_0.jpg "Loch Lomond (By U. Walton)")
December 21, 2018 (Top of Page)
On the shortest day of the year, you find yourself here looking to enjoy some fine cocktails. You put a bow on everything that needed wrapping and got it all done before the solstice sun went down. Congratulations are in order and that chicken liver pâté topped with pomegranate gelatin compliments the Trinity in your hand to perfection. Holiday cheers! The three equal parts involved form one tasty cocktail. Any heat from the gin retreats, replaced by the bianco's smooth and fruity sweetness that's mediated just right by the dry vermouth's astringency. An oily lemon twist peaks the presentation with a bitter brightness. It's a smooth transition to the Coffee Egg Nog to cap your night. Everything but the nutmeg sprinkle is thrown in a blender with ice and swirled thoroughly. Dairy dominates the profile under a good eggy foam with a light coffee flair. The whisky hides in the middle somewhere, adding a mild boost. The drink is more thin than thick, but still pretty festive. Its slow-acting kick allows for refills with not much to worry about beyond a numb nose. Christmas time is here!
Bartender Dan
P.S. We'll be closed next week, so we'll see you next year. Happy Holidays!
December 14, 2018 (Top of Page)
After a day of maneuvering around town, going through and disappointedly out of untold doors looking for gifts in all kinds of stores, the holiday spirit just grinds you down. There are just two Friday cocktail shopping days until Christmas and you absolutely don't want to miss this one, so you head to the bar. Your respite awaits at your favorite boozing place. They're serving the Coronation and it's like a gift, brisk as the frozen night's wind, sharp and clean. Its highfalutin fruity aperitif wine flourishes within the potent dry gin from London and its old companion, dry French vermouth. They put a crown
on this cocktail because it's a rarefied winner. After finishing up, the Rye Sour pours to appeal to your more common side. It's hearty and satisfying; a lemon-sweet rye whiskey that tastes like its grain was recently harvested. A good hard shake puts everything in its place, cold and bubbly, with a cherry that soaks it all up into a little red packaged dessert. You couldn't expect to shop for a better pair of cocktails at any other bar. The gift that keeps on giving: tasty booze. Hey, the liquor store would be a good place to shop!
Bartender Dan
December 7, 2018 (Top of Page)
They come in and shake off the cold and then remove their overcoats. Heading to a classy joint for cocktails never gets old. If the weather is inclement, it doesn't matter, because rain or shine and even if you have to freeze your behind, the atmosphere in here is sublime. That's because the cocktails here are world class; the Riviera proved it again tonight. Lots of parts went in, but it turned out wonderfully. The vanilla and citrus of the Italian liqueur worked with the bianco vermouth to create an elevated sweetness. Dry gin and vodka with bitters added subtle complexities. A juicy orange twist expressed over the top before it dropped in for a luxurious swim. Man alive, the drink was absolutely beautiful. The Barbados followed with a texture and flow that was reminiscent of a freshly squeezed cold apple cider. It was dark rum rich and island liqueur sweet with just enough lime to make it smile and jump. If we sold it by the bucket, you probably still couldn't get enough. Talk about tasty! Come on in and shake off the cold and then sit yourself down, because we've got the best drinks in town.
Bartender Dan
November 30, 2018 (Top of Page)
The boozers rushed back to the bar after the holiday feast. The off week had them sorely missing their usual fine cocktail fellowship. With smiling faces back in the saddle and ready to do battle, the Artillery Cocktail stirred up fighting fresh and primed for action. With Plymouth gin and a freshly opened bottle of French vermouth, it was classic simplicity: a 4-to-1 sweet martini without garnish whose operation was cold and bristling. If you like drinking with the pros, load this one up and let the good times roll. A tasty dessert cocktail was in order for the follow-up and the Capri fit the bill. It was a foamy and creamy banana treat with a light cocoa backing that easily flowed. There was a comfortable holiday feel to it that imparted a hint of yule. All was well with the world once again, fixed by some good boozin' while hanging out with friends. Welcome back!
Bartender Dan
November 16, 2018 (Top of Page)
Sitting in the bar with friends, toasty and warm, enjoying your first cocktail of the night. The year is winding down and everyone is thankful for just being around. It's a blessing. Your Green Island Quiet Sunday is an easygoing orange juice with a silent kick packing hints of sweet almond as you sip. They mix it with ice sans grenadine, shake it hard to get a froth, and then strain it into a highball filled with cracked ice. A few drops of grenadine are sprinkled over the top for seasoning and then there's nothing but good times. It's a pleasure and everybody's smiling as they drink it down. Your bartender makes the shift to the Angel's Kiss, layering its parts into a tall shot glass in recipe order. Upon drinking, the cream blocks, so you all tilt and hold until the brandy sneaks under the foam. After a bit of quick heat, the cocoa liqueur follows and turns it all into a treat. This kind of drink is really fun. Everyone agrees an old-time boozer you've all been missing would've certainly liked this one. Fine cocktails and good fellowship: it makes memories that will last forever.
Bartender Dan
P.S. We'll be closed next week for Thanksgiving. Count your blessings!
November 9, 2018 (Top of Page)
The week has beaten you down; the cold weather's really hanging around. It's enough to make you seek out a bucket, an alcoholic drink with a lot of stuff in it. You bust through that bar door on a mission and the bartender pours a shaken Navy Grog. You take a taste and don't waste any of your time with the straws. It's a tiki drink of solid navy rum mixed with seafaring citrus in a double old-fashioned. The hefty portion would keep anybody's outlook healthy and numb if it comprised part of their daily wages; you'd be assuaged of any perceived wrongs. Some crunchy cocktail mix on the side wouldn't hurt either as a salty bonus. When it's time for you to sail on, the barkeep shakes up a Coctel Algeria. Your mood really softens. It's a satisfying pisco treat with fresh orange juice that's bucked up by its matching liqueur along with sweet smooth apricot. Its flamed orange peel introduction raises expectations, but the wondrous first taste beats them handily. Happy cocktail enjoyment ensues and all of the sudden life is pretty darned good. Cheers!
