Margara

1 1⁄2 oz Añejo tequila
3⁄4 oz Orange liqueur, Clément Créole Shrubb
3⁄4 oz Lime juice
1⁄2 oz Cynar
2 ds Orange bitters, Angostura Orange
Instructions

Shake, strain, straight up, cocktail glass half-rimmed with salt. Or I actually prefer Margaritas on the rocks.

Notes

A grown-up Margarita. Lingeringly bitter and complex, with peppery flavors from the tequila. Less tequila-forward than a well-made authentic Margarita.

Yields Drink
Year
2010
Authenticity
Your original creation
Creator
Dan Chadwick, Kindred Cocktails
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
4 stars
(14 ratings)
From other users
  • I used Casamigos Reposado, not quite anejo, but very good stuff with strong vanilla notes. I think could use a bit more Cynar. Not sure about more lime, citrus seemed balanced to me.
  • Used C. Spicy and X-choc bitters. 4.5
  • Made with Cointreau, plus 2 dashes Habanero Hellfire bitters. Needs 1 oz lime juice, and 1 dash Hellfire is enough.
Similar cocktails
  • Carnival — Rye, Grapefruit liqueur, Aperol, Herbal liqueur, Bitters, Lemon juice, Tea syrup
  • Beauregarde's Breakfast — Bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, Bitters, Lemon juice, Blueberry preserves, Lemon peel
  • Missouri Mule — Bourbon, Applejack, Campari, Triple sec, Lemon juice
  • Supply Chain — Whiskey, Orange liqueur, Campari, Orange bitters, Lemon juice
  • Black Diamond — Bourbon, Averna, Lemon juice, Grapefruit juice, Simple syrup
christina in tacoma commented on 9/21/2011:

A little bitter, a little spicy. I'll try a bit less orange next time. I used Don Julio Anejo.

tanstaafl2 commented on 10/28/2011:

Tried this as above and liked it. Creole Shrubb works really well with the tequila and Cynar. But on my second try I made a small modification using Bittermans Xocolatl mole bitters in place of the Angostura orange. For me that made it even better!

shadowkirby commented on 5/28/2022:

A bitter margarita

Gruff and Rumble

2 oz Rum, Appleton V/X
1⁄2 oz Orange liqueur, Clément Créole Shrubb
1⁄4 oz Lime juice
1 t Branca Menta
1 ds Bitters, Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel Aged
Notes

Based on the original Rough and Tumble by Chris Amirault (eGullet). Didin't like the strong menthol tones, which dominate, and a bit too sweet.

Yields Drink
Year
2010
Authenticity
Your original creation
Creator
Dan Chadwick
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
2 stars
(5 ratings)
Similar cocktails
  • Bumblebee — Dark rum, Bitters, Lime juice, Egg white, Honey, Orange peel
  • Honey Fitz — Guatemalan rum, Peychaud's Bitters, Honey syrup, Grapefruit juice
  • Havana Crusta — Cuban rum, Curaçao, Peychaud's Bitters, Orange, Simple syrup
  • Jolly Roger — Virgin Islands Rum, Light rum, Falernum, Bitters, Orange juice, Orange peel
  • Mexican Spring — Reposado Tequila, Vodka, Elderflower liqueur, Strega, Sweet vermouth, Bitters, Lemon juice

Fritz

3⁄4 oz Peychaud's Bitters
3⁄4 oz Maraschino Liqueur
3⁄4 oz Gin, Junipero
3⁄4 oz Sweet vermouth, Carpano Punt e Mes
1 twst Orange peel (as garnish)
Instructions

Stir, strain, straight up, lowball, garnish.

Notes

If lacking Punt e Mes, substitute Vya Sweet Vermouth plus a dash of Campari.

History

Similar to The Gerty. Named after New Orleans born abstract expressionist Fritz Bultman.

Yields Drink
Year
2009
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
Ryan Lotz, Lineage, Brookline, MA
Source reference

http://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/2010/03/fritz.html

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3.5 stars
(4 ratings)
From other users
  • Made it with Beefeater, on the rocks. A bit cough-syrupy, but not nearly as weird as you might expect. Tango 'til They're Sore is probably a preferable variant. — ★★★★
  • No idea why you would serve it without ice.
Similar cocktails
Eastgare commented on 6/29/2011:

It that really 3/4 oz of Peychaud's? That'll really put a dent in your bitters bottle!

Dan commented on 6/29/2011:

Yes, that really is 3/4 oz of Peychaud's. If you work out the price per ounce, it's not bad.

DrunkLab commented on 3/08/2013:

Lacking Junipero, I made this with Tanqueray. The gin still shone through, even against the other intense ingredients. Contra Fred at Cocktail Virgin I found that the Maraschino dominated the swallow but the combination of Peychaud's and Punt e Mes canceled out its sweetness somewhat. The anise and cherry notes from the Peychaud's mostly showed up on the long lingering aftertaste. For being a quarter cocktail bitters, this drink isn't very biter at all, probably tamer even than a Negroni. (Peychaud's is sweet enough, and subdued enough in its bitterness, that it could probably function as a slightly bitter anisette, like what Punt e Mes is to other sweet vermouths.) The drink is very tasty, nevertheless, and the bitters give it an attractive color.

