If the classic, gin-based French 75 is a crisp, botanical toast to spring, the French 95 is its warmer, richer cousin, perfect for autumn and winter celebrations. This powerful and elegant cocktail makes one simple, brilliant substitution: it swaps the gin for bourbon. The result is a wonderfully complex sparkling drink. The bright tartness of…
The French 76 is a sophisticated and sparkling cocktail that’s perfect for any celebration. It’s a direct and popular variation of the classic French 75, with one simple switch: it uses vodka instead of gin. This swap makes for a cocktail that is cleaner, crisper, and smoother than its botanical-heavy predecessor. The neutral profile of…
Cloudy ice melts fast, tastes like freezer, and turns an Old Fashioned or highball into a slushy shrug. Clear ice, on the other hand, looks like glass, chills longer, and keeps flavors sharp from first sip to last. You don’t need pricey molds or a dedicated ice machine to get there—you need directional freezing. Directional…
You shake a Margarita, strain it into the glass—and it looks… gritty. Tiny ice shards float on top, pulp clings to the rim, and the texture is more slush than silk. That’s where double-straining earns its place. Double-straining is the secret behind crystal-clear, bar-quality cocktails made at home. By using both a Hawthorne strainer and…
The difference between a good cocktail and a great one? Sometimes, it’s as simple as what you do with the citrus peel. A quick twist over the glass can light up the entire drink—literally and aromatically—if done right. But done wrong, it adds nothing or worse: bitter pith, wax, or burnt oil. Expressing citrus oils…
Clean, crisp, and deceptively simple, the Vodka Sour is a masterclass in cocktail balance. While other sours feature assertive spirits like whiskey or pisco, this version uses vodka’s neutral canvas to let the bright, tangy flavor of fresh lemon shine. When prepared with an egg white and shaken properly, this drink transforms from a simple…
You’re shaking up a Whiskey Sour. You’ve got the egg white in, the spirits measured—and now comes the big question: dry shake or wet shake first? Get it wrong, and you end up with a weak foam or a watery mess. Get it right, and you’ll pour a cocktail that looks and drinks like velvet….
While the Margarita may be the undisputed king of tequila cocktails, its sophisticated cousin, the Tequila Sour, deserves a place in the spotlight. This cocktail is a celebration of balance, texture, and the complex flavors of agave. A classic sour at its core, this drink combines tequila, fresh lime juice, a touch of sweetener, and…
If your only experience with an Amaretto Sour involves a cloyingly sweet mixture from the 1970s, it’s time for a reintroduction. This is the Amaretto Sour, reborn. This modern classic, popularized by bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler, is a sophisticated reinvention of the original. It balances the nutty sweetness of amaretto with the complex backbone of high-proof…
The Pisco Sour is more than just a cocktail; it’s a national icon. As the signature drink of Peru, this cocktail is a perfectly balanced blend of unique, earthy Pisco, bright citrus, and just enough sweetness, all crowned with a famously silky, frothy top. The secret to its luxurious mouthfeel is an egg white, which,…