Tag Archives: Sugar

Mark Twain Classic Cocktail

Posted on May 1, 2013 | Leave a comment

The Mark Twain scotch cocktail apparently dates back well into the 1800’s making it a classic cocktail for sure. It is described by Mark Twain in a letter to his wife dated January, 1874. Twain had been traveling in London. While staying there he enjoyed a “cock-tail” before breakfast, dinner and just before bed containing Scotch, fresh lemon, crushed sugar and Angostura bitters.

This cocktail was recommended by Steve S. from comments on the Intoxicologist Facebook page. Thank you Steve!

Mark Twain

2 ounces Scotch

1-1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Sour*

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. *Fresh Lemon Sour: 2 parts Fresh Lemon Juice, 1 part Simple Syrup

I sampled the Mark Twain as suggested by Steve. I wasn’t thoroughly in love with it, but found great potential in it. The lemon overwhelmed the scotch entirely too much for my taste. It sort of flat lined into all acid lemon in my opinion. So I “tweaked” Mark Twain, so to speak. Don’t tell his wife!

“Tweaked” Mark Twain – adapted by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

2 ounces Single Malt Scotch

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

Slightly less than 1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass.

I think a flamed orange peel might go terrific with this cocktail, but I got a little carried away sipping it and comparing it to the first version to stop and flame a peel. I suppose that means more research is in order! This variation of the Mark Twain classic cocktail renders a bit of nut flavor, mocha notes and subtle orange. In a word; delicious!

Cocktailia.com uses less Scotch, and a combination of 3/4 ounce Lemon Juice with 1 ounce Simple Syrup in place of Fresh Lemon Sour. Photo of the cocktail leads me to believe they used a single malt scotch. Their comments also said the lemon slightly overwhelmed the scotch, so 2 ounces might be better. Their readers sampled the recipe with Scotch and Bourbon and made the suggestion to cut back on simple syrup if using bourbon.

A really contemporary version to this classic cocktail is on the Art in the Age website. It’s basically a ginger snap flavor variation using a smokier scotch in less proportion. I haven’t sampled it, so I couldn’t comment on the way it tastes. But worth checking out if it appeals to you.

By the way, if you’re interested in how Samuel Clemens began to use the pen name, Mark Twain, you can read one theory which has to do with John Piper’s Saloon on B Street and a pair of whiskeys.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Angostura Bitters, Bourbon, Classic Bitters, Classic Cocktails, Fresh Lemon, Lemon Sour, Mark Twain, Scotch, Simple Syrup, Single Malt Scotch, Sugar, Whisky

Driscoll’s Berries Inspire Fresh Cocktails

Posted on April 22, 2013 | 2 Comments

Driscoll's Berry Tour 113 - Driscoll's Strawberry

Driscoll’s strawberry picked fresh from Driscoll’s strawberry field. Driscoll’s berries are touched one time, picked ripe, placed in clamshell package and shipped fresh.

My recent “field to fork” berry education and taste excursion with Driscoll’s berries inspired one of my recent fresh berry cocktails. If you follow me on Twitter you may have caught several berry tweets straight from Driscoll’s offices and berry fields a few weeks ago. So you already know Driscoll’s invited me and a few others out to tour the Driscoll’s facilities and attend the Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2013 Grand Tasting event. Yum!

This isn’t just a photographic berry tour, though. There is a fresh berry cocktail with Driscoll’s berries at the end of the post, so stay tuned for a few seconds.

In no particular order: Ani Phyo, Kathy Casey, Tess Masters, Allison Kociuruba, Amy Roskelley, Natalie Monson, Dede Wilson, Maria and Josh Lichty, Jaden and Scott Hair, Cheri Loughlin, Kim Allen, Driscoll’s representatives

Driscoll’s strawberries in clamshell packaging. Driscoll’s introduced clamshell packaging to the marketplace in the early 1990’s.

When the Driscoll’s representative invited me on this tour I was psyched. I was already familiar with the product. Driscoll’s berries have occupied space in my fridge (and family’s bellies) for years. I could go on and on about the nutrient factor and how good Driscoll’s berries are for your health, but honestly I just know they taste good.

Driscoll’s blackberries are known as the “Cabernet of Berries” for their wine-like, earthy taste.

