Cocktail story: One of my favorite bars in town has a special for classic cocktails on Monday nights. (Yes, I've been out for drinks on a Monday night—judge if you must!) And that was how I tried a Sidecar for the first time (I picked it for it's name—classy!). And loved it! Now it's kind of my go-to drink. But I loved the idea of having a classic cocktail night, so I decided to learn how to make a few of our favorites.
Manhattan: This cocktail is very Don Draper. I like to make my Manhattan's a little sweeter by adding some of the maraschino cherry juice, but if you want to make them the more classic way then feel free to leave it out.
One serving: 2 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey, 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth, 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters, 3-4 maraschino cherries with a dash or two of their juices too (if you want, no pressure—I like it sweet!). Combine all ingredients in a small mason jar, seal, shake and pour over ice.
Sidecar: This one is my favorite, and I love this at-home version. I think they are usually made with brandy, cognac or other more sweet liquers, but I decided to try it with bourbon whiskey and loved it!
One serving: 3/4 ounce triple sec, 3/4 ounce bourbon whiskey, 1/2 ounce sweetened lime juice (make your own or buy one—I used Rose's brand), a small squeaze of lime juice and garnish with a lime wedge. Combine all ingredients in a small mason jar, seal, shake and pour over ice.
Mint Julep: This one reminds me of my sister, as Elsie is a huge mint fan. Probably the biggest, actually. I had never used powdered sugar in a cocktail before, but I was surprised by how well it dissolved into the drink.
One serving: 2 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey, 3-4 mint leaves (torn into small pieces), 1 teaspoon powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons filtered water. Place the torn mint leaves, sugar and water in the bottom of your serving glass. Use a small spoon to muddle them, basically smashing them together. Fill your glass with some crushed ice, pour in the bourbon whiskey and garnish with a mint sprig.
All recipes were adapted from Drinks Mixer and The Bar. Have fun finding your favorite classic cocktail! xo. emma
61 Comments
I love me some mint julep in the summer on a hot night.
You had to mention Don Draper….now I’m gonna HAVE to try the Manhattan! 🙂
My cousin just released an app called pourtaste, and its all about where to find old fashion cocktails in larger cities, (we are in Nashville), but it also has a drink of the week and the ingredients for you to make at home. He has made some of the best old fashion cocktails I have ever had, so you can definitely trust whatever is put up there! You should definitely check it out if you are enjoying learning these classics.
these look delicious!
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Manhattan is my go-to. We made a few shakers-worth for the Mad Men premier 🙂
Yum! The sidecar sounds like it’s right up my alley! I’m a whiskey sour girl and it sounds so tasty! I can’t wait to try these!
Oh, goodness! That’s not a classic sidecar at all! Whiskey is made with grain, cognac with grapes, so very different flavors. And there is some kind of orange liquor, like Cointreau, and lemon (not lime) juice!
When you’re talking about 3 ingredients, each one is integral to the drink. No substitutions without changing the beast, really. It’s like making a marinara sauce but then explaining that you don’t like tomatoes, so you used pureed spinach instead.
Cocktails are great to experiment with and make to your own liking…but then it’s fun to make up a new name! Or just call it a whiskey and lime, which Earnest Hemingway was allegedly partial to!
Oh my goodness, these look heavenly…now I’m craving one! I’ve always wanted to try a mint julep, ever since reading the Great Gatsby 🙂
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I love the mint julip, so tasty.
Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
It’s so painful to be reading this when I’m sick! Those drinks are making me drool… Please tell me this is the magical cure to the flu.
♥ The Stranger
Mmm… I love classic drinks. I’ve had a Sidecar before and loved it. I would love to try the Manhattan. I think the cherry would be yummy.
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com
i’ve never had a sidecar, i’ll definitely have to try it.. have you had a porcupine? it’s whiskey, ginger beer (we use diet) and fresh squeezed lime slices, if you can, they are to be served in a copper cup and are wonderful! xo, t.
Mmmm . . . the sidecar is my go to drink too. Have you tried this version? It’s AMAZING. http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/citrus-sidecar-50400000109789/
Ever had a Sea Monster? It’s made of grapefruit juice, ginger beer(I use maine root because its the absolute best!), and Kraken rum (hence the name). Sooooooo good. i dunno the measurements, i just mix it until it tastes good.
in utah “sidecar” has a totally different meaning! since our liquor laws are so strict, you must order a “sidecar” if you would like more than one shot of alcohol in your drink. so your drink will come with one shot mixed in and the additional shot on the “side” in a shot glass. you then must pour the second shot into the drink yourself because it is illegal for the bartender/server to do it. crazy huh?
Great post and beautiful photos. Cheers!
My step-grandpa would have his Manhattans this way! We like to make them in his honor on the holidays, and they’re really quite delish with the cherry juice
These look great! I think my absolute fav drink is Kaluha and Cream with a big fat cherry in it =)
– Sarah
agirlintransit.blogspot.com
Ooooh I think I’m with you on the Side-car….sounds like my kind of drink….thanks for sharing lovely!
