Bitters

The Turf looks like an improved wet Martini with the addition of Maraschino and Absinthe, although it actually pre-dates the modern Martini. The Maraschino adds just that little touch of sweetness and the absinthe, even though it’s just a couple of dashes, gives the drink a little earthiness. The oldest reference to this cocktail goes all the way back to Harry Johnson’s Bartenders’ Manual in 1882. Like a lot of cocktails from that time, it’s gone through some changes but is still a tasty drink.

Ensure you choose a great rye whiskey as it’s centric to the classic cocktail, driven by it’s spicy profile. Whiskies such as Sazerac Rye, Rittenhouse Rye and WhistlePig Rye all work well in a Vieux Carré.

The Expat cocktail was created by Lauren Schell of Little Branch (NYC) back in 2009. It’s a simple shaken whiskey cocktail, citrusy and aromatic. Lauren hadn’t actually named the cocktail until she had moved away. The team at little branch were getting requests for her bourbon creation and given that she had then recently moved away, Expat was a fitting name.

The Singapore Sling is a variation on a classic Gin Sling and was first created around 1915 at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel, Singapore. And again, there are many different recipes and opinions on how to make the perfect Singapore Sling but this is one of my favourites.

The Dovetail was created by Andy Chu of the Everleigh and is a twist on a classic Hemingway Daiquiri. The maraschino liqueur is bumped up and the rum is traded for tequila!

The Harvard is a cognac version of the classic Manhattan. Surprisingly smooth and aromatic. Cognac, sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters.

A tequila & mezcal riff on the classic old fashioned. The picey & chocolatey Xocolatl bitters compliments the smoky mezcal and resposado tequila which is then sweetened with a touch of agave syrup.

The Brandy Old Fashioned is the unofficial cocktail of Wisconsin. It’s an interesting take on the classic Old Fashioned with the addition of muddled fruit & soda.

Papaya is readily available in Bali, Indonesia so it was fitting to make a Papaya Gin Sling! Fresh fruit, gin, citrus and a few dashes of aromatic bitters.