My favorite Driscoll’s berries by far are the blackberries. The blackberries I sampled while touring were incredibly juicy and HUGE! Definitely the Season’s Finest. I learned that berries should be Oslo Iced Tea Fresh Blackberry Cocktail stored optimally at 32 degrees to preserve freshness. But berries should be eaten at room temperature for optimum flavor.

I’ll be honest, I also love fresh blackberries ice cold, muddled and served liquid… as in fresh blackberry cocktails like Take Me to the Tropics Sangria, Berrily a Mojito and Oslo Iced Tea.

Driscoll's Berry Tour 113

Driscoll’s strives to grow the most amazing and sensory delightful berries an individual could possibly desire. Their commitment to consumer delight begins in a germ-free lab where technicians meticulously handle precious tiny seedlings with tweezers.

Driscoll's Berry Tour 087

Seedlings move to nurseries. Once these plants are ready, they are prepared for planting to other facilities.

Driscoll's Berry Tour 087

Driscoll's Berry Tour 138

The strawberry fields’ tour was spectacular with beautiful mountains in the distance.

Driscoll's Berry Tour 087

And yes, strawberries straight from the vine are indeed delicious! You can get that same picked-from-the-vine taste right at home. Remember, Driscoll’s berries are picked, packed and shipped while handling the berries one time only. Cold chain management is the key to preserving the integrity of their fruit.

About that cocktail I promised you…

Strawberry Fields Forever Cocktail 230

Strawberry Fields Forever – created by Cheri Loughlin

7 Fresh Driscoll’s Strawberries Strawberry Fields Forever Cocktail 254

1 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1-1/2 ounce Gin

3/4 ounce Elderflower Liqueur

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

1 ounce Club Soda

Sugar & Lemon Slice

Fresh Strawberry Garnish

Swirl lemon slice around lip of rocks glass. Roll lip of glass in sugar. Refrigerate glass until use. Muddle strawberries in bottom of cocktail shaker. Add lemon juice, gin, liqueur and simple syrup with ice. Shake vigorously to blend. Strain into sugar rimmed rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with fresh strawberry.

Strawberry Fields Forever tastes fresh, delicately sweet with hint of lemonade freshness with the slightest suggestion of tart.

FTC disclosure: This learning opportunity was paid for in full by Driscoll’s, but all post content, photography, commentary and opinion is completely mine.

Special thank you to Driscoll’s for inviting me along on this amazing journey. Follow Driscoll’s on Facebook and Twitter @driscollsberry.

Cheri Loughlin Beverage Consultant & Photography Services

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Posted in Cocktails, Driscoll's Berry

Tagged Blackberries, Club Soda, Driscoll's, Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Berry Cocktail, Fresh Lemon, Gin, Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2013, Simple Syrup, St-Germain, Strawberries, Sugar

Concannon Irish Whiskey & a True Irish Coffee

Posted on March 13, 2013 | Comments Off

St. Patrick’s Day tradition brings to mind corn beef and cabbage, leprechauns, green beer, Irish soda bread and of course Irish Coffee. Irish Coffee started in the early 40’s in Ireland and was introduced in America in 1952. It has since become synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day.

John Concannon,Brand Ambassador to Concannon Irish Whiskey and 4th Generation Vintner, met up with Larry Silva, the general manager of Buena Vista Café in San Francisco, the birthplace of Irish Coffee in America, to see how a true Irish Coffee with Concannon should be made. Watch the video for Larry’s suggestions and watch how easy and fast multiple Irish Coffees can be whipped up just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

Concannon True Irish Coffee

6 ounce coffee glass – preheated. 2 sugar cubes. Couple ounces fresh hot coffee – stir to dissolve sugar. Generous helping of Concannon Irish Whiskey. Top with lightly blended heavy cream.

Concannon Irish Coffee 600

Easy! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Photo provided by The Baddish Group

But St. Patrick’s Day goes on all day. Pace yourself! You’re going to want even more recipes. Keep reading!

Concannon Irish Whiskey is an independent spirit of Ireland developed as a joint collaboration between Livermore Valley-based Concannon Vineyard and Ireland’s Cooley distillery.

