Mixology Monday: Spice — Cranberry Spice Sidecar

This month, Mixology Monday is hosted by Craig of Tiki Drink & Indigo Firmaments. The theme this time around is Spice. I use spices and herbs often in cocktails, so this theme gave me a chance to explore variations in my favorite recipes. My first thought was a cranberry variation on the Blackberry Gin Daisy …

Mixology Monday: Local Flavor

The theme for this month’s Mixology Monday is Local Flavor. Our host is Kevin of Save the Drinkers, and while I don’t despise globalization as he does, I echo his affection for local flavors and specialties. Living here in western Pennsylvania, particularly in summertime, I’m lucky to have delightful, fresh ingredients right at hand. Corn …

Mixology Monday: New Orleans

Pat O’Brien’s Courtyard, originally uploaded by Gary J. Wood July’s Mixology Monday was postponed a couple of times, first to coincide with the Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans — which city is the theme for this month — and then to coincide a little less, so that those who attended the conference …

Mixology Monday: Bourbon

Bitter Bourbon   2 oz bourbon (drier varieties preferred) .5 oz Campari .5 oz green Chartreuse dash orange bitters   Combine in a shaker with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Serve with orange rind garnish. It’s Mixology Monday again, and our hosts this month are the Scofflaw’s Den, lovable ruffians and scoundrels that they …

MxMo: Variations on the Brandy Alexander

VMGq_6GouyI This month’s Mixology Monday theme is "Variations," hosted by Jimmy at Jimmy’s Cocktail Hour. Sometimes it seems like every drink I make is a variation on the original. Probably it is. Good cocktail-making is like good cooking: You take a recipe, tune it to your tastes and to the tastes of those who will …

Mixology Monday: Brandy

Cognac: Spot, originally uploaded by Shaylor. The first Mixology Monday of 2008 is being hosted by the clever Marleigh of Sloshed! and she has chosen a warm and friendly theme that’s sure to bring a little something for everyone: Brandy. I’ve written about brandy in the past (most notably here). So many lovely drinks can …

Mixology Monday: Gin

It’s Mixology Monday, hosted by the wise-beyond-his-years Jay Hepburn of Oh Gosh! Our topic this month is gin. A fantastic topic it is too. Too many people lack experience with gin, thinking it’s good only for Martinis and G&Ts. It’s terrific in both, of course, but it’s versatile, and now we get to discover many …

Mixology Monday: Pairings — Hot Toddy and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

It’s Mixology Monday, hosted by Natalie of The Liquid Muse. The theme this month is Pairings, meaning the pairing of cocktails with food. I find it easy to match foods with wine and with beer, but harder to do so with cocktails. My big favorite pairing is a nice Martini with sushi or sashimi, particularly …

Mixology Monday: Boilermaker

It’s Mixology Monday, hosted by the intriguingly introverted Gabriel of Cocktail Nerd. The theme is Fizz, so I thought this would be a good time to try out a Sloe Gin Fizz. Or maybe a Tom Collins, a classic drink I was surprised to realize I’d never had. So last week I started sampling my …