Maraschino Liqueur - December 13, 2015

No bar is complete without a good maraschino liqueur. Maraschino provides an intense cherry flavor that is just a touch sour, never bitter and never sugary. The sharp, distinctive taste provides the crucial twist in many of our cocktails, perhaps most notably our namesake, the Aviation. We prefer Luxardo but brand is not overly important... just make sure that it is indeed a maraschino and not just "cherry". Those other variants do have their place but when in doubt, stick to the original.

Note: All drinks marked with an asterix are from external sources. Clicking on the drink name will take you to our references page.

Aviation

Ingredients:
2 oz Gin
.5 oz Lemon Juice
.5 oz Maraschino Liqueur
.25 oz Crème de Violette

Instructions:
Combine lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and gin in a cocktail shaker and shake until cloud. Pour into a martini glass. Add the violet liqueur and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Big Bunny

Ingredients:
3 oz Gin
.5 oz Lemon Juice
.75 oz Wolfberger Litchi

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and service in a martini glass

Borgia

Ingredients:
.5 oz Lime Juice
.5 oz Maraschino Liqueur
2 oz Tequila Reposado
.5 oz Simple Syrup
.5 oz Nardini Amaro Bassano

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour into a martini glass.

Cherry Fudge

Ingredients:
.75 oz Maraschino Liqueur
.5 oz Crème de Noyaux
.75 oz Vodka
2 oz Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker and pour in a martini glass. Garnish with a cherry

Ernest Hemingway Special

Ingredients:
1.5 oz White Rum
.75 oz Lime Juice
.25 oz Maraschino Liqueur
.5 oz Grapefruit Juice

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker and pour in a martini glass

Junglefowl

Ingredients:
2 oz Gin
.5 oz Lemon Juice
.75 oz Maraschino Liqueur
.5 oz Hum Botanical Spirit
.75 oz Parfait Amour

Instructions:
Combine ingredients and shake over ice. Serve in a martini glass.

Smokey Old Fashioned

Ingredients:
.25 oz Maraschino Liqueur
A Dash Angostura Bitters
2 oz Whisky
Heavy Smoke

Instructions:
Mix ingredients together in a large glass or decanter. Fill the decanter with smoke and store in the fridge until the smoke settles. Pour over ice.

Kalani Coconut Liqueur - November 15, 2015

Kalani is a creamy tasting liqueur made from rum and coconut. Unlike some other infused liqueurs, the coconut flavor is actually quite pronounced. This means you can add an interesting twist to your cocktail without the need to make Kalani the actual base. As you might expect, the smooth dark spice notes go well with a variety of other types of rum. Try out Kalani today and get the delicious flavor of coconut without the gross texture!

Note: All drinks marked with an asterix are from external sources. Clicking on the drink name will take you to our references page.

Coconut Macaroon

Ingredients:
1.5 oz Vodka
.75 oz Pisa Nut Liqueur
.75 oz Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
1 oz Kalani Coconut Liqueur

Instructions:
Mix ingredients in a shaker and service in a martini glass.

Pineapple Macaroon

Ingredients:
1 oz Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur
1 oz Kalani Coconut Liqueur
2 oz Plantation Pineapple Rum

Instructions:
Pour chocolate and coconut in the bottom of an ice filled glass them add the pineapple rum on top.

Yucutan Zombie

Ingredients:
1 oz White Rum
1 oz Black Rum
1 oz Horchata
1 oz Kalani Coconut Liqueur

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker until the mixture is cloudy. Serve in a martini glass.

Ancho Reyes - October 15, 2015

Ancho Reyes is a Mexican chili liqueur. As you would expect, it tastes quite strongly of roasted peppers and is a bit spicy. This is certainly an ingredient where a little bit goes a long way. Try adding it as a subtle additive, to cut the sweetness of chocolate for example.

Note: All drinks marked with an asterix are from external sources. Clicking on the drink name will take you to our references page.

Ancho Amaro

Ingredients:
1 oz Nardini Amaro Bassano
1 oz Ancho Reyes Ancho Chili
3 oz Chianti

Instructions:
Stir all ingredients into a wine glass and serve

Ancho Reyes Shake

Ingredients:
1 oz Amaretto
2 oz Whipping Cream
1 oz Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur
4 oz Club Soda
1 oz Cabo Diablo Coffee Liqueur
1.5 oz Ancho Reyes Ancho Chili

Instructions:
Chill all ingredients in the freezer until they are very cold, like ice cream. Then, mix together everything but the 4 oz of club soda. Pour mixture into a glass and then pour the club soda on top. Optionally add chocolate powder to top.

Caracara

Ingredients:
.5 oz Lime Juice
2 oz Tequila Reposado
1 oz Hum Botanical Spirit
1 oz Ancho Reyes Ancho Chili

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker until the mixture is cloudy. Serve in a martini glass.

Bayou Satsuma - September 15, 2015

Bayou Satsuma is a rum liqueur made in Louisiana from satsuma oranges. It is a rather intense liqueur, from the bright orange color to the bold sugary taste. Naturally it goes well in other rum based concoctions, but don't be afraid to try some other unusual flavors to see what will balance it out. Bayou Satsuma is not a drink for everyday, but it is unique and good fun.

Note: All drinks marked with an asterix are from external sources. Clicking on the drink name will take you to our references page.

Honey-Glazed 'Gator

Ingredients:
4 oz Club Soda
Dash Angostura Bitters
2 oz Bayou Satsuma
2 oz Honey Whisky Liqueur

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients and serve over ice.

Orange Slice Candy

Ingredients:
.25 oz Lime Juice
1 oz Water
2 oz Arak
1 oz Bayou Satsuma

Instructions:
Shake lime, arak, and satsuma liqueur in a shaker and pour into a martini glass. Pour the water into the glass and swirl to mix or allow to reach equilibrium naturally.

Spicy Satsuma

Ingredients:
2 oz White Rum
.5 oz Black Rum
.5 oz Lemon Juice
1 oz Bayou Satsuma

Instructions:
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and serve in a martini glass.

Apple Brandy - September 15, 2015

Our belated Drink of the Month for August is apple brandy, otherwise known as calvados. A good apple brandy is around 80 proof, tart without being sour, and smooth, never sugary. We frequently drink apple brandy neat, but it has a number of great pairings as well. Some such as cinnamon you would expect, but others such as ginger, cloves or sharp cheddar work surprisingly well. We haven't found brand to be overly important, just make sure you're getting a brandy and not a liqueur.

Note: All drinks marked with an asterix are from external sources. Clicking on the drink name will take you to our references page.

Apple Bubbly

Ingredients:
.25 oz Lemon Juice
.25 oz Honey
3 pieces Ginger Root
1.5 oz Apple Brandy
3 oz Champagne
A dash Nutmeg

Instructions:
Heat honey and combine with ginger pieces. Mix with lemon juice and brandy. Add to champagne flute and top with champagne. Add nutmeg to taste.

Celtic Harvest

Ingredients:
1 oz Lemon Juice
2 oz Apple Brandy
1 oz Triibe Celtic Spirit

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a shaker and serve in a martini glass.

Golden Apple

Ingredients:
.5 oz Lemon Juice
5 oz Club Soda
1.5 oz Apple Brandy
1 oz Golden Falernum

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients over ice and serve.