fallen guru

Inspired by a friend’s brush with a cultish guru. 2 oz bourbon or whiskey 2 oz chai with milk Combine over ice in an old fashioned glass. Recommendation: 1 oz Morning Glory Chai (or other spicy and not sweet chai) 1 oz vanilla soy milk

sidecar

The most classic of classic cocktails. And, my first. You always remember your first. 2 oz brandy 1 oz triple sec 1 oz lemon juice Combine in a shaker over ice, and strain into cocktail glass.

last word

Classic cocktail, rediscovered at the Zig Zag Café in Seattle. 1 oz gin 1 oz green chartreuse 1 oz Luxardo Maraschino 1 oz lime juice Combine in shaker over ice, and strain into a cocktail glass.

white russian

Because really, who doesn’t like a nice white Russian? 2 oz vodka 1½ oz kahula 2 oz cream Combine over ice in an old fashioned glass.

avalon

From the now-defunct Avalon Restaurant in Seattle. 2 oz gin ¾ oz lemon juice ¾ oz rosemary syrup rosemary sprig Combine in shaker over ice, and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

naughty sweet tea (mint julep)

While most recipes will require you to muddle the mint, this is much smoother, and very drinkable. 3 oz bourbon ¾ oz mint syrup Combine in a collins glass. Stir. Fill completely with ice.

alabazam

A teaspoon of bitters? Spicy. 1½ oz brandy 2 tsp triple sec 1 tsp Angostura bitters 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp lemon juice In old fashioned glass, combine and stir until sugar dissolves. Add ice, and stir.

aviator

A friend made this for me, with creme de violette. But it doesn’t really need it. Simplify! 1 ½ oz gin ½ oz Luxardo Maraschino ¾ oz lemon juice ½ oz simple syrup 2 dashes orange bitters Combine in a shaker over ice, and strain into a cocktail glass.

20th century

A classic cocktail created in honor of the art deco inspired 20th Century Limited train that ran from New York’s Grand Central Station and Chicago’s LaSalle Street Station. I discovered this at a chocolate festival. The ingredients combine into their own unique flavor. 1½ oz gin ¾ oz Lillet Blanc ¾ oz light creme de

old fashioned

My slightly fruitier (I would say, improved) take on the old fashioned. 1½ oz bourbon or whiskey 1 tsp sugar 4 drops angostura bitters slice of orange 2 maraschino cherries In an old fashioned glass, muddle the sugar, orange slice, and one cherry. Add bourbon and ice. Stir, and garnish with a cherry.