Author Archives: Marcia Simmons

Drink Along With The Great Gatsby

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the-great-gatsby-cocktailsMy love of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and my love of cocktails are nothing new. The Great Gatsby movie, however, is a great excuse for me to combine these two loves. Besides, if Baz Luhrmann has gone and ruined one of my favorite books, I just might need a drink! I’ve rounded up some fun 1920s cocktails and Prohibition drinks before, but here is a new batch especially inspired by the goings on in West Egg. Why not have a Gatsby party? (Only, like, without the being dead inside part, OK?)

Gin Rickey ~ Gin, lime, sugar, soda. This was supposedly Fitzgerald’s favorite drink, and it’s one of the few specifically mentioned in the book. Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom drank theirs “in long, greedy swallows.”

Mint Julep ~ At one point, Daisy just wants to find “a place to have a mint julep.” The gang gets their mint juleps, along with a high dose of tension. I suggest opting for the drink and skipping the tense argument.

Seelbach Cocktail ~ Tom and Daisy’s wedding was at the Seelbach Hotel in Kentucky. And while the book doesn’t mention it, they most certainly had a Seelbach Cocktail or three, since that was the hotel’s pride-and-joy cocktail during that era.

Champagne Cocktail ~ “In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.” It wouldn’t be a Gatsby party without Champagne. The classic Champagne Cocktail is just a bitters-soaked sugar cube in a glass of bubbly. But, in honor of the green light, why not sub Green Chartreuse or absinthe for the bitters.

Tuxedo No. 2 ~ This fancy Prohibition-era cocktail adds maraschino liqueur and orange bitters to a Martini. Tuxedo the drink and tuxedo the apparel are just the thing for a proper Gatsby bash.

Rhubarb-Fennel Cocktail

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rhubarbcocktailRhubarb is here! But what exactly do you do with a bunch of rhubarb? I actually think it makes a much better cocktail ingredient than baking ingredient, because of its tart grassy flavor. This cocktail goes all out with the rhubarb and a fennel-infused vodka. You can use the syrup and juice you make for this recipe in other rhubarb cocktails or get even fancier by making your own homemade rhubarb bitters.

Rhubarb-Fennel Cocktail

1 1/2 ounces fennel-infused vodka*
1 1/2 ounces rhubarb syrup**
1/3 ounce rhubarb juice
3/4 ounce lime juice

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for about 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Note: If you don’t have a juicer, you juice rhubarb (stalks only!) in a blender and then press through a fine-mesh strainer.

*Fennel-Infused Vodka

1 cup vodka
1 sprig fresh fennel (the greenery, not the bulb)

Let fennel steep in vodka for 24 hours. Taste to see if you’re satisfied with the flavor. If you’d like it more intense, steep for longer.

**Rhubarb Syrup

1 1/2 cups water
5 stalks rhubarb, chopped into half-inch pieces
3/4 cup cane sugar

Bring all ingredients to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. The rhubarb will separate and turn into mush. Remove from heat and let the mixture steep for 10 more minutes. Strain out the solids through a fine-mesh sieve or cheese cloth. You can use the mush in baking. Keep the syrup in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

Photo by Jackson Stakeman

Brunch With Mom: Mother’s Day Cocktails

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Raspberry Rose Fizz from Honestly Yum

Raspberry Rose Fizz from Honestly Yum

Brunch and cocktails are delightful … and so’s your mom! So I’ve decided that this year, you’re celebrating Mother’s Day by bringing these three elements together. The brunch food is up to you, but here are some suggestions for Mother’s Day brunch cocktails. (Just in case you want me to boss you more, why don’t you serve Eggs Benedict with asparagus? That sounds good.)

Ramos Gin Fizz ~ This cocktail is a light, airy, rich, and creamy all at once. Use a floral gin, such as Hendrick’s or Nolet’s, and you’ll have a drink that is just right for day drinking.

Raspberry Rose Fizz ~ Speaking of gin fizzes, you can add a lovely fruit and floral touch by adding some rosewater and raspberry. Bonus if you’re mom loves pink, although you don’t have to like the color to love the taste.

Improved Mendota ~ Maybe your mama is more of a no-fuss type. (Let’s face it, as delicious as fizzes are, they truly are a fuss.) This simple twist on a Mimosa combines beer and grapefruit juice for a unique kicky flavor that doesn’t have as much alcohol.

Stormy Morning ~ It wouldn’t be a brunch cocktail list without a champagne cocktail! Creme de violette, elderflower liqueur, lime, and sparkling wine make for a beautiful and delicate cocktail that would go great with crepes and fruit or another sweet menu.

