The rums from Barbados excel in every way, especially Mount Gay. Exquisitely versatile for many cocktails. My go to rum since 1982. As for daiquiris - try a banana daiquiri - truly an addictive delight.
I also do rhum from Martinique and Haiti. They are both agricole and a different flavour profile. Jamaica, Barbados, Martinique, and Haiti all have laws governing sugar adulteration of their rum/rhum which brings forward the flavour instead of sweetness.
This is an outstanding Coconut Rum. It is not the awful fake stuff that Malibu comes out with. It has a clean coconut taste. 80 proof. Perfect to add a little punch to your rum drinks.
Made this again using Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum. It is the best Coconut Rum I have had. From Barbados and not real sweet. At 80 proof it adds a real kick to this cocktail.
Not my favourite martini. I am not a fan of the flavours in vermouth, but will take a little. This is good if you like vermouth.
Used a overproof Caribbean blend made for a tiki bar here in Southern California. Was good, but decided it needed a little for rum falvour. Added a small 151 Rum float. It was great as more of the caramel flavour came out of the cocktail.
The agricole rhum adds unique flavours to the cocktail. A slight spicy with strong agricole hints.
As I didn't have orgeat on hand substituted Amaretto. Added some margarita bitters. Still nicely sour and very refreshing. Like the more subtle flavour of the Ameretto over the sugary orgeat. But then I like dry cocktails.
Had again as it was the Cocktail of the Day. As it has been years and our tastes have changed slightly, did find it a bit sweet. Would back off the liqueur a bit. I did like the amount of Angostura bitters as it gave it a spicy edge which reminded me of the Bourbon and Rye cocktails in New Orleans.
Nice, but a bit sweet. I would place the sweetness at a 7 and not an 8. If have again, but adjust the recipe to adjust the sweetness. Not the greatest cocktail, but OK.
Nice cocktail. Is on the sweeter side. Not sure if I would have again as I found it a bit too sweet, syrup tasting.
Have stayed away from Manhattans as I do not like sweet cocktails. This was great. Just a hint of sweetness, but the vermouth combinations gives hints of dry sherry with Bourbon.
Would definitely have again.
After many years, tried this again. Not liking my cocktails sweet, we used unsweetened cranberry juice. Substituted homemade grenadine for the sugar syrup. A little on the tart side, but perfect.
Simon, thank you so much for this Margarita variation. It is Outstanding.
Unfortunately, too many Margaritas are sweet. This is more like I get a Margarita in the non-tourist areas of Mexico.
We use a mix of reposado and anejo tequila. Perfect balance between sweet and bitter.
Second time trying we reduced the Grand Marnier. Uppped the vodka a little as it was much drier. Great.
Really liked the subtle sweetness. Was afraid it would be a bit too sweet. The mixture of ingredients provides a soft herbal and spicy flavour.
Tried with a spray of absinthe on the top and it was wonderful also. A little more herbal.
This was a great cocktail. Not being a fan of mezcal and its smoky nature, I did dial back the mezcal a bit and added some anejo tequila in place. 1/4 oz mezcal and 1/2 anejo tequila
It went perfect with a dinner with fried fish. Still had a faint hint of smoky, but not overwhelming.
Wanted a drier version, so left out the sugar and put the lemon peel in a shaker with the other ingredients. Beautiful.
20 May is also Liza Doolittle Day according to the musical My Fair Lady in the song Just you wait. "Next week on the 20th of May, I proclaim Liza Doolittle Day."
Made this again in Martinique Nielssen overproof white rhum and it was outstanding. The flavours really pop with the Agricole rhum.
I would love to see Musk take a rocket to Mars.
Had forgotten about this martini. Last had in 2021. If you love absinthe, this is the martini for you. The absinthe pulls out all the herbal hints of the gin. Outstanding.
Had this again for UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day. Wanted to make it a bit drier so omitted the sugar syrup and cut the vermouth by a quarter.
Made this again but using Edinburgh Gin. Edinburgh Gin is my favourite gin as it has a spice and punch that many other gins do not. The gin made this cocktail really pop. The herbal flavours pull out the floral nature of the violet, but still is not sweet. Upped my rating by 1/2 star.
