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Ivan Lopez

@cocktailgrendel

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Bartender for hire-craft cocktail specialist-photography lover
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Happy Friday! Very late posting my Negroni entry - I decided to follow Sother Teague’s - @creativedrunk - dicey cocktail methods for creating my Negroni for today. For those who haven’t followed this feature - he rolls dice to randomly pick a spirit, an amaro, fortified wine and bitters. His contention is that any combination in a 2-1-1-2 ratio creates a decent Negroni style drink. I’ve followed it for awhile and haven’t seen any bad ones - I thought I’d try it with my own collection. The choices I got from random dice selection came up with an unlikely combination- Jack Daniel’s , Amaro Di Angostura, Dubonnet and Ancient Trade Bitters - I also randomly selected garnish and got none. I put the ingredients through the formula and lo and behold-greatness. The drink on the nose gives you caramel and baking spice - the first sip you pick up cinnamon, vanilla and a beautiful dark chocolate hard bitter finish that brings you right back into the Negroni family - at times this has an almost tropical feel as I could kind of pick out . This was an enjoyable sip - I am calling it “Jack In The Bonnet”. Thanks Sother for the method! Cheers all Jack In The Bonnet (ABV: 38.7%) Ingredients 1½ oz (45 ml) Jack Daniel’s Bonded ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Dubonnet ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Amaro Di Angostura 2 dashes Aromatic bitters - Ancient Trade Bitters Directions 1. Add ingredients to mixing glass 2. Stir with ice until cold 3. Strain into a double Old Fashioned glass over large cube 4. No garnish 5. Enjoy! 😊 — #negroniweek #whiskeycocktails #jackdanielswhiskey #fridaycocktails #ijhftd by @cocktailgrendel
Happy Whiskey Wednesday! This Negroni week entry is to acknowledge that it is still the year of the banana - I call this one the PX Bananavardier - where I replace the sweet vermouth with banana liqueur and PX Sherry- it is a twist on the Brûléed Banana Boulevardier, created by Kris Watson @_machupikachu_ @holycityhandcraft in Charleston, SC. His drink uses Amontillado sherry and different proportions (Note: I really wanted to make it but I didn’t have bananas or Amontillado handy so I improvised). The drink is quite rich - long pull of dark chocolate and raisins, banana underneath all the way to the finish where the Campari bitter hit shows up but still with that overlay of chocolate flavor. I was very happy with my choice! Thanks PX Bananavardier (ABV: 31.8%) Ingredients 1 oz (30 ml) Bourbon (Bonded) 1 oz (30 ml) Campari ½ oz (15 ml) Banana Liqueur ½ oz (15 ml) Sherry (Pedro Ximenez) 2 drops Saline Directions 1. Add ingredients to mixing glass 2. Stir with ice until cold 3. Strain into a cocktail/Martini glass 4. Garnish with orange twist 5. Enjoy! 😊 — #negroniweek #boulevardier #bananacocktail #whiskeywednesday #cocktailoftheday by @cocktailgrendel
I’m out of pocket so I’m posting this unappreciated gem from the Archive - Cheers! Yellow Oni - the Japanese demon of regret- an original creation. Regret is a big demon I deal with - looking to the past at what I could’ve done. Oni masks are worn to deal with the issue you are dealing with and the yellow Oni mask is to overcome regret. This drink is not to regret- refreshing with a the creamy malt of the genever and the honeyed malt of the Nikka flow into the ginger flavor with mint highlights while the iki bitters ( a blend of Japanese herbs and flavors including seaweed, ginger and even wasabi alongside gentian) balancing the sweetness nicely and adding some wonderful complexity - these bitters probably can’t be found any longer but I’m sure there are many good substitutions out there. I don’t know if I’m past my own issues of regret but I don’t regret making this drink. Yellow Oni (ABV: 33.3%) Ingredients 1½ oz (45 ml) Japanese Whisky - Nikka G&G ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Genever Bols Barrel Aged ½ oz (15 ml) Ginger Liqueur - Domaine de Canton ¼ oz (7.5 ml) Chartreuse (Yellow) 1 dash Japanese Bitters (Embitterment Iki) Directions 1. Add ingredients to mixing glass 2. Stir with ice until cold 3. Strain into a Nick and Nora glass 4. No garnish 5. Enjoy! 😊 #whiskycocktail #whiskeywednesday #japanesewhiskey #genever #noregrets by @cocktailgrendel
