Drink Matron

Category: Cocktails

Not surprisingly, most cocktails have their own histories. It’s almost never clear cut, but it’s always fun. Let’s find out a little more, shall we?

  • Jagermeister Shots

    Despite its origins as a digestif, Jagermeister has become much better known for the taste addition it adds to various shots. Long before the Jagerbomb became popular, Jager was a central ingredient in many notorious (and often yummy) shots.

    Liquid Cocaine

    It sounds like it would be a rough shot, but the Liquid Cocaine is actually quite good and surprisingly subtle.

    • 1 part Jagermeister
    • 1 part Goldschlager
    • 1 part Bacardi 151

    Combine ingredients in a shot glass and serve.

    Dead Nazi

    Not sure where this shot got its name, but it will definitely knock you on your ass.

    • 1 part Jagermeister (chilled)
    • 1 part Rumple Minze (chilled)

    Combine ingredients in a shot glass and serve.

    Surfer on Acid

    Again with the name…

    • 1 part Jagermeister
    • 1 part Coconut rum
    • 1 part Pineapple juice

    Combine ingredient in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until completely cold. Pour into a shot glass and serve.

    Variations of the Surfer on Acid include Barney on Acid (replacing rum with Blue Curacao and pineapple juice with cranberry juice) and the Hawaiian Surfer on Acid which adds Chambord to the original recipe.

    Oatmeal Cookie

    If you mix this shot correctly it will not only taste like an oatmeal cookie but it will become one of your favorite shots of all time. Num Num.

    • 1/4 oz Jagermeister
    • 1/4 oz Goldschlager
    • 1/4 oz Butterscotch Schnapps
    • 1/4 oz Irish Creme

    Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a shot glass and serve.

     

  • Red Headed Slut

    The best thing about Jagermeister, in my opinion, is the popular, and very nummy, Red Headed Slut. If you’ve never had it, you’re missing out.

    The Red Headed Slut

    • 1 part Jagermeister
    • 1 part Peach Schnapps
    • 1.5 parts Cranberry Juice

    In a shaker, combine the ingredients with ice. Shake well. Strain into a shot glass and serve.

    Variations

    Blond Headed Slut

    • 1 part Jagermeister (some recipes substitute Grand Marnier)
    • 1 part Peach Schnapps
    • 1.5 parts Pineapple Juice

    In a shaker combine ingredients with ice. Shake well. Pour into a shot glass and serve.

    Lindsey Lohan

    This is my all time favorite variation on any drink ever. I think you’ll like it too.

    • 1 part Jagermeister
    • 1 part Peach Schnapps
    • 1 part Cranberry juice
    • 6 oz Coca-cola

    Pour Coke into a pint glass. Mix Jagermeister, Schnapps and Cranberry juice in a shaker and pour into a shot glass. Drop the shot glass into the Coke and serve.

  • Rye Whiskey Recipes – The Classic Manhattan

    One of the most well known drinks of the modern age, the Manhattan gives its drinker an air of class and good taste. It’s simple to mix, just don’t mess with the recipe.

    It’s hard to say when the Manhattan was first poured, however, the most common story is that it was invented during a 1870’s banquet at the Manhattan Club hosted by Winston Churchill’s mother Jennie Jerome. The party was for democratic candidate Samuel J. Tilden, who didn’t win the election, but whose party drink became favorable with both democrats and republicans. People were soon ordering “the Manhattan cocktail” after the place it originated, giving the drink its name.

    Other stories claim that the drink was originally mixed by a man named Black in a bar on Broadway, that it was invented at a party for Tilden but that Jerome was not involved, and that there really was no origin, that Manhattan was just another name people called a drink that mixed whiskey, bitters and sugar syrup (which was later replaced with vermouth).

    Most commonly using rye whiskey as its main element, the Manhattan can also be made with Canadian and Tennessee whiskey, Scotch or bourbon. How much vermouth is added depends on the bartender, and often, bitters is not included. For many, however, the original recipe cannot and should not be diverted from – the drink is too much of a classic. Purists will often discourage any use of garnish as well, saying that the added flavor takes away from the true essence of the cocktail. However, the drink is traditionally served with a maraschino cherry.

    The Manhattan

    • 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
    • 2 1/2 oz. rye whiskey
    • 1 dash Angostura bitters
    • Highball glass

    Combine the vermouth, bourbon whiskey, and bitters with 2 – 3 ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir gently, don’t bruise the spirits and cloud the drink. Strain the whiskey mixture into a highball glass.

    Can also be served on the rocks.

  • Uncommon cocktail ideas for the 4th of July

    I’ve been scouring the web looking for some fun and interesting things to do for the 4th of July that don’t include red white and blue drinks (not that I discourage that at all, but it’s done all over the place, isn’t it?).

