Dry January may still be going strong, but those who like stronger drinks have a range of seasonal options. Here are a few to try.
The Buzz
Created by Director of Beverage John Stanton for Hotel Per La's rooftop Bar Clara
1.25 oz Milagro Reposado tequila
1.25 oz Mr. Black
½ oz Giffard Dark Crème de Cacao
¾ oz heavy cream
Fill a shaker with ice. Add Milagro Reposado tequila, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, and a touch of crème de cacao. Add cream to the shaker. Shake well until thoroughly mixed and chilled. Strain the mixture over crushed ice into an acrylic rocks glass. Garnish with a light dusting of cocoa powder on top.
Monarch Street Old Fashioned
Created by Sean Kenyon for Limelight Hotels Lounge at two of their properties: Limelight Aspen and Limelight Snowmass
2 oz Woody Creek Distillers Bourbon
½ oz Mountain Chai syrup**
Stir in glass and serve with a large cube in a double Old Fashioned glass with an orange peel.
**To make the Mountain Chai syrup:
8 oz (by volume) strong brewed Two Leaves Mountain Chai Tea (1 bag to 4 oz water)
8 oz (by volume) cane sugar
Pour sugar into the hot tea to dissolve, creating about 12 oz of syrup. Allow to cool and bottle.
Ruth Ellis Martini
Created by Petr Balcarovsky, lead bartender of The Apparatus Room, Detroit Foundation Hotel
This lychee martini is similar to a lemon drop, but less sweet and acidic and more crisp and refreshing.
1.5 oz Thatcher’s Vodka
1 lime
.5 oz Giffard Lichi
.5 oz Agave
Shake and strain. Garnish with zested lime and served chilled in a martini glass.
Ruth Ellis was an African American Detroit woman known for being an LBGTQ+ activist and the oldest surviving open lesbian at the age of 101, when she died in October 2000. Her home in the community was referred to as the “gay spot” and served as the central location for gay and lesbian parties, as well as a refuge for African American gays and lesbians.
With thanks to Louise O'Brien for the recipes.