Keeping a retired educator busy
Lifelong learner, passionate about public education, and finding new ways to stay green and growing.
Saturday is Coctail Hour for us, the one day we find something new and different to try.
I scoured the web for the perfect concoction to make with my bottle of Mad River Revolution Rye, and found just the thing on Mad River’s website: a Vermont Carre.
Mad River’s recipe can be found here.
When I’m looking for something other than a classic cocktail, I have several go-to resources. This one, The Whiskey Rebel, comes from Be Your Own Bartender by Carey Jones and John McCarthy. It’s a great guide to creating cocktails that appeal to your personal tastes!
I had a bottle of Pimms No. 1 in the fridge, and was looking for a way to use it - other than the Pimm’s Cup of course.
A little reminiscent of a whiskey sour, this one checked all of the boxes tonight.
1 1/2 ounces of rye (I used Rittenhouse)
1 ounce Pimm’s No. 1
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
3/4 ounce simple syrup (I used agave - easier to mix)
Lemon wedge for garnish
All the ingredients go into the shaker, add ice, and shake (I went for 30 seconds). Pour into a lowball glass with ice. Garnish with the lemon wedge.
My Dad used to drink an occasional Manhattan, and recently I’ve discovered I also enjoy this style of spicy, strong cocktail as well. I’ve also discovered, though, that there are as many variations on the Manhattan as one can imagine - at least as many as there are boroughs in New York.
This variation, the Greenpoint. was invented in 2006 by Michael McIlroy of the Milk and Honey Bar. It’s unusual in that along with the usuals, Yellow Chartreuse is added to the drink. I honestly wasn’t sure how that was going to fit in, but it did - and the drink is delicious!
Just a heads up that recently Chartreuse - Yellow and Green - is sometimes hard to come by. Whenever I see it on the shelves, I grab a bottle just in case.
2 oz Rye or Bourbon (I used Mad River Rye, a local craft rye)
1/2 of Sweet Vermouth (I used Cocchi di Torino)
1/2 oz Yellow Chartreuse
Dash Angostura Bitters
Dash Orange Bitters
Add all of the above to a mixing glass, add ice and stir for 15-30 seconds until well chilled. Serve in a chilled coupe or martini glass. Express lemon oil over the drink and rub the peel over the rim of the glass before discarding it.