Fruity, bitter, and bubbly, the Americano is a refreshing summer cocktail that is closely related to the Negroni. Where the Negroni has gin, the Americano has club soda, so this drink has less alcohol (i.e., you can drink more of them!)
 I have already posted about my love of the Negroni, but when my Campari craving kicked in today (it does that), I wanted something a little lighter than my old standby. Oh, and it is the Fourth of July weekend, so... Americano! Because America! This is, of course, a very Italian drink, but one that alcohol-deprived American tourists loved to drink during the prohibition era. Whatever its pedigree, it is a classic cocktail with sophisticated flavor that is perfect for sipping on a summer afternoon.

 Americano Cocktail

Serves 1

• Ice
• 1 1/2 oz Campari
• 1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
• club soda 
• lemon or orange peel (or slice), to garnish

Fill a Collins glass with ice. Add Campari and sweet vermouth. Top off with club soda and garnish with fruit slice or peel.

This easy-drinking cocktail is made by muddling juicy blackberries, mint, and lemon and then adding bourbon and a splash of simple syrup. Summer in a frosty lowball glass!


Here in Colorado we've been enjoying a rainy but very chilly spring. This means I'm bundled up indoors fantasizing about patio weather, picnics, and summery cocktails like this blackberry whiskey smash. I see lots of sun in the forecast, so I will soon be enjoying these al fresco (the best way to drink them). These are super easy to make, and so delicious. Even if whiskey makes you pause, the big fruity flavor of blackberry means that these aren't bourbon-forward in flavor.

Blackberry Whiskey Smash

Serves 1

• 1/4 of a large lemon (or 1/2 of a small one), sliced into a few pieces
• 1 mint sprig, plus another for garnish
• 4-5 blackberries
• 2 oz bourbon whiskey
• 1/2 oz simple syrup*

1. Place lemon, a mint sprig, and blackberries into a cocktail shaker. Muddle for a minute. The blackberries will release a lot of juice.
2. Add bourbon and simple syrup to the shaker and fill with ice. Shake enthusiastically for a minute. Strain into a lowball glass full of ice. (I suggest straining through a small mesh strainer like this one to get all those blackberry seeds out.) Garnish with mint sprig and enjoy!

* Simple syrup is equal parts granulated sugar and water - heat until the sugar dissolves and then cool. I like to make a batch with 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water and keep it in a glass jar in the fridge. It will last 3-4 weeks.

Looking for a light and bubbly alternative to the usual mimosa? Give this hibiscus rum sparkler a try. Sweet and floral with berry notes, this cocktail is perfect for your next brunch.
How about that beautiful blush color? That rosy hue is thanks to the hibiscus simple syrup which is super easy to make, and I have included the recipe below. It just takes a couple of tea bags, water, and sugar. When you decide to make your simple syrup, put your sparkling water in the fridge so it will be chilled and ready to go.
This is a light drink with only a nominal amount of alcohol, although you could certainly add a bit more rum. On the other hand, you can try leaving out the booze altogether. It is still delicious!

Hibiscus Rum Sparkler

Makes 1 drink

• .75 oz white (or silver) rum
• 1 oz hibiscus simple syrup (recipe follows)
• about 3 oz chilled sparkling water
• orange twist, for garnish

Combine rum and hibiscus simple syrup in a champagne flute. Top with chilled sparkling water. Garnish with orange twist.

Hibiscus Simple Syrup

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
4 bags hibiscus herbal tea (I recommend this organic tea)

Put sugar and water into a small pot and heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat, and had the 4 tea bags. Let steep for 5-10 minutes. Remove tea bags, and let cool completely. Pour into a jar, and refrigerate for about a week or so.

The Whiskey Flip is a creamy, custardy drink that might just be the cocktail equivalent of a warm sweater on a brisk evening. With a sprinkle of nutmeg, it is reminiscent of eggnog, but not nearly as thick or cloying. It makes a great after-dinner cocktail.
If you know one thing about "flips," you probably know this: they are made with eggs. Raw eggs. And this is what gives them their velvety smooth consistency. The idea of raw egg in a drink might make some people a bit squeamish. I get it. But for those who can deal with it for the sake of a delicious boozy drink (you are my people), just be sure that your eggs are from a reputable source and you have no concerns that they have been sitting around too long or stored at a warm temperature. To read up a little more about egg safety, you can check out this info from Serious Eats. Generally speaking the risks are low, and this drink is tasty.

Whiskey Flip

serves 1

• 2 oz whiskey or bourbon
• 1 whole egg
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar or superfine sugar*
• 2 teaspoons heavy cream
• ice
• nutmeg, for sprinkling on top

Put whiskey, egg, sugar, and cream into a shaker filled with ice. Shake it vigorously for a minute. Strain it into a coupe glass, a lowball, or whatever vessel makes you happy. Grate some nutmeg over the top and enjoy.

*Superfine sugar is basically granulated sugar that is ground until it becomes.. yeah, super fine. You can do this in your food processor if you like and then store some in your pantry for this type of occasion. (It dissolves faster which makes it useful for cocktails.) Or just use granulated sugar and give it a few extra shakes in the shaker that you are already vigorously shaking. Don't use powdered sugar which has a funky taste.

The Negroni is one of my favorite cocktails. It has a complex flavor - bitter, yet sweet... fruity, yet herbal - that belies the ease of making it. With its festive ruby red color, this cocktail would be a fabulous choice for your next holiday party.

Negroni

serves 1

1 oz gin
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 oz Campari
orange peel, for garnish
ice

Pour gin, vermouth, and Campari into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until well combined and chilled, and then strain into a cocktail glass. I think this drinks looks very elegant in a coupe glass. Garnish with orange peel.

Note: This drink is a great candidate for making a large batch before a party. To make 8 drinks, mix together 1 cup gin, 1 cup sweet vermouth, and 1 cup Campari and stir in mixing glass with ice. Strain into 8 cocktail glasses, or strain into a pitcher and keep chilled until ready to serve.

 CIDER & BOURBON COCKTAIL

Makes 1 drink

• 2 oz rye whiskey, such as Bulleit
• .5 oz ginger liqueur, such as Domaine de Canton
• 1.5 oz apple cider
• apple cross section, for garnish
• 1/2 cinnamon stick, for garnish

Mix whiskey, ginger liqueur, and apple cider together in a mixing glass full of ice. When chilled, pour into lowball glass with ice. Garnish and enjoy.

ELDERFLOWER OLD FASHIONED

Makes 1 drink.

2.5 oz bourbon
.5 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
A few dashes of bitters
1 lemon twist, for garnish

In a mixing glass, stir together bourbon, St. Germain, and bitters with ice. Strain into a lowball glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with lemon zest.

from Saveur