Tiki Tango

Tiki Tango

Writing by Dr. Elixir Photography by Justin Negard Two of the things I enjoy about fat-washing alcohol are the layered flavor profiles and the subtle hint of the spirit. This delicate flavor allows the drinker to enjoy a spirit they wouldn’t otherwise try. For this drink, I used a fat-washed whiskey to create a beverage that combines the flavors of ...
Cloud 9

Cloud 9

Writing by Dr. Elixir Photography by Justin Negard It’s pretty easy to elevate your drinks to be on par with the pros—all it takes is a willingness to DIY. One way to create exceptional cocktails is to “fat wash” your favorite alcohols by infusing them with something oily (for instructions, click here).  For my first fat washing experiment, I infused ...
Coconut Fat Wash

Coconut Fat Wash

By Dr. Elixir Mixing cocktails at home can easily result in your cocktails matching or exceeding cocktails served in most restaurants.  A technique that has been around for a long time that is now coming back in fashion is “fat washing” the alcohol.  This is an easy to do technique that has the unique benefits of softening the harshness of ...
All-American

All-American

In 2015, at the Burlington, VT, farmer’s market, I was introduced to the best vodka I ever tasted. It was called Literary Dog, and it was created and produced by David Howe at his farm, which later became known as Elm Brook Farm. Their vodka was derived from maple syrup and distilled 23 times. I was so impressed by their ...
Blue Velvet

Blue Velvet

It’s that time of year when some of us take a vacation to a warm and sunny destination, some of us travel to even colder places to participate in outdoor sports, and some of us simply stay put. With that in mind, I created a cocktail that can work in any climate or location. Whatever your plans are this holiday ...
Spritz

Spritz

This is one of the most popular drinks on Jay Street Café’s spring and summer menu. Serves two. 2 oz. orange blossom pomegranate syrup 2 oz. elderflower liqueur, such as St. Germaine Prosecco Club soda Edible flowers for garnish Pour the first two ingredients evenly into two wine glasses. Add Prosecco, almost to the top. Top off with club soda, ...
Connecting at the Bar: Shake it Up

Connecting at the Bar: Shake it Up

Writing by Cathy Deutsch Photography by Justin Negard Dust off your martini shaker, fire up your ice maker and join the latest trend in libations: cocktails. But please don’t settle for just any cocktail, try the ones featuring tequila and Bourbon – they’re the leaders of the pack in our neck of the woods, according to local liquor stores and ...
The Strawberry Cobbler

The Strawberry Cobbler

The Inn at Pound Ridge’s Millwood says he created this drink based on his girlfriend’s request for “something strawberry.” Serves two. 2 strawberries 1 oz. simple syrup 1 ½ oz. lemon juice 1 oz. aloe liquor ½ oz. blood orange liqueur 3 oz. white rum Place the strawberries and simple syrup in a shaker, then muddle the strawberries to a ...
Jayloma

Jayloma

Another popular drink during the spring/summer at Jay Street Café, this one focuses on one of the trendiest cocktail ingredients, mezcal. Serves two. 4 oz. mezcal 4 oz. grapefruit-flavored syrup 1 ½ oz. lime juice 4 whole sage leaves Tajín Clasico chili salt Club soda 2 lime wedges Add all ingredients to the shaker and fill with ice. Shake well ...
Zen Merge

Zen Merge

Hewins developed this cocktail for his wife Maria Elena, using her favorite flavors. Serves two. 3 oz. white agave syrup 3 oz. mixture of fresh lemon and lime juice 6 oz. vodka 2 two-inch pieces of cucumber, peeled and chopped 15-20 fresh mint leaves 2 slender spears of peeled cucumber 2 mint sprigs In a shaker, muddle the chopped cucumber ...
Summer's Fall

Summer’s Fall

Summer's Fall Just when you think crisp fall days and cooler nights are upon us, that last dose of hot and humid summer air returns. What’s a person to do? Maybe combine the best of summer and fall in your cocktail… Dr. ElixirDownload & Printhttps://connecttomag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/P2070714-copy-225x300.jpg Ingredients Serves: Two 1 ounce pear brandy 1 ounce apple brandy 1 ounce apple cider ...
Mai Tai

Mai Tai

Photography by Justin Negard On a hot summer day, I find classic tropical drinks very refreshing, and a Mai Tai is one of my favorites. This version is only slightly different from the standard recipe as I’ve added pineapple liqueur to the mix.  To elevate the drink from “poolside bar” to “cocktail worth bragging about,” focus on your ingredients – ...