Hickory Press

Today was a rough day.  Sometimes you just need a drink when you come home, and tonight this is a homemade concoction.  Inspiration was the cold pressed apple juice that I found in the refrigerator, so here we go.  The wife decided that rum would be a good addition, and then for fun I asdded a splash of Apricot Brandy to give a little sweetness and flavor.  I did take a stab at a name, which was probably the hardest part of the process.  Feel free to mock relentlessly.

• 3 ounces cold pressed apple juice
• 1.5 ounces gold rum
• 0.75 ounce apricot brandy

Shake over ice and serve in a ice filled rocks glass.

Dave’s Thoughts:

• Wow, this isn’t bad.  Not saying this is the most creative combo, but it sure does blend together well.
• It has a apple base, with a hint of sugar in the flavor from the rum and a sweet hit from the apricot.
• Next time I will try half the apricot brandy.

Tasting Notes:

• Dave’s Rating: 9/10 (I know, I’m biased)
• Strength: 4/10
• Sweetness: 8/10
• A basic drink that classes up apple juice… and its all my own.

International Cocktail

Have you missed me? It’s been damn near 12 months without a post, and that is completely unacceptable. I know that you have all come to count on me to pick your beverage each time you need something creative. At least that’s what my ego says. But don’t worry – I’ve been drinking all along, trying new things and experimenting by myself – just need to get better with the sharing part!

So tonight, the International Cocktail – sounds nice and exotic. I am generally not a fan of Sambuca but somehow a bottle has ended up in my bar. Who knows, maybe in the right combination it’ll be better! On to the tasting…

• 2 ounces Spanish brandy (while I did not make with other brands, I think a selection of a good brandy makes this drink)
• 1/4 ounce Sambuca
• 1/4 ounce Cointreau
• 1/4 ounce vodka

Shake it up over ice, and throw it in a chilled martini glass.

Dave’s Thoughts:

• For some reason I was expecting this to hit me with flavor, but the reality is that this is smooth and subtle drink.
• The Sambuca is a nice touch, you can definitely taste it, but it does not overpower the drink as I had feared.
• Overall the drink has a nice sweetness and you can still taste the complexity of the brandy.

Tasting Notes:

• Dave’s Rating: 8/10
• Strength: 5/10 – all liquor, but not in your face.
• Sweetness: 7/10
• A pleasant surprise, I am sure that if I was a Sambuca man that I would have an even higher rating for this cocktail.