The Rum Howler Blog

(A Website for Spirited Reviews)

  • Copyright

    Copyright is inherent when an original work is created. This means that the producer of original work is automatically granted copyright protection. This copyright protection not only exists in North America, but extends to other countries as well. Thus, all of the work produced on this blog is protected by copyright, including all of the pictures and all of the articles. These original works may not be copied or reused in any way whatsoever without the permission of the author, Chip Dykstra.

  • Cocktails and Recipes

    Click Image for Awesome Recipes

  • Industry Interviews

    Interviews

    Click the Image for Great Interviews with the Movers of Industry

  • The Rum Howler Interview (Good Food Revolution)

    Click on the Image to see my interview on Good Food Revolution

  • The Rum Howler Blog

    Unknown's avatar

  • Rum Reviews

  • Whisky Reviews

  • Gin Reviews

  • Tequila Reviews

  • Vodka Reviews

  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 1,091 other subscribers

  • Subscribe

  • Visitors

    • 15,515,775 pageviews since inception

  • Archives

  • Follow The Rum Howler Blog on WordPress.com

Posts Tagged ‘Cocktail’

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »

Cocktail Hour: El Padre’

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 8, 2016

Amaretto is a sweet almond flavoured liqueur which I like to mix with well aged oaky spirits. The sweet almond flavour tends to meld into the sappy oak notes and the combination results in a wonderful sipping (slightly sweet) cocktail. This is not a new idea, the classic scotch whisky cocktail, the Godfather, is exactly this style of bar drink. Several years ago I built a very similar cocktail using a well aged rum instead of whisky as its base. A good friend of mine named Forrest (see his website here) helped me tweak the recipe, and we gave the bar drink the new name, El Padrino which of course, is Spanish for Godfather.

When I was thinking of a suitable cocktail for my latest rum acquisition, Vizcaya VXOP Cask No. 21, I wanted to explore this theme with a similar cocktail. However, I hoped for a bar drink which would showcase the flavour of the Dominican Rum. I decided that adding a second complimentary flavour, Orange Curacao, might be a good idea. The almond notes within the rum would be accented by the Amaretto, and the orange peel notes within the rum would be accented by the Orange Curacao. When I experimented, I found that a single dash of Fees Cocktail Bitters (with its cinnamon and clove flavours) enhanced the cocktail even more.

As this cocktail was a shortened (albeit more complex) form of the original El Padrino (Godfather), I settled upon the shortened (perhaps also more complex) name El Padre’ (Father) for my new cocktail.

I hope you like it.

El Padre'El Padre’

2 oz aged Vizcaya Cask 21
1/8 oz Luxardo Amaretto (see review here)
1/4 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao (see review here)
few drops Fee’s Cocktail Bitters
crushed ice (1/3)
ice cubes (2/3)
Lime slice

Add the first four ingredients into a metal cocktail shaker
Add both crushed ice and ice cubes
Shake until the sides of the shaker frost
Double strain into a cocktail glass
Garnish with a slice of lime
Enjoy

If  you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

Note: My review for Vizcaya V.X.O.P. Cask No. 21 Rum will publish tomorrow.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Cocktail Hour: El Padre’

Super Bowl Cocktail #2: Keep Pounding Punch

Posted by Arctic Wolf on February 6, 2016

It’s the day before the big game, and so far I have shared a nice cocktail; The Golden Gate, and two nice chicken recipes, Dab on ‘Em Wings & Bucking BBQ Bites. Today I am sharing my final Super Bowl recipe a nice Cocktail Punch created by San Francisco Bartender, Kevin Deidrich.  His recipe serves 25 people so it is a perfect punch to serve at a crowded Super Bowl Party.

You need a bottle of George Dickel Rye, about 6 fresh lemons to squeezes out the Lemon Juice, a small jar of Ginger Syrup, a large bottle of Sparkling Water, a cup of Sugar syrup, some fresh (or frozen) Raspberries, and a small bunch of Mint. Ginger syrup is a hassle to make, so even though I provide a link to a recipe, I suggest you pick up a jar or bottle at the grocery store (it is usually in the same aisle as the lemon and lime Cordials and syrups).

Kevin’s recipe scales up or down quite easily so make as much or as little as you need for the party.

Photo Credit: Kevin Diedrich

Photo Credit: Kevin Diedrich

KEEP POUNDING PUNCH (Serves 25)
*recipe created by Kevin Deidrich

750 ml. Bottle of George Dickel Rye
10 oz. Lemon Juice
5 oz. Ginger Syrup (see recipe here)
15 oz. Sparkling Water
7 tbsp. Sugar Syrup
Muddled Raspberries
Muddled Mint leaves
Citrus Slices

Add the ingredients into a large punch bowl
Add muddled fruit and fruit slices
Chill in the refrigerator until the guests arrive
Serve with ice.

Enjoy Responsibly!

If  you are interested in more of my cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

I hope everyone enjoys the game.

Chimo!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Note: My reviews for George Dickel Rye, and George Dickel No. 12 will publish in a few weeks.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Super Bowl Cocktail #2: Keep Pounding Punch

Cocktail Hour: The Ice Wyrm

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 30, 2016

This recipe came about when I was choosing a suitable short cocktail for a particular Añejo tequila (shown below). I studied my previous cocktail creations and a cognac recipe of mine called the Medusa Coil caught my eye. That particular recipe is basically a sweetened Brandy Sour with added elements of Amaretto and bitters to give the serving extra dimensions of flavour. I thought to myself, I wonder if amaretto and tequila can share a harmonious coexistence?

