Remsen Cooler

I've heard people say that a scotch and soda drink is great after a tennis match at the club. That aside, the Remsen Cooler was great after a jog in the neighborhood. The only difference between Remsen and a Scotch and Soda is that there's more scotch--its like having the amount of scotch in a Rob Roy but spaced out in a tall soda cocktail.

Chivas and Soda has long been my favorite easy mixer at bars. You can really taste the oak and sherry notes when it is diluted. The lemon twist also gives you the best scent while sipping, keeping it from seeming too rich. Barrelhound is basically the lightest unpeated Chivas blend, so it was easily the best drink I had that night.

• 3 oz. scotch
• 1 tsp. sugar syrup
• club soda
• lemon twist

Build drink with ice, scotch and sugar in a highball glass. Pour soda to top and garnish with the lemon twist.

Scotch Cooler

I was expecting this drink to be a little gross like most creme de menthe drinks. It helped that I was using a better quality white creme de menthe and that the recipe doesn't call for that much of it or it would have been overpowering. This cocktail shouldn't taste like a Christmas Tree or a Green Goblin (I have not even bothered to make either of these for my blog, having tasted them before. But then there is always the possibility that I can get someone else to drink them.)

Anyway, this one tasted a lot like a Scotch and Soda made with a scotch that sourced its water from a spring that flows through fields of mint plants rather than heather. It's that subtle hint that is interesting without being overpowering that makes the Scotch and Soda such a hit for me when I go out for social drinking. I always recommend Chivas Regal for a Scotch and Soda, but I only had Famous Grouse to make this one.

• 3 oz. scotch
• 1/2 tsp. white creme de menthe
• club soda

Build the drink in a highball glass with ice. Stir in alcoholic ingredients until chilled and top with club soda. The mint spring (since the creme de menthe is really a substitute for the real thing) is optional.