gin, I find the addition of a floral gin adds to the complexity and enjoyment of the cocktail. To balance the cocktail, I added both grapefruit and lavender bitters. While you can make this cocktail without egg […]
How to Make Jam Cocktails
One of the easiest ways to add a boost of fruit flavor to your next cocktail is to use a little jam or preserves to make a jam cocktail. Running out of simple syrup or flavored syrups doesn’t have to be a tragedy in the house. Simply use some jam or preserves to add that […]
Blood Orange Fizz
Citrus and gin just go well together, and this Blood Orange Fizz is no exception. While I’m generally working with aged spirits, and mostly whiskey, that doesn’t mean I don’t love the clear spirits. Gin, especially, with its varied flavors and botanicals can be even more varied that bourbons. So for this cocktail, I paired […]
Banff Smash – Cherry Sage Gin Smash
I’m dreaming of waterfalls and forest trails with this Cherry Gin Smash – Banff Smash. Castle and Key’s summer cocktail competition looks a bit different this year. Instead of inviting mixologists from the region onsite to compete with their best Restoration Release Gin drink, the theme is Summer Staycation. Or, as I like to think […]
Cherry Sage Gimlet
Cherry season means bright-hued drinks and sweet cherry flavors everywhere, especially with this Cherry Sage Gimlet. A traditional gimlet is an easy pour, just gin, simple and lime juice. Let’s add some cherries for muddling in the bottom of the tin, along with a few sage leaves or sage tincture and watch some magic happen. […]
Strawberry Gin Bubbles – Travel Brunch Cocktail
Another travel cocktail, this time for brunch on the lake or after a sunrise hike, the beautiful Strawberry Gin Bubbles. Bring a couple of gin minis and bitty champagne bottles with you to the beach or lake and you have an afternoon to look forward to. I’m using Storied Goods flavored sugar cubes to dress […]