Fix Me Up (Death & Co. Recipe)

I remember when trying this rich and beautiful drink that a Fix is any way to take a spirit into a more comfortable zone with sugar and juice. This was a departure from most Fixes that are sort of crushed ice and pineapple variations on a Sour. In fact, I feel like the overarching flavor is nuttiness from almond orgeat and amontillado sherry. 

Catoctin Creek Roundstone rye is pretty nutty and dry itself. I'd make a Fix with it anytime. This was an excellent use of a high-proof rye as I've ever seen. The presentation is very simple but elegant, and that is why Death & Co. is regarded as a pioneer in reviving the classic cocktail-serving speakeasy.

• 1 oz. rye (Catoctin Creek Roundstone used)
• 1 1/2 oz. amontillado (Alexandro sherry used)
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. orange juice
• 3/4 oz. orgeat (Fee Brothers used)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 3/4 oz. club soda

Combine all ingredients except club soda in a shaker with three ice cubes. Shake and strain into a snifter with one large ice cube. Pour the soda in on top. 

 

Bristow Sling (Original Recipe)

 

This is what happens when you grab a flavored whiskey and just wing it with things you have on hand. I'm talking about the Sling and how the sling is one of the oldest cocktails around, yet we often overlook it as an easy formula that will please bargoers. 

So this whiskey sling is using naturally-flavored MurLarkey lemon whiskey, which is just dried lemons soaked in the barrel with their Justice white whiskey. The rest of this sling's ingredients are pretty standard, with Cherry Heering, lime juice and soda being the main ones. I changed things up by adding my own Mandarine Napoleon liqueur to add more richness from the cognac spirit and the spices and orange notes that it provides. 

• 1 1/2 oz. MurLarkey lemon whiskey 
• 1 oz. pineapple juice
  
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• 1/2 oz. Cherry Heering
• 1/2 oz. Mandarine Napoleon (homemade) liqueur
• club soda
  
• luxardo cherry and lime slice garnish

Combine all ingredients except soda and garnishes in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled highball glass full of fresh ice. Top with soda and stir gently. Add garnishes to the top of the glass.

Adrienne's Dream

I can totally see where this is going. A bartender or guest has an idea--something that comes to one in a dream after drinking too many Stingers. The flavor remains with you as you nod off and nearly vanishes upon waking. How to get that flavor of a potent rocks drink in a light and refreshing soda? 

The trick is dilution and proportion. Creme de menthe is fun to drink in large quantities, but it is so sugary. Even mixed at a disadvantage with brandy and served on ice, it leaves you feeling tired and looking for someplace to lie down. Whoever Adrienne was, she figured out fun way to have your brandy, mint and chocolate so that it can continue all night long.

• 2 oz. brandy (Korbel used)
• 1/2 oz. peppermint schnapps (white creme de menthe used)
• 1/2 oz. white creme de cacao
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. sugar syrup or to taste
• club soda
• mint sprig garnish

Combine brandy, liqueurs, sugar syrup and juice in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a Collins glass full of fresh ice. Top with soda and stir gently. Garnish with the mint. 

Manhattan Cooler

New York has so many cocktails named after it and its many boroughs. And rightly so! After all, this is one of the birthplaces of the cocktail--certainly the Atlantic coast origin of mixed drinks, if not the world's most cocktailing city.

Like all Coolers, the Manhatan Cooler attempts to make a fizzy long drink with soda. And it is fittingly New York in style with a whiskey based Sour drink. Here MurLarkey's Heritage whiskey threads the needle between Bourbon and Rye style whiskey that tastes quintessentially American.

• 1 1/2 oz. blended whiskey (MurLarkey Heritage whiskey used but any blend or straight is fine as long as it is American. 
• 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
• 1/2 oz. amaretto
• 2 oz. lemon juice
• 1 oz. orange juice
• club soda

Combine all ingredients except soda in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled Collins glass full of fresh ice. Top with soda and stir. (Note: I used a classic Sour garnish of a lemon wheel and a cherry.)