Recent discussions on Difford’s Guide
Saramago
Elderflower liqueur tones and adds floral notes to this Tequila Martini variation
wes reiss
9th August at 03:55
*Into* the bartender, ladies and gents.
French 75
Fresh, clean, sophisticated – dangerously quaffable. The use of powdered sugar instead of sugar syrup adds an attractive sherbet note to this cocktail...
9th August at 03:34
OMG lets get out of here granadine! applejack go to your house. This is the perfect French 75! I used Moet and Monkey 47. Is amazin'. Easy as lemonade, fun as a charleston, contemporary but classic. I really can't get why all the other variations: oddly enough just data the drink into forgotten eras. This is perennial.
French 75 (Difford's recipe)
I've Colin Field to thank for my French 75 epiphany. One evening in early June 2017 I was sat at his bar (Bar Hemingway) and he showed me the vintage 75ml...
9th August at 03:21
Do soldier on! Cheers!
French 75 (Difford's recipe)
I've Colin Field to thank for my French 75 epiphany. One evening in early June 2017 I was sat at his bar (Bar Hemingway) and he showed me the vintage 75ml...9th August at 02:50
I am 56 yo, and never did this. So its my first: 1. It looks like the one in the photo. So, good at this point. I opened a bottle of Moet for other cocktail, so I came here, and have to do some until finished. I find it sort of Dimetap, a little bitter in the end of the tongue at the end. Is interesting one of the main weapons of the classic armada, but not very contemporary, it feels outdated. I will try the other versions by decade.
The Last Laugh
This herbal sweet 'n' sour Last Word does indeed have The Last Laugh thanks to a splash of merriment-inducing sparkling wine9th August at 02:36
Hey Tren, please accept my condolences that you have to finish that entire bottle of Moët before the bubbles run out! Be brave!
The Last Laugh
This herbal sweet 'n' sour Last Word does indeed have The Last Laugh thanks to a splash of merriment-inducing sparkling wine9th August at 02:08
I took my time in order to arrive here, this are my very Last Words of all the list of Last Word. I open a Moet, and really do not like to do it since I can't keep it open for days and I have to drink all the bottle and that can be... bad. But this is very vey good, is a surprising addition. Normally I had always thought champagne taste like limes. So in here that sensation is rounded like the normal lime in the LW but bubbly. And since is Moet is less sugary, than prosecco. So the sweetnes came from the brothers Chart & Lux.
Last Word
Traditionally made with equal parts gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice, but like many others (when using a 40%-43% alc./vol. gin)...9th August at 01:45
Amazin! In Mexico there is G Chartreuse but no many others (Suze, Benedictine) Is so sad so many recipes we have to make miracles to taste it in our latin america!!! abrazo!
Nessie cocktail
A Rob Roy (Scotch Manhattan) with walnut liqueur and Pedro Ximénez sherry8th August at 23:59
Another one of those cocktails that improves once it’s sat for a bit, giving the flavors a chance to harmonize. Used an Arbeg (which is really just liquid smoke), with JW Green. The Green lowers the intensity of the Arbeg, but it’s extreme smokiness still provides a bit of a backbone. Not my favorite (apologies Mr Diffird), but still enjoyable.
Blue Train
Yup, it's blue, slightly sweet, and orange-flavoured
8th August at 22:11
It's really not a complex drink, but it is a good one. I appreciate the gin adding more herbal qualities as opposed to a vodka and, yeah, it's got the citrus layer thanks to the double-dose of triple sec and curacao. Simple. But you know what? It was a hot, humid, summer day, and this capped it nicely. And it was blue. What more could we ask for?
Aku Aku
This Tiki classic looks a little like frozen stagnant pond water but tastes minty fresh and rather good8th August at 21:29
That was fantastic! Will definitely do it again.
