Cocktail Friday: Toasted Almond

Last Friday's cocktail was the Toasted Almond, a mix of vodka, Tia Maria, Disaronno, and cream. I was extra excited about this CF because it was my first chance to break out my new martini glasses (from Santa Steven, who scored high quality Austrian glasses at Christmas Tree Shops, of all places) and my new cocktail shaker.

Right off the bat, Steven insisted that I must have mixed up the ratios...and shortly after giving him a big speech about how "I'm a scientist, I always follow the protocol, bla bla bla", I realized that there was twice as much alcohol in there as there should have been. Oops! Oh, well, an extra dash of cream straightened that right out. :)

Apparently my mixing style closely resembles that of this famous epicure:

Cocktail Friday

Last night's libation...

St-Germain Cocktail

2 parts champagne

2 parts club soda

1.5 parts St-Germain liqueur

Serve over ice, with a twist

I first tasted St-Germain during girls' night out at Audubon Circle in Boston and it definitely made an impression. This French liqueur is made from elderflower blossoms, which impart a sweet, floral, almost citrus flavor to your drink. It's not a common product, so imagine my joy when Steven found it at our local packie! Last night's home-mixed version was really good, and I think this may be my favorite cocktail. Ever. It's sweet, yet light, and definitely refreshing. It's a perfect summer cocktail, but I declare it fair game all year round. ;)

Cocktail Friday :)

I've decided to implement a new domestic tradition...Cocktail Friday! I figure it's a great way to usher in the weekend, try new things, and learn the art of mixing drinks.

So for the inaugural drink (drumroll, please)...

The Manhattan

Equal parts whiskey and sweet vermouth (for the sweet version), this cocktail is a classic--a favorite of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, as well as the ladies of Sex and the City (in addition to the Cosmopolitan, of course). But more importantly, it was the signature cocktail of my beloved grandfather, who would have celebrated his 99th birthday today. Every big holiday would find him mixing a pitcher of his Manhattans--measuring by eye, of course, and then by heart when his vision grew poor. One part alchemist, all parts gracious host, he'd supply us all with his specialty drink throughout cocktail hour. It's just one more thing I'm going to miss as our first holiday season without him approaches....but tonight, I'm raising my glass to a classic.

Na Zdraví!