Bartender Dan
November 2, 2018 (Top of Page)
On the barstool, you're worlds away, comfortably ensconced from the outside's blustery day. You've got service with a smile, so you plan to stay a while to travel through the cocktail menu's passageways. First, you take a little trip down to Peru via the classic Pisco Sour. It's a fantastic cocktail, sweet and soft, and everything else you've always heard about. A hard shake builds up a frothy foam and the dots of bitters on top provide a great nose. The Peruvian pisco underneath has hints of banana within its grapes and gains interest off the lemony sweetness combined. You can't help but think while you're drinking that it's springtime down that way. This wonderful cocktail has a sunny, good time disposition. Beautiful. Next, you head across the ocean with a northwest motion to taste the Japanese Cocktail. It's smooth and substantial delivering a depth of cognac flavors, both floral and oak, that's as thick as glass. The almond syrup makes the VSOP sing and the bitters and lemon add a little spark without shouting. This one's flavor rides on rails and you could drink it all night long. A great cocktail menu knows how to travel. It's too bad when it's time to go home, though, but what a trip!
Bartender Dan
October 26, 2018 (Top of Page)
It's a mild, starlit night, and there's good drinkin' downtown. You're inside looking out the window waiting for your cocktail; it should be coming soon. A black cat appears in the darkness outside, giving you a spook, staring at you through the window before moving on. Halloween is just around the corner. The drink arrives, pumpkin-colored: the Gloom Chaser. You take a hit. It delivers as advertised. Its sweet, light, and fruity countenance is enough to brighten even the darkest of outlooks. The liquor is tame, producing nothing but happy sips and smacking lips, but there's something in the corner of your eye. That sneaky black cat ... it's back again. You get a shiver down your spine as the next drink comes to your table. It's the Widow's Kiss. This one is smooth and slick with deadly high-proof intent. The syrupy taste is apple and herbs with an experienced semi-burn; it could put you down. You drink in wonder admiring the powerful concoction. It's quite friendly, just before it pounces. Outside there's a windy cold front starting to move in, as predicted. Clouds start to block the starlight. All Hallows' Eve is just around the corner.
Bartender Dan
October 19, 2018 (Top of Page) 
A killing frost stopped in for a couple of nights and the local gardens paid the price, but each day since has been a stunner. The town is in a wonderful bout of Indian summer. The walk to the bar is a gay old affair, light jacket weather and pleasant banter, sights and sounds. The sun's going down and the cocktail starter waiting inside is the Hope's Farm Special. It tastes like a fresh fruit harvest. The first sip will raise your eyebrows, it's that good. The rums blend into the Falernum with all its specialty flavors while a tart lemon juicing livens the delivery. New Orleans bitters take it up to another level and there's nothing but super-tasty booze inside that drinking vessel. What a harvest of flavor! Another winner is waiting on deck, soft and sweet, the Johnnie Mack. They stir it up and the expected anise heat isn't a factor as everything works together beautifully. It's a wonderful surprise, really, and plays like a fall classic. With a solid smooth texture, berries, orange, and gin, what's not to like? It's all alcohol and swings for the fences, but it's nothing you can't handle if you're a cocktail pro. Take a seat and help celebrate this Indian summer. It won't be lasting long.
Bartender Dan
October 12, 2018 (Top of Page)
The urbane customer sits down anticipating a special night. The scene is cool in the bar's low light with drinkers smiling and gesturing good conversation; the room's volume is just right. No need to start heavy, so the Attaboy plays as a fine opener. It's a lively champ, fresh and juniper sharp. There's a bit of sweetness under the lemon twist mist, making the little 5-to-1 dry martini taste fantastic. There's something special about a fine gin cocktail; it sets the tone. When it's time to move on, the customer asks if there's any way the bartender can zip back to Monday. With a wink and a knowing nod, the Columbus Cocktail wows. It has a deep and fruity solid delivery without any heft. Eyes closed, it tastes a bit cherry. The apricot and lime play with the golden rum and have lots of fun to the benefit of its lucky imbiber's taste buds. A fine cocktail is all it takes to make a night great. It's like hitting the jackpot on a double-coin spin, but subdued. The barkeep sees that the urbane customer can keep things cool. The night plays out, polished cocktails and good times. This customer will be back, the smile on the way out said that.
Bartender Dan
October 5, 2018 (Top of Page)
There's nothing left of the sun but a dying glint. Yellow leaves are drying on the concrete sidewalk, scraping on the surface with each gust of wind. Boozers casually enter the bar. Frank is singing his "Only The Lonely" repertoire. The first cocktail of the night is the Canadian Daisy. It's shaken with ice before being poured into a highball glass, topped up with soda water, and then capped with a brandy float. A hearty handful of fresh raspberries garnish the top and then you're off on a pretty tasty ride. The raspberry flavor is prominent over a smooth whisky bump with a bit of sharpness coming from the bubbles and lemon juice they slipped in. The berries come from the bar's local harvest, probably the last one of the year. Adieu! As the music continues to play, the Lafayette prolongs everyone's stay. It's a revolutionary American whisky and French wine collaboration, vigorously shaken. Egg white foams the friendship over ice, but the bourbon is the boss, though each wine provides fruity accompaniment that's amply proud. The cocktail works and then some, leaving the boozers enjoying it a little numb. Frank's song selection notwithstanding, it's not lonely in here at all. Actually, the joint is cookin' with gas.
Bartender Dan
September 28, 2018 (Top of Page) 
The sun arcs lower and lower in the sky. Each day it slowly waves goodbye as it sinks slightly more south of the Earth's belt line. Fall is here, so that means the neon sign comes on earlier. It signals near and far that this here bar is open and it welcomes you, flickering. Inside, the Cadillac Margaritas are flowing. They're made with all the good stuff: super-prime tequila, fine orange and cognac French liqueur, and fresh lime juice. Its salted glass rim temporarily prevents your swim into the shaken margarita luxury. The tequila is warm and smooth while the orange and lime give it the classic shine. Man, it sure tastes good! They're serving the Florida Daiquiri for a follow-up to round out the southward festivities. A nicely honed citrus juice combination steadies its superior rum and a slippery maraschino kicker gives it a lot of sweetened character. They shake it hard, so at the start it has tiny bubbles snapping with flavor. The cocktails they're serving tonight travel more of a southerly course and since you're stuck up here little farther north, a menu like that should feel pretty darned good. Come on in, my friend.
