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.

margarita

Never, never serve one slushed. 2 oz tequila 1½ oz triple sec 2 oz lime juice Combine over ice in an old fashioned glass. Alternate: combine in a shaker over ice, and strain into a cocktail glass.

sazerac

I first tried the Sazerac at a packed New Orleans bar in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle called Toulouse Petit. The bartender spent a while slowly building the drink, and the result was unexpected. You can achieve 90% of the effect with much less effort. Just go easy on the absinthe. 1 ½

jersey soda

Because every cocktail list needs a crazy drink. A friend discovered this in eastern Washington. Tastes like an Italian soda. 2 oz Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka 3-4 oz diet cherry 7Up. Maybe more. Combine over ice. Add a straw.

bourbon crusta

Two options for this one. The first is simple, and fruity. The second is more citrusy and complex. Option #1 1 ½ oz bourbon ½ oz triple sec or curacao ¼ oz luxardo maraschino ¼ lemon juice Option #2 2 oz bourbon ½ oz triple sec ½ oz lemon juice 2 dashes Angostura bitters 1

kir normand

We discovered this in Normandy. It replaces the champagne in a Kir Royale with cider as is fitting Normandy’s agricultural specialty. The splash of calvados (apple brandy) gives it a little extra kick. 2¼ oz hard cider ½ oz crème de cassis ½ oz calvados Combine over ice in an old fashioned glass. Alternate: Chill

greyhound

Some people will tell you that greyhounds demand vodka. There’s few vodka drinks that cannot be improved with gin. 2 oz gin 2 oz grapefruit juice splash of triple sec Combine in a shaker over ice, and strain into a cocktail glass. Alternate: vodka