On the road again - stopped in Savannah Georgia for a brief stop - got to the Bamboo Room @bambooroomtikibar - an excellent Tiki Bar with great drinks, excellent bartenders and an astounding rum collection 😋. My drink was “PX Marks The Spot” - a Kingston Negroni variant using a blend of Jamaican rums and PX Sherry in place of vermouth and banana liqueur to soften. It is very good - extremely well balanced and flavorful with rum up front - caramel and nutty raisin notes with hints of banana but still having that bitter hit at the end. This is a must try bar if you come to Savannah. Cheers! #tikicocktail #tikibar #cocktailbar #trysomethingnewtoday #savannahbar by @cocktailgrendel
Happy Monday! Yesterday was the 60th anniversary of the first episode of Star Trek - my favorite science fiction series - a show that displayed a vision of the future where people of all walks of life came together to fulfill a common mission of exploration and peace among worlds - a series that helped guide my life, made me want to become an engineer and work in the space industry. Today’s drink is “Prime Directive” - created by Andrew Volk @andrewmvolk of the Portland Hunt & Alpine @huntandalpine - a guiding principle within the series of not interfering in the development of nascent civilizations. I used Aviation Gin - because of aviation’s ties to space and a closer match to Plymouth- and Dale Degroff Pimento Bitters - just because . Nose - citrus , white grape. The sip had more white grape, honey, cardamom, baking spice and interesting peppery finish. This is a very enjoyable drink and a nice way to celebrate this anniversary! Live long and Prosper! Cheers! Prime Directive (ABV: 28.7%) Ingredients 2 oz (60 ml) Gin (Plymouth) - Aviation Gin 1 oz (30 ml) Vermouth (Bianco/Blanc) - Dolin ½ oz (15 ml) Bénédictine 1 dash Bitters (Angostura) - Dale DeGroff Pimento Directions 1. Add ingredients to mixing glass 2. Stir with ice until cold 3. Strain into a coupe glass 4. Garnish with lemon twist — #startrek #primedirective #cocktail #gincocktail #startrek60thanniversary by @cocktailgrendel
Happy New Drink Friday! Late posting today’s drink the “Luca Brazi” - created by Lorenzo Antinori @lorenzoantinori_ Bar Leone, Hong Kong, as found on the feed of master cocktail maker and hunter @fredericyarm . As to the name of the drink , I can only guess if it is related to the Don Corleone’s brutal enforcer, Luca Brasi, who was quite the dark individual. Or maybe it is an homage to British rapper, Luca Brazi who is known for going to dark places. This is a Negroni style cocktail but with earthier bitter dark notes. You get a little dark chocolate, then deep smoky vegetal herbal notes with a strong bitterness. This makes a good aperitivo - the bitterness will get your stomach ready for chow but I think I’m one and done with this . Thank you Lorenzo and Master Yarm. Cheers! Luca Brazi (ABV: 27%) Ingredients 1 oz (30 ml) Tequila (Reposado) - Tapatio ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Punt e Mes ½ oz (15 ml) Campari ⅓ oz (10 ml) Cynar 5 drops Bitters (Chocolate Mole) - Bittermens Directions 1. Add ingredients to mixing glass 2. Stir with ice until cold 3. Strain into a double Old Fashioned glass over large cube 4. Garnish with grapefruit twist (sub’d orange) 5. Enjoy! 😊 #tequilacocktail #negroni #campari #aperitivo #trysomethingnewtoday by @cocktailgrendel
Happy Monday! There are some drinks that run to the front of the line - this particular one called “Man Maker” struck me as a cross between a Vieux Carré and a Black Manhattan - two of my favorite things. The drink was created by Hayden Lambert @travlinboy Above Board in Melbourne @aboveboardbarmelb (many thanks to my spirit guide Frederic Yarm @fredericyarm for highlighting this beaut. This cocktail surprised me at how powerful the flavors hit - on the nose you get citrus and spice but the first taste gives you a big spice hit - cinnamon and pepper - you get cherry 🍒 cola followed by a honeyed mint and vanilla finish. I felt like the ingredients really multiplied the taste sensations here. I’m very happy with my choice today. Thank you Hayden for creating this wonderful cocktail and Master Yarm for continuing to find the winners. Cheers everyone! Man Maker (ABV: 33.7%) Ingredients ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Rye (Rittenhouse) ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Cognac (Courvoisier) ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Amaro Averna ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Bénédictine 1 dash Bitters (Angostura) 1 dash Bitters (Orange) Directions 1. Add ingredients to mixing glass 2. Stir with ice until cold - 25-30 secs 3. Strain into a coupe glass 4. Garnish with lemon twist #whiskeycocktail #ryewhiskey #cognaccocktails #mondayreset #trysomethingnewtoday by @cocktailgrendel
