Mid 2020, when we were all “stuck” in our homes trying to stay safe and busy, we (Table & Vine) decided to turn our in-store events to virtual events. Each week, our wine and spirits buyers joined a vendor, salesperson or brand ambassador and we walked our online guests through a wide range of educational tasting events. After months of online learning and hanging out on zoom with our customers, we ended the year with our customers teaching us how to make their favorite cocktails. This was such a fun night and we thought it only fair to share their cocktails with you!
Here are Bob & Dottie’s favorite cocktails – the ones that help them get through the cold winter months.
Gingerbread Old Fashioned
3 oz Bourbon Old Forester Single Barrel, Willett Pot Still or Eagle Rare (Rye is you prefer a less sweet drink). If you use a bourbon a high rye bourbon is awesome.
1/2 oz Gingerbread Demerara Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Allspice dram – recommend St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
Aromatic Style Bitters – preferably Fee Brothers
Gingerbread Bitters
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass and serve in a rocks glass over ice (preferably a large ball or square ice cube to minimize dilution).
To make the gingerbread simple syrup mix the following ingredients:
1.5 Quarts Water
2 Vanilla beans split open
2 Cinnamon sticks
15 Cloves
1 Tbsp Molasses
12 Medallions of fresh ginger 1/4” thick
Bring to a boil and then reduce to a strong simmer for 10-12 minutes. Strain the solids out and weigh the liquid. Add equal weight of Demerara sugar until sugar is dissolved.
Apple Pie Old Fashioned
3 oz Rye – Clyde Mays, Bulleit, Pinhook or Knob Creek If you use a bourbon a high rye bourbon is awesome.
1/2 oz Cinnamon Simple Syrup
Couple Dashes Aromatic Style Bitters – preferably Fee Brothers
Couple Dashes of Apple Biiters – preferably Hella Apple Blossom
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass and serve in a rocks glass over ice (preferably a large ball or square ice cube to minimize dilution).
To make the cinnamon simple syrup mix the following ingredients:
4 Cups Water
10 Cinnamon sticks
3 Cups Demerara Sugar
Bring water and cinnamon sticks to a boil and then reduce to a strong simmer for 10-12 minutes. Pull out the cinnamon sticks and bring back to a boil and add the Demerara sugar and stir until fully dissolved.
Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup Manhattan
3 Oz Rye preferably Knob Creek, Pinhook, Clyde Mays, or Lot 40 – If you use a bourbon a high rye bourbon is awesome.
1 1/4 Oz Sweet Vermouth – preferably Carpano Antica
1/2 Oz Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup – can be from Bluegrass Distillery or Buffalo Trace Distillery or any other as long as it’s barrel aged.
Couple Dashes Aromatic Style Bitters preferably Fee Brothers
Luxardo Maraschino Cherry
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass and serve in a coupe glass neat.
Shaking a Manhattan is not recommended.
Hope you enjoy.
– Bob & Dottie
