It's a subjective thing, of course, but two sources of vanilla seems a tad much. I also find the vanilla in the vanilla syrup to be preferable and more prone to integration than the vanilla of the vodka.... so, having experimented, I recommend neutral vodka and vanilla syrup with proportions as listed. This works fantastically for this reviewer.
Cherry Heering is vile. I keep looking for a recipe to use it up in, in the vain hope that some combination of ingredients will retain the cherry and remove the cough medicine aspect. We tried with the extra 15ml suggested below for the vodka, it didn’t do it. I’d try this again, reversing the proportions of Kirsch and Cherry Heering.
Hi Leslie. Have you tried the classic "Singapore Sling"? The flavour you dislike may well be masked by the pineapple, orange and lime (or lemon) flavours. In The Guide, I personally come back to the recipe by Dale DeGroff, but there are other variants, too....
I appreciate it's down to subjective taste, but I found the Frangelico (nut) component a little overwhelming. As such I added three dashes of Rhubarb Bitters, then a little extra Limoncello, say, 7.5 ml. This helped integrate the nut impact whilst adding a second fruit flavour, which seemed to work satisfactorily with the hazelnut while adding variety to the fruit tones. But then, it's almost becoming another cocktail.... I will certainly make it again....
A good call by Colin Larson to add orange bitters as, for me, they took the overly (for me) sweet edge off this quaffable drink. I also added about 5 ml lemon juice to further counteract the sweetness. Although we are in mid-winter, this is a lovely, summery long "cooler" kind of drink - a season to imagine being in and to look forward to, if the world survives till then!
Tangy and distinctive almond-lemon flavours supported by subtle pineapple (juice) which is great for contributing froth to cocktails. Summery and sophisticated. A bit hard to find edible orchids in UK, so had to forgo that particular garnish, but we thought this a lovely combination of flavours with a dash of Peychaud's Bitters.
Delightful summer cocktail with the elderflower, vermouth and lemon in what seems to be an ideal balance. Can't find much more to say, except I plan to introduce several friends to this lovely drink!
Using the exact measurements given, same gin and Martini Extra Dry, I tried this first with Polish Krupnik Wiśnia - result - a traditional martini experience with a little cherry influence - dry and sophisticated; 2nd time with Cherry Heering - a velvety, darker-hued, overtly cherry drink with the orange bitters, apparently, shining through more directly. Either way, an excellent cocktail.
Having made a few tasty Diffords cocktails with basil, was pleased to find these 13 cocktails involving rosemary. Like another reviewer, I did a 5:1 ratio of Hayman's to Elderflower and also added 10 ml water to make the drink less sweet and intense. Rosemary works beautifully with the gin herbal notes. On a 2nd mix, a bigger sprig meant the rosemary predominated. Very summery and delicate!
I found this cocktail spiritous and super dry - admittedly I used Martini Extra Dry, rather than the advised regular Bianco. The apple comes in three directions from Calvados, juice and Sour Apple liqueur, and despite the 5 ml measures of the latter two, they are still discernable, the apple flavours as a whole coming across subtly.
Very appealing and prominent lemony apple flavours with no need for a neutral base spirit.
There is a reason to the combination of vodka and gin in this carefully balanced cocktail: the smallish amount of Hayman's (or similar) Gin brings a subtle floral undercurrent that blends beautifully with the apple flavours. I used Briottet Manzana Verde as the Schnapps and Cawston Press Cloudy Apple juice. All in all, a winner for me and my guests, and one we will assuredly return to.
A lovely way to appreciate apple flavours, and it's good to see Avallen as the recommended calvados as it's an old favourite of this drinker. I used Cawston Press Cloudy Apple juice, in the absence of freshly-pressed Granny Smiths, and it's in UK supermarkets. It's a "monolithic" cocktail - but definitely something that adherents of apple might like to explore.