Bartender Dan
September 21, 2018 (Top of Page)
You've been waiting a long time, you may have to wait some more, but everyone feels like a champ when they walk through that bar door. Hoist your cocktails like trophy cups. Your friends can hold theirs up, too. You're all winners if you've got world class cocktails in hand. The Kirsch Rickey is a smart one to kick off your bar home stand. It's the definition of clean and lean. They put the kirsch and lime juice into the bottom of a highball glass and stir before adding ice, then finish off with a club soda top-up followed by another quick swirl. It's a dry cherry-lime quencher that lightens and refreshes, garnished with a stirrer stick so you can feel like you're keeping up the mix. Toast it all around! End your twin bill with a rich Shine Along The Shore. The British navy rum is just dark enough to sidle up to the almondy amaretto as an equal, adding vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar highlights without turning it overly sweet. The red vermouth adds more depth and pushes things towards the complex along with the wide orange twist; it expresses a beautiful fine mist over the top just before serving. This one is like a shiny reward for a job well done. Revel in the glory, champ, you've earned it.
Bartender Dan
September 14, 2018 (Top of Page)
Uh-oh, a few trees are sporting a couple of colored leaves. The sun's shining, but there's a chilly breeze. What happened to the hot summer? The only way you can fight the bummer is to duck into the nearest bar and order an Apple Brandy Cooler. Pretend you've got sweat beaded on your forehead as they shake it with ice and pour it all into a tall chimney glass. A dark rum float posts a pretty potent barrier and its lime slice says "summer" all the way. Fight through the float and you're comfortably into a column of buttery sweet apple-juicy brandy goodness. The drink is a big banger that'll leave you plastered and it lasts a long time to bolster the fine fellowship with your jocular friends. As the sun goes down, too early these days, switch over to the Nineteen. It launches kind of light and somewhat cherry sweet, but grows up quickly by delivering a minor Pernod and gin sucker punch. The cocktail flows freely to keep you coming back for more, but all its liquor makes for a serious drink. It's a good bet you'll have a woozy head by the time your bar stop is over. The cold evening air will wake you up. Gee, what happened to summer?
Bartender Dan
September 7, 2018 (Top of Page)
Indoor it's darkened and busy, outside a calm starry sky. The trumpet's blare is controlled and almost subdued; no need for blasts of volume when an expert feel will do. They'll be playing jazz 'til around midnight. The glasses clink as the drinks are served. The fresh Salt-And-Pepper Martini is about the most friendly opening cocktail greeting there could be. A salty rim entry gives in to sweetened grapefruit sections honed with lemon. Bitters play out the exit, grinding like mild pepper. In the middle the gin is level and light, balanced to perfection with the freshly squeezed enhancers. It's a beautiful smash. As dulcet vocal notes dance in the room, the glass empties and a new round comes to grace the table. The Island Rose is thick and silky and an absolutely cold and creamy delight. Its agave, coffee, and black raspberry work together like family. An edible rose petal floats on the richness and pleases the nose with its sweet flowery scent, enhanced by a berry liqueur waft. The ample cream is hip and heavy, providing a solid, satisfying base. You sit back and enjoy the late night scene as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong perform an impressive duet. It's jazz 'round midnight.
Bartender Dan
August 31, 2018 (Top of Page)
If all of your efforts worked out, that sure would be nice, but the fruits of your labor aren't always picked ripe. There's always more work to be done and that's the constant burden: day after day, a little more working. Mark a spot out on the milestone chart reserved for drinking, because you deserve a break from the grueling grind. Pencil in an Arawak Cup, a seafaring gem of dark rum and fruit. It's an Atlantic coastal Guyanese treat sweetened just right using syrups and natural juice. You're going to forget your work and become a beach bum drinking this one. It's smooth and frothy and relaxing with a soft liquor smile. A second serving just might be a sure thing. If you follow up with the Nut Case, you may end up doubting yourself. It's pretty okay, but there's not much panache. Hazelnut and almond, both thick and sweet, almost take over off the greet, but its lime flavor rescues the drink from too much nuttiness. The light rum brings a much needed dryness, but barely tames the syrupy tendency. The drink flows cleanly as the ice thins things out. The author of the recipe needed to do a little more work to get it right and maybe substitute in fresh juice instead. That's the way it goes, though: work, work, work.
Bartender Dan
August 24, 2018 (Top of Page) 
If you can get things squared away, it can really make your day. With nothing to worry about, you can go out with friends and celebrate the day's end. Good fellowship and good buddies: that's a winning combination. All you'll need to know is what drink should start the show, but the bar's got something special waiting for you already, the Americano. The liquor goes into a highball glass three quarters full of ice. A good stir makes everything blur to melt some of the ice, then it's topped up with club soda. A beautiful orange slice goes in and then you're off in tasty-land. It's layered bubbly, light on the top, but as you work your way down the flavor mounts. It has a clean bitter taste with a hearty red vermouth weight. The slice of orange steeps and easily meets its juicy expectations. Bravo! The next cocktail cued up to go is the Dandy. It's solid and complex with a grainy citrus bent. Its crisp rye comes through like a champ, but the two tart twists on top deposit an aromatic layer that steers you towards the Dubonnet and Cointreau. The bitters accentuate a mild whiskey burn on the finish and it's strong, but there's nothing wrong with that. What can go wrong? You've got everything nailed down.