Concannon Irish Whiskey 031 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin copy

Concannon Irish Whiskey is a refined blend of malted barley and corn, craft distilled for proper balance of character and purity. It is matured in bourbon barrels for a minimum of four years, then mellowed in Concannon Petite Sirah wine barrels for four months before blending. John Concannon refers to this as the “Concannon Effect.” This process gives Concannon Irish Whiskey its unique fruity character and full, clean balanced taste. ~ Information from product facts

80 Proof / 40% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $25 range / 750ml

Availability: Nationally distributed in the U.S. since 2012.

Concannon Irish Whiskey received Best New Irish Whiskey of the Year in 2012 from the International Spirits Competition (NYISC).

Concannon Irish Whiskey 027 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin copy

Concannon Irish Whiskey Official Brand Tasting Notes

Visual: Light golden wheat

Aroma: Toasted malt, red fruit and vanilla

Palate: Balance of honey sweet, spice and citrus

Finish: Medium-length. Warming and round, with hint fresh oak

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails: Concannon Irish Whiskey recommends the following cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day and year round sipping enjoyment.

An Old Fashioned Concannon

2 ounces Concannon Irish Whiskey

Orange Zest

2 Spoons Vanilla Infused Sugar

3 dashes Orange Bitters

Lightly muddle sugar, orange zest and bitters in bottom of tumbler style glass. Add 1/3 of whiskey and a few ice cubes. Stir, ensuring sugar has lifted from base of glass while mixing. Add another 1/3 of whiskey with few cubes of ice. Stir, mixing whiskey and sugar. Repeat with remaining whiskey. Photo provided by The Baddish Group

By the way… If you want to see something that looks really delicious, visit the Concannon Irish Whiskey website (website & Facebook link at the end of post) and click on the Mix It Up link for more cocktail recipes. Find the Roses & Oranges cocktail created by Master Mixologist Gillian Boyle. She used Orange Marmalade and fresh Rosemary. Her cocktail creation simply looks divine!!!

Concannon Raspberry Basil Smash

1-1/2 ounce Concannon Irish Whiskey

5 to 8 Fresh Raspberries

1/3 ounce Simple Syrup

3 to 4 Basil Leaves

1/4 ounce Lemon Juice

Basil Sprig & Fresh Raspberries Garnish

Muddle raspberries and basil in cocktail shaker. Add remaining liquids with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh cracked ice. Garnish with basil sprig and fresh raspberries. Photo provided by The Baddish Group

Post sponsored by representatives of Concannon Irish Whiskey – Concannon Irish Whiskey on Facebook – All opinion & personal commentary is my own.

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Posted in Cocktails, Sponsored Posts, St. Patrick's Day, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged An Old Fashioned Concannon, Basil, Classic Cocktail, Cocktail Video, Coffee, Concannon Irish Whiskey, Concannon Raspberry Basil Smash, Fresh Lemon, Heavy Cream, Irish Coffee, Irish Whiskey, Old Fashioned, Orange Bitters, Raspberries, Simple Syrup, Sponsored Post, St. Patrick's Day, Sugar, Vanilla Infused Sugar

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.

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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

Homemade Orgeat Syrup

Posted on January 31, 2013 | Leave a comment

Orgeat Syrup, almond flavored syrup, is a standard ingredient in the popular classic Mai Tai drink. It is also another one of those difficult to find syrups. Not every liquor store or grocer carries Orgeat Syrup, but that doesn’t mean it has to be omitted from any cocktails you might like to try. Just take a little time and make your own. This particular recipe yields a little over half a gallon of Orgeat Syrup making this an excellent gifting or sharing idea.

Orgeat Syrup has a tendency to separate whether store bought or made at home. Simply shake before use.

Try your hand at a few of these cocktail recipes with Orgeat Syrup inclusion.

