#100DaysOfCocktails - Day 61 - The Fitzgerald
There was a bit of a counting error, so the exploration of modern cocktails received an extra day. Who else to dedicate that to other than "King Cocktail" Dale DeGroff. He was one of the pioneers in the late 1980's and early 1990's that brought fresh ingredients and classic techniques back to a thoroughly artificial bar scene. If you are interested in craft cocktails or are working in the industry, it is probably because of this man.
#100DaysOfCocktails - Day 57 - The Jasmine
How many pink cocktails have you seen? Most people go right for the Cosmopolitan when they think of a pink drink. There are a few other classics, like a Pink Lady, but pink and sweet tend to go together. Then there is the Jasmine, where pink and herbal meet. Red Campari is the reason this cocktail earns its pink hue, giving the mixture a slightly bitter flavor. Not too much, but just enough to say hello.
#100DaysOfCocktails - Day 49 - Night Watch
If you are serious about the craft of bartending, at some point you have bumped into a mention of Death and Co. They published a book in 2014 that took a deep, deep dive into what makes them an elite venue to enjoy a drink. Their cocktail Night Watch jumped out at me, using black strap rum and dark sherry to invoke the mood of the Rembrandt painting it is named after.
#100DaysOfCocktails - Day 48 - May Day
PDT (Please Don't Tell) in New York City is a secret little place hidden inside Crif Dogs. They make amazing cocktails and provide a unique experience by having to sneak into the joint via phone booth. Their 2011 book opened up a window into this "hidden" gem, showing not just the cocktails they pour, but the creative process as well. May Day is a cocktail that caught #100DaysOfCocktail's eye.
#100DaysOfCocktails - Day 47 - Citius Altius Fortius
Citius Altius Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) has been the motto for the Olympics since 1924, though it was proposed in 1894. Bringing the world together for friendly competition has had its ups and downs, but is something we all gather together for every two years. This cocktail by Jason Littrell celebrates the international nature of liquor, and how they work well together in one glass.
#100DaysOfCocktails - Day 36 - Gin-gin Mule
On a fateful night in the late 1990's, Audrey Saunders met Dale DeGroff. That did not just change the trajectory of Saunders' career, but the path of the New York City cocktail scene. She updated many restaurants bar programs, creating a path of inspiration to her opening the Pegu Club in 2005. The Gin-gin Mule, something she created at the Beacon Restaurant, adds a little extra flavor to the traditional mule recipe, as #100DaysOfCocktails discovered.
#100DaysOfCocktails - Day 23 - Gin & Tonic
Is the gin and tonic a cocktail? Is is not? There can be a debate, but the fact remains that it was one of the first cocktails that carbonated water was the real star of the show. The soda water was flavored with herbs, had some lime, and contained a spirit. That is a cocktail, right? #100DaysOfCocktail looks into it.