Bartender Dan
August 10, 2018 (Top of Page)
When you tee something off, you hope it goes well. A nice long drive into the parking lot of the bar is a good first stroke. Now you're pretty close to the watering hole. A small stroll gets you inside the bar's door and then you can putt on over and sink into a seat. The Morning Call might be your first drink and it's a doozy. The scary Green Fairy is in there, but it's not as harsh as you might think. The maraschino mellows out the anise of the absinthe and the lemon juice gives the mix a fresh snap. There's enough flavor friendliness to get you to the bottom without a problem, but your eyes might bulge out a bit. It's a big hitter, that's for sure. A switch to the Horse's Neck could make a nice turn for your drinking's back nine. It's built in a collins glass: lemon spiral first, then ice and all the rest, followed by a good stir. It's an ice cold bubbly ginger cooler that sports a sturdy bitter-whisky punch. Ride tall in the mental saddle of your golf cart with this drink; it's a liquor hole in one. Those cocktails should make for a successful round of drinking, shooting par for your well-kept course.
Bartender Dan
P.S. We're taking a week off to upgrade the bar's electronics. See you soon!
August 3, 2018 (Top of Page)
Seeking relief from a week that was a blur, they mount the bar stools and spin their towards-the-bar turns. It's drinkin' time, finally. The bartender starts muddling mint sprigs and sugar in a dose of sparkling water in each glass. The fresh scent wafts the cool promise of refreshment. Ice goes in followed by gin and then a solid stir. The bartender expresses a lemon twist over each serving and after dropping the last one in, announces the Gin Smash. It's ice cold and watery like an oasis dream. The mint is vaporously fresh and the gin clean and clear as a signal bell. The cocktail is very strong, but equally satisfying. A second round would drop your forehead flat onto the bar and you'd be wondering where you are; that's the power rating. For this drinking stint, the bartender decides to stick with mint and prepares the Mojito next. It's the classic, not some trendy hotel version. The rum is substantial and the mint plays its match being lightly bruised in the shaker with sugar and juice before the liquor and ice go in. After a determined shake, what strains out is pleasing pure smiling enjoyment. It packs a punch like the first cocktail, but it sure is beautiful, and the Angostura spices it up nicely. That's how you spell relief.
Bartender Dan
July 27, 2018 (Top of Page)
Day after day, clear skies, sun beating down, temperatures rising hourly until it's scorching hot. Summer is here and it's camping out. At least the cocktail hot spot you're heading to has air conditioning. Check the drink menu, but you don't have to go casting about, just go ahead and order the Old Trout. There's nothing like a tall cool one to soothe a sizzling day. Campari and fresh juice are shaken and then strained into a highball glass half-filled with ice. After it's topped up with club soda, gently stirred and garnished, you've got a heck of a refreshing cooler. It wants to taste sweet off the freshly squeezed navel orange juice, but the Campari bitterness presents the offset and then it's all about a dry refreshment. It's bitter orange with light bubbles, satisfying and good for the digestion. Olive tapenade on top of water crackers sidles up just fine on the side. What a catch! Try ordering the Babbie's Special Cocktail for your closer. It's shaken until things get foamy and then when it's poured out, it'll be the only drink you'll ever want. It's an extra-tasty, cold and creamy apricot delight. Everything about it is right on target and that splash of gin must be doing something miraculous. Hey, even the hottest days can be cooled down.
Bartender Dan
July 20, 2018 (Top of Page)
For seasoned boozers out for excitement, something is clear: you aren't going to find any of that by drinking lite beer. You've got to go for the gusto and find a joint with a bartender that'll take some chances. Belly up and order a Creole when you get there. Much of the recipe is left to taste, and depending on the barkeep, you could possibly burn down the place. They shake rum, lemon juice, ice, and Tabasco together and strain it over rocks in an old-fashioned glass. After that, it's topped up with cold beef bouillon and even more spice to wrap it up tight. What you get is a spicy and icy cold beef-sweet bold rum rumble and thud. Drink up and you'll be speaking pidginized French in no time after the recoil. Hopefully you'll be served a solid appetizer on the side. A good way to erase the pain is by following up with a Maragato. This excellent cocktail is a fruity wow flared with a flamed orange peel. A myriad of flavors present themselves, but none take over; it's a great mix with a fine balance. The alcohol hides in the background, letting its orange, lime, and maraschino notes tease the taste buds. There's a lot going on and you'll be mighty sad when it's gone. A bold one, then soft and smooth. That should be an exciting night!
Bartender Dan
July 13, 2018 (Top of Page)
They come inside to beat the heat, it's the best thing to do. You can belly up and order something friggin' sweet, like the Tuscan Mule. A highball is filled three quarters full of ice and goes instantly cool. Italian liquor and chilled ginger ale sift through the rocks, a lemon wedge is squeezed over the top, and then it's stirred. They drop the wedge in and the drinking begins. The vanilla citrus of the Tuaca meets up with bubbly ginger to become one refreshing super sensation. The flavors mingle and hop, cold and a little spicy-sweet, making a nice glass of relaxation for a hot day. If you can't request Stan Getz playing Jobim, tune in some Yacht Rock Radio and enjoy the sailing winds. Grab a Dutch Charlie's to drop anchor for the night. It's a deep ruddy harvest-tasting wine and whiskey mix. It sports a foamy rye top layer after a vigorous rocky tumble in the shaker. The tiny bubbles pop and go right into your nostril flare for a tingly enhancer. Its potent punch is more reminiscent of fall than summer, but you need to embrace the reminder that cold weather is coming and it's going to be a bummer. In the meantime, drink until the sun goes down and enjoy the fact that you survived another hot one. Ah, good times!
Bartender Dan
June 29, 2018 (Top of Page)
On hot summer vacations, besides worrying about sunburn, as you're out on the road sometimes you'll make a wrong turn. It's all part of the adventure and a mistake just might be all right, especially since it landed you here tonight. Our black raspberry harvest is in full swing, so try a Coco Berry for a tasty drink. We muddle some berries in a mixing glass with Chambord first, then add light rum, chocolate liqueur, ice, and stir. The chilled mix is fine-strained into the cocktail glass to keep any seeds out. What you get is rich raspberry running with rum, so be careful, it can gun; its cocoa flavor is as subtle as can be. Since the Fourth of July is coming soon, we're also serving the Stars And Stripes. It's supposed to be layered in patriotic recipe order, but the last two layers just won't cooperate. Instead of a red, white, and beautiful blue separation, you get red topped with a messy blue-white. Whoever created this recipe must've been living in a dream. We layer it up red, blue, and white so the presentation is tight. It runs light to heavy with the bottom being an intense cherry. Enjoy, and have a great trip!
