Andrew Gelb avatar
Andrew Gelb

Andrew Gelb

San Francisco Bay Area, United States

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Rye Tai
2 Comments
Menno Wiebe

The instructions leave me a bit puzzled. Ingredients #5 and #6 don't appear in the list. Shake with first four, right?

Andrew Gelb

It is confusing and I would guess it is a typo. When I make it someday soon, I'll add and shake the first 6 ingredients and then attempt to float the Angostura bitters. Cheers!

James Kittock

Went to make a marg, realized I was out of limes, found this, and tried it. I like the interplay of the Falernum and agave, just a lil too sweet. I might dial down the Cointreau a bit next time, but on the whole a pleasing cocktail!

Andrew Gelb

Hi James, I omit the agave syrup and up the Falernum to 1/4 oz. Cheers!

Matt

Very good - the spice of the falernum and softness (relative to lime) of the lemon are nice, with the falernum and agave really boosting the sweetness quotient. I prefer a Tommy's style, but this is a great option for people who like a sweeter cocktail!

Andrew Gelb

Hi, perhaps double the Falernum (I use Taylor's) and omit the agave syrup. Cheers!

Florian Ruf

Made the cocktail today straight-up, which principally worked very good. Maybe a tad more dilution could even improve. For my taste it also was a little bit too sweet, maybe the autumn lemons from Italy are sweeter.

Andrew Gelb

Hi, perhaps double the Falernum (I use Taylor's) and omit the agave syrup. Cheers!

Board Shorts
1 Comment
Andrew Gelb

I think this recipe might be missing the 3/4 oz. Lemon Juice usually included. Maybe the omission is intentional based on experience and tasting. I make it with the lemon juice, which, as in many tiki drinks, balances the sweetness of the pineapple juice. Cheers!

Negroni Sour
10 Comments
Andrew Gelb

Very tasty drink! I do reverse dry shake, but otherwise followed the recipe. I think it's delicious and does temper and sweeten a wee bit the usual Negroni bitterness. I make our Negronis with a 50/50 Campari/Aperol blend and may try this drink that way. But, it's just fine as is. Cheers!

Grand White Lady
3 Comments
Andrew Gelb

Delicious drink! I'm a big fan of the White Lady, as it's prepared in Tokyo, without egg white. This is a very smooth and flavorful variation. (I may try it next time with the wonderful St George's Valley Gin, which is made with California's lovely citrus, to play even more on the orange notes). Well done, Simon! Cheers!

Grand White Lady
3 Comments
Andrew Gelb

Delicious drink! I'm a big fan of the White Lady, as it's prepared in Tokyo, without egg white. This is a very smooth and flavorful variation. Well done, Simon! Cheers!

Scofflaw
19 Comments
Andrew Gelb

After trying a few versions, we've decided this works best for us: 1 1/2 Rye, 1 Vermouth Blanc, 3/4 Lemon Juice, 1/2 Grenadine, 1 dash Orange Bitters. We find it perfectly balanced. Cheers!

Star Daisy
4 Comments
Andrew Gelb

Really enjoy this one; we can taste the various components but it's all in balance. Followed original recipe but can see how the touch of salt might be useful. Cheers!

Haystack
17 Comments
Andrew Gelb

Excellent and complex, we really like it. I use a full 1 measure of the Suze. Cheers!

Andrew Gelb

And now, with a little passage of time, I think the slightly less than 1 part Suze works better. Once again, Simon proves correct!

Pineapple Blossom
9 Comments
Andrew Gelb

Tried the Bourbon version, with 3/4 lemon and 1/2 simple syrup rather than the 3/4 I saw online (the pineapple juice adds enough sweetness and body). Very nice! I'll try the Scotch version soon...

Man O' War
39 Comments
Jim Plante

I’m pleasantly surprised. I confess my pour of the triple sec was slightly heavy, and I have never been much of a sweet vermouth fan. But I had a new bottle of sweet vermouth and this sounded good. I’m not disappointed at all! It was very good and I enjoyed it in one of my antique coupes. I’m going to try it next with Cointreau and anther with Curaçao and see how they compare!

Andrew Gelb

Mr Plante, may I ask the results of your research? I'm still figuring this drink out and I'm curious about your conclusions. Cheers!

Andrew Gelb

Hello all, I'm AG, and I remain so honored to have one of my drinks mentioned on this amazing site! To be clear, in response to some of the helpful comments below, I use Cointreau, and I use a full 1/4 oz of the Velvet Falernum. I feel that's enough "sweet" for me so I do not add any Agave syrup, or saline. It's wonderful to see how others play with the recipe to make it work for themselves! Salud!

Yellow Mist
3 Comments
Andrew Gelb

Hello Jason, an honor to chat with you!(I really like your "Landing Gear.") Simon, always a pleasure! Both drinks were on my "to try list" and made them a few times. Today, side by side, so my wife can help decide which goes into our house Rolodex. She prefers the YM, doesn't think it needs the Campari bitterness. After much to and fro, I think she's right, I don't mind the bitterness, but the Campari tamps down the almond and apricot flavors in the YM.Now, I ponder trying the FL with Aperol :)

John Hinojos

Outstanding Used an organic raspberry jam. Was a bit concerned it would be sweet, but it is nicely dry. The gin is prominent. On my favourites. Will definitely have again.

Andrew Gelb

John, you always seem to get there and taste ahead of me, and I always appreciate your notes! This version looks good and easy, and now on the to-be-tried list it goes!

Brotherhood
3 Comments
Andrew Gelb

Ahhh, great minds and all that. I too decided some time ago to reduce this delicious drink's specs by one-third, not only for sobriety but also since this usually is but one of several Irish Whiskey-based drinks I'll make during an afternoon get together. Smaller drinks allow for more drinks! (Thus far, I've omitted the simple syrup, as in, I believe, the original recipe.)

Applejack Rabbit
15 Comments
Andrew Gelb

Really nice and rich drink; however, I had followed Jim Meehan’s original specs and went with 2 oz Laird’s straight apple brandy, ¾ oz each lemon and orange juice. and ½ oz maple syrup. My wife very quickly said I should add it to the Rolodex! (I have not tried your specs yet.)