DrunkLab commented on 3/08/2013:

Although please note: I served it on ice.

Sierra Madre

2 oz Tequila, Milagro
1⁄4 oz Allspice Dram
1⁄2 oz Orange juice
1⁄2 oz Lemon juice
2 ds Orange bitters, Regans' orange bitters
1⁄2 t Bitters, Bittermens Xocolatl Mole
Instructions

Shake, Straight Up, Cocktail

Notes

Try using Mole bitters instead of Creme de Cacao. Used 1/2 tsp Mole bitters. Too strong allspice flavor. Try reducing to 1/4 oz. and maybe adding ginger liqueur.

Yields Drink
Year
2010
Authenticity
Unknown
Creator
Ted Kilpatrick No 9 Park
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3 stars
(4 ratings)
From other users
  • only used 5 dashes of choc bitters - could use more
Similar cocktails

Gerty

3⁄4 oz Rye
3⁄4 oz Peychaud's Bitters
3⁄4 oz Pastis, Herbsaint (or absinthe)
3⁄4 oz Simple syrup
1 twst Lemon peel (as garnish)
Instructions

Stir, strain, stright (no ice), low-ball

History

Named for and inspired by John Gertsen's Mission of Burma (Drink, Boston, MA)

Yields Drink
Year
2010
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
Fred Yarm, Cocktail Virgin Slut, Boston, MA
Source reference

http://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/2010/03/gerty.html

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3 stars
(8 ratings)
From other users
  • Anise is over the top, and finish is like Sucrets or Cepacil lozenges. — ★★★
  • Sounds a bit sweet
Similar cocktails

William of Orange

1 1⁄2 oz Genever, Bols
1⁄2 oz Bénédictine
1⁄2 oz Sweet vermouth, Carpano Punt e Mes
1⁄2 oz Aperol
2 ds Orange bitters
Instructions

Expressed orange peel, Stir, Straight Up, Lowball

Yields Drink
Year
2010
Authenticity
Unknown
Creator
Emily Stanley Green Street
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
3.5 stars
(5 ratings)
From other users
  • Spirit-forward aperol/genever, slight hint of vermouth. The herbal genever comes out, but it's not overwelming... It almost seems like spicy and herbal at the same time. I thing aperol/spirit-forward fans will like it.
  • Too thick. Too sweet.
Similar cocktails

Existential Hero

3⁄4 oz Blanco tequila
3⁄4 oz Light rum
3⁄4 oz Orange liqueur, Grand Marnier
3⁄4 oz Becherovka
3⁄4 oz Lime juice
1 t Amaretto
Instructions

Shake, strain, rocks, lowball

Notes

The original unnamed recipe lacked the lime juice. Without it, the drink is quite sweet.

History

Dan Chadwick named the cocktail for its creator and added the lime juice.

Yields Drink
Year
2010
Authenticity
Altered recipe
Creator
Based on a recipe by ExistentialHero, Chowhound
Source reference

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/489550#5423104

Curator rating
4 stars
Average rating
4 stars
(19 ratings)
From other users
  • I tried Vida Mezcal and Jamaican white rum — ★★★★
  • Good for batching
  • A Christmas Margarita. This cocktail is giant as written and nearly fills a lowball glass! Scale everything back to ½oz instead of ¾ and use a scant tsp of Amaretto for a more reasonable sized drink.
  • I used: Cimarron Blanco Cana Brava Bigallet China China Montenegro Amaro Giffard Orgeat
  • Made with curaçao. — ★★★★★
  • Interesting spice, slight bitter aftertaste (good), rather like a more interesting Margarita. Good balance of orange and almond. 3/2010: Alice & Stefan — ★★★★★
Similar cocktails
  • Melba Cocktail — Light rum, Swedish Punsch, Absinthe, Lime juice, Grenadine
  • The Last Mule — Vodka, Swedish Punsch, Ginger liqueur, Orange bitters, Lime juice
  • Beachcomber — Light rum, Orange liqueur, Maraschino Liqueur, Lime juice, Simple syrup
  • The Gods Must Be Lazy — Jamaican rum, Pamplemousse Rose, Reposado Tequila, Becherovka, Bitters, Lime juice, Simple syrup
  • Caraway Sour — Rhum Agricole, Light rum, Thai Bitters, Lime juice, Cumin syrup, Orange flower water, Almond syrup
existentialhero commented on 5/06/2011:

What a delicious drink! The creator should win a prize or something. (Full disclosure: I'm the creator. The name, however, is Dan's.)

Hisurfadvisory commented on 10/26/2014:

sensational! Fantastic hints of spice and orange, fresh lime juice definitely help to balance the sweet. Almost like having the holidays in a glass...

Dan commented on 10/28/2014:

Works nicely with Clement Creole Shrub for the orange liqueur.

Alaska Cocktail

2 1⁄4 oz Gin
3⁄4 oz Herbal liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse
Instructions

Stir, strain, straight up, cocktail glass.