Bartender Dan
P.S. We're closed next week for some time off. Have a Happy Fourth of July!
June 22, 2018 (Top of Page)
Life is like a seafaring journey. You navigate storms in search of calm and if you can find your home port before you wreck your boat, you can claim you knew what you were doing all along. Then you could be sitting on rattan, drinking a Bahía Breeze, looking out on the bay at ease. It's a cooling highball made for enjoying the outdoor beauty you find on an early summer's day. A clear tequila scent comes through its pineapple juice honed with sharpened cranberry. Wedges of lime suspend just fine and you can squeeze one to add a pleasant uplift. It all gets built in the glass, so it comes at you fast from the bar. Sip it away as you gaze out on a beautiful day. If it's not too much, try the Cherry Crush to round out your relaxation. They muddle four sweet cherries with lemon juice and maraschino liqueur in the mixing tin first, then add gin and ice. A strong shake and double strain later and you've got a chilled cocktail glass of tasty wonderfulness, garnished with another pitted cherry. The drink is sweet with a boozy beat. It's got a kick that'll catch up with you in a bit, but the cherry frontage is friendly. Everything lightly floats, just like your boat. Sail on, my friend, and we'll see you again at the end of your journey.
Bartender Dan
June 15, 2018 (Top of Page)
Sit yourself down for your weekly round. We welcome the anticipation that's on your face, because this place can deliver, and we're glad you're here. Tonight we'll start with the Scorpion, a tiki cocktail. These drinks are usually labor intensive and ingredient rich. This one requires pineapple and cherries. We've got fresh Royal Ann cherries picked from the bar's tree. One cherry is muddled with one pineapple wedge in the mixing tin; the same duo is speared as garnish for the show. Next, all the juices, syrups, and essential liquors go in, along with ice, and shaken until just right. It's strained into a double rocks glass filled with ice and garnished with the fruit along with a stirrer straw. Tasty doesn't begin to describe the result; this drink is absolutely delicious. It's a perfect softly sweet something that tastes fantastic. Enjoy! Our bing cherry tree in the back courtyard can enhance your next drink: it's the Bourbon Stone Sour. The potency of its whisky melts into the sweetened juices and plays like liquid music. It's another soft and sweet beauty. The slice of mandarin orange and pitted local cherry are fresh treats ready to eat. It'll be no mystery why the drinks are so good tonight. That's the only way we know how to make'em.
Bartender Dan
June 8, 2018 (Top of Page)
The bar's lights are like a beacon in the night, pulling in the clientele from near and far. All's well inside and good times are justified for those looking to enjoy life. Your table's waiting and Frank Sinatra is playing. All you need is a tasty cocktail on the side. How about a Rosy Martini? It's light and kind of bright with a citrusy burn. Grand red wine tastily complicates an excellent orange appeal, it's the cat's meow. Its potent twist provides an enhancer that answers in the affirmative that your choice makes a fine opener. You are going to be glad you're here, so sit back and relax. Move on to the Vendome when the night matures. It has a smooth gin and Dubonnet groove dried by white vermouth that doesn't fall apart or burn. The stirred mix hangs together forever on the tongue; the components really like each other. A lemon twist sprays the top to hop things up and you're on your way. Hang back and savor life's pleasures for a good while longer. When it comes time to leave, it'll be with a smile.
Bartender Dan
June 1, 2018 (Top of Page)
Whiskey night at the drinkin' site, all right! When the brown stuff is on the menu, there's usually something hearty served on the side by the venue too. A Whiskey Cocktail rightly formed in the shaker to kick things off. It was some really smooth blended whiskey, sweetened and sharpened a bit, but airy from a prolonged tumble with the ice. Creating just enough water can make your drink a wonder and this was no exception. The snack on the side was up to the task: a spike of Irish Dubliner cheese paired with peperoncini, wrapped in a salami slice, warmed and good to go. More, please! After the classy opener, they got out the collins glasses and went for volume. The Trolley Cooler didn't shake, but was built in the glass over ice and stirred. Bourbon was the star whiskey and tastily paired with equal portions of cranberry and grapefruit juice. The juices were somewhat bitter, though naturally sweet, and the bourbon fuel was right at home. Big and tall, ice cold, juicy and bold. You could take a solid slug and be assured there was plenty more. It was a refreshing ride, a fruity glass of aged boozy goodness. Six ounces of brown in two cocktails on whiskey night? That's enough to turn out the lights.
Bartender Dan
May 25, 2018 (Top of Page)
The sun, it bakes, and the clouds dissipate. There's nothing left but blue sky and a cool, calm wind because the temperature's not too high. What a wonderful day! Inside, they're mixing you up a South Beach. It comes at you softly sweet tasting and cloud-like with a slight distal bitterness. Freshly squeezed navel orange juice rolls with almondy amaretto to form an easy cocktail that'll suit just about anyone's taste buds. An orange peel was spritzed through flame over its top to brighten the finalization of the pleasing presentation. There's not much to do but kick back and relax. Feel the breeze? If you order something to eat, try accompanying it with the San Salvador. It's wonderful and substantial with ample buttery rum and fruit girth, shaken and strained into a double old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Slices of fruit steep in its flavorful depths while you thoroughly enjoy the sturdy refresher. Cocktails done your way: what could be better on a sunshiny day? Enjoy it, good buddy.
Bartender Dan
May 18, 2018 (Top of Page)
Booze in their bottles only hint at what's possible when you're staring across the bar wondering what's in store. When your bartender grabs only two bottles, it's a natural to think there's got to be more, right? The curiosity builds as the spare ingredients pour into a mixing glass full of ice, ready for a steady stir. What pours out is the Little Princess, fresh and simple. It's the 2-to-1 light rum to sweet vermouth ethereal surprise, chilled and tasting cherry-like as it dances on your tongue. Its light touch gets you feeling young and mature at the same time. Boy, what a surprise! Your next drink also takes two bottles while adding some juice. This time you can get a good idea about what's coming flavorwise. Your barkeep churns the shaker to a frost and pours the Absolutely Bananas with goodly foam. It tastes like a liquid banana cream pie topped with an airy pineapple meringue. You could stay in your seat drinking this friendly treat all night long. It goes down smooth and easy.