Milk Punch ~ Like the Ramos Gin Fizz, Milk Punch is a New Orleans brunch cocktail that won’t disappoint. This recipe uses bourbon—along with milk, sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg—which is my favorite spirit for this cocktail. However, you could also make it with brandy or Cognac.

Cinco de Mayo Cocktails

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Michelada from T Magazine

Michelada from T Magazine

Margaritas are the usual go-to cocktail for Cinco de Mayo. But if you’re looking for a different kind of Cinco de Mayo drink, here are a few fun ways to celebrate.

Michelada ~ Perfect for sipping all afternoon, this is a spiced beer cocktail that goes well with Mexican food.

Beer and a Smoke ~ Here’s another beer cocktail, only this one’s made with smoky mezcal for more oomph.

Rhubarb Rita ~ Rhubarb is in season, and it’s a great buddy for tequila. Slightly tart with a hint of sweetness, this is a refreshing Spring twist on a Margarita.

El Guapo ~ You can use tequila or mezcal in this spicy cousin to the classic Margarita. Bring on the heat!

Cilantro Tequila Lime Spritzer ~ If you want something light, this herbed spritzer will do the trick. Add jalapeño slices for a little kick.

Pink Collins

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strawberry-grapefruit-elderflowerSpring cocktail time! This one that I made with Savvy Housekeeping tastes like a delicate and refreshing grapefruit-elderflower soda with strawberries. (But don’t let that fool ya’ … there’s vodka in there!) Use juicy Ruby Red grapefruits, which are still hanging around, and fresh strawberries, which have just started their season. You can even leave out the vodka, for a lower-alcohol version.

Pink Collins

1 1/2 ounces vodka
1 ounce fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
1 ounce St. Germain (elderflower liqueur)
1/2 ounce simple syrup
3 strawberries, cut up
Club soda (about 4 ounces)

Muddle the juice, liqueur, simple syrup, and strawberries in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker and then stir in the vodka. Pour into a glass and add ice, then top off with club soda.

The Flask … from The Macallan (with Oakley)

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macallanflaskfullpkgThe Macallan teamed up with Oakley on an impressive package that pairs (extremely delicious!) 22 year old scotch with a stylish, high-tech flask. There are only 400 packages available at $1,500 a pop (looks like you can get the flask by itself). I’m not going to go on and on about the price, because we all know that’s a lot of money. What I care about is what it tastes like, and luckily they sent me a small sample for review. You know what? Damn, it’s good.

(More on the flask itself after the jump, because … there’s 22 year old Macallan to talk about!)

The Macallan | The Flask
Facts: Single malt, aged 22 years in American oak seasoned with Sherry (a first for Macallan)

When it comes down to it, this was one of the best drams of scotch I’ve had.

The nose is nutty and malty with a lemon undertone. Once it actually hits the tongue, oak and a very mild smokiness come in with a hint of orange and honey. I’m trying not to wax poetic about it, but it’s hard. The Macallan 22 is smooth and harmonious–with an interplay between sweet and smoky that ends on just the right dry note. Not a long finish, but long enough to leave you wanting more. (Besides, I am getting annoyed by the peat attacks that take four toothbrushings to leave my mouth.)

Yeah, it’s expensive … and it tastes like it is. (Perhaps this would be Jeff Winger‘s scotch of choice.) The quality of the oak flavor is exactly what makes this stand out from other scotch I’ve had, including other Macallan expressions. I was a Macallan fan going into this, and this raised my esteem for them. I hope this flask combo isn’t the last we’ve seen of this maturation method.

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Cocktails Made With Herbs

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strawberrybasilmojitoHerbs are an essential part of cocktails. For some reason, mint seems to dominate drink recipes even though there are plenty of other delicious herbs in the garden. Now, I don’t have anything against mint. But other herbs that we use to give flavor to our meals are just as good at livening up a cocktail. Here are a few herbal cocktails you might not have tried.

Raspberry-Thyme Smash ~ Get a head start on summer with a refreshing mix of gin, raspberries, and thyme—along with a little simple syrup and lime. I’ve been seeing good berries around, but if you can’t find any, go with frozen.

Pink Rosemary Greyhound ~ Try this slight tweaking of the classic grapefruit-and-vodka Greyhound cocktail, made with Ruby Red grapefruit and rosemary simple syrup. A good one for brunch!

Strawberry Basil Mojito ~ It’s been a hot spring so far in my neck of the woods, which gets me thinking about Mojitos. Adding some strawberries to the mix  and using basil instead of mint is my favorite variation on this cooling cocktail.

