Tag Archives: Mint Julep

Dubonnet Rouge: Classic & Contemporary

Dubonnet Rouge blends herbs, spices and fruit peels together with medicinal quinine and fortified wine.  Although it was originally purposed to ward off disease by making the ingestion of quinine more pleasant just as other spirits of the past, Dubonnet Rouge’s use in cocktails has gone far beyond “medicinal use” and into the realm of modern mixology.

Dubonnet Rouge 004 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Just in time for Bourbon Heritage Month; The Dubonnet Mint Julep is an aperitif version of the classic bourbon Mint Julep. Each of the fresh herb additions pair wonderfully with the aromatics of Dubonnet Rouge. Get inspired to recreate a classic by sampling this classic variation.

Dubonnet Mint Julep – created by D. McKnight

2 ounces Dubonnet Rouge

3 ounces Bourbon

1 teaspoon sugar

Handful of mint

Place mint and sugar in mixing glass. Muddle briefly. Add remaining ingredients with ice. Shake or stir to mix completely. Strain into julep cup over fresh crushed ice.Dubonnet Rouge 002 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

There are much more traditional style recipes such as the Dubonnet Cocktail; 1 measure Dubonnet Rouge, 1 measure Gin, Dash of Orange Bitters & Lemon Twist Garnish. Served Up. But there is still room for more creative offerings within the mixology field.

Summer Thyme, courtesy of Michael Green, plucks fresh thyme from the garden for an inspiring cocktail utilizing the unique flavor of Dubonnet Rouge.

Summer Thyme – created by Michael Green

1 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

2 ounces Vodka

1 sprig Fresh Thyme

Squeeze of Lemon Juice

Salt and Pepper to taste

Lemon Slice & Fresh Thyme Sprig Garnish

Place all ingredients except garnish into cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill, allowing the aromatics of the fresh thyme to permeate the drink. Strain into rocks glass over fresh crushed ice. Garnish with lemon slice and sprig of thyme.

Dubonnet Rouge is a stylish and affordable aperitif as it stands among much higher priced liqueurs and aperitifs on the liquor store shelf.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails@gmail.com – Copyright 2012 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights.

Irish Julep

Classic cocktails thrive when creatively tweaked. This take on the traditional Bourbon Julep utilizes Irish Whiskey with Amaro twist. This is a must try cocktail for those with adventure on the lips this St. Patrick’s Day.

Irish Julep – created by Glenn Lucci, Louis 649

Ultimate Mojito 9 - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin3 measures Irish Whiskey

1/2 measure Amaro

1/2 measure Simple Syrup

1 measure Water

6 Mint Leaves

3 Mint Sprigs

Crushed ice

Muddle mint, simple syrup and water in a highball glass. Add crushed ice and Whiskey. Float Amaro on top. Garnish with mint sprigs.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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.

Adding Fresh Pizzazz to the RTD Mint Julep

Ready to drink formulation cocktails from the bottle are perfect for furthering
experimentation.  Just because their main purpose is a quick and easy pour cocktail does not mean your imagination must stop there.  With a little creative
blending, you can turn the plain pre-mix into the mouthwatering delicious cocktail you would otherwise be missing.

Raspberry Mint Julep – created by Cheri Loughlin

Early Times Raspberry Mint Julep 1 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin3 ounces Early Times Mint Julep RTD

1/3 cup frozen Raspberries

1/2 cup Ice

Crushed Ice

Fresh Mint Leaves Garnish

Place Early Times Mint Julep, raspberries and 1/2 cup ice in a blender.  Blend on
puree in the blender.  Pour over crushed ice in a Collins glass or decorative glass.  Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

The raspberry bite takes a tiny bit of sweetness out of the Early Times Mint Julep without robbing the cocktail of its traditional flavor and minty charm.  The minty fresh taste lingers well through the raspberry fruit which by the way gives this cocktail a pleasantly vivacious color.  Vibrant green mint leaves add the finishing touch for extra sparkle and contrast to liven up the concoction.

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.

Taste the Luck of the Irish: Michael Collins Irish Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

Though St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the most recognized patron saint of Ireland and is a national holiday of Ireland, the well-known holiday is celebrated in many countries.  Often referred to as ‘amateur night’ by seasoned drinkers, St. Patrick’s Day brings out the young and old touring pubs, watering holes and night clubs with Irish themes of green beer, cocktails and every sort of Jello shot or drinking game one could possibly imagine.  With cocktails and shots flowing freely on such a festive occasions, please keep in mind the need to consume responsibly and designate responsible drivers so everyone arrives home safely. 

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day

Beginning shot for St. Patrick’s Day:

Collins Cream

1 part Michael Collins Blend First Down Shot created by Cheri Loughlin photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

1 part Irish Cream Liqueur

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake well.  Strain into a shot glass. Enjoy with a glass of stout.  You might also like the Irish Car Bomb.