Don't doubt your bartender, the cocktails are going to be good.
Bartender Dan
May 11, 2018 (Top of Page)
Smiling satisfaction. That's what happens when you're where you want to be. In this case, firmly established in your seat, waiting for a world-class cocktail to christen the end of the week. Things are flying high and there's no roll of the dice at this bar. Your Solera Club is suitable for toasting; it's a raiser for certain. As a taster, it has a beautiful flavor that's light as a feather. A spectacular orange introduction results from its top barrier, courtesy of an ample twist. Inside there's a mildly bitter conglomeration of fruits and spicy herbs flowing as cool and refreshing as ice water on a hot summer day. This is an excellent cocktail. Each taste is like reaching the inner glory of a liquor truffle, sans the heavy shell. Stirred fineness. Your Supersonic dons a little more heft. Its weighty green French liqueur's herbal sweetness is bolstered by some extra sugar syrup. Fresh lime juice lightens the load and naturally swims with the dry gin. It tastes great after a really hard shake, and a split lemon twist imparts some slender class. They say the drink is named after an old pro basketball team. Those guys must've screamed, because it really flows and goes down fast. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Bartender Dan
May 4, 2018 (Top of Page)
One thing's for sure: the mundane life is going to disappoint. That's probably why they invented the drinking joint. With the trials and tribulations of your nitty-gritty situations, it's nice to be able to escape the utter nonsense for a little while. Belly up, friend, and try ordering a Yodel. There's absolutely nothing as per usual about this weird concoction. It must be the treatment for yodeling too much. The taste is minty, giving off a mild cough drop feel, like a Sucrets or some other throat lozenge. It's a strange cocktail from a strange land, but it still satisfies once you land those first few sips. They build it in the glass over ice and then top it up with bubble water. Yodel-lay-hee-hoo! A second try at something unusual would be the Sloe Vermouth. It's berry sweet dry vermouth that'll step the intoxicants down a notch. The taste is like Hi-C or Hawaiian Punch, translucent, light and lively, an easy goer with a friendly feel. It's berry good with a playful lemon burst. Do you have a thirsty desire for something outside of the normal grind? Then here are a couple of cocktails to keep in mind. Enjoy!
Bartender Dan
April 27, 2018 (Top of Page)
Tonight the bar was filled to the max. The usual boozers are always back, but then even more piled in to take up the slack. The room was standing room only in no time. The place was buzzing, so the shaker got humming and turned out a frosty round of the Deshler Cocktail for everyone. The tasty drink was bright and sharp rich rye infused with an orchard of flavors. It was quite light and refreshing, though still sturdy, with a bit of a bite. The orange peel signed the Cointreau and all of it added up to a fancy show. What a combination. The crowd couldn't have been happier with the bubbly result. The next cocktail to ease the pain was the Lemon Meringue. They got the name right as you couldn't deny this was a liquid piece of pie. It was lemony, but not too tart, and its chocolate portion mellowed the potion so it flowed softly and smoothly. There was nothing not to like except the upcoming end of the night. Every party has to end sometime, but they all took home the memory of a really good time.
To your health, pal!
Bartender Dan
April 20, 2018 (Top of Page)
You knocked off work and put the week to bed. After a dinner out, it's time to drift downtown and enjoy the night with a couple of cocktails instead of going home. You don't have to roam far to find your favorite bar and the super tasty Judgette Cocktail. A peach whiff precedes your sip; high quality brandy is the key to making this one shine. It's a drink that's not too friendly and not too mean, being mildly sweet with a pleasant touch of gin heat. The vermouth dries it out perfectly and the lime adds a light tartness. It doesn't take more than one taste to judge this cocktail a winner. Your second drink isn't shaken, but built in a highball glass almost filled with ice. A good slug of light rum and pleasing pineapple juice are stirred together, then a slim float of blackberry brandy tops the show. It's naturally sweet, but the light rum adds friction to every swallow as a warning. The brandy float sits itself down and moves around in the mix like a fruity phantom. They call it the Chi-Chi and it easily keeps you busy, but nearly leaves you in a coma. That's what heading home is for: to sleep it off. Hey-hey, what a way to go!
Bartender Dan
April 13, 2018 (Top of Page)
The door opens with ease and life's a breeze when you mingle into a friendly crowd. You're rubbing shoulders while acquaintances speak over their current pals, "Hey, how's it goin'?" A bar stool is open. The bartender knows you're up for the special. The Golden Gleam is in hand soon after you've settled in and that's why you frequent this place. Your cocktail is packed with flavor: vanilla from the fancy brandy, sturdy orange from the grand liqueur, freshly squeezed mandarin orange juice, a nice touch, and lemon too. It's good booze with a dense, tasty delivery. You got more than your money's worth from this one and tip the bartender a goodly sum. A couple of friends are at the other end of the bar, so you nod them over. The night's getting on and you want to treat them to something special, a little layered cocktail called the Brandy Champarelle. You can't see the layers that much, but they're there and drain out with a tasty flair. The cognac on top provides a high class introduction with a quality burn, the yellow middle evens out with sweet herbals, and the
bottom layer flows warm and orange. When it's time to go, you and your chums head for the door. It's not easy exiting a happening joint like this.
Bartender Dan
April 6, 2018 (Top of Page)
Two weeks off and they're busting through the door. All that deprivation just made them want to drink more. It's like hitting the links and not playing the 19th hole. They were looking for a rock solid hit, so the bartender gave them a good whack with the Scotch Mist. It was single malt over ice painted with a mist of lemon twist. Welcome back, boozers! There's nothing like high quality scotch spruced up a notch. They kept things in bonny old Scotland with a fine concoction, the Loch Lomond (By U. Walton), for their night's chaser. An old-time barkeep invented it and boy, was it ever a great mix. It's richly fruity and honey sweet. There's a little heat, but it's only citrus hot and not from any liquor shot. It just burst with smooth satisfying flavors, cold and fresh right out of the shaker. Everyone met in the middle and nobody could quibble, it was a darned fine cocktail. It certainly reminded them of what they'd been missing. Two weeks is a mighty long time.
