Author: Monkeybrad (Page 46 of 57)

Vieux Carre

June 14, 2020 / Monkeybrad / 1 Comment

I’ve been thinking about New Orleans lately, a lot. I’m not sure if I am missing it or if it is missing me, but there is something in the air. Who am I kidding? I am missing everywhere. I’ve been having dreams about dinners in truck stops in Oklahoma and driving across Kansas. Both noble activities, but hardly exciting, well except during tornado weather. Where was I, oh, dreaming about cafe au lait and beignets, green ones and yellow ones and wondering if the room is spinning or if it’s just me in the bar at the Hotel Montelone. Yeah, I know what it means to miss New Orleans. So, join me as we stand and make a Crescent City classic, the Vieux Carre.

Bacon Old-Fashioned

June 13, 2020 / Monkeybrad / 8 Comments

Today’s drink comes to us courtesy of the Chapel Hill Farmer’s Market. The whole family, even the pupper, popped down to the park this morning to see what was on offer. We purchased handmade soaps and baked goods, some fresh mushrooms and veggies, plus some big beautiful Cherokee Purple tomatoes, and a new neckerchief for Fiona. So, brunch was bacon and tomato sandwiches on fresh sourdough bread. A little mayo, pinch of salt, cracked black pepper, as one does. That inspired me to go ahead and make one I’ve had waiting for a bit, so join me as we stand and make, the Bacon Old-Fashioned.

The Scofflaw

June 12, 2020 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

We went into the world today. Not that we haven’t been going out for groceries and necessities, but we’ve done our best to limit trips into Nashville and Franklin. Trying to buy hyper local as best we can, supporting small business, you know, the usual. Today, I had to go in for some medical stuff, welcome to middle age, and Laura accompanied me. We resupplied our rum stock, made a grocery run and even popped into one of those big home improvement stores to pick up some stuff to fix grandmas ceiling fan. I’d like to say how impressed I was with the responsible way the public behaved, respecting each other’s space, following the one way arrows, wearing masks, covering their mouths when they coughed. I’d like to say that. Hell, I guess I could, I’ve been known to spin a tall tale or two. Instead, I guess we will just make a drink, so join me as we stand and make the classic, and much anticipated, Scofflaw.

Give Me a Dime

June 11, 2020 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

We’re gonna do something a little different for Sally’s birthday. A cream based dessert drink. Is it because she’s sweet and creamy and goes well in stemware? No, though those things may well be true. It’s simply for the name, so join me as we stand and make the oddly appellated, Give Me a Dime.

Long Island Iced Tea

June 10, 2020 / Monkeybrad / 1 Comment

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” Well, mostly. My early forays into drinking were far from sophisticated. There are some drinks from those days that I have not revisited, many with good reason, but maybe it is time, being National Iced Tea Day, and all. I guess it is only fitting that we make a Long Island Iced Tea.

Jet Pilot

June 9, 2020 / Monkeybrad / 2 Comments

To paraphrase Prince, “I was buzzing when I wrote this, forgive me if I go astray.” Tonight we made one hell of a drink, twice or thrice, I forget. I love this cocktail, always have. It is way overproof, one of those good “bang for your buck” drinks. It’s a tiki drink, so yay, and there is fire…I love fire. Plus, we had the perfect receptacle, courtesy of my grandma. I’ll tell you all about it below, but first let’s get the tag line out of the way as we stand and drink, the Jet Pilot.

Army & Navy

June 8, 2020 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

If you are into cocktails and you are not following @bitterbotwin on Instagram you are missing out on some phenomenal stuff. I hate to copycat, but his knowledge of drinks and presentation just makes you want to try them and sometimes, I do. So, in a blatant rip-off, I mean homage to what Joe is doing, I present the Army & Navy.

Navy Grog

June 7, 2020 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

In case you thought I was doing all this alone, I am not. Like most things, ok everything, I have ever done in my life, these daily cocktail posts are only possible because I have an incredible amount of help and support. Sometimes, it is Liam offering to shake the tins for me, sometimes it is Laura picking up alcohol or making syrups and suggestions. Other times it is my mom or grandma loaning glassware, my brother or dad offering “constructive” criticism, or you, gentle readers, suggesting cocktails. The thing is, without buy in from family and friends this would have been a really short trip. So tonight’s cocktail comes at the request, nay demand of my long suffering wife, my numero uno partner in crime who not only wanted to try, but put in the leg work to bring you the Navy Grog.

The Martinez

June 6, 2020 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

Part of the fun of being an adult is getting to make your own rules, for the most part. So, if I want to try something new and I have the stuff, I can do that. If I want to go into a full blown cocktail at 10 AM, who is gonna stop me? You? Societal conventions? Propriety? D. None of the above? I’ll tell you that a cocktail before breakfast is terribly efficient, getting that alcohol down your gullet early, pre-coffee, with no annoying foods to get in the way of your weekend buzz. So how do we do that? Easy, you start the day with a classic Martinez.

12 Mile Limit

June 5, 2020 / Monkeybrad / 0 Comments

When this all started I didn’t realize how picking a drink to make would be such a challenge. I just kinda wanted to practice making drinks. It has evolved into making things I’ve always wanted to try and, honestly, trying to not make a tiki drink every night. The thing is, I don’t really have a plan, I just make whatever strikes my fancy, usually inspired by whatever is on my mind, and today, I’ve been thinking about my friend, West Coast Jenn. So, in her honor we are making the 12 Mile Limit.