    What I’ve found out there is some innovative stuff that appeals to all types of drinkers, and that may just make this Independence Day weekend your most memorable.

    Endless Poptails

    The folks over at Endless Simmer like to put stuff in their mouths, and that includes cocktails. But in summer, doesn’t everyone want a popsicle? Well, they sure do, and so they’ve gone out of their way to make up, try and (of course) taste some amazing cocktails-on-a-stick. Check them out here. The Cherry Apple Whiskey Sour looks especially tasty.

    Flavored Mojitos made with fresh ingredients

    Although I’m a bit of a purist, I am not against mashing up tasty bits of fruit, veggies and other plants to make refreshing mojito-like cocktails. Rhubarb seems to be very popular in summer, as does strawberry, and apparently when you mix them together it’s delicious.  Others prefer hibiscus in their summertime mojito. They all seem appropriate for a hot July 4th afternoon to me.

    Shandies

    If you’ve ever been to Spain and had the pleasure of sipping a Clara while basking in the beauty of the natural countryside, you know how great shandies really are, and just how refreshing they can be.

    A shandy is the simple invention of equal parts beer and citrus flavored soda, carbonated lemonade, ginger beer, ginger ale or cider. They are not a new idea, and they are most definitely not strictly American. But, why not take a little bit of tradition from the old world while celebrating the independence of the new?

    Here’s a great example of an Australian shandy by Girl Cooks World.

    Punch

    What?! I know, punch is standard for 4th of July parties and is about as original as daiquiris, but who cares? Every year people are coming up with a bevy of new punch recipes to cool down the masses. Finding recipes is as simple as determining what you like and looking it up online. Check out List My 5 for one writer’s view on the “Top Five Fourth of July Punch Recipes.”

    However you decide to celebrate your 4th of July, the most important thing is that you have fun, be safe, and don’t blow your hand off. Never drink and drive, or drink and set off fireworks. Grill out and have a great time! Cheers!

  • Sloe Gin Fizz

    Sloe Gin FizzIf you know me, you know that I am a fan of classic cocktails, and I’m a little hesitant when it comes to more modern cocktails.  This is primarily because I don’t like intensely sweet drinks.  In fact, if the drink has a fruit flavor, I’d rather it be a little tart.  Because of this, I’ve always frowned on sloe gin because almost every drink that uses it is sickly sweet and they all have names that would make your mother wash your mouth out with soap.

    Enter the sloe gin fizz.

    The sloe gin fizz is a variation on the gin fizz, which is considered a New Orleans specialty and had its hey day between 1900 and 1940.  Fizzes of any variety were so popular that New Orleans bars would hire massive numbers of bartenders who would take turns shaking fizzes from open to close.

    This is a cocktail that balances the sweet flavor of sloe gin with the sting of lemon juice.  Combine that with the effervescence of soda water and you have a light, flavorful cocktail that you can picture yourself drinking with a late Sunday brunch.

    The sloe gin fizz is a very simple cocktail with a simple and delicious flavor.  At some point, sloe gin manufacturers in the U.S. started producing sloe gin using the cheaper grain alcohol as opposed to gin and high fructose corn syrup instead of real sugar.  To save money, U.S. manufacturers have altered the flavor profile of sloe gin making this cocktail less appetizing.  So if you want to try this cocktail, buy an imported sloe gin.  I would recommend Gordon’s or Plymouth.

    Recipe

    • 3 parts sloe gin
    • 2 parts lemon juice
    • 1 part simple syrup
    • 5 parts soda water
    • egg white (optional)

    Shake ingredients and serve over ice in a highball glass.

  • What’s in an Alabama Slammer? Seriously.

    There’s something about the Alabama Slammer. When I was bartending, I loved making them, and as an imbiber, I love drinking them.

    Nearly everyone I know enjoys the drink, but almost no one, not even the many bartenders I know, is quite sure exactly what is in them. Not the first five times they’re asked anyway. It’s my belief, actually, that the Alabama Slammer is the reason for the oodles and oodles of bar books decorating tavern backbars all over the world.

    But even the bar books and experts aren’t sure. Stephen Kittredge Cunningham’s The Bartender’s Black Book 9th Edition, lists six separate recipes for the drink. The Ultimate Bar Book by Mittie Helmich has two. Several websites list three to five recipes each, with an accompanying video that shows a completely different version.

    Despite the bevy of variations, one recipe shows up no matter where you look. This is the recipe that I’m the most familiar with, and that I enjoy drinking and making the most. So here it is.