See you next Friday!
Bartender Dan
March 23, 2018 (Top of Page)
There's no debate on where to go or what to do, because Friday night was made for booze. So when the week finally winds down, everyone's welcome to come on down, enjoy a round, and participate in some good fellowship too. Tonight the Molly Picon Cocktail topped the bill. They were mixing and fixing it fine for the group. It had a great orange scent right off the bat and a tastier opener could not be had. The color was dark, being rich in bitter herbals and fruit, but it was light and refreshing to consume. As you tip it and relax, all that weight of the week just falls off your back. Excellent. The Lorraine Cocktail was a real winner coming in the second spot. It's a cherry marvel that'll put a hearty kick into the backside of your drinking pantaloons. The olden monks' liqueur provided a sweetened complexity that abided with the freshly squeezed lime juice, sending the drink to the moon. Oh, wow. It was so nice and smooth and pleasurably simple, everyone wondered how could it be so good. What a way to end the week. Taking a load off with a drink or two is quite the treat.
Bartender Dan
P.S. We're off next Friday on Easter break. See you in two and don't be late.
March 16, 2018 (Top of Page)
The bar filled up quickly this St. Patrick's Day eve. Everyone was smiling and happy, like there was a pot o' gold under their seats. Nobody bucked the scene and they all went green with the Leprechaun's Delight. It was an emerald jewel that stayed light on the green liqueur, unlike many of these Irish drinks that end up sickly sweet. The cocoa was there just enough to claim its spot and the vodka provided a smooth sheen. It was a delight all right. A fancy pants green maraschino cherry would've been nice, but the red ones sub in a pinch. Stirred clear and bright, it was the perfect opener for this anticipatory night. After downing the elixir, they decided to keep things polite by ordering the Upside-Down Martini. More dry vermouth than gin kept the cocktail fruity and slightly sweet. The French vermouth really got to shine. It went down great with a nice lemon twist sparkle, clear as a bell, being adroitly stirred to prepare with a slim profile on the proof side. They didn't want potency tonight, that was for tomorrow. All went well late into the evening, a happy-go-lucky crew carousing until closing. Four-leaf clovers all around!
Bartender Dan
March 9, 2018 (Top of Page)
Get your cash and let's go down to the good times watering hole. They always hold on to your special seat and you know they serve cocktails that can't be beat. We'll get a Fancy Nancy, that'll get the ball rolling. It's a soft and lightly bitter orange juice warmer in a cool package. Its flamed orange peel garnish turns out a slightly burnt aroma as a nice additive. The liquor used trends towards smooth citrusy fruit without much of a rind. It's a happy-go-lucky and friendly drink. You're going to love that one. A good chaser would be The Dorothy. Its rum runs up front, but it's sweetened with juice, making it fun, with a bit of strong apricot. They shake it hard to make a pineapple foam that really helps to soften the blow. That one sings a strong tune, but it sure is good and sets a festive mood. Let's go! We don't want to be late, not when things are looking this great.
Bartender Dan
March 2, 2018 (Top of Page) 
Here you are, heading back into your favorite bar. It feels like home. Every Friday night you drop a little hard-earned pay and fine cocktails are coming your way. Your buddies are here too, enjoying the good times with you and it doesn't get better than that. The festivities start with the Winston Martini stirring in a mixing glass that was seasoned with a dash of Frangelico prior to the ice and other ingredients being added. It strains out clear and crisp with a medium burn. The hazelnut seasoning rings true over spicy rum and gin with a sweet citrus gift and tart twist. Your pals have one too. One takes a sip and says "Ooh!" while the other one hiccups. Oh brother, at least nobody is looking at you. The Stella's Rose goes good for the close. It's a bourbon big-time banger that's spiced up with slightly sweetened edges, stirred with ice and strained into the glass clean, cool, and nobody's fool. The twist is an orange lift to enhance the flower power. It's easy to drink, but it kicks like a mule. The bloom stays on this one until you burn it down, closing out another friends-and-fellowship night on the town. It's your favorite bar.
Bartender Dan
February 23, 2018 (Top of Page)
A sage boozer bellied up and said, "Hey, I'm bored. Can you give me something I've never seen before?" Not a problem. Soon three bottles, ice, and a shaker produced the Livornese. The boozer took a sip and thought for a bit, and then pointed at the bartender with a smile. It was super-potent, but right for the moment, prickly Campari and smooth curaçao dampening high-octane grape pomace grappa. It went down warm. The bartender informed the pronunciation was "lee-vor-neze" and that's the style of cooking from Livorno, Italy. The drink even looked like tomato sauce. The morel and leek jack cheese on crisp croccantini went well on the side. It was clear that another one of these could drop your liver to its knees, so the wise boozer asked, "What's for dessert?" It didn't take long for the Chocapple to pour. The barkeep said, "Try finding either of these on anybody's cocktail list." After the rugged opener, it was a soft and soothing surprise. The apple really came through with a creamy chocolate dip, fine and friendly, happy as can be. The sage boozer found a satisfying answer to the question, "Are you looking for something different?" Check out Ralph's Bar, jack. They've got it all, and even a few more.
Bartender Dan
February 16, 2018 (Top of Page)
High on the piano's scale are tinkling keys, played with ease, as Tony Bennett sings duets with his guests. Newly arriving customers mingle through the crowd and take their seats. They smile, tapping fingers and feet, as cocktails shake to the jazzy beat behind the bar. The Admiral comes to their table like a ship in the night and now everything's all right. It tastes crisp and lightly sharp with its lime modifier enhancing the house gin's seaside flavors, sparking the featured cherry liqueur. It's a potent and somewhat bossy cherry gin, but it's still friendly, though a little dangerous on the aftertaste. The fine cocktail easily flows down and after a swinging sax solo, it's gone. Tony sings the big note and everyone's clapping. Then from the bar, in comes the Shanghai Gin for a much anticipated refresher. It's a shaken cornucopia of flavors infused into tamed lemony gin: roots, berries, sweet hard candies and even more grandity. A better taste treat, from nose to taste buds, couldn't be asked for. The server informs the guests it's made special tonight to celebrate the Year Of The Dog. Who knew? This place is great and they feel lucky to get a table. The joint is hopping and on the way out, the maitre d' says, "Thanks for stopping by!"