Orgeat Syrup

1 pound Blanched Almonds – no salt

3/4 pound Demerara Sugar

3/4 pound Granulated Sugar

1 tablespoon Orange Flower Water

2 teaspoons Almond Extract

11 ounces Water

32 ounces Water – Boiled

2 ounces Vodka – optional

Place almonds and 11 ounces of water in blender. Blend until almonds are roughly chopped. Pour into wide mouthed, heat resistant glass jar. Add 32 ounces boiling water. Stir. Allow to stand for approximately three hours. Double strain through cheesecloth into large saucepan. It may be necessary to press liquid mixture through cheesecloth with wooden spoon. Fold ends of cheesecloth up around remaining pulp mixture and squeeze out all remaining liquid. Do not skip this step since the pulp contains a fair amount of flavor. Discard cheesecloth.

Add sugars to liquid mixture in saucepan. Heat over low heat until all sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Allow to cool. Add in orange flower water and almond extract. Add vodka if desired. Vodka acts as a preservative in this case. Funnel mixture into bottle with lid. Store Orgeat Syrup in refrigerator.

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Posted in Mixers & Garnishes

Tagged Almond Extract, Almonds, Basics, Demerara Sugar, Homemade Orgeat Syrup, Orange Flower Water, Orgeat, Orgeat Syrup, Sugar, Vodka

Homemade Falernum

Posted on January 29, 2013 | Leave a comment

A good homemade falernum recipe is good to keep on hand. It’s sometimes difficult to find in stores, but is a necessary component in some Tiki style cocktails. It’s also growing in popularity in many other contempory mixed drink recipes such as sangrias and punches.

So, what is falernum? Falernum is simply delicious. It is a bit of spice, bit of sweet and ever so warming. There are almonds, cloves and sometimes ginger. The texture is smooth with lingering silky spice that mellows over the tongue. Falernum is a simple, yet beautiful flavor. It warms cool weather cocktails and brightens warm weather drinks. I think it’s simply divine. Every bar should stock this amazing bottled treat!

Try your hand at making Falernum at home with this easy homemade falernum recipe. Your taste buds will thank you!

Falernum

10 Medium Limes – peeled

10 Whole Cloves

5 Whole Raw Almonds

1 teaspoon Sugar

1 – 750ml Bottle White Rum

Peel limes, removing all white pith. Cut limes in half. Place cut and peeled limes in large glass container with lid. Add cloves, raw almonds, sugar and white rum. Save the rum bottle. Cover. Store in sunny window for approximately three days. Taste for desired flavor. When satisfied with flavor, double strain mixture into cleaned rum bottle. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator if desired.

Try your homemade concoction in any of the Falernum cocktail recipes found on the site.

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Posted in Mixers & Garnishes

Tagged Almonds, Basics, Cloves, Falernum, Limes, Mixer, Rum, Sugar, Velvet Falernum

Homemade Chocolate Raspberry “Liqueur”

Posted on January 25, 2013 | Leave a comment

There are a few spirits that sit back on the liquor cabinet shelf that I haven’t used in a while. On a whim I have begun playing with a few of those forgotten partially used bottles of liquor. The result isn’t always great, but sometime a winner comes through. Chocolate Raspberry Liqueur is one of those winning combinations. It turned out so well I made a special batch for a chocolate and raspberry loving friend for Christmas.

Chocolate Raspberry Liqueur – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/2 cup Demerara Sugar

1/2 cup Water

2 cups Frozen Raspberries (unsweetened)

1/2 Cutie – Juiced, save the leftover peel after juicing

2 cups Chocolate Vodka

Heat sugar, water, raspberries, juice & peel in saucepan over low heat. Bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Double strain to remove all pulp. Allow to cool. Pour raspberry syrup & 2 cups Chocolate Vodka in bottle with lid. Refrigerate.

Serve over ice or shake with ice & serve up in chilled cocktail glass.

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Posted in Mixers & Garnishes

Tagged Chocolate Raspberry Liqueur, Chocolate Vodka, Cutie, Demerara Sugar, Homemade Liqueur, Liqueur, Raspberries, Raspberry Syrup, Sugar

Cardamom Pop Punch

Posted on December 27, 2012 | Comments Off

This make ahead punch recipe brings terrific flavor to the punch bowl with it’s Cardamom Syrup inclusion. This variation of the Camarena Cardamom Tequila Punch offers guest a non-alcoholic drink choice to insure a sober drive home.

