Tag Archives: Grand Marnier

Aperitif & Wine Cocktails

Posted on March 7, 2013 | Comments Off

So many cocktails are created with the foundation of strong spirits such as vodka, gin, whiskies, etc. It’s easy to forget there are other spirited choices for cocktail creation. The industry is seeing an upswing in beer cocktails, wine based cocktails and the inclusion of aperitif based cocktails.

Next time you’re in the mood for something a little off the beaten track, pick up an aperitif or bottle of wine and start mixing.

Holiday that celebrates wine ~ February 18 is National “Drink Wine” Day

Heights Cobbler – Jack the Horse Tavern, Brooklyn, NY

1/2 Lemon Wheel

1/2 Orange Wheel

6 Fresh or Thawed Frozen Cranberries

2 Pineapple Spears (1 peeled)

2 ounces Ruby Port

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier

2 dashes Bitters

Muddle lemon, oranges, 3 cranberries and peeled pineapple in bottom of cocktail shaker. Add port, Grand Marnier, bitters and ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with remaining 3 cranberries and unpeeled pineapple spear.

Paris Sunset – CAV, Providence

3/4 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

3 drops Angostura Bitters

1-1/2 teaspoon Sugar

3 ounces Champagne – chilled

Combine Dubonnet, bitters and sugar in mixing glass. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne.

Ice Wine Martini – Blue Martini, Birmingham, MI

10 large seedless Green Grapes

2 ounces Ice Wine

2 ounces Vodka

2 Green Grapes Garnish – Halved

Place 10 grapes, vodka and wine in blender. Blend until smooth. Strain through tea strainer into ice filled cocktail shaker. Shake to chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with skewered grape halves.

Comments Off

Posted in Cocktails, Wine Cocktails

Tagged Angostura Bitters, Aperitif, Bitters, Champagne, Cranberries, Dubonnet, Fresh Lemon, Grand Marnier, Grapes, Heights Cobbler, Ice Wine, Ice Wine Martini, Orange, Pineapple, Port, Premium Orange Liqueur, Sugar, Vodka, Wine

The Kiss

Posted on February 12, 2013 | Comments Off

Sometimes a simple kiss says it all.

The Kiss – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Spiced Rum

1/2 ounce Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 ounce Praline Pecan Liqueur

1-1/2 ounce Apricot Nectar

Fresh Ground Nutmeg Garnish

Orange Twist

Build liquid ingredients over ice in rocks glass. Stir. Garnish with fresh ground nutmeg and orange twist.

I used Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum and Grand Marnier while creating this cocktail.

Comments Off

Posted in Cocktails, Valentine's & Lover's Cocktails

Tagged Apricot Nectar, Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum, Grand Marnier, Nutmeg, Praline Pecan Liqueur, Premium Orange Liqueur, Spiced Rum, The Kiss, Valentine's Day

4 Champagne & Orange Juice Cocktails

Posted on February 7, 2013 | Comments Off

A Buck’s Fizz by any other name is what most Americans know as a Mimosa. This Sunday brunch staple may well be the most commonly known Champagne cocktail. The Buck’s Fizz or Mimosa is a simply elegant cocktail which turns an ordinary breakfast into an invitation for leisurely conversation.

The Buck’s Fizz originated in 1921 with barman, Pat McGarry, the first bartender of the famous Buck’s Club in London. McGarry is also the recognized creator of the original Sidecar cocktail. Captain H. J. Buckmaster established the Buck’s Club in 1919. He wanted an American Cocktail Bar rather than the stuffy traditional gentlemen’s clubs in existence at the time. He must have hit upon something, because the Buck’s Club made its way into contemporary fiction writing and has hit Hollywood’s big screen.

With only two ingredients, Champagne and orange juice, the Buck’s Fizz is an easy preparation. A Buck’s Fizz is heavier on orange juice than the Mimosa version that followed a few short years later, making its appearance at the Ritz Hotel in Paris in 1925. Both are very similar, the difference being only in the ratios of Champagne to orange juice. If Champagne is not available or desired, sparkling wine or Prosecco may be used. Fresh orange juice is always a plus, but is not absolutely necessary to make either of these cocktails a winning combination.

Buck’s Fizz

4 ounces Orange Juice

2 ounces Champagne

Pour chilled orange juice in chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with float of grenadine and maraschino cherry if desired.

Mimosa

2 ounces Orange Juice

4 ounces Champagne

Pour chilled orange juice in chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with float of grenadine and maraschino cherry if desired.

Barman Frank Meier or the Ritz Bar created an alternate version to the Mimosa calling it a Valencia.