    The Alabama Slammer

    • 1 oz Southern Comfort
    • 1 oz Amaretto
    • 1/2 oz sloe gin
    • Orange Juice

    Combine the Southern Comfort, amaretto and sloe gin in a cocktail glass over ice. Fill with orange juice. Garnish with an orange or cherry. Serve. Also good as a shot.

  • Amaretto Cocktails with a Childhood Twist

    The sweet almondy taste of Amaretto is ideal for the sweetest of cocktails, often reminding us of the tasty candy and drinks we had as children.

    Many mixologists have taken this to heart, and created cocktails that not only spark reminiscence of, but are named after, some of the best childhood memories.

    Bocce Ball

    • 1 oz Amaretto
    • 2 oz Orange Juice
    • Soda Water

    In a shaker, combine the amaretto and orange juice. Pour into a cocktail glass and top with soda.

    Roller Coaster

    • 2 parts Amaretto
    • 3 parts Grapefruit juice

    In a shaker, combine amaretto and grapefruit juice. Shake vigorously. Pour into a cocktail glass and serve.

    Kickstand

    • 1 part Amaretto
    • 1 part Southern Comfort
    • 1 part Kahlua
    • 1 part Irish Creme

    Pour amaretto and Southern Comfort into a highball glass, and layer on Kahlua and Irish cream.

    Tootsie Pop

    • 2 oz Grenadine
    • 5 oz Amaretto
    • 3 oz Lemon Juice
    • 2 drops chocolate syrup

    Layer grenadine, amaretto, and lemon juice, then stir. Add 2 drops of chocolate syrup, let sink, and then serve.

    Candy Apple

    • 2 oz Amaretto
    • 1 oz Butterscotch schnapps
    • Apple Juice

    Combine amaretto and butterscotch schnapps in a cocktail glass over ice. Fill with apple juice.

    Electric Koolaid

    • 1/2 oz Amaretto
    • 1/2 oz Blue Curacao
    • 1/2 oz Southern Comfort
    • 1/2 oz Midori
    • 1/2 oz Cherry Brandy
    • Sour Mix
    • Cranberry Juice
    • Splash of Grenadine

    Pour liqueurs and brandy over ice in a cocktail glass. Fill half with sour mix and half with cranberry juice. Splash with grenadine.

  • Obligatory Holiday Post: Cinco de Mayo

    It’s the fifth of May.  Yet another excuse for us to fill our glasses and celebrate something with friends, but how many of us really know what we’re celebrating on May 5th?  Most of you are probably thinking “Of course we do!  Mexican Independence!” In fact, Mexican Independence day is September 16th.  Moreover, Cinco de Mayo is predominantly celebrated in the U.S. and one little province in Southern Mexico.  That’s because the 5th of May is when the Battle of Puebla occurred (in Puebla, Mexico) in 1862 where the locals, overwhelmed and under equipped, staved off an invasion by the French.  This caused a resurgence in Mexican pride and patriotism, though the rest of Mexico never really celebrated the holiday.  Since then, Cinco de Mayo has signified a pride holiday in the U.S. (like St. Patrick’s Day for the Irish).  So raise a glass this year, not to Mexican Independence, but to those brave soldiers in Puebla.

    Cinco de Mayo Cocktails

    Classic MargaritaThe Classic Margarita

    The margarita is one of those cocktails that has origins shrouded in mystery.  There are more origin stories for the margarita than you can shake a stick at, but what it boils down to is tequila, triple sec, and lime juice.

    It’s a delightful cocktail that can be served on the rocks or blended.  It will commonly come with a salted rim, though you might be asked whether you want sugar instead.  No matter what this is a tasty, late-spring drink to savor in the warm sun.

    Recipe

    2 parts tequila blanco
    1 part triple sec
    1 part lime juice

    Paloma

    The paloma is probably the most popular cocktail in Mexico so inevitably it ends up on this list.  With a fancy name like this, you’d expect a fancy cocktail.  It’s a refreshingly simple cocktail: tequila and grapefruit soda with a lime garnish.  That’s it!  The grapefruit soda will probably be difficult to find.  Look at the supermarket in the aisle with Mexican food for Jarritos soda, they make a grapefruit flavor.  Otherwise, just use Squirt.

    Recipe

    1 part tequila
    3 parts grapefruit soda

    El Diablo

    El Diablo, or The Devil, is who you’ll be blaming for the hangover in the morning after drinking too many of these.  It’s one of those drinks that’s just too tasty and you can’t really taste the booze in it.  Suddenly you can’t see straight and there’s a little guy with a halo on one shoulder and THIS DRINK on the other trying to convince you to do things.