The generous portion of pear juice hides a kick from the vodka and is subtly boosted by the sweet Triple Sec and sour lemon juice which are, no doubt, fighting it out in the background, but without actively altering the dominant Pear flavour. In the absence of agave, I used sugar syrup - sweetness can be down to personal taste - 7.5 ml suited this palate. A fascinating alcoholic take on a plain pear juice, with added oomph, edge and intensifed flavour!
It's intriguing that different reviews find different flavours to the fore. I agree with John Hinojos that the sherry & vermouth are more pronounced (used Martini Extra Dry). I added an extra 5ml elderflower for sweetness and to accentuate that flavour aspect. A great aperitif for those who can't decide between a plain sherry or dry vermouth and desire the best of both worlds plus elderflower & subtle lavender.
Subtle and refreshing, the lime is masked by the other flavours, orange, cranberry and rose, while assuredly counteracting the sweetness of the Triple Sec. The Nielsen Massey (UK) rose water I have seems to be concentrated, and one drop on the end of a teaspoon is enough of this brand to add the rose flavour. An agreeable perfumed take on a Cosmopolitan.
Agree with John Hinojos - it's a great "evening sipper cocktail", rather more serious and subtle than a Cosmopolitan what with it's gin base and omission of orange/lemon flavours. Using Giffard Tayberry liqueur and the not-too-sweet Eager Cranberry, the drink is tangy and refreshingly sour. Depending on brands used, some may like a few dashes of sugar syrup. Clean, sensible flavours.
This tastes just like the orange-flavoured option in a packet/tube of the sweets/candies called "Smarties", as I recall from a few decades back. As such, I would think it might appeal to folks who have just reached drinking age and still relish the flavours of their childhood years. Definitely a charmer, and full of nostalgia for this drinker!
Used the Cocktail Finder to discover this - the one and only recipe in the Guide using vodka, elderflower liqueur and pineapple juice. It certainly does not disappoint! Tried first with 25ml elderflower: the result is tangy with prominent lime. Then added 5ml more of elderflower, as per recipe, and the flavours blend well, the sweetness balancing the lime sourness. It's always fun using pineapple juice, as shaking gives a guaranteed frothy top!
I used an older version recipe (Difford 15th Edition) which still includes 15 ml
lime juice. Used Briottet Violet. For me, the Bison Grass Vodka flavour predominates - and not in a positive way. However, all flavours are subjective! I assume omitting the lime makes for a slightly sweeter drink. The colour is grey - a factual and rather classy colour that gives no hint of the inherent flavour. Certainly an intriguing combo of flavours, and if folks like Bison Grass it's a possible winner.
I halved the measure of Suze (Gentian) as this can easily dominate other flavours.... Used Plymouth Gin. All in all, a cocktail with a unique flavour, the dry Gentian tempered by the fruity Rhubarb Bitters - 15 ml being the most of any bitters I have deployed in a cocktail. On a second mux, I topped with sparkling mineral water. Refreshing and a bit different. Oh, it has a kick, too!
Triple Sec and grapefruit seem often to be a winning combination and this cocktail is a case in point. The flavours are all well-integrated to produce a fruity, zesty drink with a kick. Rhubarb Bitters being pretty subtle in my opinion, folks may wish to add more...
I recommend trying to get hold of Mandarine liqueur as this fruit gives the predominant flavour, supported by orange vodka in the background. The apple component is so subtle, it seems to serve as a "carrier" for the citrus flavours enhanced by the small amount of Campari (I used probably only 5 ml). A lovely, fruity concoction and a showcase for the Napoleon Mandarine in centre stage.
I have tried this three times. One time trying 25% of the vodka as vanilla as someone proposed - to me that did not work and the vanilla took over. One time as per recipe. Beautiful. One time without orange bitters. Very clean, the apple/pear flavours shining through. Also impressive.
One of the best cocktails based on Bison Grass Liqueur I have tasted, its accents jutting through the pear flavours, yet also in harmony with them. Used Maraska Pear Liqueur in the absence of the suggested Spiced Pear brand whose notes would assuredly have added greater complexity to the drink. Definitely a cocktail for pear dedicatees!