Banana Brandy Rose (Original Recipe for MurLarkey Distilery)

The most famous cocktail in the Rose series is the Jack Rose made with apple jack. These cocktails, which can be made with any spirit, are all sour drinks that are usually sweetened with grenadine. I thought that the unusual pairing of brandy with the rich flavor of MurLarkey banana whiskey would balance better than the Jack Rose. I wasn't wrong.

For one thing, I was going for the sweetness and pleasant flavor of the banana whiskey that makes it very drinkable by itself. The banana flavor pairs well with lime juice in an almost tropical combination. The brandy smooths out the whiskey notes and takes the drink in the direction of an aged brandy style of Rose cocktail. The drink was still sour, but far more interesting, providing in turns dried banana, spicy whiskey, and oak.

• 1 1/2 oz. MurLarkey banana whiskey
• 1 oz. E&J VSOP
• 3/4 oz. lime juice
• 1 tsp. grenadine
• lime slice

Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lime slice. 

Bermuda Rose

This lovely photo by Ned Drummond shows off this interesting combo cocktail. I call it that because there are two families of drinks involved. The Rose family of drinks (or the broader flower category including Orange Blossom drinks.) These are usually served up.

The other family of drinks is the Bermuda themed drinks. These always include brandy or apricot brandy. It must be a thing. The Bermuda Rose has the pinkness of the Bermuda Bouquet and Rose cocktails but it also has a limey citrus and gin center. Apricot brandy only sweetens it a bit, as does the grenadine.

• 2 oz. gin
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 2 tsp. apricot brandy
• 2 tsp. grenadine

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Satrain over ice cubes in a chilled Old Fashioned glass. 

Tequila Sunrise

This cocktail reminds me of the Eagles 1973 song. I had to listen to it while making this one. You have to love how the grenadine gives the drink a two-tone look like a sunrise, even though you add it to the top of the drink. You also have to love how sweet the drink is, no lime juice to make it a boring Margarita variation. If all you have is tequila, orange juice and Rose's lime juice, it's really not a bad way to go.

My recommendation is to use less than the ounce of grenadine called for in the recipe. You just get too much syrupy sweetness from that much grenadine. 1/2 oz. will do just fine.

• 2 oz. silver tequila 
• orange juice
• 1 oz. grenadine

Build drink in a Collins glass and stir. Add grenadine to the top and allow it to sink to the bottom.