24 Feb 2024: Left Hand

Is this a riff on a Boulevardier or a riff on a Negroni?

The Left Hand, concocted by NY bartender Sam Ross, the Left Hand is smooth with bitter notes of Campari accented by Chocolate Bitters.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz. bourbon (we used Jim Bean tonight)

• 3/4 oz. Campari

• 3/4 oz sweet vermouth (Carpano Antico)

• 3 dashes Chocolate Bitters

• Brandied cherry (garnish)

Add all to a mixing glass. Fill with ice and stir til well-chilled, about 20-30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a brandied cherry.

02 Dec 2023: Old Fashioned

Lately, I’ve discovered the subtle, but distinct differences that bitters can make to cocktails. On a recent trip to Houston, Adrien ordered a smoked old fashioned which included cherry bitters and that was delicious.

After checking out our home bar, I discovered a bottle of Woodford Reserve Chocolate Bitters - which led me to this delightful version of an old fashioned: The Double Oaked Old Fashioned.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Bourbon (recommended Woodford’s Double Oaked)

• 1/2 oz Grade A Dark Organic Maple Syrup

• 2 Dashes Chocolate Bitters (I used Woodford Reserve Chocolate Bitters)

Put everything in a mixing glass, add ice and stir until well chilled - about 30 seconds. Strain over ice into a rocks glass and add garnish as desired (I went with the traditional).