The Kentucky Buck is an original recipe of mine that has kind of become my signature cocktail. Although, I first came up with it back during my Bourbon & Branch days in San Francisco, it has followed me around from bar to bar ever since, and I am proud to say that it has been featured on cocktail menus all around the world.
When the weather is nice and you are feeling good there is nothing quite like a Pimm's Cup. They are complex enough for even the most seasoned cocktail pro, yet approachable enough for the bar novice.
Thank you so much to everyone that came out to see me during the Toy Drive at Harvard & Stone in Hollywood last week. We raised a bunch of money and toys for a good cause, so I could not be happier with how the night went.
Several people throughout the evening asked me for the recipes to the drinks that I was making off of my menu, but since I was too busy shaking and stirring to write anything down, I thought that I would go ahead post the recipes here.
Keep in mind that there drinks work best with 100+ proof whiskey, but then again what whiskey cocktail doesn't?
Photo by Gabe Fonseca
Here is seasonal winter cocktail that I came up with to help put all of you in the holiday spirit. It plays off of the natural affinities between rye whiskey, Amaro Montenegro and maple syrup. It creates a playful mixture of bittersweet herbs and creamy cinnamon. Amaro is excellent for the digestion, so why not make one for the family after everyone gets stuffed with ham and turkey.
There are few things better than a well-made Paloma. The mixture of grapefruit and tequila is not one to ignore. To purists that scoff at my addition of grapefruit bitters, all I have to say is don't knock it till you have tried it.
Over the years the Southside has been a cocktail that many have associated with me. This could not make me happier as this is a drink that I hold near and dear to my heart. It is the perfect combination of herbaceous meets refreshing. If you have never had one, please learn how to make one from this video. However, if you are like me, and have already had them on numerous occasions, then I hope you get a kick out of our banter.
While this drink might not be light on the calories, it is definitely loaded with flavor. With this booze-fueled milkshake we learn an important mathematical formula: Oreos + Irish Whiskey = Heaven. After all, why eat your dessert when you could drink it instead.
Here is the first episode of Follow The Liter, a series that I am working on with the guys from Kinda Funny. I hope that you enjoy it and have as much fun watching it as we did making it.