Bartender Dan
February 9, 2018 (Top of Page)
The bar is dark, and that's the thing, you're relaxed, cool and calm, back in the swing. Brightness is good for the day, but inside at night they lower the lights and serve fine cocktails ... and you while away. The Picon Fizz is the first order of business, built from the bottom up in an icy highball glass. A fresh bottle of Amer Picon delivers its peak citrus lift to the bitter herbal ride, stirred briskly with sweet grenadine before a sparkling top-up. After a gentle stir, they float some brandy on for a tasty slick. The drink is subtle and refreshing and an easygoing blast of class. It's a perfect intro to start out this satisfying night on the town. The way to cap off the visit is with a warm whiskey bang, so when the time comes you'll request a Revolver. This top beauty excels in every way, a bold bourbon with just a hint of smooth coffee. A twist of orange and a couple dashes of its bitters tunes the delivery. They stir it with ice to tamp down the hot whiskey's nature, making things hit the target just right. It's a bull's-eye, like dirty bullets coming clean, liquid justice. The booze can't flow much better tonight. Sit back and relax, that's the plan.
Bartender Dan
January 26, 2018 (Top of Page)
It's the close of another grueling workweek. Any pressurized brain overload or aching body joints need to be addressed. You'll have to hit the road to find a place to unload and the nearest watering hole is a good choice for rest. Order up a New York Sour and try to forget your troubles. This drink is a winner all the way. It's bourbon soured and sweetened, all dressed up with a dry red wine float after the pour; try a cabernet. Anything overly sharp is removed and the fruity intro to the proud whiskey sour underneath is a dream. This night'll go evermore right as you sample it through the ice. The Toronto is a fine follow; it's very good. Its bitter parts are complex, but they don't shout. The whisky stands out with a warmth that's sweetly smooth and an orange twist sits at the entrance to this palace of impeccable taste. On second thought, it's great. If you're looking to unwind, these cocktails will define the drinking required to reach the desired relaxation state. With your aches and pains gone, now you'll be able to move on. Weekend, here we come.
Bartender Dan
P.S. We'll be closed next Friday for a little vacation. See you in two weeks.
January 19, 2018 (Top of Page) 
Looking for cocktail service with a smile? If you order the Hugo Special, you might be waiting a long while. The drink is nothing but toil and trouble. The grief starts with the muddle, matching orange slices with so-called pineapple rounds. A good bartender will figure it out, but a vague recipe always leaves a little doubt. After the fruit gets pulped in the mixing tin, then the booze goes in followed by ice and a considerable shake. Next it's the pour test and almost nothing strains out. A look inside the shaker reveals a mess. You need some kind of press to get that cocktail juice to separate from the slurry. If you're a boozer in a hurry, you'll just have to wait, but the cocktail tastes great. It's sweet orangey pineapple with a tinge of bitter peel and a hint of gin and vermouth danger. This Hugo character likes doing things the hard way. A Black Jack can calm your nerves after all the previous grief. It's brandied coffee with subtle cherry buried under the robustness with an expressed lemon twist imparting a bitterness. If you've got some chocolates or toffees, they'd go good between sips. It's pretty simple and that can bring out a smile. It's a lot better than breaking your back, that's for sure.
Bartender Dan
January 12, 2018 (Top of Page)
Your job is trying to get to you, but it can't get you down. That doesn't mean you won't be looking to drown things out tonight, at least temporarily, with a couple of stiff rounds. You order a Sazerac and the bartender immediately gets down to business. A sugar cube is thrown into the mixing glass and doused with New Orleans bitters, muddled around, and then in goes the rye. Off on the side there's a chilled old fashioned glass freshly rinsed with absinthe, the excess poured out. Ice is added to the mixing glass and after a prolonged brisk stir, the bittersweet whiskey is strained into the serving glass. Lemon oil tops the surface, squeezed from the signature twist hanging on the rim. It's one of the original historic cocktails and it tastes great! It's short, but if you double up, you'll be off your rocker in no time. A Spanish Town Cocktail makes for a fine second, being surprisingly smooth for a cocktail heavy in light rum. With the orange coming through like a beaut off the liqueur, this stirred wonder is cold and soothing and more than right. Sometimes simple and strong is the best thing going. Your job will be back next week, but after a couple stiff rounds, there's nothing pressing now except knock-out sleep. Excellent.
Bartender Dan
January 5, 2018 (Top of Page)
Hanging cool in a toasty bar is a sure bet with Ella Fitzgerald doing her set. The room is suave, yet still lively, and the drinks taste like they're coming off of silver platters. A Fernet Branca Cocktail greets you soon after taking your seat. It's all liquor, so stirred to mix, and a pleasure to imbibe being wonderfully complex. It flows readily thin, presenting a nest of spicy herbal flavors upon a gin base through a nose of lemon zest. An experienced cocktail sophisticate couldn't ask for much better to begin a worldly night out. After the final song, it's time to wrap, but it's cold outside. Luckily, the bar is serving up some Hot Apple Pie, so you decide to stay a while. Hot apple cider easily incorporates in a sturdy mug with the honey, vanilla, and butterscotch flavors of an Italian liqueur. Sweetened softly-whipped cream enhanced with a few drops of vanilla extract tops the show. You try the first drink and think nothing can get through the cream, but happily the hot liquid apple pie flows underneath. You can't help but joyfully smile and tap your feet. Apple slices served on the side dip fantastically in the cream. Wow! Nothing's better than putting a cold winter night to bed with a hot, gourmet piece of pie.
Bartender Dan