Friday Cocktail Time...a trip back to the 30's

So as usual it is friday and I need a cocktail.  I thought I would switch it up a bit and make a cocktail from my "The Savoy Cocktail Book".  You may remember seeing this book in photos from my trip the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans (here).  This one is a facsimile created in the 80's, which is perfect for me.  An original 30's edition usually sells for around 300-500 bucks...no thank you I would rather spend my dollars on booze......this one is about 40-50 dollars on the big E.

The Savoy Cocktail Book

What is so cool about this version is it is suppose to be EXACTLY like the original, complete with all of the illustrations.

Just one of the many illustrations!

For today I decided on an American Beauty Cocktail...because well I'm an American Beauty!

Recipe....it doesn't mention ice...but I added some to the shaker!

After one quick trip to the liquor store for some brandy, I was all set. (Don't forget you will need port too...I didn't notice that before I left, but luckily we had a bottle on hand...and don't go without it, it really adds to the drink!)

The goods

This one is pretty easy!  Since the ratio was 1/4 of the main four ingredients, I used 1oz of each which worked well because two of the fours are mixers...so you basically end up with roughly a 2oz strong drink.  Also that makes it the perfect size drink to use in a iced hi-ball glass.

All shook up!

Now for the pour....

A nice orangey red color

Looks so delicious in my new bar glass....which I thrifted this very afternoon.  My new last name starts with an "L".  It was meant to be! Lets see another couple photos of that sexy glass with the port added on top.

Front

Back

VERDICT - This drink is seriously delicious.  It is rather sweet given the ounce of both grenadine and orange juice, plus the port on top....but the flavors work really well together.  Even the dash of Creme de Menthe is great...there is a touch of minty-ness in each sip.  Don't be scared to try it! My husband said it sounded like a hot mess......and it does have a lot going on...but it works!  Now I'm off to make another.

Cheers!

Becca

Mid Century Drink - None but the Brave

Okay...so it isn't Friday, but this week has been rough.  So....do you know what that calls for....a cocktail!  This is one that I have been drinking for a little while, but have yet to post about, called "None but the Brave".   I found this recipe after searching for ways to use a bottle of Allspice Dram I purchased on a whim.(A good whim, it is delicious!)  So here we go.....

 

The "Goods"

RECIPE: 1.5oz. Brandy, .5oz Allspice Dram, .5oz Lemon Juice, .5oz Rum, .25 tsp sugar;   Shake over ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Alright! A measure, shake and pour drink....so easy.   Here is the finished product:

 

 My first time using our new dancing pink elephant glasses

 Look I even have pink elephant ice cubes, hey I'm all about the matching.

VERDICT:  Oh so good.  Even after making this for a while, I still play with the ratios a little.  Next time I'm thinking, put in some of those homemade bitters we made.  Yum!

Becca

Holiday - Work and Reward

So my day off today has been quite productive.  A lot of the day has been rearranging the sun room to a more comfortable layout.  I didn't take photos of the start, but all of our records were along the window sill and it really blocked the light....plus I have been fretting about potential damage from the sun.  I found some great wall mounted record racks on the big E, which I put up on one wall.

 
These work great and hold about ten+ records and I also find it nice to display some great record covers...like the Andrew Bird record on the bottom (I love that cover!)  Another group of records went into storage cubes in the corner next to the cool wire rack I found this weekend.

The rest will go into a small record cabinet that will go between the two chairs...it is on a table in the back
yard waiting for another coat of paint!

 

See! A productive day!  Alright enough of that...now on to the reward.  How does some fresh Sangria sound?  Delish right!  Sangria is super easy to make and the recipe changes a little from person to person...but here is mine...for today at least.

2 Oranges

8 Strawberries

2 bunches of Grapes

1 cup Sugar

Contreau

Brandy

Tonic Water

One bottle of cheap red wine

First thing I do is take half of the grape, and put them in the freezer in a baggie.  These will freeze nicely and then you can add them to your glass of Sangria later as yummy ice cubes of sorts.  Next cut up the oranges and strawberries into slices and toss them into your pitcher.  Add the remaining grapes and your cup of sugar.  Then add enough Contreau to cover half or more of the fruit and a little bit of Brandy.  Stir and cover.  Let it marinate for at least an hour at room temperature or in the fridge (It doesn't really matter)

After your hour, pour in the bottle of wine.  Give it a good through stir and serve with a splash of Tonic (or Club soda) and the frozen grapes! Yum!

I hope everyone is having a great holiday!

Ciao

Becca

Bar Aid - #15 Betsy Ross

So I pulled a number out of my new jar which matches my bar glasses. Yeah! (I'm a matchy kinda person). Drum roll please.....#15 Betsy Ross...ok ok I know the post title gave it away.

I was talking to my friend about this drink and I called it a Betty Ross..Ha!

"Don't you mean Betsy Ross?" - L

"Umm...no.  Betty is Betsy's lush sister" - Me

Yeah I don't think she believed me on that one.

Anyways back to drink...

 RECIPE:  1 jigger Brandy, 1 jigger Port, 2 dashes Angostura Bitters, 1 dash Curacao.  Stir well with ice and strain into large Cocktail glass.

I made a trip to the local liquor store for Port and Curacao (I'm going to have a fully stocked bar in a few weeks!)  Before I went I did a little online research, and found this drink recipe on a couple sites.  Some used Triple Sec instead of Curacao, so if you have that on hand you should be good.

Also,  If you don't have a jigger (or know what it is), it basically means 2oz.

A jigger

In case you aren't familiar with Angostura Bitters, they should be in the mixes section and they look like this:

I measured and poured, then stirred before straining and serving in a roly poly glass.

VERDICT:  Good!  A little strong but that must be the brandy.  Tastes rather like fortified Sangria.  I could feel the warmth after just one drink!  If this is too strong for you I would suggest adding some Tonic or even  Sprite (I'm sure some brandy drinks are fainting right now)

If anyone decided to try it....tell me what you think.