Valencia

1 ounce Orange Juice

1/2 ounce Apricot Liqueur

5 ounces Champagne

Orange Spiral Garnish

Pour chilled orange juice and apricot liqueur in chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with orange spiral.

Yet another version of this ever popular cocktail is the French Mimosa using Grand Marnier. Cointreau or other Premium Orange Liqueur may be used as a substitute as well.

French Mimosa

1 ounce Orange Juice

1/2 ounce Premium Orange Liqueur

5 ounces Champagne

Orange Spiral Garnish

Orange Bitters – optional

Place chilled orange juice and orange liqueur in chilled champagne flute. Add orange bitters if desired. Top with champagne. Garnish with orange spiral.

Comments Off

Posted in Champagne & Bubbly

Tagged Apricot Liqueur, Brunch, Buck's Club, Buck's Fizz, Captain H. J. Buckmaster, Champagne, Cointreau, French Mimosa, Grand Marnier, Grenadine, Mimosa, Orange Bitters, Orange Juice, Pat McGarry, Premium Orange Liqueur, Prosecco, Ritz Hotel, Sparkling Wine, Valencia

Caffeinated Bliss

Posted on April 21, 2011 | 1 Comment

Enjoy a blushing rush of caffeinated bliss with the intertwining rich flavors of coffee, citrus and cranberry. Cordon Rouge Espresso ultimately combines on the tongue in rich mocha with orange kissed cran notes and tasty tidbits of barely there chocolate.

Cordon Rouge Espresso – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Triple Espresso Vodka

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier

1 ounce Cranberry Juice

Orange Peel Garnish Optional

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange peel if desired.

High resolution digital photo downloads are available for brand, cocktail menu creation use and individual use at www.cheriloughlin.com within the Beverages category.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com – Copyright 2011 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved – All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Espresso Vodka, Grand Marnier, Vodka

Shaking Up the Anejo Category

Posted on March 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

Aged or Anejo usually brings to mind sipping spirits rather than mixing spirits. In the case of anejo rum it might also be used as a floater for added flavor depth on top of a cocktail. Rarely do I grab anejo spirits to mix a drink. It’s a shame really. Rather than pigeon-hole a flavor packed anejo rum into the sipper only category, it’s high time I started shaking it up.

DonQ Anejo Rum Tasting Notes

40% Alcohol. 80 proof. Beautiful color.

Aroma: Orange citrus. Molasses.

Taste: Burn. Thinner feel than legs on the glass allude to. Wonderful warmth as the liquid descends down the back of the throat. Bit more molasses and brown sugar flavor without too much sweetness follow through. Tiniest notes of toasted nut. Mocha. Faint chocolate with tad of bitter coffee bean. Definitely see DonQ Anejo going terrifically with a small splash of Grand Marnier warmed by the fire. Ironically there is already a cocktail for that!

The only glitch with this rum is the pour spout. From the few bottles of DonQ Rum I’ve opened so far, the Anejo is the only one that has the tamper proof pour spout. These spouts just make pouring a little more difficult since sometimes the liquid doesn’t flow and then suddenly gushes. A little frustrating, but the rum makes up for it in flavor.

Batiste

2 ounces Anejo Rum

3/4 ounce Grand Marnier

Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Batiste contains amazing color! Deep, rich flavor. Hint of sweet rather than sticky sugar. Retains value of the rum notes. Great chilled for happy hour, but would also serve lovely as an after dinner cocktail sipped fireside. Brings out chocolate orange and coffee notes with much more burnt brown sugar and molasses. Another terrific feature of the Batiste; it’s an easy two ingredient cocktail.

Original Batiste recipe calls for Light Rum and calls for 1 ounce Grand Marnier. If you prefer even less sweet, cut the Grand Marnier back to 1/2 ounce. It still tastes fab!

Browse DonQ Rum specific posts, Rum Cocktails in general and more Reviews by following the links. High resolution digital photo
downloads are available for brand, cocktail menu creation use and individual use at www.cheriloughlin.com within the Beverages category.

DonQ Anejo Rum sample for review courtesy representatives of DonQ Rum. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Reviews

Tagged DonQ Rum, Grand Marnier, Rum, Two Ingredient Cocktails

And I’ll have Another Please

Posted on March 4, 2011 | Comments Off

It stands to reason vermouth is the spirit that carries the flavor of this cocktail. Noilly Prat works exceedingly well with Grand Marnier in picking up flavors of chocolate and orange, something that carries well with the theme of orange bitters and fresh orange zest. Hennessy Cognac comes alive in cocktails with deeper richer flavor in my opinion, so it has been used specifically but definitely use a brandy or cognac you prefer.

