Pre NYE Manhattan Cocktail

2 oz Old Overholt rye
1 oz Antica
House made clove bitters
Angostura bitters

Thirsty Lawyer Has Your Cure For The Cold and Flu Season

This time of the year, every year I come down with a head cold.  Who knows whether its the combination of the hurried pace of the holiday season, the rush to close business deals for clients by the end of the year, and the multitude of parties, or just the fact that its called the cold and flu season for a reason.  Whatever the cause, as inevitable as Christmas day, I came down with a head cold.   Aside from the drug store cold remedies,  Thirsty Lawyer also obtains relief from the self prescribed Hot Toddy. 

Honey Bourbon Toddy

The origin of the hot toddy is murky and not clear.  Some theorize that the hot toddy came from India; a drink that was produced by fermenting the sap of the palm and was made popular in Scotland by an employee of the East India Company.  Another theory claims that creation of the hot toddy was memorialized in  Allan Ramsay's 1721 poem The Morning Interview.  There are as many theories on the origin of the hot toddy as there are recipes  and I tried a few of them during my recovery.

English Toddy

2 oz Dry London Gin
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz Ginger Honey Syrup
Hot Water.

Honey Bourbon Toddy

2 oz Honey Bourbon
1 oz fresh lemon juice
Hot Water

Although the American Lung Association would not recommend drinking a hot toddy when ill because alcohol is dehydrating, having a hot toddy, bundled up in front of a roaring fire can make an illness a bit more bearable.  

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve, Cape Cod, family and an Old Fashion. I hope your Christmas Eve is just as perfect.

Yes Virginia, December is for Tequia?

I am sure you normally think of tequila as a summer or spring spirit; enjoying a refreshing margarita al fresco on a nice warm day. Good tequila shouldn't be shoved to the back of the bar during the chilly months. It's a virisitile spirit that should be enjoyed year round.

During the fall and winter I enjoy Tequila Reposado or Anejo.  Tequila Reposado is aged for up to  11 months in wood barrels (the most common being American or French oak that were previously used by American whiskey distilleries) with Anejo aged up to 3 years.  The aging adds great earthy flavors and complexity. This winter, I have experimented with substituting Tequila Anejo for bourbon in cocktails that have a bitter profile (those that call for sweet vermouth, Campari, etc.) Some experiments did not merit repeating; but others worked out wonderfully.

My most recent experiment was inspired by a cocktail I had at Mercado in Santa Monica. I told the bar tender the taste profiles I prefer - bitter and tart over sweet - and he made me an excellent cocktail. He said it was a spin on a Paloma (Tequila, grapefruit juice and lime juice); but only if you add a dash of Boulevardie.

2 oz. Anejo Tequila
1 oz Campari
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 oz fresh Grapefruit juice
.5 oz Fresh Squeezed Juice

Shake with ice and serve up.