Tag Archives: Gary Regan

Manhattan Nights Holiday Cocktails

Posted on November 7, 2011 | 2 Comments

The Manhattan Nights B&B cocktails created by master mixologist, Gary Regan, are sure to delight and please the senses. These bold creations go beyond the average and venture into the extraordinary. Such is to be expected when one combines Benedictine and Brandy with celebrated Ardent Spirit, Gary Regan. Each are truly unique “spirits”.

Botanical Breeze - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin B&B liqueur is an audacious combination of Benedictine liqueur and fine French cognac. Invented at New York’s “21 Club” in the 1930’s, it is the first mixed drink ever bottled and sold in the United States. B&B is excellent as an after dinner cocktail and also pairs exceptionally well with desserts as can be seen with the recently launched “Manhattan Nights” program which also includes New York pastry chef Martin Howard.

The following cocktails created by Gary Regan correspond to the desserts from the “Manhattan Nights” project. Never shying away from a creative challenge, Gary infuses his cocktails with tequila, bourbon, absinthe, Scotch, ginger and elderflower liqueurs. Each cocktail imparts a creative flair that is as unique as B&B with the style that is ardently Gary Regan.

Belle of the Ball

1-1/2 measures Bourbon

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

1/2 measure Peach Schnapps

1/2 measure Lemon Juice

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Garnish with lemon twist.

Bohemian Breeze

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

2 measures Sweet Vermouth

3 measures Lemon Lime Soda

2 dashes Classic Bitters

Orange Twist Garnish

Place all liquids in ice filled cognac snifter. Stir. Garnish with orange twist.

Bandit’s Bliss

2 measures Dry Vermouth

1/2 measure Cognac

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

Orange Twist Garnish

Place liquids in ice filled wine goblet. Stir. Garnish with orange twist.

Bewildered Beauty

1-1/2 measure Dark Rum

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

6 fresh Raspberries

2 Tablespoons Coco Lopez

1/2 cup Vanilla Ice Cream

Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into wine goblet.

Beauteous Bette

1 measure Reposado Tequila

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

1/4 measure Ginger Liqueur

Champagne

3 fresh Blueberries Garnish

Place tequila, B&B and ginger liqueur in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with skewered blueberries.

Botanical Breeze

1-1/2 measure Gin

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

1/2 measure Elderflower Liqueur

1/2 measure Lime Juice

Kiwi Slice Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne coupe. Garnish with kiwi slice.

Babbling Brook

1-1/2 measure Scotch

3/4 measure B&B Liqueur

1/4 measure Absinthe

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

These cocktails make great additions to your home entertaining this holiday season. The look is elegant, the taste fresh and cutting edge and sure to satisfy a wide variety of tastes.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails, Cocktails

Tagged Absinthe, B&B Liqueur, Blueberries, Bourbon, Champagne, Classic Bitters, Coconut Cream, Cognac, Dry Vermouth, Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, Gary Regan, Gin, Ginger Liqueur, Holiday, Ice Cream, Lemon Lime Soda, Peach Schnapps, Raspberries, Rum, Scotch, Sweet Vermouth, Tequila

Happy Hour’s Alternative Cocktail Choice

Posted on August 23, 2010 | Leave a comment

Happy Hour martinis take many forms. In times past the martini meant vodka or gin served straight up in a martini glass with possibly an olive or two bouncing happily to dirty the spirit. This is no longer the case with bars serving alternate forms of cocktails with the word martini in the mix. It causes lively debate over what constitutes a true ‘martini’ but what it boils down to for the majority of bar patrons is all in the taste. The Alternating Kurrant Martini plays out simply sweet with just a touch of raspberry hinting through in the initial taste. This cocktail flavors subtly with dry vermouth shadowing any harsh edges straight liquor sometimes brings to the taste experience.

Alternating Kurrant Martini – Purple Martini, Denver

3 ounces Absolut Kurrant Vodka

Splash Chambord

Splash Dry Vermouth

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill completely. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh lemon twist.

