Ouzo Martini

The Ouzo Martini with a twist

The Ouzo Martini, an anise-flavored martini spin-off makes an intriguing drink that does not disappoint.

Ouzo is a dry anise-flavored aperitif that is widely consumed in Greece. No other beverage is as uniquely Greek as ouzo.

It is produced from grape musk—the remnants of making wine. And, on its own, it has a powerful anis flavor (think black licorice). We love it i this recipe where it is mixed with vodka, pineapple, and lime juice for a balanced flavor.
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The Black Russian

The Black Russian cocktail on a wooden table in a rocks glass

The Black Russian is a simple-to-prepare cocktail made with two ingredients that are easy to keep on hand. This spirit-forward cocktail combines vodka and coffee liqueur served over ice—making it a flavorful dessert cocktail.

Its origins are not in Russia. The Black Russian was created in Brussels in 1949 by Gustave Tops, a Belgian bartender at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels.

It was named because vodka comes from Russia, and the dark color the coffee liqueur gives the drink. If you add heavy cream or milk, you’ve got a White Russian.

Most folks make this cocktail with Kahlua. But, you can also try switching up the coffee liqueur since there are several delicious brands at the store these days. (Ask our Wine & Spirits department.) We recommend using a good-quality, neutral vodka to allow the coffee liqueur flavor to shine through.

The Black Russian Recipe
Yields one cocktail Read more…

Gold Rush Cocktail

Photo of Gold Rush Cocktail with a mint sprig

The Super Bowl is in the air.
And, as a tribute to the 49ers, we present this variation on the classic Gold Rush Cocktail. It includes the addition of a very SF ingredient, Fernet-Branca, a bitters made from a blend of 27 herbs. Originally from Italy, it is estimated that at least 35% of all Fernet-Branca is consumed in San Francisco. Check out this SFGate article for details.

This is the perfect cocktail for watching the Super Bowl on February 11th while rooting for our home team. Go Niners!

Gold Rush Cocktail Recipe
Yields one cocktail
Adapted from Liquor.com

Both the ginger solution and honey syrup can be made ahead. And, you won’t mind having a little extra in your fridge for adding to beverages and dishes. Read more…

Swiss Chalet Cocktail

What are you drinking après-ski?
Or, to stave off the cold, wet weather in the East Bay? The Swiss Chalet Cocktail is made with hot chocolate, Baileys, peppermint schnapps, and topped with whipped cream. It tastes like the best parts of winter.

At ski resorts around the world, a warm beverage like our Swiss Chalet Cocktail is just the answer. Nothing can compare to a warm, boozy cocktail to reheat your chilly bones.

Swiss Chalet Cocktail Recipe
Adapted from Liquor.com
Yields 1 cocktail
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