BlairF27

This was the green version.

Has anyone tried redacting Chartruese? I'm curious, because for whatever reason there seems to be a psychoactive ingredient in it that wakes me up in the middle of the night. Cheers! Blair Frodelius http://GoodSpiritsNews.spaces.live.com

Don't virtually all post-prohibition cocktails subscribe to the "theory of unified substitutions"? Gary Regan posits this in The Joy of Mixology. My main problem with suggesting drinks like the Aviation or the Last Word is that they were created decades before they became "popular" in the new millennium. Has there even been a singular cocktail since the Cosmopolitan that has caught the public fancy? I blame flavored vodkas for the lack of ingenuity. Blair

You are too funny! I understand your point, but I'd have to say that the "health conscious" drinker was such a relatively late bloomer as to have little influence over the whole decade. Remember the excess of the disco era? Which is why I would recommend the Long Island Iced Tea as the ultimate in excess. It contains virtually every spirit, plus caffeine! Definitely! A sign of good things to come! Blair

Dave, Thanks for giving me the heads up on this discussion. In the two years since, I wonder if the seminal drink of the 2000's has changed. I'd tend to agree that the Aviation is the drink of choice for many discerning mixologists, but as for the general public, most of them have never heard of it (or Creme de Violet for that matter). I do feel that Rye has had a great resurgence in the past few years with great ones being produced like Sazerac and Ri1. But, to be honest I think the most popular drink of the new millenium is the fruitini. Virtually every menu devotes a 1/3 of their drinks to some variation on this theme. On another note, I'd vote for a spirit based drink to represent the 1970's (pina colada, mai tai or even a Long Island iced tea). Granted, the wine cooler was huge, but mainly pre-bottled, and even that became malt liquor based. Also, if the wine spritzer is to be included on your list, it would be the only drink which has no spirits. The 1840's Sherry cobbler, is of course fortified and thus makes it by a whisker. This list will definitely be a help for the NYE party I have to throw together. Cheers! Blair Good Spirits News

I'm looking for copies of The Thirsty Traveler Season 4 & 5. If anyone has .avi's of these shows, please contact me at goodspirits@frodelius.com I have seasons 1-3 available to trade. Thanks! Blair

Wish I could be at Tales of the Cocktail this year, but work prevented me from taking the time off. Hopefully, I'll get down there in 2009. In any case, I've been trying to celebrate here at home this week by making New Orleans cocktails. I've had the following: Day One: Sazerac, Vieux Carre Day Two: Peychaud's Manhattan, Absinthe Frappe Day Three: De La Louisiane, Ramos Gin Fizz Day Four: Obituary Day Five: I need three more! Any recommendations?

That's the one I was looking for! Thanks! ←

Does anyone have a recipe for a Kumquat cocktail? I seem to recall seeing one somewhere, but can't find it.

Based on my research, it appears that Old Tom was basically a bootleg gin appearing shortly after the Gin Act of 1736. Supposedly it was sold by Thomas Norris in Covent Garden in quantities less than government regulation, and named after Thomas Chamberlin; a prominent distiller of the day. It appears to have been barrel aged (how long is matter of question), giving it a coloured appearance.

Speaking of Old Tom Gin, What kind of recipes do you all have to recreate it? I have one from David Wondrich to make Swedish Punsch, and a few from Ted Haigh to make Genever.

After trying for moths to find a source for obscure spirits and liqueurs in Upstate New York to no avail, I finally found a fantastic source. The problem has been that New York liquor laws are ridiculously strict to the point that no one can ship there. So, I've managed to find Allspice Dram, Creme de Violette, Batavia Arrack and Torani Amer. The first three can be ordered through: www.drinkupny.com Tell them Blair from Good Spirits sent you! The last can be found at: www.send.com For bitters, I'd suggest www.lenells.com They have a huge selection. Does anyone know where I can get Kola Tonic? I am at an impass with that one. Thanks!

Thanks for all the advice! I've heard nothing but good things about Famous Grouse, so that will be my first blend to try. I realize that proportions are everything, but also wondered about types of vermouths. How about Lillet Blanc as opposed to Noilly Prat? For that matter, how about Blanco versus Rosso?

I've tried making a few Rob Roy's lately and have not been entirely happy with the results. The first one was with Aardbeg and lasted like a slightly sweet ashtray. The second was with Highland Park 12 year, and worked better, but I thought it still seemed unbalanced. Does anyone have a favourite scotch that works for them? Blair Good Spirits News

Having spent the last several years surfing the internet trying to find a central source of information on spirits, cocktails and the latest books and online content; I decided to start my own website where the spirits enthusiast and mixologist can easily find everything they need. In honor of National Cocktail Week 2008, I am debuting "Good Spirits News", a fun and friendly site where you can access: upcoming classes & events new cocktail & spirits books current news headlines trendy new cocktail recipes streaming educational videos mixologist and spirit author contact info important blogs & websites bartender resources rare photographs of cocktail books and pamphlets My only purpose in this site to become a free resource to those of us who find fascination in the world of spirits & cocktails. I hope you will visit and bookmark us or subscribe to our RSS feed.