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RECENT COCKTAILS: APRIL 23, 2017
Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Gin, Fino sherry, Bitters
Tawny port, Fino sherry, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Bitters
APRIL 9, 2017
Gin, Fino sherry, Lemon juice, Simple syrup, Juniper berry, Mint
FEBRUARY 18, 2017
Irish whiskey, Falernum, Bitters, Allspice Tincture, Ginger syrup, Orange peel
JANUARY 15, 2017
Gin, White port, Sloe gin, Herbal liqueur
DECEMBER 18, 2016
Tequila, Sweet vermouth, Campari
DECEMBER 1, 2016
Cognac, Irish whiskey, Orange liqueur, Bénédictine, Orange peel, Nutmeg
NOVEMBER 26, 2016
Pale Ale, Aquavit, Oloroso sherry, Ginger syrup, Lime juice
NOVEMBER 6, 2016
Tequila, Fernet Branca, Bitters, Agave syrup, Orange peel
NOVEMBER 1, 2016
Irish whiskey, Herbal liqueur, Sweet vermouth, Falernum, Water, Lemon

A Spontaneous Libation for your Consideration

From the Knowledge Vault

On the ’Rack

The Curious History of an Early Spirit

It went like this, but wasn’t. Some four thousand years ago in Mespotamia, the perfumers at the court of King Zimrilim created a technique to separate the essential oils of precious woods and flowers from the woods and flowers themselves in order to embalm their dead. Originally, this probably involved soaking flower petals in warm water and capturing the fragrant oils that rose to the surface. What they called this method is lost, but other cultures refined their work into the art and science now known as distillation.

Many ancient scientists ran up against this phenomenon. In the fourth century BCE, Aristotle realized that seawater could be made drinkable by distillation, and that the process could be applied to wine and other liquids, though there is no record of his actually distilling wine. To the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, distillation must have seemed like magic, and their knowledge was guarded from unknowing eyes.

A major advancement in distilling came between the 3rd and 4th century CE with the invention of the alembic (from the Greek ambix – a cup, typically made of glass) by Zosimos of Panopolis, an Egyptian. Having two vessels, one with the liquid to be distilled and one to catch condensed vapors with a tube running between them gave much more control and finesse to this delicate process. With a few modifications, this device is now known as a pot still.

Recent Additions

  • Cornucopia (Claphamcocktails) — Corn Whiskey, RinQuinQuin a la Peche, Bianco Vermouth, Cachaça, Bitters, Lemon
  • Over the next ridge — Gin, Bianco Vermouth, Breckenridge Bitter, Brucato Amaro Chaparral, Lemon
  • Pamplemousse au Poivre — Mezcal, Pamplemousse Rose, Pepper liqueur, Grapefruit bitters, Lemon juice
  • Fall Gimlet — Gin, Pear liqueur, Lime cordial, Lime
  • Old Timer — Bourbon, Jamaican rum, Sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, Peychaud's Bitters, Bitters

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