Notation: Since this cocktail contains straight spirits and the idea is full enjoyment of a thoroughly chilled cocktail my recommendation when making this at home is as follows: half the recipe to 1-1/2 ounces Absolut Kurrant, 1/4 ounce Chambord and 1/4 ounce Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth. This keeps the martini smaller but chilled throughout the entire sipping time for a more fulfilling experience. Think measure, stir, strain, enjoy, repeat rather than gulping. This keeps a cocktail at its ultimate pleasure point while sipping.

The Alternating Kurrant Martini recipe can be found in The Martini Companion by Gary Regan and Mardee Haidin Regan. Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Absolut Vodka, Chambord, Gary Regan, Purple Martini Denver, The Martini Companion

Burnt Orange Kir Cocktail Glowing Success

Posted on June 29, 2010 | Leave a comment

Quite honestly I wasn’t sure this cocktail would make the cut for my palate. The wide net appeal centered upon its inclusion of Cynar, artichoke based bitter found within the liqueur section. Middle ground curiosity hinged upon Lillet, a classic French aperitif known for its inclusion in the martini James Bond once sipped with style, the Vesper. The recipe’s simplicity is winner without a doubt, but left me skeptical at best. However tasting is believing!

Burnt Orange Kir – created by Ted & Linda Fondulas, Hemingway’s, Killington, Vermont

Find the recipe in New Classic Cocktails by Gary Regan

2 parts Lillet Blanc – chilled

1/4 to 1/2 part Cynar Artichoke Liqueur

3 inch Orange Peel Garnish

Place Lillet and Cynar in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with freshly flamed orange twist.

Definitely opt for the full amount of Cynar. Though Cynar leans toward bitter with abundant full bodied flavor, if you’re thinking about consuming this cocktail you’re no doubt already a lover of this particular spirit. It’s a winner. Burnt Orange Kir begins on the breezy side of simply sweet with Lillet gaining high ground, but finishes with slightly drying, bitter fullness on the back end. Perfectly balances as this cocktail leaves the tongue with desire for more, more, more.

March 16 celebrates the artichoke ~ National Artichoke Heart Day

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

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Posted in Classic Cocktails

Tagged Artichoke Liqueur, Burnt Orange Kir, Classic Cocktail, Cynar, Gary Regan, Lillet Blanc

Modern Classic Cocktail Recipe on the Rise: Hennessy Martini

Posted on June 28, 2010 | 2 Comments

Most references to the Hennessy Martini often define measurements of 2 parts cognac to splash of lemon juice with lemon twist garnish for this particular cocktail recipe. There are those who question whether this drink can make the claim of ‘martini’ in the name since neither gin nor vodka is present within the cocktail. Regardless of casual debate over measurement and classification, the Hennessy Martini builds with simplicity, yet sips with style and sophistication. This leans the Hennessy Martini in the direction of Modern Classic Cocktail in my opinion. This drink is also mere steps away from a variation on the classic French 75 and classic Sidecar.

Hennessy Martini – New Classic Cocktails, Gary Regan

3-1/2 parts Hennessy VS Cognac

1 teaspoon Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine cognac and lemon juice in mixing glass with ice. Stir until completely chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh lemon twist.

The drink combination tastes quite delicious without layering of sugared bits which most cocktails call for in the mix. The Hennessy Martini gives full flavor of the cognac rolling over the tongue with faintest hint of lemon ringing through. However, I found this cocktail even more enjoyable as a cross version between the Hennessy Martini and French 75. Try topping the cocktail with 1-1/2 parts Moscato Spumante Champagne. The barely there sweetness toys with cognac’s refined charm rather nicely. This gives slight suggestion of the French 75, while retaining more spirited indulgence.

Fortune via CNNMoney.com runs some interesting strategic history behind the Hennessy Martini with an article Hold the Olives Martini Marketing. Ed Brown discloses the rise in popularity of the Hennessy Martini in cocktail hot spot cities across the nation with mention of Michelle Goldberg who wrote of her experience at Salon.com in the article, Media Circus: Confessions of an undercover drink fink.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.