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Calvin Grant’s Avatar Calvin Grant
25th July at 03:25
Had to make do with Combier as I was out of Dry Curaçao. Added some orange zest. Fantastic none the less!
Dan Casselman’s Avatar Dan Casselman
23rd October 2024 at 01:43
I really enjoyed this drink. Although now that I have read some history about Barney I would make it with a South African Brandy instead of a Cognac, and sipping and reflecting on whether he jumped or was pushed off the boat.
Sometimes the backstory on a cocktail takes it to the next level.
John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
28th March 2024 at 12:00
Retried with actual cognac, very rounded and smooth. At this point I think I prefer the bucolic ruggedness of Armagnac. This cocktail really reflects the choice of base spirit.
Calvin Grant’s Avatar Calvin Grant
25th July at 03:40
I made it with a cheap French brandy and it was still really good thanks to the Kina L'Aero and Lillet Blanc combo. I imagine Armagnac or Cognac could bump this up a notch. How goes your winter months my friend?
Chris Brislawn’s Avatar Chris Brislawn
15th January at 06:33
Retried with Kina L'Aero d'Or (now that I have some), using Angostura Orange Bitters and Remy 1738. (I think I prefer an arcadian idyll lubricated by cognac.) Instead of orange curacao I substituted P. Ferrand Limited Edition Late Harvest Moroccan Yuzu Dry Curacao, which we both agree really made this cocktail exceptional. Five stars.
John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
15th March 2024 at 11:53
Riffing on Ashley and John’s comments, tried with Irish whiskey, which imparted a certain mellowness- have previously been using Armagnac.
Chris Brislawn’s Avatar Chris Brislawn
23rd April 2023 at 02:39
Simon is pointing us towards Tempus Fugit Kina L'Aero D'Or, which may be great, but neither that nor Caperitif is available out here in the provinces. Found Bonal Gentiane-Kina aperitif locally and it has the bitter/herbal backbone to use in cocktails like this. L'Aero D'Or sounds like it has more orange-y flavors so I upped the Curacao to 1 tsp and used Angostura Orange bitters. Not too sweet and plenty of interesting flavors going on. My wife agrees that this one is a winner.
John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
29th January at 14:01
How are you finding l’aero d’or vs. the Bonal, given I’ve only had the opportunity of sampling the latter? The former does indeed sound more orange-y! … also in light of what Kina Lillet might have tasted like originally? I suspect Cocchi Americano actually does quite well in reproducing the sweet-bitter vector, I.e. high in both quinine and sugar.
Ben R’s Avatar Ben R
5th February 2023 at 01:26
This is an amazing drink (top 5 for me), although I must admit I've never had the true thing. I haven't been able to find any Kina (supply chain issues for my local liquor stores in early 2023), so I instead used a bottle of Pineau des Charentes. I'm not sure how off that is in terms of flavor, but I assure you the resulting cocktail is excellent.
21st September 2022 at 16:40
Would Cap Corse Blanc work instead of the Kina/Lilley combo?
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
1st August 2022 at 23:48
I love these classic cocktails presented as they were designed. Very smooth with just the right amount of sweetness to be a good aperitif. All the flavours blend well together with just a slight hint of spice.
Richard Christmas’ Avatar Richard Christmas
15th July 2022 at 19:43
In a heatwave this seems to work rather well on the rocks with 1½ oz. soda water.
Ashley Nathan’s Avatar Ashley Nathan
22nd August 2021 at 21:32
A little one dimensional from all the grape based liquors. Would try with Laird’s bottle in bond instead of cognac.
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
1st August 2022 at 23:50
I could see that or an overproof rye. But then it would be a completely different cocktail. Time to do some experimentation.
David Selle’s Avatar David Selle
19th August 2020 at 22:35
One of the best cocktails i've ever tasted
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Anonymous

3rd July 2020 at 03:33
We used Dubonnet with Lillet Blanc. Nice slightly sweet floral and fresh.