Recent discussions on Difford’s Guide

Caspian Berggren’s Avatar Caspian Berggren
26th September at 20:18
Concur with this. Some Amari are kind of interchangeable but the Ferro Amari are very special and not really easily replaced. It's kind of like replacing gin with vodka — it's *technically* possible, since the cocktail will remain similarly balanced, but you'll lose an entire dimension of flavour.
Cassandra Adams’ Avatar Cassandra Adams
26th September at 19:16
Yes, we came up with a variant using mezcal/tequila and lime: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/30855/free-argument
Sally Morgan’s Avatar Sally Morgan
26th September at 18:55
I'm always a bit suspicious of drinks that have equal measures of ingredients. However - depending on your 'herbal liqueur' this does work well. Try with Suze - a grown up counter to the pineapple juice.
26th September at 18:51
Very nice. Sour but refreshing
Loïc Pierre’s Avatar Loïc Pierre
26th September at 18:48
Long to prepare, but definitely worth it... I found it excellent.
James Singlehurst’s Avatar James Singlehurst
26th September at 18:37
Not being a big fan of bitter cocktails, I temper mine with 10ml of coffee liqueur. So, 30ml Revival Rum Aged, 30ml Cinzano Rosso, 20 ml Campari, the coffee liqueur and a dash of orange bitters.
Distillery tour visitors seem to enjoy it!
26th September at 18:29
Love this wild thing - my latest go-to cocktail. Two outings already and it's a firm guest favourite. Looks the part, tastes super-zingy too 🙃
26th September at 18:27
I do drink
The Last Word
and
Corpse Revivor.
Love them both.
Made this as you requested...its enjoyable and lighter than the othe two.
Thank you
Nicholas Wilson’s Avatar Nicholas Wilson
26th September at 18:24
Beautiful delicate flavours all working in harmony. Elegance in a glass. The cucumber is essential.
Tony Jones’ Avatar Tony Jones
26th September at 18:20
Made with (boring) Carlos I but with:(exciting) Punt e Mes taking it into Negroni territory.
Very good!
Anton Ivanic’s Avatar Anton Ivanic
26th September at 18:04
Used Lot 40 Canadian Rye (as not touching American spirits for foreseeable future..) and a few more drops of bitters(Seasn DARK). Delicious after a long day!
Frederic Yarm’s Avatar Frederic Yarm
26th September at 17:39
I've noted that with the effects on citrus on elderflower liqueurs where lemon brings out a floral element and lime brings out more a grapefruit one. There's a lot going in St. Germain.
Bradley Viljoen’s Avatar Bradley Viljoen
26th September at 17:24
Stunning drink. It’s perfect in the morning or pre lunch.
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
26th September at 17:12
That would work with a 1:1 orgeat, but too sweet with a 2:1 orgeat.
Luca Viviani’s Avatar Luca Viviani
26th September at 17:10
One of the few Negroni variations that stand up to the original.
PS: it's not white!!
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
26th September at 17:08
I've just tried with both, and lemon amplifies the elderflower, but with lime, it's perhaps better balanced. 50:50 of both juices is best!
Tony Jones’ Avatar Tony Jones
26th September at 16:31
I was trying to make this, but invented this "Brandy Mocha" by accident when I added Chocolate rather than Coffee Liqueur.
30ml black coffee (V60, Booths Black) 40ml brandy (Carlos I)
10ml chocolate liqueur Slice of orange flesh. Splash agave syrup.
Splash aquafaba and a few drops of Fees Foam (ie anything foamy)
All into Nutribullet. Add two ice cubes, leave one minute. Remove one cube then zizz up
Into frozen coupe glass (Martini glass too small).
Really good. Quite Christmas-y. Foamed very well. Isn’t the standard EM too coffee-y? This has Nuance.
Niklas Hedlund’s Avatar Niklas Hedlund
26th September at 16:15
Found another spec on Reddit, which in my mind, is a bit more balanced.
1oz Laphroaig
1oz Mezcal
.75oz Orgeat
.75oz Lime juice
2 dasher celery bitters
1 dash angostura

And I always do a few drops of saline in my drinks. Absolutely delicious
Gareth Hives’ Avatar Gareth Hives
26th September at 16:13
If you're not a fan of the bitterness then this version, although full Campari'd up, is more drinkable due to the sweeter madarine flavour of the Absolut and the absence of gin.

https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/35929/mandrin-negroni

Personally it can't be bitter enough for me 🤣 but everyone sometimes needs something slightly smoother
26th September at 16:12
This was my father's favourite cocktail, a taste acquired by him in the 1920s-30s. I used to mix it for him under his instructions and tried it myself only a few years ago, but now my favourite too. Different gins and vermouths can make a huge difference to taste, but never bad, just different. He also taught me vermouth is pronounced to rhyme with 'Portsmouth', never 'Vamoof'!!
Frederic Yarm’s Avatar Frederic Yarm
26th September at 15:44
The Fairmont Hotel lists this as a lime juice drink: http://www.fairmontmoments.com/cocktails/menu/revivals/right-word
John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
26th September at 15:38
I’m not familiar with contratto. If you’ve got coccchi storico I would def go with that over carpano. A slightly higher abv gin such as botanist seems to hold its ground nicely here.
Albert Markiewicz’s Avatar Albert Markiewicz
26th September at 07:43
Also Passoa has 2% passionfruit only. It can be a nice addition to a cocktail with passion fruit already in it, but never as a substitute
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
26th September at 05:59
Thanks for letting me know. I've added to my list of cocktails to revisit and reshoot.