The Spirit World

The Fitz and the Wheeltapper lounges inside the Fitzpatrick Hotels in NYC are currently offering three exclusive Easter-themed cocktails; the Easter Bunny, a delight for chocolate lovers, the Jelly Bean and the Easter Egg Cocktail. Here are the recipes of these tantalizing libations:
The Easter Bunny
1 1/2 oz. dark crème de cacao
1/2 oz. vodka
1 tsp chocolate […]

Grand Armagnac Janneau has just launched the ‘Single Distillery’ range of Armagnacs.
Selected from Janneau’s large stocks, the new line comprises four Armagnacs with different minimum periods of ageing: 8 year old, 12 year old, 18 year old and 25 year old that is clearly defined on each of the 50cl contemporary style bottles.
Unusual in Armagnac, […]

Not that bubbly isn’t exciting enough, but if you’re in the market for a lily-gilding champagne cocktail, check out this Charles Baker creation.
Ile de France Special
Build in a champagne flute:
.5 tsp simple syrup
1 oz good cognac
Stir, top with champagne (or any white sparkling that you like), then cap with two or three dashes of yellow […]

If you’re looking for something wintry and warming to sip in one of those big old heavy double rocks glasses, but are tired of the old standbys, try this Apple Old Fashioned a la Misty Kalkofen. I realize that those of a non-NE USian bent might be tempted to lean toward a calvados or the […]

Brandy milk punch is like a lighter (and boozier!) version of egg nog, with the added bonus of being notoriously good in a fog-cutting (hangover-curing) capacity. Absolutely vital in these festive times.
Brandy Milk Punch
2 oz brandy (cognac, really–treat yourself to the nice stuff)
1 oz simple syrup
4 oz whole milk
shake and strain, serve on ice or […]

The Library Bar at The Lanesborough Hotel, London, has recently acquired the oldest known bottle of cognac in the world. Distilled in 1770, this single cask cognac is an important appendage to the bar’s Liquid History collection and dates back to:
- The birth year of Ludwig Van Beethoven and William Wordsworth
- The year that 14 year […]

Cognac Frapin has launched Le Multimillésime - the world’s first multi-vintage Grande Champagne Cognac.  It is a combination so successful that it has already been awarded a gold medal and trophy in the International Spirits Challenge 2008.  In addition, it took the Champion Spirit Prize for the entire competition.  This bold blend of three superb […]

If you ever wanted to know what it feels like to be a Greek god and hundreds of women are feeding you grapes, now you can. Just take a sip of
 
Bacchae
1 1/2 oz of Barsol Acholado Pisco
1/4 oz of Vya Sweet Vermouth
1/8 oz of Suze
1/4 tsp of Marie Brizard Parfait Amour
1/4 tsp of Grenadine

Stir for […]

In honor of my birthday (the 11th for those of you that are uninformed), I created a wonderful way to start or end your day. It’s very soft and comforting. I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

 
Baby Blanket
1 oz of Gilbey’s Gin
3 spearmint leaves
1 oz of Barsol Acholado Pisco
1 egg
1/2 oz of orange curacao
1/4 oz of simple syrup
1 […]

I almost missed the sour cherry season this year—bad booze nerd! All the smart cocktail geeks know that now is the time to put up cherries for this winter’s Manhattan season. There are many different schools of thought as to how best to make these treats. What is universally agreed upon is that anything is […]