The Kung Fu Shrimp Cocktail Collection

The Aegon Cocktail *

Not only another variation on the Valentino, but another cocktail whose name is a reference to George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Stir and strain. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Alaska

Quite good on a hot day.

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Americano

Supposedly created by an Italian bartender hoping to create an American style cocktail, this makes for a refreshing summertime treat.

Build in an ice-filled highball glass and garnish with an orange twist.

Ante Cocktail

Number two in the "Hey, we have a bottle of Calvados!" series. It turned out to be a very smooth cocktail. Recommended for people looking for a slightly sweeter drink.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Aviation

We don't make this all that much, as maraschino liqueur gives Martha nightmares. But it's a great cocktail, so check it out.

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Bensonhurst Cocktail

Our take on a Pegu Club creation, which they describe as a drink which will "make you feel like a tough guy."

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Drink up. Do you feel like a tough guy now?

Biter

Despite it's easy association with A Song Of Ice And Fire, this was found in one of our cocktail books, Ted Shane's Authentic and Hilarious Bar Guide. Hilarious indeed. The note with this recipe says: "Extra! Cocktail Bites Man!"

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Black Feather Cocktail

A modern concoction in the classic style.

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Blackthorne

Really, this is nothing more than a variation on the Manhattan, where Irish whiskey replaces the rye, but the splash of absinthe gives it a rather distinct character.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Boulevardier

This is a distant relative of the Negroni, but with whiskey as a base spirit instead of gin. Discovered at The Cocktail Chronicles, which is becoming one of my favorite blogs.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry or lemon twist if you are so moved.

The Brooklyn Social

Created at The Brooklyn Social Club in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Technically, it's just called a Brooklyn, but I add the "Social" to distinguish it from older recipes of the same name.

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

Bronx

The name was inspired by the animals at the Bronx Zoo. Or the similarity of bar patrons to the animals at the Bronx Zoo. One of these.

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Calvados Cocktail

We bought a small bottle of Calvados for use in making a sauce for duck breasts. Since the recipe only called for 2 tablespoons, there was plenty left over to make cocktails!

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Caricature Cocktail

Gary Regan's variation on the Old Flame.

Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

Champagne Cocktail

"Michael, You're sitting high up in the Sierra Mountains and you're drinking Champagne cocktails!"

Soak the sugar cube in the bitters at the bottom of a champagne flute. Add the champagne and garnish with a lemon twist. Add 1 ounce of brandy to make a Classic Champagne Cocktail. Replace the champagne with any other base spirit to make that cocktail (e.g. a Gin Cocktail).

Champs Elysees

For a brief shining moment, I could actually pronounce the name of this drink correctly. And now that moment is gone. The drink remains. Be warned, it is on the bitter side.

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Cinnibar Negroni

Invented at the Cinnibar restaurant in L.A., it is essentially a Negroni with the Campari doubled.

Fill a rocks glass with ice and add all ingredients. Stir and serve.

Classic Cocktail

Another variation on the Sidecar.

Shake and strain into a chilled, sugar-rimmed cocktail glass.

Commodore Cocktail

It used to be that a commodore was the U.S. Navy equivalent of a one-star general (or brigadier general). No longer! That rank is now known as a "rear admiral (lower half)", which doesn't sound anywhere near as fun.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktal glass.

Corpse Reviver #1

As of 26 January 2007, we have never actually had this cocktail, but since I included the Corpse Reviver #2, I thought we should include this as well for the sake of completeness.

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Corpse Reviver #2

The Corpse Reviver #1 involves applejack. I once made this with vodka for my mom, and it turned out pretty well. Be sure to go easy on the Ricard - it can easy take over the drink. At the Flatiron Lounge, they use an eyedropper to dispense the absinthe for this drink.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Dubliner

Created by Gary Regan.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Regan suggests a green maraschino cherry for the garnish.

Dundee

This cocktail is an interesting mix, as it is technically a gin cocktail, but the scotch and Drambuie could place it in the scotch category as well. It works quite well in the end, with the sweetness of the Drambuie smoothing out the flavor.

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Duplex

From The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book, this is another light and refreshing cocktail.

Build over ice in a rocks glass.

Embassy Cocktail

This was created at the Embassy Club in Hollywood back in 1930. We made it with dark rum, and that seemed to work fairly well.

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a piece of lime.

Fire And Blood *

Our variation on the Old Flame. Created for our bartending stint at the Brotherhood Without Banners LA WorldCon party in August 2006, and inspired by George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

The Firefly *

The first of our experiments with Aperol, and named in honor of the TV show, this cocktail is the color of the Scottish soda Irn Bru and is a fine choice for a summer cocktail.

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Before drinking, toast one person in the room. That person must respond by shouting, "To me!"

