Halloween Manhattan?

Not really; its an Aperol Manhattan with a halloween appropriate garnish (a gummy eyeball). It is a great cocktail and good to serve any time of the year..

I am really enjoying experimenting with Aperol; it is a nice mix of sweet and bitter orange (like Campari but not as bitter). I am playing around with it and am certain I will have a few more great cocktail recipes to share

1 ¾ oz Bourbon
1 ¼ oz Sweet Vermouth
1 ¼ oz Aperol
juice from ½ fresh lime & ½ fresh orange.
4 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

Baby Shower Cocktail Results & Hellfire Bitters

It was lots of fun playing bartender for a few hours at my friend's baby shower; it took me back to my college days. The most favorite drink by far was the Hot Apple Pie. The contrast between the sweetness of the clove and cinnamon simple syrup and the heat of the Hellfire bitters seemed to be what made this drink the crowd favorite.

The recipe for the Hellfire bitters is easy:



16 Habanero Chiles, halved
3 Limes, quartered
2 Tbsp Molasses
16 Allspice Berries, crushed
2 Cups high proof spirit (I used an inexpensive 100 proof Vodka)
Combine all ingredients in a mason jar and let it sit for about 2 weeks. Strain and then bottle.

This is some seriously hot stuff, so use it sparingly.

Happy Birthday Jeff

Wine tasting in Amador county. First stop is Renwood. 2007 Barbera is tasty.

Peachy

My third and final cocktail creation for my friend's baby shower - Kentucky Peach.  Its apropos here on the west coast as we kiss summer good by and head into the fall.

2 oz Bulleit Bourbon

.5 oz Sweet Vermouth

Dash Angostura Bitters

.25 oz Orange Juice

1 Tbs Peach Baby Food

Vesper

James Bond's choice of martini in Casino Royal. I prefer mine with Cocchi Americano than with Lillet, but like Bond I like a Vesper shaken, not stirred.

Hot Apple Pie

I came up with another cocktail for what is bound to be the most fun baby shower I probably will ever attend.  This drink is called "Hot Apple Pie." It has some nice fall flavors of apple, cinnamon and clove with a bit of heat from the Hellfire bitters. 

2 oz Rum
2 tbs Apple Baby Food
1/2 oz Clove and Cinnamon Simple Syrup
1/16 tsp Hellfire Bitters

Cocktails & Baby Showers

I am working on drink recipes for a baby shower.....yes a baby shower. Obviously, this is my kind of expecting couple. I am perfecting three drinks, each of which has baby food as an ingredient....BABY FOOD. My first recipe is my take on a pear fizz. Here is the recipe; let me know what you think.

2 oz Gin
.5oz Rosemary Simple Syrup
juice from half a lemon
2 heaping tablespoons pear babyfood
one egg white
dash Angostura Bitters

Shake and serve up with a lemon twist.