Tag: cognac

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Tale of Two Cars: Sidecar

The Story

The sidecar is a staple at the Runaway Anchor. A simple build, but a still a complex experience. If you are trying to break away from making Old Fashioneds and Manhattans all the time, consider this cocktail as a great starting point.

Cognac is called for in the Sidecar, but as Cognac is actually just “Brandy” you could use a cheaper bottle if your budget demands it. But there are affordable Cognac’s out there and one is included in the recipe links. The same goes for the Dry Curacao. While Pierre Ferrand is often the “go to” for this type of liqueur, you could also consider other Orange Liqueurs with lower price tags. Don’t let the premium ingredients often listed for the Sidecar get in the way of making one! We will include two options for the two primary ingredients in the receipt section below. Try it out! And if you are brave, add the sugar rim!

While you’ll find this recipe in almost every cocktail book from the past 100years, we are featuring the recipe of Steve the Bartender. Pick up his book for lots of great options for the home bar right HERE!!

Cheers!

The Recipe

2.0oz Cognac or Brandy

0.75oz Dry Curacao or Orange Liqueur

0.75oz Lemon Juice

1 tsp Demerara Syrup

Garnish: sugared rim (optional)

The Build

All all ingredients to a cocktail shaker

Add ice and shake for 10-15 seconds

Double strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass (no ice)

Source: Steve the Bartender Sidecar Recipe

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The Japanese Cocktail (two ways!)

The Story

This week’s cocktail features a common tiki element without the complexity of the majority of tiki drinks. Orgeat is a syrup made from almonds and sugar. It’s possible to make it at home, but we recommend getting a nice bottle from the store.

The Japanese Cocktail is an old cocktail and very simple. We found it in the book, “3-Ingredient Cocktails” by Robert Simonson (NYT cocktail writer).

Reactions to this cocktail have been mixed, and so we also went looking for any variations on the classic recipe and quickly found one with our cocktail bar Godfather, Anders Erickson. We are including both the classic and improved versions this week for you to explore!

Cheers!

The Recipe

2oz Cognac

0.5oz Orgeat

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

The Build

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass

Add ice and stir for 30 seconds

Double strain into a chilled coupe

Express lemon twist and drop into glass

Alternate Option

Improved Japanese Cocktail

1.5oz Cognac

0.75oz Orgeat

0.75 Lemon Juice

2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake for 12-15 seconds

Double strain into a chilled coupe or nick and nora glass

Express lemon twist and drop into glass

Source: 3 Ingredient Cocktails and Anders Erickson (alternate option)

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The Rattle Skull

The Story

We couldn’t have a menu, even a mini-menu, without recognizing our “Runaway Anchor Godfather, Anders Erickson. So we present a cocktail from year ago, but worthy of the season.

Our final St. Patricks Day cocktail features what could arguably be called the “national drink” for the holiday, Guinness. For this drink you’ll be mixing a cocktail in a shaker (there’s lime juice, so no stirring this one), and then pouring it into the glass full of beer.

If you’re using a standard pint glass, you’ll be able to add the entire can of Guinness before topping off with the liquor elements. Make sure not to skip the grated nutmeg, as you want every sip to have that aroma in the mix. Grating actual nutmeg is preferred, but also not as easy to find as the stuff on the spice section of Target. So do what you must, but don’t skip that nutmeg garnish! Cheers!

The Recipe

12oz Guinness (we divert from Ander’s recipe, calling for Founder’s Porter)

1oz Jamaican Rum (we use Mount Gay)

1oz Cognac (or Brandy if you’re in a pinch)

0.75oz Fresh Lime Juice

0.5oz Demerara Syrup

Garnish with grated nutmeg

The Build

Pour the beer into a large pint style glass, leaving 1 inch for additional liquor

In a shaking tin, add the remaining ingredients

Add ice and shake for 10 seconds

Strain (or double strain if you hate ice chips like me) into the prepared beer glass

Once the foam as settled, grate nutmeg on the top, generously!

Source: Ander Erickson Rattle Skull Recipe

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Brandy Alexander

The Story

This is a tasty classic. Easy to make. A little too easy to sip, so be careful! You can use a pricier cognac or any bottle of brandy, and it’ll be good. I even stay in the cheap end with my creme de cacao.

If you want to get crazy, you can take this, add some vanilla ice cream and blend it into a smoothie, Wisconsin-Style! But my preference is ice cold, smooth sipping.

Cheers!

The Recipe

1.5oz Brandy or Cognac

1oz Creme De Cacao (white is my preference)

1oz Heavy Cream (or alternative cream source)

The Build

Combine all three ingredients in a cocktail shaker

Shake with ice for 12 seconds

Double strain into a stemmed cocktail glass (chilled)

Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg

Source: Steve the Bartender Brandy Alexander