Bar exam: the Aviation Cocktail

Geez, has it been THAT long since my last post? It's not like I've been going hungry for the last three weeks. Call it a little blog vacation. And as you'll see here I have most assuredly NOT been going thirsty. Especially in this season of good cheer. Hence my need to share with you your new favorite cocktail!
Knowing that you are more than likely going to be entertaining others, or at the very least be entertained, this season then it might behoove you to have a new cocktail trick up your sleeves. In this case new being more "new to you", because the Aviation Cocktail is a classic dating back to the early 20th century. Confusion about this cocktail has been brought about with the appearance on bars around the country of House Spirits' (of Portland, Or.) Aviation gin. I've seen cocktails purportedly called the Aviation around town that have nothing to do with the original classic but DO contain Aviation gin. A little creative mixology from the House Spirits boys have not done any favors to the original. So what is it about the Aviation Cocktail that should have you running to your nearest liquor store for the one ingredient you don't have (that essential piece being maraschino liqueur. You DO have gin and lemon juice, don't you??) Like so many of the classics it is the Aviation's simplicity that gives it its charm, not to mention drinkability. Gin, lemon juice, and the aforementioned maraschino liqueur. That's it. If you're a gin lover I promise this will become a regular bar staple. It is so fresh and bright, with a perfect bitter edge that makes it go down far too easily. I wouldn't use Aviation gin in this one because it's intense herbal flavors would overpower the perfect balance that a gin like Tanqueray (my choice for this drink) or Plymouth give this little bit of cocktail history.
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Aviation Cocktail
makes 1 cocktail

ingredients:
ice
1 1/2 ounces dry gin
3/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Twist of lemon for garnish

method:
Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add next three ingredients and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into cocktail glass, garnish with lemon, and relive cocktail history.

NOTE: I found that straining the lemon juice after squeezing to get rid of as much pulp as possible is essential to an attractive beverage. You can see from the photo a few bits of lemon still floating in the glass.- bb

Let the (House) Spirits move you!

As in the latest craft distillated liquid lusciousness from those merry mixologists at Portland's own House Spirits (I guess I could've added yet one more reason to yesterday's post about why it is so amazing to live here). Having conquered bars across the country with their herbal Aviation Gin and smoothly satisfying Medoyeff Vodka, owners and honchos of happiness Christian Krogstad and Lee Medoff have just released their latest, an incredibly delicious Oregon Ouzo. If what you remember (or don't remember according to your blackout potential) about ouzo are some horrendous experiences with some astringent cheap swill from Greece (and believe me the stuff you drink in Greece is nothing like what gets foisted on American palates), then get ready to have your paradign shifted with perhaps your next favorite after-dinner tipple. I just tried it yesterday when my pal Kevin brought over to the wine shack a bottle he had given to him. First off I LOVED its apothecary look, just what I would want prescribed to me to cure what ills me. Even the governement warning on the label seems to add to its medicinal cred. We each had a little taste to toast the end of our respective days serving the public, and I was immediately smitten. Yes it has the requisite anise aroma and flavor which you either love or hate, but it isn't overpowering, and it also has a rich, slightly honeyed flavor and that star anise in the background that adds to the complexity. For around $20, this is the real deal, and will add to the healthy appearance of your home bar!
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one year ago today @ E.D.T.: Ca Ri Ga....trust me, you want this!!