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Recent discussions on Difford’s Guide
Susan's Salad
Cucumber and lime summer freshness with herbal basil and floral elderflower, fortified with a carefree splash of vodka
Susan Williams
16th August at 21:30
this Susan says Yummy!
El Ritmo
Pineapple juice, lime, and coconut cream give this Legacy-winning cocktail a hint of tiki but can somewhat mask the rum, particularly when made with a...16th August at 20:42
Didn't have all the ingredients and my crew likes sweeter drinks, so subbed lime juice and rum as follows:
Lemon juice for lime juice
Instead of 10 oz rum, 8 oz coconut vodka and 2 oz Stroh rum
Was a big hit and definitely tropical/sweet.
Lemon juice for lime juice
Instead of 10 oz rum, 8 oz coconut vodka and 2 oz Stroh rum
Was a big hit and definitely tropical/sweet.
20th Century Cocktail
When, as originally, this cocktail is made with Rutte Celery Gin, then celery notes are very obvious in the final cocktail - perhaps more so than in the...16th August at 19:45
Also see the two 21st Century variants using tequila on Difford's that we managed to miss before creating this (hopefully ours is distinct enough to merit existence!)
Cranstonian
Mezcal-forward, but in flavour rather than a spirituous way, indeed this bittersweet aperitivo s relatively restrained on the boozy front16th August at 18:49
Unfortunately a bit lacking, the aperol and cranberry were both too subtle. Ended up feeling overdiluted
20th Century Cocktail
When, as originally, this cocktail is made with Rutte Celery Gin, then celery notes are very obvious in the final cocktail - perhaps more so than in the...16th August at 18:11
Ooops, thanks for pointing that out. Amended now.
Bourbon Mule
A bourbon lime sour lengthened and invigorated by spicy ginger beer16th August at 17:43
Made this again with 113 proof rye and 3 dashes of ginger bitters. Not nearly as sweet as I originally found it. But now I'm craving a more distinctive sugar character. Might want to sub the basic sugar syrup with demerara or honey syrup, or possibly maple.
Ruby Rubicon
If you do not wish to use an egg white, feel free to substitute for aquafaba16th August at 17:18
No wonder I thought something was off the first time I made this. I forgot to add the gin. Turns out its much better with it. Quite enjoyable. Thanks for the recipe!
Ruby Rubicon
If you do not wish to use an egg white, feel free to substitute for aquafaba16th August at 17:09
Pretty tasty drink, if a touch too sweet for my taste. Rich, round mouthfeel. Surprisingly, I did not get the voluminous foam I thought 30 ml of egg white would yield.
Great Silence
Bittersweet and delicately smoky (perhaps as you'd expect from a cocktail based on mezcal and Italian bitter red liqueur)
16th August at 16:43
Really like this, sharp, bitter andsmokey, my favorite flavours! No surprise as I also like ‘love and murder’, particularly with an off recipe measure of mezcal. Might be even better than a bitter margarita too.
Limoncello Sour
Could be renamed "Summer Sour" as this vodka-laced, bright, fresh, zesty sour is best appreciated early on a summer's evening16th August at 16:35
Opinions varied on this one. I rather liked it. Delicate and balanced with the orange lemon and lime in concert with the Aperol. (I used syrup de gomme to get the orange blossom flavour). My wife found it a little too delicate - perhaps I overdid the ice as she complained it ended up watery and she tends to go slower on her cocktails than me. Still - if you like sours this is a very nice summer version.
Gin & Tonic
One of the simplest and best mixed drinks ever devised, hence its lasting popularity. To serve as a Highball use a smaller 10oz (295ml) Highball glass...16th August at 12:41
I like tonic and I like gin. Together, it’s ok.
Dancing Don
This non-traditional tropical cocktail avoids excess and lets every ingredient take its turn. The nose suggests warm Caribbean spice and vanilla; the palate...16th August at 12:32
My somewhat taciturn and un-cocktail-minded son wouldn't give me back my glass when he tasted this one.
Yes Dear!
A pisco-based riff on the classic The Last Word cocktail. Most make this with equal parts but I find it better with a touch more pisco16th August at 12:31
We think this works nicely with just a very gentle added dash (or mist?) of Absinthe.
