Cocktails, what is your favorite?

What is the definition of a cocktail? A drink of often dissimilar ingredients. Hmmmm….

I love a good, simple cocktail. For the last four years I have leaned toward the Maker’s Mark and Ginger ale (easy rocks), a drink I was turned onto by my fellow chef sister Jennifer.

It is amazing the amount of combinations that can be created and the amount of new liquors that are born every day. Even better is the amount of spirits are coming out that are organic and sustainable.

A few years ago you couldn’t walk into a bar and order a Harvey Wallbanger, Tom Collins, or Sidecar without getting some odd looks from your bartender. After all many a bartender we encountered didn’t know how to make them!

I had the worst Old Fashioned of my life in one of my favorite bars and vowed to never order another one from that particular person, no matter how nice she is.

Today though we meet more bartenders and mixologists that can make the most obscure cocktail, such as the Blood & Sand which I tried at Foodbuzz fest.

Whether you enjoy your vodka, scotch, whiskey or bourbon on the rocks, straight or with tonic/water, there are plenty of brands to try.

What’s your favorite cocktail? What is your favorite brand of any of the above? I would love to hear feedback on this one to see what others are imbibing!

Classic Cocktails

Classic cocktails are enjoying a resurgence. I think that with all that is going on in the economy and the world, it is nice to have something safe and familiar to always turn to here. I grew to love them after I started reading the Phryne Fisher mysteries, as that classic lady's magnificent Mr. Butler keeps her thirst well at bay!

Here a few that you might give a try:

White Lady Cocktail

2 oz gin
2 oz Cointreau
1 oz lemon juice

Mix all ingredients, shake over cracked ice and pour into a cocktail glass. I am a fan of the White Lady. I will say however, to make a great classic drink, you need to magical touch of a talented mixologist or bartender!

Tom Collins

4 oz gin
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp fine sugar
6 oz club soda

Combine first three ingrediants in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Add club soda and stir.

Whiskey Sour

4 oz whiskey
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp sugar

Mix and strain into a chilled cocktail glass

Stinger
Try it straight up or on the rocks.

4 oz brandy
1 1/3 oz white crème de menthe

Stir well and pour into glass.

Looking for someone to come to you and make you something wonderful to tickle your palate? here in San Francisco please check out the delightful Rye SF!

have a favorite cocktail? Let's have a drink! lunaraven.com