Gin Lime Rickeys With Cilantro ~ OK, so I know that some people’s tastebuds can’t stand cilantro. But for the rest of us, it has a savory and fresh flavor that brightens up other ingredients. Paired with lime, it really tastes fantastic.

Tequila and Sage Smash ~ As you can see, I am all for smashing things! Honey, sage, and añejo tequila make for a flavorful drink with a lot of complexity.

Photo by Jackson Stakeman

Brunch Cocktails

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Aperol Spritz from Mission Delectable

Aperol Spritz from Mission Delectable

Ah, brunch. You can be sweet and bready or savory and eggy. Or you can be all those things at once, possibly with a little bit of cakey, fruity, or spicy thrown in for good measure. Best of all, you are a great opportunity for a little light day drinking. You don’t have to wait until Mother’s Day for a brunch cocktail or two. Here are a few drinks that would make any type of brunch a lot more fun.

The Corsican ~ This lower-alcohol combination of Lillet Blanc, limoncello, elderflower syrup, lemon, and soda is just right for a light and fizzy brunch drink. I’d pair it with fruit-topped pancakes, but it could just as easily pair with a heavier egg dish.

Aperol Spritz ~ Aperol is a slightly bitter apertivo, which means it’s great for stimulating appetites. Its orangey flavor goes well with Prosecco, so why not make it a part of an Italian-inspired brunch.

Beretta’s Pamlemousse ~ Grapefruit juice is an excellent building block for a brunch drink. Throw in a wee bit of gin along with elderflower liqueur and lemon, and you have a well-balanced and refreshing drink with just the right hint of fruit.

Maple Bacon Bloody Mary ~ The Bloody Mary is a good old brunch standby. It’s also one of the most tweak-able drinks around. This one adds a little maple syrup and a bacon garnish for that true morning meal flavor.

Jealous Mary ~ Tomato can be a bold flavor for the morning, so how about a little cucumber and celery instead, for a lighter touch? They’re not just garnishes!

Cocktails Made With Vegetables

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The Roquette from Matt Biancaniello

The Roquette from Matt Biancaniello

Make your mama proud and add more vegetables to your diet! Veggies aren’t just for dinner. They can add a fresh and flavorful touch to cocktails, too. It may sound weird, but it tastes good … and that’s all that matters.

The Sweet Pea ~ Peas are sweet, so why not use them in a cocktail? Just muddle the peas with sugar and lemon then add vodka and shake over ice.

Sweet Corn Cocktail ~ Just like the Sweet Pea cocktail, this one muddles in some sweet veggies—except with dark rum and mole bitters for a spicy depth.

Barefoot in the Garden ~ Celery-infused tequila pairs well with elderflower liqueur and Lillet Blanc for a light and refreshing cocktail that’s perfect the thing to sip as you enjoy the budding blooms.

What’s Up, Doc? ~ This carrot and gin cocktail with a hint of ginger is a good brunch drink. Add a little cinnamon on top, and it’s almost like drinking an alcoholic carrot cake.

The Roquette ~ The unique bite of arugula is tasty in this veggie-inspired take on the classic Gimlet, created by Matthew Biancaniello (whose site is filled with colorful photos, like the one above, of his creations).

Good Morning Milan from PDT

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It’s complicated, fancy-pants cocktail time! You’ll notice there are a lot of asterisks in this recipe. Tincture, syrup, cheese-and-milk mixtures, egg white … this is one involved drink. It was created by a bartender at PDT in New York, which is consistently named one of the best bars whenever there’s any kind of poll or contest. (There’s even a PDT cocktail book.) But the last time I was in New York, the place was so packed that I couldn’t get in. I get a lot of recipes emailed to me, but I had to try this one so I could get at least part of the PDT experience at home.

Good Morning Milan
Created by Michael Klein, PDT

2 ounces blended scotch*
3/4 ounce lemon juice
3/4 ounce sage honey syrup**
1/2 ounce mascarpone milk ***
2 dashes of lavender tincture****
1 egg white
1 ounce club soda

Pour all ingredients except the soda into a shaker without ice and shake for 15 seconds. Add ice to the shaker, and then shake for an additional 30 seconds. Pour the club soda into a chilled Collins glass, and then strain the drink on top. Garnish with a sprig of lavender.

*This recipe was created with The Black Grouse blended scotch, but you can substitute another blended scotch if needed—just make it a smoky one.

**Make the syrup by mixing equal parts warm water and sage honey.Sage honey is particularly mild, but you can substitute another honey.

*** Blend equal parts mascarpone and whole milk until smooth.

**** You can make your own lavender tincture or buy it. Lavender bitters would also do the trick, if you can find them.Good Morning Milan (PDT)Photo and recipe courtesy of The Black Grouse