Million Dollar Margarita
Although a relatively dry Margarita, this particular millionaire benefits from the rich notes of a cognac-based orange liqueur
8th August at 20:58
Quite enjoyable and a nice change from the standard Margarita. I'd start charging my friends $40 for it but then I'd not have any friends...
Bicycle Thief
Bittersweet and sour with gin-laced botanicals, cleansing zesty citrus and an enlivening splash of soda8th August at 20:44
Very good, refreshing. Made as is and it was perfect.
Arancia Spritz
Reminiscent of a Pimm's No.1 Spritz8th August at 17:33
Light and refreshing but not particularly interesting.
S & M (Smoke & Mulberry)
Best made with a smoky mezcal to intertwine with sloe gin's berry fruitiness, subtle layers of herbal vanilla vermouth and delicate bitter chocolate8th August at 17:31
Wait, is it 12 drops of bitters or two? The Difford's recipe and the OG seem to differ.
Italian Sun
Tastes rather like a bon bon (a round, sugar coated, lemon flavoured sweet)
8th August at 16:37
Excellent cocktail !
Une gorgée et j’avais de nouveau huit ans, en culotte courte, courant au petit magasin du coin avec quelques pièces en poche, prêt à tout claquer en bonbons ! 😂
Une gorgée et j’avais de nouveau huit ans, en culotte courte, courant au petit magasin du coin avec quelques pièces en poche, prêt à tout claquer en bonbons ! 😂
Espresso Martini
Likened to a Vodka & Red Bull for the discerning, this caffeine-loaded cocktail comprises generous slugs of vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur. Although...8th August at 16:31
Followed the recipe exactly. WOW, what an excellent martini the subtle notes of the coffee (Fresh brewed Ethiopian) come through wonderfully. My daughter in law has already demanded one next time together. All in all a wonderful cocktail that we will continue to enjoy. Thank you Simon👍🍸
Fair Harvard
This wonderfully aromatic cocktail; benefits from dilution so consider adding a splash of chilled water or serving on-the-rocks8th August at 16:15
This was good. I’d like mine a touch drier, so wouldn’t mind splitting the bianco with dry vermouth next time.
Juliet & Romeo
You smell rose water but taste gin, lime, cucumber and mint. A refreshing, summery cocktail
8th August at 14:50
As per garnish: "Float 3 drops rose water and 3 drops of aromatic bitters, and peg mint leaf to rim."
Monterita
Bittersweet citrusy Italian amaro replaces triple sec to make a Spaghetti Western of an aperitivo8th August at 14:46
So it being a Saturday night and us not needing to be in church early Sunday morning, we did a side by side tasting: firstly, original recipe simply substituting Nardini for the Montenegro; secondly, same with Braulio; and thirdly, substituting Bianco for the Reposado, Nonino Quintessentia for the Montenegro and lemon for the lime. The Nardini variant was our favourite but the Nonino version was lovely too, with lemon or lime.
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...8th August at 14:25
Many thanks for the recipe, James. This is a cocktail I obviously need to revisit. In the meantime, I've added quotes from the books you mention, as well as Byron's 1884 The Modern Bartenders' Guide and Craddock's 1930 The Savoy.
Crosstree
Like a rum-laced pineapple cream soda served with a wedge of lime
8th August at 14:18
We liked the cocktail and wondered whether the original version would result in an even more fluffy version.
Amalfi Switch
A shaken limoncello sour with Pallini, mezcal, fresh lemon, Oloroso sherry and a touch of sugarcane syrup. Serve straight up with a fine sea salt half-rim...8th August at 14:15
Thanks Steve- really pleased you liked it. Blown away to win the pallini competition with this, I'm actually enjoying one in the sun right now!
Amalfi Switch
A shaken limoncello sour with Pallini, mezcal, fresh lemon, Oloroso sherry and a touch of sugarcane syrup. Serve straight up with a fine sea salt half-rim...8th August at 14:12
Thanks Heidi, I spent many weekends trying to perfect it, I'm really glad you enjoyed it!