Spicey Citrus Bourbon Punch

In the desert with friends, and it’s time to roll out the Bourbon punch. I mean, it’s spicey, it’s Bourbony it’s just darn good… Just like my friends! This drink is a lot like Russian roulette, you have to roll the dice to determine how adventurous you’re gonna be. Are you looking for tex-mex levels of spice, or full on Thai food 10… Because this drink can comfortably meet each extreme.

I’ve had numerous requests for this drink, so let’s get it on the blog so we can all share in its greatness! This is an oh so slightly modified version of a Bon Appetite recipe.

• 1 bottle (750ml) Makers Mark
• 3 jalapeño chiles
• 3 Serrano chiles
• 1.75 cups dry vermouth
• 1.75 cups grapefruit juice
• 1 cup lime juice
• 1 cup simple syrup

This takes a little preparation. Cut the chiles in half lengthwise and place in a pitcher with the bottle of Bourbon. Let sit for at least 25 minutes, no more than 40 minutes. Strain the liquid to remove the chiles. Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Serve from the pitcher over ice and garnish with a lime and jalapeño slice. Makes 16 servings.

Dave’s Thoughts:

• When something is right, it’s right. So beware, and don’t overdo the spice.
• Shocking that not only can you taste the dry Vermouth, but it works so well on the cocktail.
• Drink is overall sweet, and the first sip will hit you with a nice warm finish. And then it just keeps getting better.

Tasting Notes:

• Dave’s Rating: 9/10
• Strength: 7/10
• Sweetness: 6/10
• Go make yourself a batch… Just make sure you have some friends with you to finish it!

Hemmingway Daiquiri

Oh my word, three nights and three drinks.  What has the blogosphere come to?  Get over it – I’m making drinks again on a (somewhat) frequent basis.  And as always, past results are no indication of future performance.

This week my boss gave me a brown bag full of goodness to use in my cocktails.  The optimistic among you would anticipate that this was a bottle of some new and exciting liquor, but in fact, it was just a bag of limes.  Really good limes.  Less exciting, but equally useful.  While I have been telling you about all of the exciting new drinks in my repertoire from my new book, the real reason for the selections is that they all call for me to use up these delicious limes.  So, what better drink to use some limes with but a daiquiri!  Hemmingway’s Daiquiri in fact.

• 3 ounces light rum
• 1.5 ounces lime juice
• 1.5 ounces grapefruit juice
• 1 ounce maraschino liquor

Blend with 12 ounces of ice.  Serve in a Collins glass.

Dave’s Thoughts:

• Not sure if I have mentioned this before, but the Dave of Dave Drinks is not a big fan of grapefruit.
• This drink is tart and refreshing.  While tonight is a cool winter San Diego evening, I can imagine this being an excellent compliment to a warm summers’ day.
• This drink is definitely a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  The liquor hides in it’s midst, sneaking up on unsuspecting sippers.

Tasting Notes:

• Dave’s Rating: 6/10
• Strength: 5/10
• Sweetness: 4/10
• I prefer the traditional daiquiri, but if you are sophisticated and prefer a tart drink with a bit of depth, and you are not above giving yourself brain freeze, then maybe this is your drink.

Alternative Seventh Heaven

From the “unnecessary gun law desk”, today is a celebration in Texas as just one year ago the Texas Senate approved legislation to approve students carrying guns on campus.  What could possibly go wrong with this idea.  You know, kids full of testosterone… trying to show off for the girls… the next thing you know “your mama” jokes escalate into a triple homicide.  Memo to Texas, gun rights are one thing, kids with guns in school is entirely another.

Ok, off the soap box, no hate mail please.  In honor of the Texas Senate’s faux pas, tonight’s cocktail is also as such.  Providing once again that drinking and reading is a dangerous combination.  The ingredients are correct, the measurements are wrong, but the review is honest.  Sometimes the best things happen by mistake.  Not quite Seventh Heaven, here’s my version.

• 3 ounces gin (Bombay Sapphire)
• 1 ounce maraschino liqueur
• 1 ounce grapefruit juice
• mint sprig for garnish

Stir everything over ice (don’t bruise that gin), serve in a chilled martini glass and garnish with the mint.

Dave’s Thoughts:

• Another name for this could be the Maraschino Martini, as that is the forward flavor.
• If you like your cocktails, this one will have you covered, but be sure you also like gin.
• Well balanced flavor, maybe a little sweet, but great tasting none-the-less.

Tasting Notes:

• Dave’s Rating: 6/10
• Strength: 7/10
• Sweetness: 8/10
• Not bad, but I don’t think this falls into the fortuitous mistake category.