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Peter Pendergest

Peter Pendergest

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Clara Bow
3 Comments
Peter Pendergest

Quite delicious. A great Friday evening, just signed off from work end of week cocktail. I think next time I might dial back the mint a bit, maybe just 3 or 4 leaves.

Crystal Ship
8 Comments
Peter Pendergest

I agree with Simon on the simplicity of this Tiki cocktail, which is generally hard to come by. To do enjoy the occasional Tiki drink, but dread the cleanup afterwards (I tend to avoid cocktails that require a blender). This has all the qualities of a great Tiki cocktail, I love it. (Curiously, it's not included in Beachbum Barry's Total Tiki app. Glad I was able to find it here).

Peter Pendergest

Superb. The chocolate seems to overwhelm the orange a bit, but I think that is probably down to my chocolate liqueur (Tempus Fugit Creme de Cacao, which is outstanding, but VERY chocolatey). I'll adjust for next time, which I'm sure will happen soon.

Grand Stand
4 Comments
Peter Pendergest

This is quite delicious. Probably a little more appropriate for a summer evening versus the middle of February, but either way a grand way to start the weekend. All the flavours play well together, no one ingredient overwhelms the others.

Damn-the Weather
8 Comments
Peter Pendergest

This is all dependent upon your choice of orange liqueur. My first attempt was with Bethel Rd (a distillery in Los Angeles, California) that has a nice sour orange flavor and it was absolutely wonderful (I tend to like my drinks a little on the bitter/sour side). I next tried it with Alma Finca Orange Liqueur which has more a sweet, tiki style. I much preferred the Bethel Rd. A splash of orange bitters helped the Alma Finca version.

Banana Bliss
6 Comments
Peter Pendergest

Surprised at how tasty this is. Quite spicy to me, probably the bitters I used. I don't have Bob's Abbotts Bitters, used Bitter End Moroccan bitters (which seemed to kind of, sort of to match the flavour profile of Abbotts (based on the description)), anyway I like the spiciness of the Moroccan, though might need to up the banana or reduce the bitters. Not really getting much banana flavour. Anyway, what I ended up with is quite good.

Easy Speak
21 Comments
Joseph Hillyard

My unsolicited advice: sub maple syrup (half the amount, maybe less!) for the simple. Adds to the complexity and helps it last longer!

Peter Pendergest

I completely agree, a splash of maple syrup in place of the simple makes for a much more interesting drink. This was a favorite as written, even better with maple syrup.

Rock 'n' Rolla
5 Comments
Peter Pendergest

This is very tasty. Complex but smooth. If anything though, I’d up the lemon juice a bit. I think my apple juice is a little on the sweeter side (plus I tend to lean more to the sour).

Peter Pendergest

A very tasty drink. I managed to get my hands on a few Seville (bitter) oranges, it adds an extra dimension. I think orange juice matches very well with bourbon, this gets the sour of lemon with orange flavor.

Irish Alexander
8 Comments
Peter Pendergest

It’s been my tradition to have a brandy alexander while my wife and I decorate the Christmas tree. Been doing that for years, until last when when I discovered all the Alexander variations. This year I tried this example and it leaves me flat. There just seem to be much to it. I added a half ounce of crème de cacao, which helped, but still doesn’t compete against my current favorite, the Hazelnut Alexander.

Jungle Bird
43 Comments
Peter Pendergest

Definitely needs a darker rum. Tried this with a Flor de Cana reserva and Curzan Black Strap and it is significantly much more interesting with the Curzan.

Autumn Sweater
13 Comments
Frederic D.

You might consider switching the Nonino for Montenegro rather than Cynar if you have that available. It's not that close either, but I think it might work well in this drink.

Peter Pendergest

I happened to pop into a local store today to see if they had the nonino, they did and I tried this again (still 30c plus in LA (in October)), they are different, but both equally great. The Quintessentia is certainly much more nuanced, but after comparing the two, the Cynar isn't as overwhelming as it could have been. The Cynar version is a bit more bitter, but not unbalanced, just different. Still used the fennel bitters, which I still think is very fitting for this drink (which says a lot, since I'm not a big fan of fennel). Definitely my drink for the season, if only I could get some weather to match.

Autumn Sweater
13 Comments
Peter Pendergest

Admittedly I didn't make the exact drink as I didn't have the nonino (used cynar instead) and replaced the tobacco bitter with Barkepper Fennel bitters (seemed to match the theme) and it is excellent. I will endeavor to pick up some Nonino before the end of Fall (though it's 30c in L.A. in October right now) and try this again.

Going Out West
23 Comments
Peter Pendergest

Never really thought that mezcal would play well with rye, boy was I wrong. Will be added to the regular rotation.
Used a really nice Yuu Baal joven mezcal and a smooth Redwood Empire Rye.