Neither rain nor flood will stop my pursuit of a cocktail - first stop was PDT @pdtnyc - nice and dark and mysterious - I had an Aegean Negroni put together by Chloe - this was a luscious cocktail filled with melon notes and citrus with light bitterness on the finish. We left as the rains began to so we could race down to Double Chicken Please @doublechickenpleasenyc - loud and boisterous . Their menu comes with a pachinko machine! I had a Space Dog - this was a mesmerizing cocktail filled with flavor combinations I couldn’t even conceive- rum, ume and coffee leave you with a sweet savory blend that was wonderful to sip - had almost a cake like aroma. At the end of the night we got a parting gift shot - served in the little chicken leg shot glass - a warm Shiso infused Mezcal mixed with a plum wine (?) that was absolutely outstanding! I need to make it to the next room - when I get up here again. Cheers! #cocktailbars #nycbarscene #pdt #doublechickenplease #cocktaillove by @cocktailgrendel
Happy Whiskey Wednesday-2nd Edition- NYC style . I went to Barely Disfigured @barelydisfigured in Brooklyn - they have an outstanding bar program with more drinks than I can have at a single sitting but here’s a sample. I started with “Splendor and Misery” - Hudson rye whiskey, Patron tequila añejo, Moscatel sherry, demerara sugar, salt, Scrappy’a orange bitters - this was a tasty treat filled with grape and citrus notes with a nice spicy backend. I followed up with “Exterminating Angel” - Michter’s bourbon, sweet vermouth, pistachio, apricot & angostura bitters - the pistachio being a liqueur they personally distilled. This Manhattan style cocktail with caramel and fruit grape and apricot notes , cinnamon and baking spice with a small nutty note. I enjoyed my visit - got to chat and compare notes with Morgan, the bartender who helped me with fixing my Tenancingo - another drink on the menu I had attempted to make - and also allowed me to@taste Amer Picon for the first time. I will say unequivocally that all supposed substitutes pale in comparison to the real deal. This is a great bar - big outdoor garden spot - and food to take the edge off. Very happy with my choice - cheers! #cocktailbar #nycbar #brooklynbar #whiskeycocktails #whiskeywednesday by @cocktailgrendel
Whiskey Wednesday - first edition! Went to @kingscountydistillery to try their whiskey - bourbon, rye and coffee. It was a nice flight but I walked away with the Empire Rye. Thank you to Nando for chatting with us - we had a great time ! Cheers! #whiskeywednesday #bourbon #ryewhiskey #coffeewhiskey #brooklynwhiskey by @cocktailgrendel
I’m back baby! Taking a short trip to NYC to hit a few activities and a few bars . When I arrived I was not feeling well - massive headache and upset stomach 😢 - so where do you go when you need some healing Amor y Amargo - @amoryamargo ! I struggled down to get there and I had “Wild Marathon Legs” - a beautiful Scaffa with magical healing properties and my first taste of Zirbenz in a cocktail. This is what the doctor ordered! It was a nice visit- sitting at the bar chatting with my seat mate Tod and getting great attention from AJ @ajdelgs and getting him to show me his A&A 50/50. I’m so happy I was able to muster the strength to get down there. Sother @creativedrunk - sorry I missed you! Cheers all! #nyccocktailbar #amaro #barlifestyle #cocktailoftheday #medicinalpurposes by @cocktailgrendel
Happy Old Fashioned Friday! Today’s offering is “The Rebennack” - created by Chris Hannah at @thefrench75bar in New Orleans. The cocktail is titled after the last name of famed New Orleans musician Dr John. The drink also represents the different facets of New Orleans - “Sazerac” Rye, “Creole” Shrubb, Averna to tie in the strong Sicilian heritage, and of course the homespun Peychauds bitters and a brandy snifter to capture all that complexity. This is a tasty drink - silky smooth big citrus, anise and cinnamon on the nose - sips reveal caramel, chocolate, cherry - root beer and dark cocoa. Many thanks to Chris Hannah! And thanks to Robert Simonson and his book on The Old Fashioned (this is a must own) where I found this tasty 😋 beauty. Cheers! The Rebennack (ABV: 36.9%) Ingredients 1¾ oz (52.5 ml) Sazerac Rye BIB ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Amaro Averna ¼ oz (7.5 ml) Clement Creole Shrubb 3 dashes Bitters (Peychaud’s) Directions 1. Add ingredients to mixing glass 2. Stir with ice until cold 3. Strain into a Brandy Snifter glass over ice cubes 4. Create twist by cutting thin strands of orange peel and tie them together with another strand. Garnish with orange twist bouquet. 5. Enjoy! 😊 — #whiskeycocktail #oldfashionedcocktail #ryewhiskey #neworleanscocktails #trysomethingnewtoday by @cocktailgrendel

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