Although this was a sour recipe, I wanted my chosen tequila (Dulce Vida Añejo Rocky Mountain) to shine through the bar drink so I decided to adjust the proportions of my agave based Medusa Coil by increasing the amount of Añejo Tequila and pairing back the Amaretto and the bitters both of which I felt might overpower the nuances of flavour in the Special Edition Dulce Vida. Things were not quite right until I also reined in the lemon and sugar as well.

The Dulce Vida Rocky Mountain Añejo Tequila was now the star of my cocktail. Do try this one, it tastes quite delicious.

Ice WyrmThe Ice Wyrm

2 oz Dulce Vida Rocky Mountain Añejo
1/8 oz Luxardo Amaretto
1/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1 dash Fees Cocktail Bitters
1/8 oz Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio)
Lemon peel
ice

Add the first five ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until the outside of the shaker begins to frost
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with a coil of lemon peel
Add a small lump of ice to the center of the lemon coil

Please Enjoy Responsibly!

If  you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Originally, I was going to call my recipe, the Mexican Rattlesnake as my final recipe shared some characteristics with another bar drink called the Rattlesnake Cocktail. And, it did seem to me that the coil of lemon with the lump of ice in the middle (used as the garnish) sort of looked like a coiled up rattlesnake. However once I photographed my creation, I realized that no rattlesnake would ever survive our cold Edmonton winters. Then I remembered a fanciful creature that is said to haunt the ski slopes of our Canadian Rockies swallowing up those skiers who dare wander into the forbidden areas out of bounds, the Ice Wyrm. It seemed a more fitting name for the cocktail pictured upon my snowy back deck.

And please note, my review of the wonderful Dulce Vida Organic Rocky Mountain Añejo Tequila will publish tomorrow.

 

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: , , , | Comments Off on Cocktail Hour: The Ice Wyrm

Cocktail Hour: The Dog Star Daiquiri

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 26, 2016

In mid to late January, if you look upwards to the southern sky at about 11:30 in the evening, you will see the mighty constellation Orion dominating starry landscape. Taurus the Bull is above the Mighty Hunter to his right, and Gemini is also above him, but the twins are to his left. The major stars of the Nimrod are Betelgeuse and Bellatrix which serve as his shoulders; Rigel and Saiph which serve as his knees;  and Mintaka, Alnilam, and Alnitak, the three belt stars, shining brightly like sparkling yellow-white gemstones. These belt stars are, at this particular time aligned almost vertically in the sky.

If you follow the belt line down towards the horizon and just a little to the to the left, you will find the most magnificent twinkling star in the winter sky, the blue-white giant star, Sirius, also known as the Dog Star.

Dog StarIt is that brilliant Dog Star (located directly below the belt stars of Orion) which is the inspiration for my delicious winter daiquiri creation:

The Dog Star Daiquiri

2 1/2  oz Bacardi Gold Rum
1/2 oz fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
1/2 oz fresh squeezed Lime Juice
1/2 oz fresh squeezed Grapefruit Juice
1/2 oz sugar syrup (more or less to taste)
dash Maraschino liqueur
3 drops Fees Cocktail Bitters
Ice
Lime slice

Add the Bacardi rum, and the rest of the ingredients into a metal cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until the sides of the shaker frost
Strain into a cocktail glass
Add a Lime Slice for garnish

And of course enjoy responsibly!

If  you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

Note: My new review for Bacardi Gold Rum publishes tomorrow.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on Cocktail Hour: The Dog Star Daiquiri

Cocktail Hour: Blood and Sand

Posted by Arctic Wolf on January 22, 2016

Mixing a cocktail with a Single Malt Whisky always brings out a few cat calls from persons who believe such a thing is sacrilege. However, having discussed the topic with more than a few of the master blenders and whiskey makers from Canada, Scotland (and elsewhere), I have found almost unanimous support for my point of view which is that a spirit of any quality may be the focus of a cocktail. In fact, ‘the better the spirit, the better the cocktail’ is a sentiment I hear often. With that in mind I have chosen to follow my chosen path and bring together a classic Scotch whisky cocktail, Blood and Sand, with the highly regarded Single Malt, the Highland Park 12 Year Old.

Blood and Sand (the cocktail) was apparently named for the Rudolph Valentino 1922 bullfighter movie of the same name. The connection is by no means certain, as the first printed recipe for the bar drink did not appear until 8 years later in the Savoy Cocktail Book (1930).  The Savoy Cocktail Book’s recipe calls for equal parts orange juice, scotch whisky, cherry brandy and Italian vermouth which makes the bar drink easy for both the home and the profession bartender to master.

Today, it is common to see recipes which replace the orange juice with the juice of the Blood Orange. Not only does this play nicely with the name of the cocktail, but the tart, almost raspberry-like flavour of the blood orange is complimentary to the bar drink making it slightly drier (and to me more appealing). When a high quality peated single malt whisky is used as well, the Blood and Sand becomes a wonderful wintertime cocktail.

For my suggested construction, I tweaked the ratios slightly to increase the light punch of smoke and to further limit the sweetness of the serving. This of course allows the Highland Park 12 Year Old Whisky to be the star of the libation.

Blood and SandBlood and Sand

3/4 oz Highland Park 12 Year Old
5/8 oz Sweet Vermouth (Martini Rosso)
5/8 oz Cherry Brandy (Bols)
3/4 oz Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Juice
ice
Orange Zest or Peel (optional)

Add the first four ingredients into a metal shaker with ice
Shake until the outside of the shaker frosts
Strain into a cocktail glass
Garnish with orange peel (optional)

If  you are interested in more cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more mixed drink recipes!

Note: a new review based upon a recently acquired bottle of Highland Park 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky will publish tomorrow.

Posted in Cocktails & Recipes | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »