05-09-2025

This cocktail was created by Matthias Soberon (@servedbysoberon) who made it for a Swedish gin company (Kyflinge Gin). It’s a riff on the classic Saturn tiki drink, and appropriately named after one of Saturn’s moons. Here, he subs in ginger for the passionfruit, which gives it a nice punch. Cheers y’all!

05-08-2025

Featured in 1977’s Jones’ Complete Barguide, this was either created at or named after the popular 1930s bar Sloppy Joe’s (Havana, Cuba). It has all the elements of an El Presidente, plus lime to brighten it up. Another drink with the same name but different ingredients was also served there in the ’30s. Cheers y’all!

05-07-2025

This cocktail was created by Brandon Bramhell at Attaboy (Nashville, TN). It’s his agave twist on the Downtown cocktail (gin, yellow Chartreuse, pineapple, lemon). This one is a little smoky, a little juicy, and way too easy to finish. Cheers y’all!

05-06-2025

This cocktail was created by Braden Lilley (@bradenlilley) of 353 Troy (Troy, NY) as a playful riff on the Paper Plane. The amaro leads with a wave of baking spice, followed by a bright, lingering grapefruit finish. Cheers y’all!

05-05-2025

This one is by Matthias Soberon (@servedbysoberon). It uses Mexican cane juice rum, which is similar in style to rhum agricole blanc with its grassy, earthy notes. Pineapple adds sweetness and pairs well with spice. A little mezcal over the top brings a nice amount of smoke on the nose. Cheers y’all!

05-04-2025

This Mint Julep riff comes from Barlow Gilmore (@theweekendmixologist). In this version, Gilmore made it lighter and more refreshing than the original. The soda water was a nice touch too, giving it an airy lift that plays well with the chocolate-mint combo. The name sums the flavors up perfectly. Cheers y’all!

05-03-2025

This cocktail comes from Jordan Hughes (@highproofpreacher), and while it’s not a Negroni in the strictest sense, it plays in the same bittersweet, spirit-forward space with a twist. Arrack, rum’s funkier Indonesian cousin, brings depth. Bitter Bianco, sherry, and a splash of blue curaçao round it out with elegance and a lovely indigo hue. Cheers y’all!

05-02-2025

I made this for those moments when you want something refreshing but still layered / cozy. It’s my riff on a Boozy Cream Soda that Jordan Hughes (@highproofpreacher) shared. Aged rum and Licor 43 bring warmth and vanilla, lime juice keeps it sharp, and a touch of cinnamon syrup ties it all together. Cheers y’all!

05-01-2025

This cocktail is a recent creation by the brilliant Sam Ross (@samueljoelross) for Good Guy’s (NYC). Inspired by a summer on Lake Como, it’s a drink meant to take you there—bittersweet, bright, and oh so refreshing. The depth of Cynar meets the tropical punch of passionfruit, all lifted by bubbles. Cheers y’all!

04-30-2025

Thanks to Frederic Yarm (@fredericyarm) for sharing this recipe. It was created by Eric Johnson (@dep6110) while at Juniper & Ivy (San Diego). Johnson said, “I wanted to make a tiki-style cocktail using tequila, and pineapple express was already taken by a bunch of stoner bartenders.” Cheers y’all!

04-29-2025

Last week, Jordan Hughes (@highproofpreacher) shared this Old Fashioned riff using Sotol, which is a spirit distilled from Dasylirion wheeleri (desert spoon), a wild plant native to northern Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert. It’s not agave, but its own thing: earthy, grassy, and bright. Cheers y’all!

04-28-2025

Originally crafted in the 1950s by Jasper Le Franc, head bartender at Montego Bay’s Bay Roc Hotel, this recipe features a stock mix Jasper used in countless cocktails. This one hits all the right notes: bright, bitter, boozy, and balanced. Cheers y’all!

04-27-2025

A Last Word riff created by Ron (@moodycocktails) that trades maraschino for Calvados and swaps in lemon to highlight the apple notes. Bee pollen adds a subtle texture and floral hum. It is stronger than the original and you may consider a barspoon of honey or simple if you want to smooth it out. Cheers y’all!

04-26-2025

A tropical beauty created by Matthias Soberon (@servedbysoberon) and an excuse for me to use the one bottle of spiced rum I have. This one can become too sweet so make sure you adjust the citrus accordingly. Cheers y’all!

04-25-2025

This one is off the menu at one of my favorite Portland bars, Rum Club (@rumclubpdx) and created by Mike "Juice" Treffehn (@mtreffehn). It is rather straightforward in build, but so complex on the palate. It rich and spirit-forward, with layers of warm spice and herbal sweetness. The citrus oils on the surface brighten it up as you sip. Cheers y’all!

04-24-2025

I’m partnering with @drinkcalvados and @laspiriteriefrancaise to share a cocktail I created using Calvados, an authentic spirit from Europe. Calvados is an apple brandy unique to Normandy, France, and it holds a European Geographic Indication (also known as PDO, Protected Designation of Origin).

This daiquiri brings together Calvados and aged rum, layered with banana, allspice, and demerara for a drink that’s equal parts orchard and island. I went with Fruits du Passé, which translates to "fruits of the past." It's a nod to the aged spirits, the layers of fruit, and the French heritage of Calvados...but let’s be real, it also just sounds cooler in French. Cheers y’all!

04-23-2025

By Quintin Scalfaro who created it at The Love Shack (Portland, OR). "All of the supporting flavors can shine and come through while being complemented by that characteristic rye spiciness,” says Scalfaro. “This cocktail truly is greater than the sum of its parts." Cheers y’all!

04-22-2025

This Paper Plane riff comes from Jean-Félix Desfossés (@jfdesfosses), which is really a mezcal twist on his original bourbon cocktail, the Little Wing. It covers a wide range of flavors: smoky, bitter, sweet, and sour. Bold, refreshing, and perfect for introducing someone to mezcal or pleasing those who already love it. Cheers y’all!

04-21-2025

This cocktail was created by Frederic Yarm (@fredericyarm) as a tribute to The Clash. The combo of funky Jamaican rum and cachaça will always get my attention. The touch of bitter Cynar and banana liqueur work well here as they complement and balance one another. Cheers y’all!

04-20-2025

A fun tropical spin on the classic Sazerac. Thank you to Jordan Hughes (@highproofpreacher) for this delicious recipe. Falernum acts as the sweetener, but also brings in cloves and all those tropical spices. Doctor Bird makes a funky pineapple rum that is perfect here. Cheers y’all!