July 03, 2013

My favorite cocktail recipes


I've tried making lots of cocktails at home and realized that my very favorites have a couple things in common: fresh-squeezed citrus juice and maraschino liqueur. (Don't use the red juice from a jar of cherries, even if you think it's tasty or want to save money. This is different.)

Here are my top three drinks:

Aviation Cocktail (pictured above)
1 1/2 oz. Gin
1 tsp. Crème de Violette
1/2 oz. Maraschino Liqueur
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
3/4 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled glass.

Hemingway Daiquiri
1 1/2 oz. White Rum
1/4 oz. Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice
3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
Add ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a glass.

Blue Grass Cocktail
2 oz. Bourbon Whiskey
1 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Lemon Juice
1 tsp. Maraschino Liqueur
Shake and strain. You know the drill.

Give one a try this holiday weekend!

P.S. My orange starburst cocktail shaker and ice bucket were a gift from Wild Eye Designs. I'm sure you can appreciate why I love them. The shaker even comes with a spare gasket.

17 comments:

  1. kickpleatJuly 3, 2013 at 11:36 AM

    You should also try the Last Word - it's my favorite cocktail. 3/4oz of maraschino liquor, 3/4 oz of gin, 3/4 oz of lime & 3/4 oz of chartreuse. It's very similar to the aviation, but I like the LW better. I have never tried the other 2 cocktails, so I'll put them on my to-make list.

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  2. Grandma GJuly 3, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    Mmmm... more to try when we come to see you in your new home!

    Mum

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  3. JessJuly 3, 2013 at 12:09 PM

    Love! thanks for sharing!

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  4. Jessica JonesJuly 3, 2013 at 12:19 PM

    Kickpleat, sounds wonderful! I looked at chartreuse last time I was at the store but was daunted by the price tag. I'll order this at a bar sometime!

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  5. carolynJuly 3, 2013 at 1:40 PM

    these sound yummy, my favorite right now is a Plum-tini. Home made plum syrup and vodka.
    recipe for plum syrup here:
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201359750216540&set=a.4754344337344.2190955.1257265548&type=1&theater

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  6. Jessica JonesJuly 3, 2013 at 1:41 PM

    GREAT! I can't wait to try it!

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  7. Jessica JonesJuly 3, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    Shucks, the link isn't working for me, but I will google.

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  8. KimJuly 3, 2013 at 5:00 PM

    Haha, this post made me think back to my college days when my roommates and I threw a party. One of them got so drunk, she was drinking the juice straight out of the maraschino cherry jar! Ick!

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  9. UnknownJuly 3, 2013 at 8:28 PM

    I am a huge fan of the aviation cocktail and the hemingway daquiri/papa doble (oh gosh, why do people think maraschino liqueur = grenadine!) so I am thrilled to have another maraschino recipe. Going to try yours a bluegrass soon. And a last word from kickpleat as soon as I go get some chartreuse. I liked the aviation so much we served a version at our wedding called "plane crazy".

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  10. AnonymousJuly 4, 2013 at 7:21 AM

    We've been enjoying reading this book: Tequila Mockingbird, by Tim Federle. Cocktails with a literary twist, clever names and I hear the drinks are great too! My favorite is The Last of the Mojitos.
    --tuulikki

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  11. Jessica JonesJuly 4, 2013 at 10:39 AM

    I love it!

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  12. AnonymousJuly 4, 2013 at 8:23 PM

    I love your cocktail shaker and ice bucket in the photo. Super fun!

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  13. Singh StyleJuly 5, 2013 at 12:07 AM

    interesting ...

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  14. Ajay PrasadJuly 5, 2013 at 1:27 AM

    Very nice. I can imagine why they are your favorite. I already tried the blue grass cocktail, couldn't wait for the weekend, I must confess. Just loved it. Thanks for sharing these.

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  15. Ugo ColomboJuly 10, 2013 at 11:32 AM

    These cocktails seem to make the most of the marachino. Thanks for sharing your favorites.

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  16. bridgetwhoplaysfrenchhornJuly 19, 2013 at 10:20 AM

    Chartreuse does have a scary price tag, but it is a wonderful herby cocktail, promise.

    Some of my favorite maraschino cocktails:

    The Blur from Nopa

    Originally from Serious Eats

    Ingredients
    0.75 ounces green chartreuse
    0.75 ounces maraschino liqueur
    0.75 ounces fresh lime juice
    Dry cava or champagne

    Instructions
    1. Add chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice to a shaker with ice.
    2. Shake for 20 seconds, until well-chilled.
    3. Strain into a champagne flute and top with cava or champagne.

    (and another version of an Aviation)
    The Aviation from Drink
    (a famous cocktail bar in Boston)

    1/4 oz creme de violette
    1/4 oz Luxardo maraschino liqueur
    2 oz london dry gin (Beefeater, Citadelle; the middle 80% of gins as far as juniperness goes)
    1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice

    Mix all together in a shaker and strain into chilled coupe.

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  17. Jessica JonesJuly 22, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    Bridget, thank you!

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