martini

Of course you must have a martini, always gin, never vodka. Most people use vermouth. If so, add just a splash of sweet–not dry–vermouth. Use the best quality gin you can afford, such  Dry Fly. 2 oz gin 1-2 dashes orange bitters Combine in shaker over ice, and strain into cocktail glass. Serve ice cold, with

gingerbread martini

Friends in Copenhagen brought this over in a mason jar, on their bikes. 2 oz vodka ½ oz gingerbread syrup Combine in shaker over ice, and strain into cocktail glass. To make the syrup, simmer for ten minutes a cup of water, two cinnamon sticks, a teaspoon of whole cloves, and 4-5 tablespoons of chopped fresh ginger. Add one

modern fashion

A classic example of a simplified cocktail. A quick pour of bourbon, a splash of luxardo, drop in a few ice cubes, and you’re ready to relax. This is a fresh, simple take on the old fashioned from The Back Door at Roxy’s. 2 oz bourbon or whiskey ¼ oz luxardo maraschino orange peel cherry

lavendrop

Created especially for a friend who loves lavender. 2 oz gin ½ oz lavender syrup ½ oz lemon juice lavender sprig Combine in a shaker over ice, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lavender sprig. Alternate: use lime juice rather than lemon juice.

nuevo cuban

Starting with a back-of-the-box recipe based on the Cuban, I left out the champagne float (what are you going to do with 730ml of left-over champagne?). Tastes like fall candy. 1½ oz dark rum ¾ oz lemon juice ¾ oz mint syrup 6 drops Scrappy’s cardamom bitters Combine in shaker over ice, and strain into

the gypsy

A drink that’ll cause your parents to fret. 1½ oz gin ¾ oz st. germain ½ oz chartreuse ½ oz lime juice Combine in a shaker over ice, and strain into a cocktail glass.

kentucky devil

This is my variant of the El Diablo, derived from a drink at 9 million in unmarked bills. 2 oz bourbon ½ oz cassis ½ lime, juiced 1½ oz ginger beer 4 dashes cardamom bitters Combine over ice in an old fashioned glass.

perfect storm

Just don’t go fishing while drinking. 2 oz dark rum 1½ oz hard cider 1 oz ginger beer vanilla sugar Rim an old fashioned glass with sugar. Combine ingredients over ice in the glass. Suggestion: add a few dashes of cardamom bitters.

mojito

I got a bottle of mango rum as a gift. Who, I wonder drinks such an oddity? Turns out, it makes a rather nice mojito. 2 oz mango rum ¾ oz lime juice ½ oz mint syrup soda water Combine in a collins glass. Add soda water. Fill with ice.

godfather

The epitome of a simplified drink. Two ingredients, combined in glass. No thought required. Go easy on the amaretto, or you’ll have cough syrup. 2 oz whiskey splash of amaretto Combine over ice in an old fashioned glass. For the godmother, substitute vodka for the whiskey.