Here, at Cocktail Builder, we love experimenting with new ingredients and flavor profiles — both trying something completely unexpected and putting an updated spin on time-tested libations. But in 2018, we’re going back to the basics, focusing our efforts on perfecting the classic cocktails that we all think we know. Sure, they’ve been around for a long time and it can be easy to believe that you’ve mastered them. But these cocktails are classics for […]
Is there anything better than a hot drink on a cold winter night? And is there any hot drink better than a hot toddy? The classic mixture of liquor, spices, honey, and citrus imparts a cozy sense of warmth while also boasting soothing properties for winter-induced coughs and colds. While the traditional recipe calls for whiskey, honey, and lemon juice, there are endless ways to tailor a toddy to your needs. Prefer Scotch over bourbon? […]
Few drinks are more luxurious, mouthwatering, and seemingly indulgent than an egg white cocktail. The once-feared ingredient — actually totally safe to drink! — is being used by today’s generation of talented bartenders in both superb renditions of long-standing favorites and inventive new creations. After a little shake, the result is a silky foam that delivers incredible creaminess, perfectly complementing the tang of sours, the herbaceousness of bitters, or highlighting an eye-catching garnish. The original […]
Like fashion and food, the landscape of cocktails is largely predicted by popular trends. Thanks to the resurgence of tiki drinks such as the Jungle Bird, refined disco sips like the Harvey Wallbanger, and anything and everything made with mezcal, 2017 was a fun time for liquor lovers. But with a new year come new trends and new techniques. Here are three things to look out for in 2018.
Bright and tangy with that distinct crispness of the seasonal fruit, few alcoholic beverages have become more synonymous with fall and winter than hard apple cider. Not only that, but the balance of sweet and tart make the drink not only enjoyable on its own, but a versatile ingredient to include in cocktails. (Not to mention pair with some of our favorite foods of the cold weather season.)
When it comes to drinking, there’s no city in America — and perhaps the world — that does it better than New Orleans. After all, this is a town where bars can stay open 24 hours a day and it’s totally legal, at least in the French Quarter, to carry a drink as you’re walking down the street. New Orleans is also rumored to be the birthplace of America’s very first cocktail, the Sazerac. While […]
When the weather starts to cool down, as it’s certainly doing in many parts of the world right now, few things can warm you up better than a steaming mug of mulled wine. Much like a classic hot toddy, this concoction uses spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to create that toasty feeling that we want in the fall and winter. Though mulled wine isn’t nearly as popular in the United States, the drink […]
Halloween comes but once a year, so when it does we do it in style. That’s right: We’re talking about award-worthy costumes, king-size candy bars, and pumpkins carved with the skills of Edward Scissorhands. But of course, none of that is any fun if you’re sitting on the couch alone in your costume, getting sick on the aforementioned candy. This year, it’s time to step up your game by throwing a Halloween party to end […]
If planning a game day party, there are four things any good host must serve: wings (either of the Buffalo or barbecue variety), chips, dip to eat with said chips, and lots and lots of booze. To go beyond a typical party, however, try stepping up your game by swapping basic beer with football-ready cocktails. Not only will these thirst-quenching sips go perfectly with all that greasy food, but your effort and creativity are sure […]
October is upon us and you know what that means: Everyone is going crazy about pumpkins. From carved pumpkins to pumpkin pie to pumpkin spice lattes, the squash is everywhere this season — even in our beer. Early October also marks the conclusion of Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest, a multi-week event in which locals and visitors alike consume millions of liters of beer. Even if you weren’t able to attend this year’s festivities, you can still […]