Around America Series

Drink: Tantris Sidecar
Establishment: Pegu Club
Location: New York, New York
First Connoisseur: Holly (someday)

1 1/4 ounces Courvoisier VS Cognac
1/2 ounce calvados
1/2 ounce Cointreau
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1/4 ounce pineapple juice
1/2 ounce Green Chartreuse

Half rim a cocktail glass with sugar. Combine all ingredients and shake. Carefully pour and enjoy this expensive version of a classic.

Catdaddy Express

One of our new liquors for Winterfest XVIII was Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine - a North Carolinian oddball that will surprise those of you who have actually had moonshine (Tubstud, go to hell). I would liken Catdaddy to Seagram's 7 if you stirred in Krispy Kreme cream filling into it. In other words, this Catdaddy is a moonshine that can cozy up to the ladies. Along those lines, we made use of our new moonshine to craft an espresso drink with an added chocolate verve.

Catdaddy Express
1 part Kahlua
1 part Espresso
1 part Catdaddy Moonshine
Dash of chocolate syrup

Shake on ice. Pour into a chocolate syrup drizzled glass. Enjoy.

Razor's Edge

Another of Holly's Originals

A 750 ml bottle of Gailliano will last you damn near your lifetime. I enjoy a Harvey Wallbanger as much as the next guy, but other than that Galliano kinda just sits around. So, I had this portion of Applejack to kill and I though hmmmm... Galliano! With a bit of acid, it just might work. And it did, but you have to be careful. The wrong mix here and you have a sugary concoction that will be tough to get through - thus the reason we call it the "Razor's Edge."

Razor's Edge
1 1/2 ounces Applejack
1 ounce Triple Sec
1/2 ounce Galliano
2 ounces pineapple juice

Shake all on ice; don't kill it, it is in perfect proportion. Garnish with a cherry and don't forget the pineapple foam...

Around America Series

Drink: Aviation
Establishment: CUT at The Palazzo
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
First Connoisseur: Stiff

2 1/2 ounces of Hendrick's gin
3/4 ounces of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
3 dashes of Luxardo maraschino
2 dashes of Parfait Amour

The classic recipe uses Crème Yvette, but the CUT does not, so enjoy this drink shaken and cold. Perfect for gin lovers. Compare the expensive version with version from the 30 Essentials. This one is better in every way.