Classic Cocktails for a Priceless Man

A father can be of so many kinds. No matter if he is your biological, spiritual, foster or stepfather … whether he is 25 or 85, I’m sure you will agree that they all share this same feature … they are awesome! It will soon be that time of the year again when we celebrate this special man in our life. But how can I give you some good suggestions to celebrate that day when aside from being important, they all are different? Well, I’m getting there. Because some are old fashioned while others are new school, I thought I could do a parallel with classic cocktails and modern cocktails to give you some ideas for your libation on that special date.

Because many men are known for being conservative, let’s start with two great old classic cocktails. They’re classic for a reason, right? Because they’re the amazing!

The Vieux Carré is an old classic cocktail that will please the Manhattan lovers as well as the Old Fashion fans and maybe even the Negroni addicts. It’s bold, strong, slightly sweet and bitter. It is served on the rocks and in my opinion, taste even better when served in a beautiful crystal tumbler.

Vieux Carré

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 oz Cognac
• 1 oz Rye whiskey
• ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
• 1 Bar spoon Benedictine
• 2 Dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
• 2 Dashes Angostura bitters

METHOD:

1. Pour all ingredients in a mixing glass.
2. Fill with ice and stir until cold.
3. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon zest.

The Sazerac now will be for the dads out there who likes their drinks short, strong and flavourful. Spirit driven with a little herbal anis kick, this classic twist on the Old Fashioned will make your old school daddy happy every time. Fun Fact, both Vieux Carré and Sazerac were created in New Orleans.

Sazerac

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz Rye Whiskey
• ¼ oz Simple syrup
• 2 Dashes Peychaud bitters
• 2 Bar spoons of Absinth (One to rinse the glass)

METHOD:

1. Pour all ingredients (except for that reserved absinth bar spoon) in a mixing glass.
2. Fill with ice and stir for about 15 seconds.
3. Rinse your rocks glass with a bar spoon of absinth.
4.  Strain your cocktail in the rinced glass.
5. Express a lemon zest on top and discard the zest.

Now if your dad is the kind of man who always wear the same suit but go “crazy” with his socks selection, maybe you should stick to a classic with just a little twist. Be discreet and ask him what’s his favourite cocktail if you don’t already know. Start from there and change a little something. For example, if he likes an Old Fashioned, why not infuse your simple syrup with some kind of spices, or use Mezcal instead of Bourbon… Just a little something to customize its favourite sipper. If you want some inspiration for Old Fahsioned recipes, click on that link.

Here’s an idea to play with one of my favourite cocktails, the Whiskey Sour. Let’s call it the “Sour in a fresh suit.”

Sour in a fresh suit

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 ½ oz Bourbon
• ¾ oz Fresh lemon juice
• ¾ oz Mint tea syrup *
• ½ oz Benedictine
• ½ oz Manzanilla Sherry
• 1 Egg white

*Mint tea syrup

Infuse 3 pouches of mint tea in 1 cup of hot water for 2 minutes. Take the pouches out and squeeze the liquid out. Add 1 cup of sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Bottle up and store in the refrigerator.

METHOD:

1. Pour all the ingredients in a shaker and shake without ice. It will emulsify the egg white and will give a great texture to your cocktail.
2. Add ice and shake again.
3. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
4. Garnish with lemon wheel.

My last suggestion is for the braves! Or for those who really want to go the extra mile. It will require a few extra steps but if your dad is the one who has everything, tried everything or is amazed by the unknown … this is the cocktail you want to make for him.

Smoking a cocktail always has that WOW Effect but it can also taste like, you’re sipping on an ashtray. Moderation is the key if you want to add deliciousness to your cocktail.

Smoking dad

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 ½ oz Vodka Ketel One
• ¼ oz Lagavulin Scotch
• ½ oz Amaro Averna
• 5 ml Fernet Branca
• 2 Dashes Bittered Sling Cascade Celery Bitters
• ¾ oz Chilled water

METHOD:

1. Pour all ingredients in a shaker tin.
2. This is a room temperature cocktail so without ice, throw the liquid 5 times from one tin of shakers to another. You want to aerate and mix the cocktail, not chill it.
3. Pour in a tumbler glass.
4. Place the glass under a smoking dome and using a smoke gun, fill with hickory wood smoke.
5. Let it covered for 15 seconds and serve.

Hope it gave you some good ideas to celebrate Father’s day.

Cheers guys!

Jean-Felix

If you want to mix these cocktail suggestions with an awesome gift, here’s a selection of great items that would be perfect. The glassware I used in the photos are from Waterford and you can find them along some other great pieces from their collections using the links!!!