Cardamom Pop Punch – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/4 Pineapple – sliced in quarter wheels

1 Orange – sliced in quarter wheels

1 Lime – sliced in quarter wheels

1 Lemon – sliced in quarter wheels

2 ounces Lemon Juice

1-1/2 ounce Cardamom Syrup*

10 ounces Blueberry Pomegranate Juice

4 ounces Cranberry Juice

Club Soda

Place all ingredients except club soda in pitcher. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Top with club soda before serving.

Cardamom Syrup – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/2 cup Water

1 cup Organic Sugar Cane

1/4 cup Cardamom Pods

Place cardamom pods in heat proof jar with lid. Set aside. Place water and sugar in saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is completely dissolved (approximately 5 minutes). Pour heated syrup over cardamom pods. Stir briefly. Seal. Allow flavor to infuse for 24 hours. Strain syrup. Discard pods. Refrigerate.

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Posted in Mocktails

Tagged Blueberry Pomegranate Juice, Camarena Cardomom Tequila Punch, Cardamom, Cardamom Pop Punch, Cardamom Syrup, Club Soda, Cranberry Juice, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Orange, Pineapple, Punch, Sugar

Hot or Iced Coffee House Latte

Posted on December 17, 2012 | Comments Off

Some like it hot. Some like it cold. Many of us like it either way depending on mood, time of day or what the weather sends our way. This Coffee House Latte Mix is super easy to put together and is versatile enough for hot service or as an icy blended coffee. Make a large batch to keep for yourself and gift to a friend or neighbor.

Coffee House Latte

1 cup Nonfat Dry Milk Powder

1/2 cup Nondairy Coffee Creamer Powder

1/3 cup Instant Unsweetened Coffee

1/3 cup Sugar

2 boxes Instant Vanilla Pudding (7 ounces total)

Combine all ingredients in gallon size Ziplock bag. Shake to blend. Store in sealed jar or canister.

Hot Latte Assemble: Place 2 ounces (1/4 cup) Coffee House Latte Mix in heatproof mug. Top with 8 ounces hot water. Stir. Top with whipped cream if desired.

Iced Latte Assemble:Place 2 ounces (1/4 cup) Coffee House Latte Mix in heatproof mug or measuring cup. Top with 1/4 cup hot water. Stir to dissolve. Place dissolved mixture in blender with 1/4 cup cold water and 1/2 cup ice. Process until mixture is completely blended. Pour into tall glass.

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Posted in Barista Cafe, Mocktails

Tagged Coffee, Coffee Creamer, Coffee House Latte, Dry Milk Powder, Latte, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Pudding, Sugar, Winter Warmer

Fireside Cappuccino

Posted on December 13, 2012 | Comments Off

This mocha flavored cappuccino mix hits the spot on a chilly morning or as a late night treat. Sipping fireside is just an additional bonus if the crackle of a fire is your thing.

Fireside Cappucino mix is easy to put together and keep on hand rather than run out to the local coffee shop for a quick fix. It’s also a wonderful gift for friends, family or new neighbors.

Fireside Cappuccino

1 cup Powdered Chocolate Milk Mix

1 cup Nondairy Coffee Creamer Powder

3/4 cup Unsweetened Instant Coffee

3/4 cup Sugar

1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

1 Tablespoon Dried Orange Peel – optional

Combine all ingredients in gallon size Ziplock bag. Shake to thoroughly blend. Mix can be placed in blender or food processor to mix if desired. Store in sealed jar or canister.

Assemble: Place 2 heaping Tablespoons of Fireside Cappucino Mix in heatproof mug. Top with 8 ounces hot water. Stir. Top with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles if desired.

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Posted in Barista Cafe, Christmas Cocktails

Tagged Cappucino, Chocolate Milk, Cinnamon, Coffee, Coffee Creamer, Fireside Cappuccino, Holiday, Mocha Cappucino, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Nutmeg, Orange Peel, Sugar

Tag Archives: Sugar

Mark Twain Classic Cocktail

Driscoll’s Berries Inspire Fresh Cocktails

Concannon Irish Whiskey & a True Irish Coffee

Aperitif & Wine Cocktails

Homemade Orgeat Syrup

Homemade Falernum

Homemade Chocolate Raspberry “Liqueur”

Cardamom Pop Punch

Hot or Iced Coffee House Latte

Fireside Cappuccino

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