Something I'm thankful for is the discovery of the Gingerbread Manhattan. It was an idea of Matt Parkinson of Viand restaurant in Chicago because the establishment was using gingerbread syrup for some of it's coffee drinks. Matt decided try switching out the sweet vermouth for the syrup and low and behold, the drink was born. It's great to have this as one of you're holiday drinks and it's really easy to make.
God bless and Cheers,
John Apodaca
john@daddyosmartinis.com
Gingerbread Manhattan
3 oz of Bourbon ( Buffalo Trace)
1/2 oz of gingerbread syrup ( Torani brand )
1 dash of Angostura bitters
Marasca cherry from Italy (Luxardo)
Crystallized ginger
Combine bourbon, gingerbread syrup and angostura bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a Marasca Cherry and crystallized ginger on a toothpick.
This is John Apodaca from Daddy-O's Martinis. One of my favorite classic cocktails of mine and has been honored in music and movies is the Old Fashioned. It was invented around 1900 at the Pendennis Club in Louisville Kentucky by Colonel James E. Pepper ( a Kentucky distiller of bourbon) and the bartender. It was once referred to as a "palate-paralyzer" by bartender David Embury and has a song in it's honor Make it another old fashioned please by Cole Porter. It's also mentioned in a scene of the movie It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World were Jim Backus plays a rich lush with a twin-engine plane. Mickey Rooney and Buddy Hackett convince him to fly them to a buried treasure. Backus asks Mickey Rooney while flying the plane to make him an Old Fashioned and after having two of them tells the other two characters to fly the plane because he's going to make an old fashioned the old fashioned way that dear old dad used to make them. Mickey Rooney says, "what if something should happen and Backus tells them, what could happen with an Old Fashioned?
I've done research on this cocktail and have made it and after several trials along with tastings at home and at some of my favorite drinking establishments have found a delicious balance. It's build in an old fashioned or double rocks glass without muddling fruit. Some recipes call for muddling orange and maraschino cherries with sugar, bitters and water. I find it become too sweet but after tasting it at Seven Grand in Downtown Los Angeles and 320 in Seal Beach, I found the taste was just right and the only fruit in it was a flamed orange peal. I followed this method at home and found that's the only way to enjoy it. Give it a try or go to bar that serves up vintage style cocktails this way. Let me know how you liked it.
Cheers,
John Apodaca
The Old Fashioned
1 1/2 oz Bourbon or Rye Whiskey ( Rittenhouse Rye or Buffalo Trace )
2 - 4 Dashes of Angostura bitters
1 Sugar cube
1 Splash of soda water
Flamed orange peel
Place the sugar cube at the bottom of an old fashioned or double rocks glass. Soak the sugar with 2 - 4 dashes of Angostura bitters and add a splash of soda water and muddle (crush) the ingredients until dissolved with a muddling stick or with the back of a bar spoon. Add the whiskey, slice an orange peel very thinly
(about 2 inches long), light a match hold it underneath the peel with a back and fourth motion for a few seconds, turn it over and do the same for a few seconds while holding it over the glass. Pinch the peel while still holding the lighted match it to release oils, you should see a spark from the release of the oils. Put out the flame and wipe the rim of the glass along with the peel and place it in the glass and enjoy the drink.
This is John Apodaca with Daddy-O's Martinis. This Saturday is start of the Kentucky Derby which has been a tradition in Louisville Kentucky since 1875 at Churchill Downs. Many spectators will be flocking to the races to pick a hopeful thoroughbred winner for themselves.
Some of the traditions that surround the races are women dressed in fine outfits lavishly accessorized with large elaborate hats. As horsed are being paraded around the before the grandstands, the University of Kentucky plays the song My Old Kentucky Home also Burgoo at thick stew consisting of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables is served all day at the derby. The favorite of traditions is the Mint Julep the official drink of the derby which is made up of Bourbon, Sugar, water and fresh mint. The earliest mention of the this Southern drink refresher dates back to 1803
The Mint Julep
2 oz Powdered sugar
1 oz water
4 Sprigs of fresh mint
4 oz Makers Mark bourbon
