You never know what cool or unusual product is going to come down the pike next in the cocktail game. The latest such surprise is Cardamom Bitters, Boker’s Style, produced by the lovably bitter folks at Fee Brothers. Fee Brothers is one of the mainstays of the alcohol and beverage business, having been operating in … Read more
You might think you know what grenadine is, but you probably don’t. For years, I thought it was that neon red, cherry-flavored syrup that you can buy in any grocery store in America. Nope. Grenadine is actually a sweet-tart syrup made from pomegranate juice and sugar. It should be a rich, deep magenta color, it … Read more
Cocktail bitters are something we hear about a lot in the liquid world, but many people aren’t exactly sure what they are. It’s worth your time to find out more about them, as they can be the crucial difference in whether a drink succeeds or fails. Bitters are flavorings for cocktails. Much like adding salt … Read more
If you’re a casual drinker, you’ve probably never even heard of Amer Picon — which is probably a good thing, since it’s not available anymore, and thus you don’t know what you’re missing. But if you’re an experienced imbiber, bartender or Basque, you probably know Amer Picon. And to know it is to miss it, … Read more
If you've already bought your copy of Professor Cocktail’s Zombie Horde: Recipes for the World’s Most Lethal Drink (thank you!), you know that some of the ingredients that go into a classic Zombie are a little obscure. In addition to the various rums, the recipe for Don the Beachcomber's Zombie Punch calls for Don's Mix, falernum and grenadine. … Read more
If you order a drink in a good bar, chances are it will taste better than what you can make at home. But it doesn't have to be like that. By following some simple strategies, you can greatly improve the quality of your cocktails. You may not reach A+ level, but with just a little … Read more
Properly stocking a home bar can be an expensive proposition. There are many different products you likely will want to buy, and a lot of them aren't cheap. The good news is, you probably won't be going through the bottles that quickly, and most alcohol stays good for a very long time.* GINThere are three … Read more
I'm starting a new feature here on Professor Cocktail: Ask the Professor. This is your chance to write in and ask me anything. I may not have an answer…but if I don't, I can probably make something up. Kevin writes to ask: Would you mind posting the nutrition information for the Small Hand Foods Orgeat … Read more
"It's pretty clear that by 1908 grenadine had already become red simple syrup." –Gregory Boehm, Proprietor of Cocktail Kingdom and Publisher of Mud Puddle Books The quote comes from the September 30, 2012 issue of Wine Spectator. Boehm is discussing how the quest for historical authenticity in cocktail ingredients can sometimes lead to ironic results.
In the comments section of my recent story on the Orgeat Taste Test I performed, a reader named Markahuna wrote: I'm sorry about your opinion of the Torani syrup but even sorrier that you chose to taste test the Torani Almond which is no where near the same as the Torani Orgeat. I find the Torani … Read more
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