Two Palates, One Passion—Uncorking Wisdom, One Article at a Time!

SOMM&SOMM

Tag: Original Cocktail

  • Trendy Cocktails: Autumn Leaves

    Trendy Cocktails: Autumn Leaves

    Fall weather calls for dark liquors. It’s time to put away the Summer tiki cocktails and gin-infused libations. Cooler weather inspires mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts alike to concoct liquid expressions of the season. There are many classic cocktails to keep us warm during the cooling months of Autumn. Only a few brown liquor cocktails arouse the senses, and recall flavors of Fall. This Manhattan-inspired cocktail is Autumn in a glass.

    This Manhattan-inspired cocktail is Autumn in a glass.

    For me, Fall is a season of baking spices, earthy citrus, and fiery colors. So… in that spirit, I set out to create a cocktail that pays homage to the season. The Autumn Leaves cocktail is smooth and inviting. The cinnamon spiced bourbon is framed perfectly by the Aperol, while the sweet vermouth gives a nostalgic characteristic to the cocktail. It all comes together perfectly with the addition of several dashes of orange bitters.

    Autumn Leaves

    2 oz. Cinnamon Spiced Bourbon (I prefer Jim Beam Red Stag Spiced Bourbon)

    1 oz. Sweet Vermouth

    1/2 oz. Aperol Apertivo

    4-6 Dashes of Orange Bitters

    Place all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake. That’s right… I said shake. The bourbon Gods frown upon the very idea of shaking a cocktail, but this is an exception. The syrupy Aperol doesn’t mix well enough (for my taste) during a classic Manhattan-style stir. Also, I prefer the complete integration of the ingredients along with the semi-frothiness and opaque Fall colors from shaking this cocktail.

    Strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.

    Enjoy!

  • Trendy Cocktails: Slo Gin Fig Martini

    Trendy Cocktails: Slo Gin Fig Martini

    As for martinis, there are two distinct and very vocal camps. Historians and cocktail purists believe that a true martini can only be made with gin. Vodka lovers, of course, stand completely opposed with their many variations of the vodka martinis. And according to James Bond, they should be shaken… not stirred. Personally, I only shake cocktails that contain fruit juice. Always shake a Cosmopolitan, but never a Manhattan 😉

    The Slo Gin Fig Martini is a riff on the Vesper Cocktail first introduced in Ian Fleming’s James Bond classic–Casino Royal. The addition of Slo Gin and Figenza Mediterranean Fig Vodka creates another level of complexity.

    The Slo Gin Fig Martini

    1 3/4 oz. Dry Gin

    1/2 oz. Vodka

    1/2 oz. Figenza Mediterranean Fig Vodka

    1/2 oz. Lillet Blanc

    1/4 oz. Slo Gin

    Place all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. Double strain into a coupe-style or martini glass. Add a long slice of lemon peel and enjoy.

    Cheers!