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RECENT COCKTAILS: NOVEMBER 27, 2017
Averna, Cognac, Jamaican rum, Bitters, Lemon juice, Simple syrup, Orange
Apple brandy, Sweet vermouth, Cynar, Peychaud's Bitters, Maraschino cherry
Tequila, Cynar, Fernet Branca, Mezcal, Grapefruit peel
NOVEMBER 21, 2017
Gin, Sweet vermouth, Campari, Grapefruit, Grapefruit peel, Rosemary, Blackberry
NOVEMBER 3, 2017
Scotch, Amaro Montenegro, Bitters, Soda water, Lemon juice, Honey syrup
OCTOBER 28, 2017
Prosecco, Campari, Orange juice, Orange
Pisco, Moscatel Sherry, Egg white, Lemon juice, Honey, Parmigiano Reggiano, Black pepper
OCTOBER 9, 2017
Jägermeister, Apple brandy, Apple bitters, Orange peel
SEPTEMBER 16, 2017
Añejo rum, Campari, Absinthe, Lime juice, Demerara syrup, Lime
SEPTEMBER 15, 2017
Scotch, Ginger liqueur, Absinthe, Pineapple juice, Lemon juice, Mint

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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