Frederic D. avatar
Frederic D.

Frederic D.

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DILL or no dill
3 Comments
Frederic D.

I tried this with Aalborg aquavit as suggested by Mark below, and it resulted in a great drink, although I might drop the saline to 4 or so drops next time. Savory, herbal, and perfectly balanced between lemon tartness and sweet.

Undead Gentleman
6 Comments
Frederic D.

Very good drink. I agree with others that the cinnamon syrup needs to be controlled lest it takes over. A bit more restrained than the traditional Zombie, but all the better for it.

Army & Navy
19 Comments
Frederic D.

I often like my drinks a tad sweeter than Simon, but even for me this shouldn't be any sweeter. It's well balanced as is, but it wouldn't take much for the orgeat to take it into cloying territory. The 8:3:2 works well, resulting in a delicate botanical sour with almond hints.

Spaghetti Western
3 Comments
Frederic D.

Not bad at all. This is a drink where using a reposado definitely makes a difference. The barrel notes give it a different character that to my mind works a lot better with the Nonino than the minerality of a Blanco would.

Ernest + Rita
16 Comments
Frederic D.

This is indeed quite delicious. The floral notes from the elderflower work beautifully with the grapefruit and the tequila (I used Ocho Blanco today). I cut down the lime a tad and the lower tartness really let the other ingredients shine. Adding it to the growing list of delicious grapefruit cocktails I have found here!

Cardboard Plane
5 Comments
Frederic D.

Since I am not the biggest fan of sours, I took inspiration from this, removed the lemon, and made a version with 1 Old Forester, 1 grapefruit juice, 3/4 Nonino, 3/4 Combier. This was actually quite tasty, but I might workshop different amaros - based on comments below, I think Averna is next on the list.

Loaded Pistol
7 Comments
Frederic D.

Definitely an unexpected ingredient ingredient combination, but I'm afraid it just didn't work that well for me. I found this drink to be just OK. It's fine, nothing wrong with it, but also not something I would want to make again. I think the Strega and Rosso Vermouth together is what is throwing me off a bit. It may be worth revisiting with a Bianco Vermouth, or even Cocchi Americano.

The Reanimator
6 Comments
Frederic D.

Very solid combination with the right rye - as others have mentioned, it is very spirit forward. This is a good use case for your softer, lower ABV eyes, rather than a Rare Breed or Pikesville.

Frederic D.

Really good Last Word variation. I used Plymouth gin and Luxardo Del Santo. The mastiha is definitely present, and contributes to the overall result without overwhelming.

Creole Cocktail
8 Comments
Frederic D.

I also used China-China in place if Picon, and I used a 3/2 ratio of Vya to Cocchi for the vermouth. It all worked really well. Perfectly balanced, with just the right level of spice. I might have to try some orange bitters next time.

Marigny
21 Comments
Frederic D.

Very good cocktail. I dropped the lemon to 1/2 Oz. The brandy combination works really well, and the Chartreuse adds just enough herbal complexities without overpowering the other ingredients.

The Tartan
7 Comments
Jeremy Harrold

I made an ‘Irish Tartan’ using Irish Mist Liqueur and Irish Whiskey. I upped the Whiskey (standard Jameson’s) to 60 ml to give it a bit more punch…

Frederic D.

Solid concept. I had the bad idea of trying it out with Drumshanbo Irish whiskey, which really didn't work out, but with the right base I'm sure it would have been quite good. Drumshanbo just has this weird off-note in the mid-palate that comes through just about anything. Shame, because their gin is really nice.

MonteNegroni
20 Comments
Frederic D.

Made today with Barr Hill Gin and Vya rosso vermouth, quite a good drink. The honey in the Barr Hill balanced the Vya, which is spicier and a tad less sweet than more traditional rosso vermouth. I rather liked this.

Frederic D.

A pretty solid Manhattan riff. The orange notes go quite well with the Averna and, as others have mentioned, the vermouth acts mostly as a bridge between the rye and the liqueurs.

Cherry Manhattan
9 Comments
Frederic D.

If you want a Manhattan, make a Manhattan. If you want a very nice Manhattan riff that is still not that complicated, however, you should make this. It's a bit sweet, nutty from the Maraschino, and with just a hint of cherry sweetness underneath. Delightful.

Frederic D.

Really, really like this one. I used Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye, and Bigallet China-China in lieu of Picon (I had bought a bottle last time I went back to Belgium, but my dad and I drank it there). Not too sweet but also other dry, nice spice from the rye, and the unmistakable Maraschino funk to tie it all together.

Neita Woodring

We made with Cointreau - and skipped the water
Brooklyn is in the same family - but much smother than a Manhattan
This is in out top 10 whiskey cocktail

Frederic D.

I have to ask, Cointreau in addition to the existing specs, or instead of one of the ingredients? Probably delicious, probably veering into "different cocktail" territory.

Rye Tai
2 Comments
Steven Jepson

I do love a good Mai Tai so this intrigued me.
Used a Kryo Finnish Rye Whisky (this is an excellent and personally superior alternative to American Rye's).
I was surprised how long it took for the rye to kick in - a really balanced and smooth drink.
A really good whisky alternative to a Mai Tai.

Frederic D.

I am in no position to dispute your assertion, having never tried Kryo, but I find the claim that it is superior to all American rye whiskeys both bold and intriguing. What makes it so great, if I may ask?

Près du Quai
14 Comments
Frederic D.

Blasphemous I know, but I think I like this better than the Vieux Carré. It's both softer and warmer. I used Vya vermouth, which also really amped up the Christmas spice character. Lovely

Vya Sweet Vermouth
Not yet rated
1 Comment
G. M. Genovese

Very flavorful, however, curiously Xmas/Pimento-dram-spicy. Definitely an outlier within the sweet vermouth realm. I'm going to keep experimenting with this, but it's leaving me longing for Punt e Mes or another rich Italian example.

Frederic D.

I just randomly picked up a bottle at a local wine store, and I had the exact same reaction. Very allspice/cinnamon forward. It almost reminds me of Glühwein in its Christmas spiciness. It's not bad, but I am really wondering what to make with it, and yes, I'd rather have Punt e Mes or Cocchi.

Triple Crown
4 Comments
Frederic D.

While I agree this is one notch below a standard Paper Plane, it is still a very good cocktail. Grapefruit obviously works really well with both bourbon and Montenegro. I might have to experiment with acid-adjusted grapefruit juice instead of the lemon, to see what boosting both the grapefruit flavor and the bitterness will do.

Sharpie Mustache
2 Comments
Frederic D.

I originally found this drink in Sother Teague's book. I have made it with both Nonino and Montenegro in lieu of Meletti. I have found that Montenegro works exceptionally well with Bonal. This is a drink with a fair amount of depth and subtlety, and choice of gin will probably make the most impact. The gin and rye are brought together nicely by the Bonal. An excellent drink.