    Recipe

    Juice from 1/2 a lime
    1 oz tequila blanco
    1/2 oz creme de cassis
    fill with ginger ale

    Oaxacan Punch

    Oaxacan PunchIf you’re hosting a Cinco de Mayo party instead of going out to the bar, maybe you should make this punch.  Punches have become increasing popular as of late and this tasty treat will go down well with your Mexican-for-a-day guests.

    Recipe

    37.5 oz Averna Amaro
    22.5 oz Mezcal
    15 oz Grapefruit juice
    15 oz Lemon juice
    7.5 oz Agave nectar
    45 oz Ginger beer
    7.5 oz Cold water

    Mix it all up and add in some grapefruit and lemon slices.

    Hand Margarita

    The infamous hand margarita, or tequila with training wheels, is the drink of Spring Breakers the world over.  CAUTION: Imbibing to many of these may cause the evaporation of undergarments and better judgement.  Remember the guy with the halo that shows up when you drink El Diablos?  Yeah, after too many of these that guy crosses you off as a lost cause and goes home.

    Recipe

    1.5 oz tequila
    1 lime wedge
    salt to taste

    Prepare by filling the shot glass with the tequila.  Hold the lime wedge between the fore finger and thumb of your non-drinking hand.  Lick the meaty part of your hand between the fingers holding the lime and sprinkle salt on the moistened skin.  Pick up the tequila, lick the salt from your hand, take the shot, squeeze the lime into your mouth.  Repeat until desired effect is achieved.

     

  • Irish Whiskey Cocktails

    On St. Paddy’s anything Irish goes – especially Irish Whiskey. As a shot, it may be rough, but mixed in a drink with other liquor and flavors this may make your holiday. Check out these cocktails, and enjoy yourself responsibly.

    The Dancing Leprechaun

    • 1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey
    • 3/4 oz Scotch Whisky
    • 3/4 oz lemon juice
    • Ginger ale
    • Highball glass

    In a shaker, combine ingredients with ice. Strain into a glass with ice cubes, and garnish with a twist of lemon.

    Westside Manhattan

    According to The Spirits of Ireland by Ray Foley, to make a Westside Manhattan, you’ll need:

    • 2 oz Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey
    • a splash of sweet vermouth
    • 2 – 4 drops Angostura bitters
    • Rocks glass

    In a rocks glass, combine ingredients with ice. Serve.

    Dublin Handshake

    • 1/2 oz Baileys Irish cream
    • 1/2 oz Irish whiskey
    • 3/4 oz Sloe gin
    • Rocks glass

    Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass with ice.

     

  • Mardi Gras Cocktails: The Hurricane

    Hurricane CocktailInvented in New Orleans and made popular by Mardi Gras goers, the Hurricane is a proud American staple. But what makes this drink? Its history, its flavor or the glass?

    The history of the Hurricane is a story of logic. During World War II, whiskey was in low supply, so liquor salesmen would require bar owners to purchase up to 50 cases of the more abundant rum in order to purchase one case of whiskey. Bar owners had to come up with a way to sell the stock piles of rum they had.

    At Pat O’Brien’s French Quarter bar in New Orleans, the bartenders came up with a fruity cocktail that was tasty enough to use up their rum, and would eventually put the bar on the map. A few years later, the hurricane lamp glass was invented and adopted by O’Brien’s to serve the rum drink, supplying its infamous name.

    Mardi Gras

    Now popular throughout the United States, the Hurricane is the standard drink of Mardi Gras, especially in its founding city of New Orleans. Over the years, bars and liquor companies have come up with their own version of the drink, making Hurricane premixes and posting new recipes. Even Pat O’Brien’s has its own premix.

    The hurricane glass has also become quite popular. O’Brien’s gives souvenir glasses to patrons who try their famous Hurricane. According to their website, “The Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane glass is one of the most sought-after souvenirs in New Orleans. Many New Orleanians have one or more in their possession…” Tourists enjoy showing off to friends by displaying the shapely glass in their homes. It becomes a place to layer Mardi Gras beads or to hold spare change.

    The Hurricane Recipe

    • 2 oz light rum
    • 2 oz dark rum
    • 2 oz passion fruit juice
    • 1 oz orange juice
    • Juice from half a lime
    • 1 Tbsp simple syrup
    • 1 Tbsp grenadine
    • Orange slice and cherry
    • Hurricane glass or Tall glass

    Directions:

    1. Squeeze the juice from half a lime into the bottom of a Hurricane or Tall glass. Mix other ingredients in a shaker. Shake well. Pour mixture into glass onto ice. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
    2. For those who prefer a premix, the liquor store should provide a vast amount of mixes that range from generic to high end. For a premix Hurricane, just combine rum, premix and ice together in a glass. Garnish with an orange, a cherry, or both, and serve.