Ampersand

1 ounce Hennessy Cognac VSOP

1 ounce Plymouth Gin

1 ounce Noilly Prat Sweet Vermouth

1/4 ounce Grand Marnier

2 Dash Angostura Bitters

Orange Twist Garnish

Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill completely. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh orange twist.

First taste vermouth washes with a wallop. Not for the faint of heart. Light on orange. Lightly sweet with delectable tell tale signs of bitter orange. Lovely classic cocktail.

The original Ampersand recipe calls for 2 dashes Orange Bitters, 1/3 Brandy, 1/3 Gin, 1/3 Italian Vermouth and 2 dashes Curacao to top. – The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book, A.S. Crockett. It is speculated that this cocktail’s name comes from the “&” in Martini & Rossi as the original brand vermouth used. – Difford’s Guide

Trivia: “In old schoolbooks the ampersand was printed at the end of the alphabet and thus by 1880s had acquired a slang sense of “posterior, rear end, hindquarters.”” – Online Etymology Dictionary

Browse more Classic Cocktails and drink recipes inspired by the classics by following the link. More Gin and Cognac cocktails in post may also be found by following the links. High resolution digital photo downloads are available for brand, cocktail menu creation use and individual
use at www.cheriloughlin.com within the Beverages category.

Comments Off

Posted in Classic Cocktails

Tagged Cognac, Gin, Grand Marnier, Hennessy Cognac, Noilly Prat, Plymouth Gin, Sweet Vermouth

Join the Rat Pack for a Manhattan

Posted on February 21, 2011 | 2 Comments

Though there are several versions of the Rat Pack Manhattan swirling about in books and the internet they all contain the same components with variations in measurements. Each ingredient denotes a member of the Rat Pack; Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. The post, Make Mine a Manhattan Holiday contains 28 variations of the classic Manhattan cocktail, one of which is another adaptation of the Rat Pack Manhattan with different measurements and omits bitters.

Rat Pack Manhattan

1/4 measure Grand Marnier

1-1/2 measure Bourbon

3/4 measure Dry Vermouth

3/4 measure Sweet Vermouth

3 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Orange Zest Twist

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Place liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir until thoroughly chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Zest fresh orange twist over glass. Garnish with skewered cherry.

Frank Sinatra referred to alcoholic drinks as “gasoline” with his favorites said to be Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, Bourbon, Scotch and Gin Martinis. He is quoted as saying, “I may run for the office of president…‘Gimme a bottle and a glass and I’ll get America off its ass.’”

Dean Martinwas known to drink Gin Martinis and Scotch. Famous quotes: “If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt,” and also “You’re not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on.”

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.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Classic Cocktails, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged Bourbon, Classic Bitters, Classic Cocktail, Dean Martin, Dry Vermouth, Frank Sinatra, Grand Marnier, Joey Bishop, Manhattan, Peter Lawford, Rat Pack, Sammy Davis Jr, Sweet Vermouth

Tequila Tasting Without the Entourage

Posted on January 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

Rumor has it Tequila Avion created quite a buzz by appearing as part of a prop of sorts in an HBO series. It’s no secret brands use a variety of techniques to promote their products so name recognition is foremost in the mind of consumers. However at some point it really shouldn’t matter how much a spirit has been hyped, marketed, placed in the hands of a star or has appeared in popular television shows or in the movies. With so many exceptional brands on the market at reasonable prices without the benefit of big name placement, star backing and name recognition the key element that remains the same across the board for all brands is how does the spirit stand up on its own regarding taste?

Tequila Avion Silver

100% Puro De Agave. 80 Proof. Perfectly clear. Retail $45 – $55 for Silver depending upon region

Aroma: Vanilla, distinct agave though light. Dry dirt.

Taste: Burn, dry in back, light sweetness, buttery.

Some spice but mostly heat. Keeps returning to dryness on the back end to the point of catching in the throat. Not horrible, but it is a small annoyance. Slight thinness, watery. Caramel note hidden within.

Would possibly be best chilled to sip neat or on the rocks. Covering this spirit with bold flavors will only mask the faintness of this tequila since its building blocks are vaguely obscure. Preserve its essence by using subtle flavors, light mixers and recipes that lean toward the simpler side of sipping pleasure.

Perhaps a basic margarita that utilizes a 2 parts tequila, 1 part lime juice, 1/2 part agave syrup configuration would serve well if a classic tequila drink suits your fancy. Another simple yet enjoyable way to preserve the integrity of the tequila spirit while adding a hint of variety:

2 ounces Tequila

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier

Orange Zest Twist

Place ice in martini glass. Add 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier. Swirl in ice until glass is chilled. Discard ice and spirit from glass. Place 2 ounces tequila in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange zest twist.

High resolution digital photo downloads are available for brand, cocktail menu creation use and individual use at www.cheriloughlin.com within the Beverages category.