“Michael Collins is the dawning of a new age of Irish Whiskey; combining the best of Ireland’s long history of distilling with today’s demand for premium quality and unique style. Distilled at the last Irish independently owned distillery, Cooley, Michael Collins Irish Whiskeys are double distilled to retain the flavor characteristics of their premium ingredients.  Aged in small bourbon seasoned casks, they are refined, flavorful and well-balanced.  Michael Collins Single Malt is bold with a distinctive and unexpected lightly peated style.  Aged for a minimum of eight to over twelve years, it has aromas of chocolate malt with light citrus and honeysuckle notes.  Well-rounded and complex with rich maltiness, it finishes long with a hint of chocolate and a wonderfully settled smoke that lingers on the palate.”  – Michael Collins Media Release Notation

Irish SmashVodka 7 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

3/4 part Simple Syrup

3 lemon wheels

6 – 8 mint leaves

Muddle 3 mint leaves, simple syrup and two of the lemon wheels in a cocktail shaker. Add Michael Collins Blend and shake well with ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with the remaining lemon wheel and a sprig of fresh mint.

Frisky Whisky

1 part Michael Collins

1 part Honey Liqueur

1 part Orange Juice

1/4 part Simple Syrup

2 Dashes Classic Bitters

Lemon or Orange Spiral Garnish

Build over ice in a highball glass.  Garnish with lemon or orange spiral.

Irish Mint JulepMojito at El Picoteo Bar de Tapas in Old San Juan - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1/2 part Simple Syrup

6 – 8 mint leaves

Dash of Classic Bitters

Place the simple syrup and three mint leaves in a cocktail shaker with the Angostura bitters. Using a back of a bar spoon, bruise the mint leaves. Add Michael Collins Blend and stir gently. Strain into a tall glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Irish fizz

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1 part Lemon Juice

1/2 part Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 part Simple Syrup

2 parts Club Soda

Lemon Wedge Garnish

Shake the Michael Collins Blend, fresh lemon juice, orange liqueur and simple syrup well over ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with soda water.  Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Irish Blond– created by Dale de Groff

2 ounces Michael Collins Irish Whiskey

3/4 ounce Orange Curacao 

1/4 ounce Fino sherry

Dash of Orange Bitters 

Flamed Orange Peel Garnish

Stir all the ingredients in a bar glass with ice.   Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

Michael Collins Honeysuckle

1-1/2 parts Michael Collins Blend

2 teaspoons Honey

1-1/4 parts Sauvignon Blanc wine

1-1/2 parts Apple Juice

1/4 part Passion Fruit Syrup

1/4 part Lemon Juice

Apple Slice Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into chilled glass.  Garnish with thin apple slice.

Collins Royale

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1 part Sour Apple Schnapps

1/2 part Lemon Juice

1 part Brut Champagne

Green Apple Slice Garnish

Combine Michael Collins Blend, sour apple schnapps and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to chill.  Strain into champagne flute.  Top with dry sparkling wine.  Garnish with a green apple slice.

Michael Collins Old-fashionedVeeV in Fashion 1 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

2 dashes of Classic Bitters

1/2 part Simple Syrup

1/2 part Club Soda

2 Orange Slices

2 Maraschino Cherries

Muddle the simple syrup, bitters, one orange slice and one cherry in an old fash­ioned glass. Fill with ice and add Michael Collins Blend. Top with club soda.  Garnish with remaining orange slice and maraschino cherry.

Michael Collins Manhattan

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1 part Sweet Vermouth

2 dashes Classic Bitters

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Stir to blend and chill.  Strain into chilled martini glass.  Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Michael Collins Irish Ale

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

3 Lime Wedges

3 parts Ginger Ale

Pour Michael Collins Blend and two of the lime wedges over ice in a highball glass. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with remaining lime wedge. Try with fresh ginger beer for a spicier alternative!

Collins Apple-tiniDona Elenas Apple Pie - Cheri Loughlin Cocktail Development Services

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1 part Peach Liqueur

1 part Pressed Apple Juice

Squeeze of Fresh Lemon Juice

Green Apple Slice Garnish

Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake well.  Strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with slice of green apple.

Irish Sunrise

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

3 parts Orange Juice

Splash of Grenadine

Squeeze of Lemon Juice

Orange Twist & Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Pour the Michael Collins Blend over ice in a rocks glass. Top with fresh orange juice and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Add a splash of grenadine and garnish with an orange twist and a maraschino cherry.

Irish Rose

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

1 part Simple Syrup

3/4 part Lemon Juice

2 dashes Grenadine

Lemon Twist Garnish

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.   Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon zest twist.

Cocktail recipes sponsored by representatives of Michael Collins Irish Whiskey.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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.