Caf & daq
I’m keeping the tropical vibes going today with a tasty daiquiri riff. Is that redundant? I feel like most daiquiris are awesome (if made with good ingredients, I suppose). This one is a caffeinated riff, including a delicious coffee liqueur kindly sent to me from @misceoliqueurs.
Hophead
Before becoming a cocktail nerd, I was a beer nerd. I know, shocker. I still enjoy beer, especially a really hoppy IPA. I tried @leopoldbros Fernet (as part of my R&D for @homebarawards finals— congrats @denisgor!), and my initial impression was…that is was very bitter. I don’t say that very often, but I also don’t back down from a spirit that seems challenging at first impression.
Biscotti Italiani
This food-inspired cocktail is the brainchild of my dear friend @rogzor and came about during our fernet-inspired cocktails R&D session for the @homebarawards (so honored to be in the top 3!). While this wasn’t one of my official entries, it’s a darn good drink and conceptually really fun. Lazzaroni makes a lovely fernet, minty but not quite as intense as branca. The Lazzaroni family is also known for making an almond biscotti. While I couldn’t locate the original, I did acquire a chocolate-dipped almond biscotti.
The Cavallino
Today I’m sharing with you my second of two entries for the @homebarawards finals (includes Fernet; no juice or homemade ingredients; stirred). My first post was Fernet-forward, smooth, dark, and handsome. This one is less Fernet-centric but much louder and bolder and has tiki running through its veins.
Hidden Vallet
I am excited to share with you my first entry to the @homebarawards finals. This year features stirred cocktails that include a Fernet-style amaro (and no homemade ingredients or juice). This drink features a Mexican Fernet that is by far my favorite. It’s a bit sweeter and less…intense than some others, while still sporting a firm herbal/minty backbone with notes of cinnamon, cloves, and especially (for my palate), cardamom.
Cabbagetown
This drink is a riff on the Toronto (rye/fernet/syrup), so I called on my friend @sidds.pix for some Toronto neighborhoods. Cabbagetown (sweet name right?) isn’t too far from Toronto proper, and this riff is not far from the original. It’s a revitalized area that still retains a lot of its older, Victorian architecture. And from what Google tells me, it’s kinda… fancy, with farmer’s markets, trendy coffee shops, and higher-than-average priced homes.