Howard McEwen, CFA

This is a cocktail invented by Alicia (it may be served elsewhere, but she came up with it independently).   It was out of necessity.  We wanted a margarita, but a slightly sweeter one than the classic we usually have (the ones we served at our margarita themed cocktail party)  We were feeling lazy so used [...]

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Tonight’s cocktail party will feature the Bee’s Knees Cocktail.  It’s fairly easy to make but offers a flavor you won’t get from most cocktails.  That’s because the sweetening agent isn’t fruit or triple sec, but honey.
2 oz gin
1 oz honey syrup
1/2 oz lemon juice
We’ve been using Tanqueray, but tried a new (and much cheaper) gin [...]

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June 8 is Alicia and my next cocktail event.  Invite is here.
This is a pretty good summer time cocktail and went over well at a recent tapas party I attended.  It’s also easy to make, but don’t skip the garnishes.
Fill a highball glass with ice, pour in 1.5 oz of Pimm’s No. 1, fill the [...]

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Manuel Terron, who hosts Mixing with the Best and Cocktail Diaries on Fine Living and Discovery Networks in the USA sent me the following about the origin of the cocktail.  It takes away from what my Aunt Margie said, but who knows….You can see clips from his show at his company website here, but you [...]

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It’s Margarita night tomorrow night.  We’ll try to post the food menu later, but here’s the drink recipe:
1 1/2 oz Tequila – we’ll use Cuervo Gold
1 oz triple sec – we use Patrone’s Citronge
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
This is a bit dryer that what most people expect a Margarita.  The Citronge also adds a bit [...]

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The Blood and Sand
from Alicia & Howard McEwen, CFA

¾ oz Orange Juice
¾ oz Scotch
¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
¾ oz Cherry Heering Cherry Liqueur

Shake with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

This was scheduled to be the February 08 cocktail.  However a good friend passed away the Saturday before the event so we canceled it.  [...]

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The Vintage Sidecar
from Alicia & Howard McEwen, CFA

1 ½ oz Brandy
1 oz Triple Sec/Orange liqueur (we used Patron’s Citronge)
½ lemon juice

Shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Flame an orange peel on the drink.

To flame an orange peel, cut a quarter size peel off the orange. Hold the orange skin side down [...]

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The Martini en francais
from Alicia McEwen, MS

1 oz vodka
1 oz raspberry liqueur
2 oz fresh pineapple juice

This was served at the December 08 Cocktail Experience.  A girly drink yes, but this went over well with some very manly men I drank it with.  It’s sooo 1990s, but who cares.  They’s good…especially in the summer time [...]

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Vodka Martini
from Howard McEwen, CFA

2 oz Vodka
1 oz Dry (French) Vermouth
1 Olive

Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

We served this at the December 08 Cocktail Experience.  Trust be told – I can’t stand this.  Gin Martini even less.  There doesn’t seem to be much complexity.  I just love my brown liquors.  Our bottle [...]

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Pomegranate Manhattan
from Alicia McEwen, MS

1.5 oz Bourbon
1.5 oz Pomegranate juice
1 teaspoon cherry syrup
3 dashes of Angostura bitters

Shake well. Garnish with three cherries.
Served at the November 08 Cocktail Experience.  This is our traditional bedtime cocktail.  Easy to make.  Helps you sleep.  Good for digestion.  And the pomegranate is a cancer fighter so I guess [...]

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