Fitzgerald

Another Dale DeGroff creation. I remember reading the recipe for this drink in a magazine several years ago and thinking I would enjoy it. Turns out I was right.

Shake and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a piece of lemon.

The Freelancer *

The first of our variations on the Valentino. Inspired by a bad day at the magazine for Martha.

Stir, strain, and enjoy while contemplating the mixed pleasures of pitching stories and working from home.

French 75

A classic bubbly cocktail.

Shake with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and fill with champagne. Alternately, you may build it in an ice-filled collins glass.

The Gentleman Bastard #1 (Locke Lamora) *

The first of our entries into a cocktail contest based on Scott Lynch's stellar debut novel, The Lies of Locke Lamora. Essentially a variation on the Oriental cocktail

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Gentleman Bastard #2 (Jean Tannen) *

Our second entry in the aforementioned The Lies of Locke Lamora cocktail contest. Largely a variation on the first one.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Gin-Blind

This drink comes from Charles H. Baker, Jr.'s Jigger, Beaker, & Glass, a highly entertaining compendium of cocktails acquired on Baker's travels around the world. The Gin-Blind is courtesy of a commander in the British navy, who advises "We don't prescribe this just before target practice, gentlemen."

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of an orange peel.

Gin-Gin Mule

A wonderful summer cocktail invented by Audrey Saunders, made with homemade ginger beer (recipe here).

Muddle the lime juice, simple syrup, and mint together in a mixing glass. Add the gin and ice and shake well. Strain into a glass with ice and add the ginger beer. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Greenfly

The slightly sweeter cousin of the Green Ghost. A dash of simple syrup lightens things up.

Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Green Ghost

The green Chartreuse and lime juice combine to give this drink a nicely bitter kick.

Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Hearst Cocktail

Supposedly a favorite of the newspapermen who worked for William Randolph Hearst. They described it to the barmen at the old Waldorf Astoria bar. Martha has nicknamed it "The Disgruntled Journalist".

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Hole In One

Not bad, though not a favorite. Ultimately lacking any real distinguishing character, it tastes exactly like the ingredients, and I mean that quite literally (and dully).

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Hong Kong Cocktail

A milder cocktail, with the lime and Angostura flavors winning out over the gin.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Ink Street

A drink combining the medicinal powers of whiskey and citrus.

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

James Joyce Cocktail

Gary Regan's variation on the Oriental.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Enjoy in a stately, plump manner.

Journalist

This one was found while looking to get rid of some lemons. Since we refer to the Hearst as "the disgruntled journalist," I thought we should check this one out for completeness' sake.

Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.

Lavender Gimlet

We had one of these at Five Points in Manhattan and were determined to try one for ourselves. It's ridiculously tasty and very refreshing.

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

To make the infused simple syrup, mix a cup of water and a cup of sugar over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Add 3 tablespoons of fresh or dried lavender and bring the entire mixture to a boil. Boil for a minute, then take it off the heat, and store it in the fridge. Strain the lavender before making drinks.

Leg Before Wicket

Named after a cricket term, this cocktail is definitely not for everyone. If you are a fan of Campari, you will enjoy this drink's bitter qualities. Otherwise, be warned.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Toast the great sport of cricket, where they wear white and drink tea.

Manhattan

One of the oldest and greatest cocktails, and many would argue that it set the formula (base spirit plus vermouth) for a large number of cocktails that followed (like the Martini). The recipe is simple, which leaves it open to a fair bit of interpretation and experimentation with ingredients. The classic way to make this is to use rye, though many choose bourbon instead. The exact ratio of whiskey to vermouth may change depending on the whiskey you choose. DO NOT neglect the bitters! We find the best combination to be Rittenhouse Rye with either Carpano Antica or Cinzano vermouth.

Stir (that word is S-T-I-R, not S-H-A-K-E) with cracked ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. The classic garnish is a maraschino cherry.

The Manhattanite

A slightly sweeter variation on the Manhattan by our friend Neil Russo. He doubles this recipe for a single drink, but then he uses much larger cocktail glasses than we do.

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. You may garnish with a cherry if you are so inclined.

Marble Hill

Named for a New York City neighborhood which is geographically in the Bronx, yet falls into New York County, which contains Manhattan. It is also the neighborhood where our cats hail from.

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Marguerite Fizz

We had gin. We had lemons. We wanted to try a new cocktail. I highly recommend this one for summertime. It may be a little on the sweet side (adjust the amount of grenadine to your liking), but it is quite refreshing.

Shake with ice and strain into a tall glass with ice. Fill with soda.

If you have fresh thyme on hand, this is a wonderful cocktail to try out.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme.

