The Old Fashioned Cocktail

I know a fair number of my posts lately have been about alcohol, but there is a reason for that: over the past few weeks, I've been drinking plenty of it. I know, sounds bad, sounds like I'm self-medicating or something like that. That's not the case; with the exception of a few particularly rough days at work, I have not drank for any other reason than the fact that I enjoy making cocktails and drinking good beers.

I have been drinking Magic Hat (good), Dundee (MUCH better than I expected), my homemade English Brown Ale, and The Sam Adams Longshot Beers. On the cocktail side, my favorites have been: Margarita, Daiquiri, and the Old Fashioned.

Today, I would like to talk briefly about the Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail. It is one of the oldest named "cocktails" and is simply a Whiskey Cocktail made the "old fashioned" way. In "the old" days, a cocktail was defined as: Spirits of any kind, water, sugar, and bitters. That's all an Old Fashioned is. I could talk all day bout it, but watch the video below and you will get a better sense of how to make it. It is INCREDIBLY simple to make, and it is excellent. It takes bad whiskey's and makes them more palatable, and it takes great whiskey's and elevates them. I enjoy it with Jim Beam Rye Whiskey, and Jameson alike (in my mind, on VERY different spectrums, one is smooth and delicious, one is more harsh and "hot")

I love to watch The Cocktail Spirit, it's on my iTunes podcast list (among MANY others) and it's a very informative show.

The recipe for an Old Fashioned is (as I make it):

• 2 oz. Whiskey (Whatever you like...I'd avoid Scotch, but I've used it with American, Canadian, and Irish all with good results. My favorite is with Jameson)
• 1 tsp simple syrup
• 2-4 dashes of Angostura Bitters (to taste)

That's it, stir it in a glass and it's incredible. Make one properly, and you'll never go back.

• Margarita Video
• Daiquiri Video
• Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail Video
• Sidecar Video

I hope this post gives you a small taste of a few drinks you can easily make and make you seem more "sophisticated". You can WOW your friends (and the ladies) by making a proper Margarita, and when you serve someone a daiquiri that doesn't put them into a sugar coma, they will be shocked. If mixology is something that interests you, I would suggest checking out "The Cocktail Spirit with Robert Hess". He is one of the more legendary mixologists of our time, so you could do worse than learn from him.

Anyway, lately, I have time to learn to mix some cocktails, less time to start my own businesses, so that is what I have been doing. I hope to get back into the entrepreneurial spirit when I get back to school and have more time.

If you are interested in starting up your own bar at home, I made an aStore on Amazon for cocktail tools that would be helpful in learning to become a master mixologist...or at least one who can dazzle.

Drinking Alcohol!!!

Well, I turn 21 on Wednesday. I plan on going out with some co-workers and getting a couple of drinks. This will be the third time I've turned the legal drinking age in the jurisdiction I was in at the time. It happened in Italy and Austria as well. I am excited to legally be able to purchase some good beers, it will be great. I hope they carry Dogfish Head around here, I am excited to try their famous IPA!

I will gleefully be drinking over the next few weeks, but I'll be doing it responsibly. By responsibly, I do NOT mean that I will not be getting drunk, but I KNOW my limits, so I know I will not be getting to a dangerous level. I will be friends I know and trust, and I will ALWAYS have a Designated Driver (seriously, it sounds like a record on repeat, but seriously, why would you decide NOT to have a DD?)

I know everyone has heard the spiel about responsible drinking, but have you heard this one? You should NOT mix energy drinks and alcohol. Some people have, and yet, they still continue to drink their jagerbombs. I don't understand it. Basically, you're putting an upper, and a downer in your body at the same time; this is dangerous, and puts a MAJOR strain on your heart. You can find a basic informational article here: Dangers of College Red bull Cocktail Creations.

For a collegiate article, check this article from the State University of New York (chosen for readability, and credibility. There are more out there from Brown, Vanderbilt, etc.). Mixing Alcohol & Energy Drinks May Spell Disaster


I am NOT saying people should not drink alcohol, and though it's bad for you, I'm sure people will continue to drink their Jagerbombs, or Red bull and Vodkas, or whatever energy drink mixture you want, but those who down 4-5 in one sitting, should SLOW DOWN. I have a friend who likes to drink them to energize himself. I'd say, slow down, and take a bit of the strain off your heart.



To another topic. I am considering, once I turn 21 of course, developing a series of "college cocktails" videos. I will take cocktails--both famous and my own creations--and turning them into college level cocktails. College cocktails have taken the form of cheap, crappy vodka, covered up as well as possible. What happened to cheap Gin, cheap Whiskey, cheap Tequila??? Tequila doesn't have to be shots, rum doesn't have to be mixed with Coke, Gin isn't just for martinis, Whiskey is DELICIOUS. These other alcohols have character: Vodka aspires to be water, these other liquors are their own thing!

Anyway, I will go more into detail in the series. Let me know if you have any suggestions, or questions about this!