Original Tequila Sunrise
Tequila notes shine with delicate berry fruit (and, depending on your ingredients, subtle vanilla) in this delicious 1930s version of the Tequila Sunrise
16th August at 10:37
Seems like everyone agrees this one is very dry. I do like it, but perhaps subbing for reposado and using a little more grenadine or just sugar might be more my taste. Or you could go the other way and use more lime to make it tarter?
I also can't taste any of the cassis, perhaps upping that a little tiny bit could also help the sweetness matter.
I also can't taste any of the cassis, perhaps upping that a little tiny bit could also help the sweetness matter.
Fireman's Sour
A cocktail that dates from the early 20th century, when it was made without egg white and served straight-up. However, this more contemporary rendition...
16th August at 09:55
I’ve updated this recipe and will rephotograph ASAP. The previous recipe:
60 ml Light white rum (charcoal-filtered 1-4 years old)
30 ml Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
15 ml Grenadine/pomegranate syrup
15 ml Egg white (pasteurised) or Vegg White vegan egg white alternative
60 ml Light white rum (charcoal-filtered 1-4 years old)
30 ml Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
15 ml Grenadine/pomegranate syrup
15 ml Egg white (pasteurised) or Vegg White vegan egg white alternative
Filibuster
A rye whiskey and maple syrup sour served short and straight-up. You'd perhaps have expected this cocktail to be more drawn out16th August at 09:34
I’ve just updated this recipe and will rephotograph ASAP. The previous recipe:
45 ml Straight rye whiskey (100 proof /50% alc./vol.)
22.5 ml Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
15 ml Maple syrup
15 ml Egg white (pasteurised) or Vegg White vegan egg white alternative
45 ml Straight rye whiskey (100 proof /50% alc./vol.)
22.5 ml Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
15 ml Maple syrup
15 ml Egg white (pasteurised) or Vegg White vegan egg white alternative
Roman Punch
This recipe (by yours truly in August 2026) combines elements from various vintage Roman Punch recipes to produce a cooling fruity sour laced with cognac...16th August at 09:25
I’ve just updated the recipe above, and I’ll rephotograph in the weeks ahead. The previous recipe:
45 ml Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur
45 ml Cognac (brandy)
22.5 ml Overproof white rum (unaged Jamaican/funky)
22.5 ml Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
45 ml Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur
45 ml Cognac (brandy)
22.5 ml Overproof white rum (unaged Jamaican/funky)
22.5 ml Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Cold War Easier
The reds are a shade near pink in this aromatic sipper
16th August at 09:15
Yes, lemon and bisongrass (with 1.5 oz), with some dryness from the wine, but not much more.
Ernest + Rita
Combining elements of a classic Margarita and a Hemingway Daiquiri, hence the Ernest + Rita name, honouring Ernest Hemingway and the Marga"Rita". This...16th August at 08:58
Hi David. I've added an explanation above.
Strawberry Blonde
This long, refreshing orange-red drink is basically a vodka-laced strawberry-flavoured real lemonade16th August at 08:34
Replaced the simple for orgeat as mentioned below. Amazing, this might be one of my faves now!
20th Century Cocktail
When, as originally, this cocktail is made with Rutte Celery Gin, then celery notes are very obvious in the final cocktail - perhaps more so than in the...16th August at 07:59
Hi Cassandra. Your Siglo XX is set to “Private”, so the link you’ve given leads to a 404. Please change to “Public” to share your recipe.
Night Cap (Sloppy Joe's 1935)
This sweet 'n' sour, gin and cognac-laced cocktail is perhaps more suited to be enjoyed as an aperitivo, or even with breakfast, than the nightcap the...16th August at 07:50
A search for “word” lists this cocktail due to Steve Anderson’s comment below, suggesting it should be renamed Chocolate Word.
Mar del Plata
Not so far removed from a Corpse Reviver No. 2 in style, this gin-laced aperitivo is dry and aromatic with intertwined citrus and herbal notes16th August at 06:42
Odd combination of flavors overpowered by citrus. Did not enjoy this cocktail at all.
Diplomatico Reserva Rum
Launched in 1989, just two years later this new brand achieved sales of 840,000 bottles in Venezuela alone. Diplomatico Reserva is blended from 50 per...16th August at 06:40
Only a 4? 😨😨😨