Moonglow

We discovered this one while searching for recipies with gin and lime. It is quite delicious, though a little on the sweet side. One is usually enough for one evening.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Mujer Verde

The Green Woman is a rather delightful drink, and may well become the cause for our Chartreuse supply to dwindle rather rapidly.

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Negroni

Allegedly the result of a gentleman asking his bartender to use gin in place of club soda in an Americano.

Build in an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

New Deal

Last week we bought a bottle of Dubonnet Rouge and promptly came home to look up recipes which featured it. The New Deal (also called the "Nude Eel") takes a little getting used to, as it features two base spirits (gin & cognac), but it turns out to be very nice.

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

New Pal

In essence, this is a Negroni with rye as the base spirit in place of gin. A dash of Peychaud's bitters and pastis smooths it out quite nicely.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

New York

It really wasn't sufficient that there are already cocktails called Manhattan, Bronx, and Brooklyn. The city itself needed its own drink, apparently.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon and orange twists.

Nicky Finn

A simple variation on the Sidecar.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Old Flame

Created by Dale DeGroff.

Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

Opalescent

The egg white gives this drink a nice frothy head atop its pale yellow body. Best made in pairs!

Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Orange County

Another variation on the Manhattan from the Pegu Club.

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

Oriental Cocktail

An excellent recipe from the early 20th century.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Park Place of Brooklyn *

Named in honor of our former residence. Inspired by Dale DeGroff's Ritz of New York cocktail.

Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Fill the glass with champagne and toast the beautiful borough of Brooklyn.

Poet's Dream

Discovered while idly paging through the Mr. Boston Bartender's Guide.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Preview

Supposedly the favorite drink of Rat Pack member Peter Lawford.

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass that has been rinsed out with Ricard (or other absinthe substitute).

Prince of Dorne *

Another cocktail inspired by George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, and based on the French 75.

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Fill with champagne.

Rob Roy

It's like a Manhattan, but with scotch whisky. Use the blended variety - our favorite is White Horse.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Rocky Green Dragon

I forget what I was searching for, but once 'dragon' showed up in the name, we had to try it. If you're looking for a sweet drink, look elsewhere.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Sand Martin

While looking for drinks featuring green Chartreuse, I found this one. Honestly, the reason I picked it was because the name made me think of George R. R. Martin's short story "Sandkings".

Stir with ice and strain.

Sazerac

The original cocktail, or so the story goes. Invented by a New Orleans pharmacist who also created Peychaud's bitters.

Pour a little bit of Ricard (or other absinthe substitute) into a chilled rocks glass. Swirl it around until it coats the side of the glass and discard the extra. Stir the remaining ingredients with ice and strain them into the rinsed glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Scofflaw Cocktail

It seems the word scofflaw originated as a term to describe people who flaunted Prohibition. Naturally, a drink was created in honor of the new term.

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Sidecar

Another one of the classics.

Shake and strain into a chilled, sugar-rimmed cocktail glass.

Singapore Sling

Fruity, yet not too sweet. Be warned that you can't really taste the alcohol, so the drink may go down a bit too easy.

Shake with ice and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top with club soda.

Sloe Gin Fizz

We made this with Plymouth Sloe Gin, a proper sloe gin made with actual sloeberries.

Mix over ice in a glass. Add a splash of club soda and serve.

The Smiler

If you're a fan of Transmetropolitain, you know why the name of this drink caught our eye. (If you're not a fan, well, the Smiler is the nickname of the villain of the series, whose face is frozen in a permanent grin during the early issues of the series.)

Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Tailspin

There are a number of names for this cocktail, but Tailspin is our favorite. Martha likes it because it is very astringent.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Typographer *

Our first cocktail invention, created in honor of our friend Neil Russo and known informally as the Bitter Art Director. Inspired by the Manhattan, the Brooklyn Social, and the Sazerac.

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass that has been rinsed out with Ricard (see directions for the Sazerac). Garnish with a twist of lemon.

The Valentino

A variation on the Negroni, and one of my favorite cocktails.

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Vancouver

Because one gin and Benedictine cocktail deserves another.

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Van Pelt *

The next of our Negroni variations. The title is inspired by the band of the same name, who put out a couple albums on Gern Blandsten records in the mid-90s.

Stir and strain. Enjoy while listening to indie rock.

Waldorf

A slight variation on the Manhattan, from the Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar.

Pour the Ricard into the mixing glass and swirl it around to coat the sides. Discard the excess. Add the remaining ingredients over ice, stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Ward Eight

Created in honor of the 1898 state congressional election of a member of one of Boston's political machines. Years later, Martin Lomasney, the gentleman being honored, ironically became a Prohibitionist.

Shake and strain into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

Washington

A mild but tasty cocktail. Provides protein and vitamin C!

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.