The Firebird

This is a cocktail made for my brother who likes things spicy but also in honour of my Mother who had a Solar Gold '79 Pontiac Firebird all the years I lived with her.

Created: Spring of 2013

Served: On the rocks.

Ingredients:
 3 oz. Rum
 1 1/2 oz. Tawny Port
 3 dashes Orange Bitters
 1 dash Angostura Bitters
 3 thin slices of Habeñero Pepper

Process:
 Muddle Pepper slices in both measures of bitters. Add ice cubes, Rum, and Port. Stir vigorously and serve.

Etymology: 
 Named for the color, spice, and in honour of my Mother who insisted she couldn't like a spicy cocktail. Good news, she did!

Candied Ginger

Here is a sweet cocktail w/ a strong bite.

Created: 30 Sep 2009

Served: Up

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. Gin

1/2 oz. Triple Sec

1/2 oz. Midori

1/2 oz. Lime Juice

1 sq. in. Ginger

splash of Ginger Beer

Process:

Muddle Ginger w/ Lime Juice. Add Gin, Triple Sec, Midori, & Ice. Shake, strain, add splash of Ginger Beer.

Notes:

For a prettier drink use a mesh strainer. To lessen the bite use less Ginger.

Basilberry

Another delicious summer drink.

Created: July 2008

Served: Up

Ingredients:

3 oz. Gin

6 Fresh Strawberry (large sized)

2 Basil Leaves (medium sized)

Garnish: Lime Wedge

Process:

Muddle Strawberries and Basil well. Add ice and Gin. Stir well, strain, serve up. Squeeze and drop Lime Wedge.

Keithen's Strawberry Margarita

Here is my version of the Strawberry Margarita. I use Prunier Liqueur D'Orange and fresh muddled strawberries.

Created: July 2008

Served: Short

Ingredients:

2 oz. Tequila (Sauza Hornitos Reposado)

1 oz. Prunier Liqueur d'Orange

1 Fresh Lime (juice)

4 Fresh Strawberries (medium sized)

Garnish: Lime Wedge and a small Strawberry

Process:

Muddle Strawberries with Lime Juice. Add ice and the remaining ingredients, shake, pour, garnish.

Azamelon

When my then partner dropped a few threads of Saffron in to a fifth of Vodka, I was eager to get mixing. The Azamelon is an earthy sweet and sour cocktail--not to be confused with an earthy Sweet & Sour cocktail. :)

Created: June 2008

Served: Up

Ingredients:

2 oz. Saffron Infused Vodka

1 oz. Lemon Juice

1 oz. Midori

Garnish: Lemon Twist

Process:

Shake ingredients together, serve up, twist, oil rim of glass, garnish.

Etymology:

This name comes from the ingredients, melon is obviously from Midori, while aza- comes from azafrán the Spanish word for saffron.

Rhino

I made a very strange purchase last year. A product of Italy, Cynar is an Artichoke Liqueur. It adds subtle earthy flavor to this original cocktail.

Created: June 2008

Served: Up

Ingredients:

2 oz. Rye Whiskey

1 oz. Triple Sec

1 tspn. Rose Water

1 splash Cynar

Garnish: Lemon Twist

Process:

Stir with ice, serve up, twist, and garnish

Alabaster

I love Gin, though many I know seem to detest it. For those, I have created the Alabaster; a drink we all can enjoy. It's sweetness is in the front, yet not overwhelming, while the Gin's complexity lingers in the background for any who wishes to enjoy it. It's surprisingly refreshing for a cocktail containing 1/3 syrup and tends to be knocked back rather quickly. That said, remember Gin often has a higher alcohol content than other types of alcohol; be a good bartender and give your guests the heads up. The key is the gin chosen and the time taken in the stirring process. Experiment to make it your own, or see my notes for suggestions.

Created: June 2008

Served: Up

Ingredients:

Gin 2 oz.

Lychee syrup 1 oz.

Garnish: Lychee

Process:

Vigorously stir Gin and Lychee Syrup with ice; one should allow for some, but minimal, melting. Serve up with garnish.

Notes:

I used Hendrick's Gin for this cocktail, but I would also use New Amsterdam Gin--both are slightly sweeter than other Gins I tend to use.

Something many do not think about is ice, yes, Ice. If possible use large cubes of ice. Try to stay away from that round ice with the holes in it. Under no circumstance should one use crushed ice.

Many have not had fresh lychees in The States, so until they catch on I don't see any problem with using canned pitted lychees in syrup. It will saves a lot of prep time and one doesn't have to make syrup.

For a less sweet version I add 1 to 2 drops of lemon or lime juice after garnishing.

Etymology:

This drink was named for it's cloudy white color by my then partner.