Notes

The ratios suggest for this cocktail vary from 2:1 to 8:1. I prefer a relatively dry 6:1. Serve very cold to avoid excess sweetness. Alternatively, use more Chartreuse and balance with lemon, dry sherry, or top with dry sparkling wine.

Yields Drink
Year
1930
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
Harry Craddock (?), The Savoy Hotel
Source reference

https://euvs-vintage-cocktail-books.cld.bz/1930-The-Savoy-Cocktail-Book…

Curator rating
4 stars
Average rating
4 stars
(30 ratings)
From other users
  • Linda really likes this one — ★★★★★
  • I originally tried it 2:1, with 2 dashes orange bitters and loved that.
  • A bit sweet — ★★★★
  • Maintained 6:1 with Vitae Gin
  • Made with Haymans, Strega, and Regan’s. Good Strega feature.
  • Used Haymans OT & a splash of Ransoms, to the amt of 2.25 gin, .75 Chartreuse, & 2 big dashes orange bitters...
  • An excellent cocktail. Simple but solid.
  • Class:drink like a monk
  • Made with 1.5 Sin Liquor's Hedgetrimmer gin and .75 chartreuse
  • Make with another recipe calling for 1 oz of chartreuse, which required lemon to balance it. Next time try this recipe with 3/8 oz lemon juice. — ★★★★
Similar cocktails
Zachary Pearson commented on 7/18/2019:

Curated this - in the Savoy (cited at the link), it's a 3/4 gin, 1/4 Yellow Chartreuse drink with no bitters. Variations abound.... Thanks,  Zachary

Zachary Pearson commented on 10/16/2020:

A user noted that this drink is now 3:1 though Dan's original note (and the drink) were 6:1. I've left that there to preserve his (drier) preference. Thanks,  Zachary

danoman89 commented on 2/19/2025:

Made with a 3:1 gin:chartreuse ratio, a few drops of reagan's orange bitters, and a lemon peel expressed on top. Strong, but just as delicious of a strong martini variant as you could want/hope for

Peralta

3⁄4 oz Rye, Old Overholt
3⁄4 oz Cynar
3⁄4 oz Herbal liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse
1⁄2 oz Grapefruit juice
1⁄4 oz Lemon juice
1 ds Bitters (Deep Elum house)
1 twst Grapefruit peel (as garnish)
Instructions

Shake, strain, coupe, straight up, garnish

Yields Drink
Year
2010
Authenticity
Authentic recipe
Creator
Evan Harrison, Deep Ellum, Boston, MA
Source reference

http://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/2010/03/peralta.html

Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
4 stars
(17 ratings)
From other users
  • Hard to go too wrong with a bunch of solid ingredients. Sweeter than I expected.
  • Used Peychaud's bitter instead and equal parts lemon and grapefruit juice
  • Made with Finger Lakes Distilling high-rye Bourbon and Fee WBA bittters. Very good, slightly bitter, complex, and interesting. Use regular Angostura next time to prevent the bitters from dominating. — ★★★★★
Similar cocktails
  • Mixed Greens — Reposado Tequila, Herbal liqueur, Cynar, Bitters, Lemon juice
  • Wisdom Cocktail — Bourbon, Cynar, Elisir M. P. Roux, Lime juice, Sage
christina in tacoma commented on 9/21/2011:

herbal, mildly bitter, and bright- like this a lot. Though the I didn't know what a dash of orange and grapefruit meant (bitters?), I assume a typo- so I had to skip that part.

Dan commented on 9/24/2011:

Apologies for the inaccuracies, now corrected. I'm not sure what Deep Elum's house aromatic bitters are like, but I think regular Angostura or similar would work well. Attribution corrected. Gratitude to Cocktail Virgin Slut's excellent blog.

laerm commented on 4/27/2022:

Re bitters, I dunno what the original calls for, but I actually thought this needed more verve than it has so I went generous with Bittercube Bolivar.

Appetizer a l'italienne (Revised)

2 oz Sweet vermouth, Boissiere
1⁄2 oz Fernet Branca (or 1/4 for the timid)
1⁄4 oz Pastis, Pernod (or absinthe)
1⁄4 oz Lemon
Instructions

Shake, Rocks, Lowball

Notes

Original was poorly designed -- Fernet overwhelmed the drink. New version is beautifully balanced. A great drink for the adventurous imbiber.

Yields Drink
Year
2010
Authenticity
Unknown
Creator
Imbibe
Curator rating
Not yet rated
Average rating
4.5 stars
(18 ratings)
From other users
  • Bitter, herbal
  • Very, very nice to sip, but I felt some small embellishment was missing. Will try again with mint, or maybe bitters of some sort
  • Foodies dinner, 9/2010 — ★★★★★
Similar cocktails
OldFashionedCock commented on 8/18/2024:

Subbed Absinthe. Anise forward. Get some mintiness on the finish. Vermouth takes a backseat, but shows up on the finish and lingers. Unique and greater than the sum of its parts.

Cara A commented on 11/14/2024:

Made this with Carpano Antica, Pernod, lemon, and 1/4 oz Fernet- deliciously complex but still approachable

Subscribe to