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x
Love this post. As I read it, it’s 4.55pm on Friday afternoon in Sydney so I’m ready for cocktail hour. Make mine and Aviation! Thanks for the inspiration. I’ll be going home to mix something up. And add a fresh herb or two from the garden.
OMG ! never had a manhattans ! I really want to try it with my friends ! Nice pictures BTW ! love them ….
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I have really got into cocktails lately. They’re so fun!
Minty am joining in =)
xoxo
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They all look very pretty! Can you taste the bourbon in each? I can’t stand the taste so not sure they’d work for me.Rx
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My husband and I have been on a Manhattan kick recently. It’s fun to experiment with different bitters( blood orange is my favorite) and different sweet vermouths. I agree with you a little cherry juice makes it a bit sweeter. We also serve it with an orange twist which we rub around the rim of the glass. Cheers!
I never used to drink until recently, and now I feel like this is something I’d like to incorporate more into our parties and events.
Thanks for the ideas. 🙂
xoxo
~Natasha Fatah~
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Ex-bartender here: you must try a Brandy Alexander. You’re welcome.
They look so pretty!
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Just the other night I had my very first mint julep and my first sidecar. I liked them both, but I LOVED the sidecar. That will be my go to for bar drinks for a while I’m sure.
great cocktails! I think I will try to make some Manhattan this weekend…
My boyfriend is a big fan of manhattans. They’re very fun to drink out of a martini glass 🙂 The sidecar looks really tasty. I’m definitely going to have to try that sometime soon!
mmm – these look & sound delish, I want to try them all!
fashionable footprints
mmm…. nice!
These look amazing!
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really great idea for the classic recipes. I definitely need to have a mad men party to try these out 🙂
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MMM yum! my favourite treats 🙂
Zoe
http://gypsiesister.blogspot.co.uk
Have you ever had a Moscow Mule? If you like the sidecar you would most likely love it!
Drinking on a school night is the best. I would judge anyone who would judge that tbh.
Mmm these look soo good! My grandma grows mint in her garden, we have it with homemade lemonade in the summer 🙂
Woo hoo! A good cocktail is hard to find…well…maybe. But these look yummy! Thanks for the recipes, and no judging on the Monday night cocktails, I’m in that boat too 🙂
Brooke
thebebebirds.blogspot.com
They all look delicious!!! 😉 thanks for sharing the recipes! Perfect drinks for this weekend.
I love to see you guys featuring some cocktails!! I’m a mixologist and just taught a class on classic American cocktails, they’re making a come back for sure!!
I love these! Manhattans are so yummy and I too like them on the sweeter side.
♥ sécia
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Perfect for watching Mad Men!
i really enjoy getting a tom collins when i am out drinking but, most bar tenders look at me like i have a third eye when i order one.
They look nice!
xx
m
http://mollyeeb.blogspot.com/
I’m too young to drink 😛 But they all sound tasty!
xo Heather
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Wow really great 🙂 Looks super delicious ! 🙂
I have an interesting peppermint tea recipe on my blog, maybe you will have a lokk 😉
Greetings from Germany
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Don Draper has me sold on the manhattan. These would be perfect for a Mad Men theme party.
Wren
http://www.houseofwren.blogspot.ca/
Adding maraschino cherry juice genius! I usually add Simple syrup but think this is a much better idea for a Manhattan 🙂
Great post xo
Good God!! <3
Val
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
I would never judge anyone for drinking on Monday….I’m currently in a show where post-rehearsal drinks on Tuesdays have become par for the course!
I’ve never tried any of these (i stick to vodka or beer most of them time) but i think i’ll have to give them a shot! (no pun intended haha)
Oh, if they were with vodca I would try. I hate whiskey. Anyway, I loved the pictures. (:
Sidecars and Manhattans are both served shaken and strained. So, there should be no ice. A mint julep should have much more ice.
Loving your blog. Me and the wife are about to have a much needed holiday with our little ones soon. They will be tucked up in bed by 8pm, and I am definitely going be experimenting with these cocktails, and maybe a few others whilst we are cooped up in the apartment. (Not too many mind)
This is what happened during Prohibition, the “Classics” got their own “interpretation.” While I’m sure these cocktails tasted just great, that “Sidecar” is anything but! The Sidecar is descended from the classic “Brandy Crusta” the ingredients are brandy, LEMON juice, and Cointreau, and the proportions are way off. For a Sidecar with Lime juice, try the “Boston Sidecar” To refence your cocktail recipes give http://www.cocktailcodex.com a look. Cheers to you!
I finally made Mint Juleps today, they were perfect for the warm sunny afternoon we had in Winnipeg! Thanks for the inspiration!
http://themostdelightfuladventure.blogspot.ca/2012/05/mint-juleps.html
Every tried a Boston SideCar? It uses rum and lime, delicious. You can get the recipe here http://www.cocktailcodex.com
Cheers
I prefer my Manhattan straight up with real cherries, not those artificial ones.