Tequila Avion Silver sample for review courtesy representatives of Evins Communications, LTD. Find Tequila Avion on Facebook and Tequila Avion on Twitter. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Reviews

Tagged Grand Marnier, Tequila, Tequila Avion

Cabo Wabo Tequila Rocks National Tequila Day

Posted on July 24, 2010 | Leave a comment

In honor of National Tequila Day Cabo Wabo Tequila sent out three unique recipes to liven up celebrations. The Waborita stays most true to traditional style Margarita recipes while The Churro Margarita and The Guacarita venture into territory some would speculate as adventurous beyond the margarita glass.

Licor 43, Carolans Irish Cream and Tuaca all remind of creamy, buttery, decadent deliciousness. Add in the tequila with cinnamon and sugar rim and this cocktail certainly takes off into the realm of luscious dessert feel.

The Churro Margarita

2 ounces Cabo Wabo Añejo Tequila

1 ounce Licor 43

1 ounce Carolans Irish Cream

1/4 ounce Tuaca

Mix of Cinnamon and Sugar for the rim

Shake up liquid ingredients with ice. Strain cocktail over fresh ice into a rocks glass, rimmed with the cinnamon sugar mixture.

If there were ever a Margarita to pair with favorite guacamole and chips snack food The Guacarita would definitely be the one. Technically Avocado is a fruit rather than vegetable like so many people believe it to be, so enjoy your green fruit blended to rock & roll bliss in this unexpected Margarita recipe.

The Guacarita

2 ounces Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila

1/2 Skinned Avocado

1/4 ounce Agave Nectar

1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

4 Cilantro leaves

Place all ingredients and ice into a blender. Blend on high for 10 seconds and pour into a margarita glass. Garnish with a short cilantro sprig.

Tales of the Margarita

Many claim to be the inventor of the Margarita, but we’ll never be sure of its true origin. The most popular anecdote claims that Carlos “Danny” Herrera developed the drink at his Tijuana-area restaurant, Rancho La Gloria, around 1938. Herrera created the cocktail for one of his customers, a beautiful show girl, and aspiring actress, Marjorie King, who was allergic to all hard alcohol except than tequila. She didn’t enjoy tequila alone, so Herrera started to experiment with different combinations to make the beverage more palatable. The most delicious combination mixed white tequila with lime juice, shaved ice, triple sec and surprisingly, salt. Herrera named his concoction “Margarita” in honor of his muse, Marjorie. – quoted from PR material

The Waborita

1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1 ounce Cointreau

2 ounces Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila

Splash of Grand Marnier

Salt the rim of a large margarita glass. Combine ingredients in a shaker over ice and strain into the glass. Serve with a lime wheel. (This signature margarita is served at Sammy Hagar’s new Las Vegas Cabo Wabo Cantina)

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Daily Holidays

Tagged Agave Nectar, Avocado, Cabo Wabo Tequila, Carolans Irish Cream, Cilantro, Cointreau, Fresh Lime, Grand Marnier, Irish Cream, Licor 43, National Tequila Day, Tequila, Tuaca

Satan’s Whiskers Cocktail Delves into the Sinfully Delicious

Posted on June 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

Gin cocktails might not be the same cocktails you think they are. They can be sinfully delicious rather than pungently juniper laden. The Bronx is a classic example of a gin cocktail that is light and refreshing without becoming over sweetened. Satan’s Whisker’s gives The Bronx a wicked little sugar fix by adding Grand Marnier.

Satan’s Whiskers

1 ounce Gin

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

1/2 ounce Dry Vermouth

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier

1 ounce Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Dash Angostura Bitters

Orange Peel Garnish

Combine all liquid in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with fresh orange peel.

I’ll be honest and say I don’t always use fresh orange juice in my cocktails. Sometimes I grab bottled orange juice and just pour. But I really think gin cocktails benefit from fresh squeezed orange juice. Perhaps it’s the way the botanicals blend with fresh citrus. I don’t know. I’m not a scientist. It’s just the way the flavor shines through.

Fresh orange juice lends ideal lightness to the Satan’s Whisker’s recipe rather than weigh it down with additives. The vermouths add a touch of lush richness that carries through the middle and rolls over the tongue.

Cocktail Database uses equal measures in their Satan’s Whiskers recipe. Epicurious uses a Satan’s Whiskers recipe with Orange Curacao that will serve two. You can also change the profile of gin cocktails by just changing up the brand of gin you use. Each gin uses a different blend of botanicals and formulation giving them a completely different flavor profile. Experiment and give your palate new flavor choices.

[Post updated April 14, 2013]

Cheri Loughlin Beverage Consultant & Photography Services