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Recent discussions on Difford’s Guide
Poet's Dream
Honeyed and herbal with an assertive dry gin backbone. I find the original equal-parts formula a little overly rich, so I cut back the liqueur to as little...
Tuber Magnatum
8th February at 00:56
Excellent cocktail, and as noted by Difford and others, cuttIng back on the DOM produces a very balanced drink by reducing the sweet component. In my view this drink demands the lemon oils / garnish, but curious to try Mike's suggestion of an orange.
Pastry War Margarita
Mezcal, amaro and elderflower liqueur all work together to set this Margarita apart
7th February at 23:59
The problem with variations of the Margarita is it’s rarely as good as the original. The elderflower doesn’t really add anything to it. A good cocktail anyway but it lacks Cointreau and agave syrup!
Yellow Negroni
As the name suggests, this pisco-based, five equal parts, vivid yellow, bittersweet aperitif was inspired by the classic Negroni, along with three of the...7th February at 23:54
All of you who like this cocktail MUST try this four ingredient white Negroni that does include gin.. Similar, but more distinct with a unique qomplexity with the sweetness is toned down by the grapefruit bitters: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/36772/walthalls-white-negroni
Manhattan (Sweet)
I prefer my Manhattans served "Sweet", or "Perfect " at a push. The Manhattan is complex, challenging and moreish. Best of all, it's available in a style...7th February at 23:27
Genius!
Elderflower Martini No.1
This veritable shrubbery is both floral and grassy with dry borders7th February at 23:00
I mixed this cocktail with a reduced amount of elderflower to 10ml. As said the lime zest twist is a must and so I noticed a little bit of peppermint. Nice.
Valentine's Martini
Appropriately strawberry-and-rose flavoured, this Vodkatini is surprisingly dry7th February at 21:31
Tried again with the proper mix. Drier and more suitable for an aperitif. Didn’t get a great deal of the rose - might try a mix of both
Gin Ruby
Gin adds another layer of flavour to the usually vodka-based, bright and citrusy Ruby7th February at 21:14
Nothing outstanding. Ok not great.
The Easy Way
Spicy and malty with bittersweetness and citrus freshness7th February at 20:53
A very plausible and enjoyable zero, real depth and complexity to it, almost like the real thing!
Eighteen 75
A delicious dessert cocktail. Intensely creamy but with the flavours of lemon and chocolate. Named 1875 to reflect the enduring elegance of Pallini limoncello7th February at 19:39
Dayum! This is actually very tasty. Instead of cream, which I don't have now, I used oat milk. I will make this with cream later. Thanks! :)
Valentine's Martini
Appropriately strawberry-and-rose flavoured, this Vodkatini is surprisingly dry7th February at 19:33
Subbed a few mls of rose syrup (mostly because it was in the drinks cabinet and I couldn’t be arsed to go to the pantry). Was (unsurprisingly) a little too sweet but not unpleasant. Will try again to compare and contrast with the proper recipe.
La Viña
Considered by many as a contemporary classic, "The Vineyard" is equal parts rye spicy punch, amaro herbal bittersweetness, and cream sherry richness with...
7th February at 19:19
I don’t want to mess with perfection but expressing some orange peel over the top really works as well. What a drink.
Lorraine
Sweet and sour with fruity, herbal notes7th February at 19:07
A lovely balance of sweet and sour with a delicious flavour profile
La Viña
Considered by many as a contemporary classic, "The Vineyard" is equal parts rye spicy punch, amaro herbal bittersweetness, and cream sherry richness with...7th February at 19:01
Wow, we have a winner. My top 5 cocktails haven’t really changed much over the last year or so. This is straight in there. Had to swap the Nonino for Montenegro, anybody know how much difference that would make?
Dickens' Dry Martini
In an ironic reference to Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, a "Dickens' Martini" is served without an olive or a twist. The ratio of gin to vermouth...
7th February at 18:52
Yes, I meant to say 60ml and 2oz are the top markings, but can be filled to 2.5oz / 75ml.
Dickens' Dry Martini
In an ironic reference to Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, a "Dickens' Martini" is served without an olive or a twist. The ratio of gin to vermouth...7th February at 18:16
Go on - go 15:75. You can add 15mos of him to the vermouth and then do another 60.
Dickens' Dry Martini
In an ironic reference to Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, a "Dickens' Martini" is served without an olive or a twist. The ratio of gin to vermouth...7th February at 18:14
Are you sure it's not 2oz?
End of the Road
Originally designed to be served straight-up, but I prefer this punchy, Negroni-esque cocktail over ice, mellowed by a little additional dilution7th February at 17:34
Contents of my cabinet required that I try this with something only lightly peaty. It registered as the following, in order of occurrence: intriguing, delicious, odd as hell.
Galvanised Nail
Scotch and honeyed spice with a hint of apple and elderflower plus a touch of zest lemon freshness7th February at 17:07
Tastes of Scotland. Which we haven’t been to this year (normally do) and miss. A wonderful drop. Thanks to Simon - and to Ruth for alerting us to it.
Rabbit's Foot
A spirituous sour with apple brandy, rum, grenadine and orange fruitiness7th February at 15:46
Thanks, Tucker. I used Havana 3, so more accurately a golden rather than dark rum, a rum with a little age and character.
Dickens' Dry Martini
In an ironic reference to Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, a "Dickens' Martini" is served without an olive or a twist. The ratio of gin to vermouth...7th February at 15:31
The top marking on the Easy Jigger is 60ml on one side and 1oz on the other, but if you fill to the brim, it's 75ml. Hence, for 62.5ml I fill a little over the 60ml mark.
Rabbit's Foot
A spirituous sour with apple brandy, rum, grenadine and orange fruitiness7th February at 15:19
Love your site. The ingredient list calls for golden rum, the description describes dark rum. Which one should I use?
Robinette
Manhattan in style with the spirit base split between brandy and bourbon
7th February at 15:10
Looks like only a few DDs have stumbled on this so far - myself only by thumbing through the Difford’s book. Which is, of course, post of the reason for having a copy!
Eminently smooth and drinkable! The cognac and cherry produce a more mellow and rounded Manhattan. A new favourite Manhattan! Will def have again. Martell blue Swift (outstanding in itself), Wild Turkey 101, carpano and Bitter truth Cherry bitters, Worth revisiting with alternative ingredients.
Eminently smooth and drinkable! The cognac and cherry produce a more mellow and rounded Manhattan. A new favourite Manhattan! Will def have again. Martell blue Swift (outstanding in itself), Wild Turkey 101, carpano and Bitter truth Cherry bitters, Worth revisiting with alternative ingredients.
Sorrento Mule
A super refreshing, zesty citrus, zingy ginger Mule7th February at 14:56
Made using Samsara Pink Gin, Mikiamo Limoncello & Old Jamaican Ginger Beer. Super Tasty!!!
Dickens' Dry Martini
In an ironic reference to Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, a "Dickens' Martini" is served without an olive or a twist. The ratio of gin to vermouth...7th February at 13:44
Ha ha let’s be honest we’ve all done 60 and 15. You can’t go over 60 on the Diffords jigger anyway