Manhattan

The Manhattan is one of the finest of classic cocktails!

 

Ingredients:

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2 parts rye or Bourbon (I like Sazerac Rye),
1 part sweet vermouth (such as Punt Y Mes),
a dash of cherry bitters.

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with sufficient ice.

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Shake it up!!!

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Pour into a martini glass with a Luxardo cherry.

Enjoy!

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Vesper

We celebrated Bastille Day with this classic cocktail. The Vesper, popularized by Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale, uses Lillet Blanc and gin. I used Plymouth Gin, which is very clean and doesn’t disturb the taste of the Lillet.

Ingredients: 3 parts Lillet Blanc, 1 part Plymouth Gin, orange twist (optional)

Combine Lillet and gin in a shaker with ice. Shake it up! Serve in a martini glass with orange twist. Enjoy!

Bijou

A delicious cross between a Last Word and a Negroni, give this one a try!

Ingredients:

1 part Gin

1 part sweet Vermouth

1 part green Chartreuse

Orange twist (optional)

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker.

Shake it up!

Serve in a cocktail glass with orange twist.

Enjoy!

Amy and jeff bijou

Mint Julep

What could be better for a Friday night on the porch than a mint julep (especially if it’s made with mint from the garden!)

gardenmint

Ingredients: 2 jiggers Rye or Bourbon (I know the Kentuckians out there will protest, but I really love Rye!), 10 mint leaves, 2 sugar cubes, one teaspoon of granulated sugar, or an ounce of simple syrup. Mint sprig for garnish.

IMPORTANT: Crushed ice (yes, you have to use crushed ice).

mintingredients

Combine mint and sugar in a julep, highball, or double old-fashioned glass. Muddle the mint and sugar until you have dissolved the sugar and released the smell of the mint.

Add Rye or Bourbon and fill the glass with crushed ice. Stir.

Find a porch and enjoy!

feetup

Pickled Ramp Gibson

Gibsons

Nothing says spring like ramps- that delicious wild cousin of the leek that combines the taste of onions and garlic. I love pickled ramps, and I also love how pickled ramps taste in a good gin martini.

The classic Gibson is a martini garnished with a pickled olive. This version substitutes a pickled ramp. And it’s fantastic! Home pickling ramps is actually very easy. I like using a brine made of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, mustard seed, and bay leaves.

ramps

Gibson Ingredients: Gin, dry vermouth, pickled ramps.

 

To make the Gibson, combine 2 jiggers gin, a capful of  vermouth, and a splash of pickle brine in a cocktail shaker with ice. I love the taste of the pickle brine, so I’ll put in up to a capful!

Shake it up!

Pour into cocktail glasses and garnish with pickled ramp.

 

rampsinglasses

 

Find an outdoor space and enjoy!

Thanks to Daniel Goode for sharing his lovely rooftop garden!

Daniel