Even as a small child, I always knew my dad’s cocktail of choice. It’s fairly simple.
Ever since I became old enough to handle alcohol, I have been given the pleasure of preparing it for him whenever I go back to my hometown of Rockville, Maryland for a weekend or two away from the confines of New York City.
“Can I get you a drink, Dad?”
“Gentleman Jack, on the rocks. I know it’s a lot of ingredients. Let me know if you need help.”
Oh dad. Such a jokester.
When preparing drinks for your dad this Father’s Day, keep in mind that many men tend to shy away from the sweeter, fruitier cocktails. While for mom we prepared Mimosas and Bellinis on Mother’s Day, our dads require something a little lighter on the sweet and a little heavier on the testosterone. Think cherries, soaked in whiskey.
Photo courtesy of the queen of subtle via Flickr/cc
At the same time, these drinks are most likely taking place during a cocktail hour of sorts before dinner time, so be sure not to go too heavy on the ingredients. Keep it light and simple, but still incorporate those more “manly” flavors and spirits. Think brown spirits, with perhaps some gin sprinkled in there as well, and don’t be stingy with your spirit of choice.
Rather than go for the cheaper, perhaps not as good bottle of bourbon that he drinks on occasion, I plan to buy my dad a bottle of his favorite Bourbon. I hope he enjoys it not only because it’s delicious, but because it will come from me. This is the man who not only makes the best grilled cheeses in the world, but who introduced me to some of the best classic films of our time, “The Godfather” and “Animal House.”
For that, the least I can do is make him his favorite drink. Perhaps that’s just the “Daddy’s Girl” in me.
Here are some of our favorite cocktails for you to make dad this Father’s Day. Have any suggestions? Leave them in the comments below!
Old-Fashioned
From Esquire.com1 sugar cube
3 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 Tbsp Club soda
2 oz Bourbon Whiskey (We recommend Maker’s Mark 46)
1 strip of lemon peel
Place the sugar cube in an Old-fashioned glass. Wet it down with the Angostura Bitters and club soda. Crush the sugar with the muddler, and tip the glass so the sugar and the bitters line the bottom of the glass. Add a large ice cube, and pour in the bourbon. Garnish with a cherry.
Martini
From DrinkoftheWeek.com2 oz gin or vodka (we recommend Plymouth Gin, or Russian Standard Vodka)
1/4 oz dry vermouth (the less vermouth, the drier the Martini)
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake or stir, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive or twist of lemon.
Tuxedo
From CocktailEnthusiast.com2 oz gin (We recommend Hendrick’s Gin)
1 oz fino sherry
1 dash orange bitters
In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients. Add ice and stir until very cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
The James Bond
The Savoy, LondonCrown Royal Whiskey, double
1/2 measure triple sec
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Orange peel
In a cocktail shaker, combine the Crown Royal, Angostura and triple sec. Pour into a coupe. Garnish with an orange peel.
Blood & Sand
From DrinkoftheWeek.com1/4 oz Scotch Whisky (we recommend The Black Grouse)
1/4 oz Cherry Heering liqueur
1/4 oz sweet vermouth
1/4 oz orange juice (fresh-squeezed)
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine all the ingredients. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
Backyard Barbeque Michelada
From DrinkoftheWeek.com, courtesy of Jim Meehan, PDT6 oz Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
1/2 oz Black Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky
1/2 oz white grapefruit juice
1/2 oz honey syrup**
1/4 oz Claussen Dill Pickle Brine
1/4 tsp Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard
In a mixing glass, combine all ingredients except the beer. Double strain into a chilled pilsner glass filled with ice, rimmed with black pepper. Garnish with a Claussen Dill Pickle Spear.
**honey syrup
8 oz clover honey
4 oz water
Combine in a pot. Simmer over medium heat, stirring until the honey dissolves. Bottle and keep cool until use.
Silver Basil Collins
Created by John McCarthy, Whitehall Bar + Kitchen, NYC1 1/2 oz Gin (We recommend Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin)
3 muddled lemon wedges
1/2 oz Honey syrup
1/2 oz Lemon juice
3 basil leaves
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, and pour all contents into a Collins glass. Fill with soda.
Comments
This list is absolutely incomplete without The Manhattan!!
Jun 14, 2012 at 2:09 PM
0
FYI - you have the recipe slightly wrong for the Silver Basil Collins - it should have 1.5 oz of gin, not 1/2 oz.
Jun 14, 2012 at 3:08 PM
ita
I am intrigued by the "Backyard Barbeque Michelada" Can't wait to try it.
I think a Negroni would be my pick for Father's Day.
Jun 14, 2012 at 8:34 PM
Old Fashioned Bulliet Bourbon is much better!
Jun 21, 2012 at 5:58 PM
Interesting! I'll have to give it a try! Thanks for the suggestion :-)
Jun 21, 2012 at 6:05 PM
depth charge...fill a shot glass with whiskey drop it into a glass of beer ..drink
Jul 13, 2012 at 12:35 AM
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