MySideOfTheBar

I have been doing a lot of work not only in the lab, but in books on Cocktails and different ingredients lately. In Part I of What is a Cocktail, I gave you the basic ingredients that make a Cocktail a Cocktail. In Part two I will expand on this concept. Many individuals have tried to define a Cocktail and the dictionary probably gets it as close you one can. Cocktail: Iced drink made of spirits, bitters, flavoring and sugar. Which is indeed true. David Embury in his book, "The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks" takes this concept a bit farther A Cocktail (I mean an aperitif cocktail) A drink to be taken before a meal as a stimulant to the appetite and as aid to digestion.  Embury goes on the break down the function of a Cocktail. On these points I would like to expand. 1. It must wet the appetite and not dull it. Do not over use juices, creamers sugars etc. 2. It should stimulate the mind as well as the appetite. I love this point and those of you who enjoy a Cockta...

As usual I am always in pursuit of the next great Cocktail. And if you read my last (and if you didn't  you need to) post you know the rudimentary details on what a Cocktail is. So expanding on that I wanted to create a Cocktail using an old, almost extinct Spirit, Rock n Rye. Rock n Rye is an unlikely blend of Rye Whiskey, candy syrup and an assortment of citrus and other flavors thrown in. This elixir was a barroom staple for much of the latter half of the 19th century, often taken for “what ails you.” But it all but vanished after Prohibition, save for a few bottom-shelf brands. Remember that much of the Whiskey consumed in the old west through Prohibition was "rot gut" and need a little something extra in order to be consumed. The Rock n Rye Cocktail 1 1/4 oz Rock n Rye 1 oz Scotch 3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice 1/2 oz Grenadine 1/4 oz Campari Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a Cocktail glass with ice. Fill with Club Soda Garnish with a Lemon Twis...

I received this query from one of my faithful readers. Dear Professor I was sitting around a local bar the other night when I got into a heated debate with a fellow patron on what is the definition of a cocktail. Can you enlighten us? Sign Barfly Well Barfly the answer is simple and then again maybe not. I define a cocktail as an alcoholic beverage that meets the following criteria. 1. Base Spirit (Whiskey, Gin, Vodka, etc.) 2. A Modifier (Vermouth, Bitters even fruit juices, tonics or sodas) 3. An Enhancer (Bitters again work here along with a twist or other garnish) A Manhattan or Gin Martini are great examples of a Cocktail. Manhattan Base - Rye or Bourbon Modifier - Sweet Vermouth Enhancer - Bitters and a Twist Now for the other types of drinks (Highballs for example) you generally see two types of ingredients. Whiskey and Cola Scotch and Soda Rum and Cola I like to call these types of drinks "emergencies." Now don't get me wrong I drink...

As a member and founder of the KC TobacPack I am very proud that we just celebrated our Second Anniversary in December. If you don't know us you need to check out our group on Facebook .  In Honor of this auspicious event on of the other members/founders (The Enforcer) made this video and I would like to share it with you. So Happy Anniversary KC TobacPack and many more to you Cheers The Professor

I first heard of Branch Water many years ago when watching an episode of the Waltons. The idea intrigued me as do all ideas when it comes to imbibing and improving on a cocktail or drink. Now I know there are purist that believe that adding anything to a good Whiskey is pure blasphemy and I myself kind of have some of the same thoughts. However, you may (as I have done) want to give this a try. (A bottle would also make a great Christmas Gift) Adding the right amount of water to  your Whiskey may really surprise you and open up an entire new experience almost to the point of a new Whiskey. History of Branch Water: The Term Branch Water dates back to 1835 and Branch is simply another term for stream, brook or creek. To Bourbon experts it is the water that really separates Bourbon from other Whiskeys. (To me this also applies to Scotch) "Water, Fire and Time... The three essential elements for the manufacture of Whiskey. However, the most important of these is undoubt...

Normally I do at least one post like this each Holiday Season, however this year I thought I would be a different spin on the article. Having watched the Christmas Classic, "Christmas Vacation" for the last 25 years and probably over a thousand viewings I starting looking for things in the show I may have missed. This year while watching I have noticed all the Christmas Gift ideas the show gives us. Here are just a few: 10. Lingerie This one is probably the most obvious in the entire movie and always a favorite and since there are plenty of shopping days left and my wife don't wear underwear it can be a dilemma. 9. A new saucer for the kids Since Clark set a new amateur-recreational- saucer-sled land-speed record, the old one has seen better days. 8. A few more Moose Mugs Because with Eddie, dogs and squirrels around it is only a matter of time before you will need them. 7. A good supply of stogies for Uncle Lewis Every time he turns arou...

I was sitting in a local watering hole a short time back enjoying many a cocktail with some barfly when he says to me "You are really putting them away, you should just have all your drinks intravenously." Hum, not a bad idea on the surface. I know they have been doing something similar with vitamins and the like, however I never really gave it a thought in terms of alcohol. While it is a funny thought, some internet research shows otherwise. However to me it is not the idea of how dangerous this would be it is the simple fact that I like to drink. I like the taste of alcohol and cocktails as well as the social aspect of drinking and being in bars and pubs. My sole purpose of imbibing is not to become inebriated, but to enjoy myself. So while this makes an interesting joke, not much practical aspect of this method of consuming alcohol. And with that I see my glass is empty. Cheers The Professor