Duos And Trios Flashcards
Alexander Cocktail?
Ingredients:
3/4 ounce VS Cognac
3/4 ounce white crème de cacao
3/4 ounce cream
Preparation: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain.
Presentation: Cocktail coupe, garnished with grated nutmeg
History: The first documentation of an Alexander Cocktail was in 1910 in J. A. Grohusko’s Jack’s Manual on the Vintage and Production, Care and Handling of Wines and Liquors. The recipe called for three parts rye whiskey and one part Benedictine, served over one ice cube. In 1916, New York author Hugo Ensslin included a version in Recipes for Mixed Drinks that called for equal parts gin, white crème de cacao, and sweet cream. The Savoy Cocktail Book, published in 1930, listed three variations on that drink.
Preparations & Variations: The Savoy Cocktail Book includes The No. 1, with two parts gin and one part each of crème de cacao and cream; The No. 2, listed above and commonly referred to as the Brandy Alexander; and Alexander’s Sister, with equal parts gin, crème de menthe, and cream. The last of these would not likely be garnished with nutmeg.
Black Russian?
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces vodka
3/4 ounce Kahlùa liqueur
Preparation: Pour ingredients over ice.
Presentation: Lowball glass
History: This cocktail was born in Belgium at the Hotel Monopole in Brussels. Bartender Gustav Tops allegedly created it for the American ambassador to Luxembourg who was staying at the hotel, Perle Mesta, who was also a socialite of the era, providing the inspiration for Irving Berlin’s Call Me Madam and gracing the cover of Time magazine in 1949.
Preparations & Variations: The many published variations of the drink include the Dirty, Tall, or Australian Black Russian, which elongates the cocktail with Cola in a highball glass; the Black Magic, which adds a squeeze and a twist of lemon to the original; the Black Irish Russian, which adds a head of Guinness; or the White Russian, which adds cream or milk. Working with a more intensely flavored coffee liqueur and perhaps a flavored vodka like citrus or vanilla might also prove interesting.
Corn ‘n’ Oil?
Ingredients:
2 ounces blackstrap rum, such as Cruzan
1/2 ounce velvet falernum
1/4 ounce lime juice
2–3 dashes Angustora bitters
Preparation: Build over ice.
Presentation: Old Fashioned glass, garnished with lime wedge
History: The origin of this drink is unknown. Some believe it to be a child of the post-WWII Tiki era, while others think it is a more modern creation.
Preparation & Variations: Cruzan Black Strap Rum may be replaced with another similar rum, but it can be difficult to find one that performs like Cruzan’s, which is made using Cruzan’s two-year-old light rum as a base with the addition of dark molasses. Some recipes may recommend shaking the cocktail, but it is meant to be enjoyed like an Old Fashioned.
God Father cocktail?
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounce Scotch whisky
3/4 ounce amaretto
Preparation: Pour ingredients over ice and stir gently to mix.
Presentation: Old Fashioned glass
History: The origin of this Duo is unknown, but Disaronno claims that it was the favorite cocktail of actor Marlon Brando. Either way, it first made an appearance as the Tiki era ended and the Disco age of Grasshoppers and Mudslides began.
Preparation & Variations: The drink can also be made using equal parts if looking for a sweeter version. Substitute vodka for the Scotch to make the Godmother, or use Cognac to make a French Connection.
God Mother Cocktail?
Ingredients:
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce amaretto liqueur
Preparation: Pour over ice and stir briefly to mix the two ingredients.
Presentation: Double rocks glass
History: The origin of this cocktail is unknown, but it is clearly a variation on the God Father. Disarono claims the creative rights of that cocktail.
Preparation & Variations: This drink is one of many variations on the God Father. It is known as a “duo,” or a blend of a dry spirit and a liqueur.
Rusty Nail?
Ingredients:
2 oz. Blended Scotch Whisky
1 oz. Drambuie
Preparation: Stir with ice and strain into an ice-filled glass.
Presentation: Old Fashioned Glass, Lemon Twist
Bartender Comments: This is a punchy drink—scotch-based with an eighty-proof scotch liqueur. That’s why I like this recipe, which calls for stirring the cocktail before adding it to fresh ice.
Stinger cocktail?
Ingredients:
2 oz. Brandy
1 oz. white créme de menthe
Preparation: Stir with ice in a mixing glass and strain.
Presentation: Cocktail coupe
History: Though to be derived from a cocktail known as The Judge (brandy, simple syrup and créme de menthe), the Stinger was a popular upper class cocktail from the 1890’s through the 1970’s.
Preparations and Variations: The 2:1 ratio is often changed to a drink of equal parts. Variations include the Amaretto Stinger where the brandy is replaced by Amaretto, the Mexican stinger which swaps tequila for the brandy, and the White Spider-a more mint forward drink based on vodka and créme de menthe.
