A&H Had the pleasure of collaborating with one of the best up and coming mixologists in America. Mark Vierthaler, owner of Cocktails 365 put together a list of the best 4 drinks that just seem to go under the radar. Let us say, we had a chance to sample these works of art, and they have won over our staff. In case you decided to test your wits, he was kind enough to shell out some instruction as well.

We let Mark do the talking. See what he had to say below.

The cocktail world, much like the culinary, is full of side streets. Unknown areas that you’ll never have the pleasure of exploring if you simply stick to the highways and interstates. Consider these your roadside attractions on the road to mixology greatness. These are strange little tidbits that you probably wouldn’t give the time of day. But you really should.

Sazerac

We’ll start things off with a drink that really isn’t all that outlandish, especially considering the recent cocktail revival. The Sazerac shares similar origins of the Old Fashioned in pre-Civil War America. It is colloquially known as the oldest American cocktail, however that has largely been disproven. What is well established is that this is the official cocktail of New Orleans, and any bar with its salt in the Big Easy is going to know how to make you one.

2 oz rye whiskey (preferably Sazerac brand)

3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

One sugar cube

Splash of absinthe (or Herbsaint)

Begin with two rocks glasses. Fill one to the top with crushed ice and cold water. In the other, muddle the sugar cube with the bitters. Add the rye. Stir well until the sugar has dissolved. Empty the ice from the first glass and swirl a dash of absinthe in it. Discard the absinthe. Pour the ingredients from the second glass into the first. Twist a lemon peel over the top of the glass, rub the rim, and place the lemon into the drink.

Motocicletta

Campari gets somewhat of a bad wrap. It’s bitter. It can be hard to mix. However, mixed properly you can be eased into the incredibly expansive world of this bright red bitter. (This is a modified version of the classic Campari cocktail the Bicicletta.)

2 oz vodka

1.5 oz Campari

2 dashes simple syrup

2 dashes lavender bitters

Juice from ½ lemon

Dry sparkling white wine

Combine the vodka, Campari, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well and then strain into a wine glass with ice. Top with the wine and a lemon twist.

Blood and Sand

Scotch is notoriously hard to mix with. Because of its extreme smokiness, it can’t exactly blend in with the woodwork. However, there are certain drinks that have been able to withstand the test of time. The Blood and Sand is one such drink.

0.75 oz scotch

0.75 oz dry vermouth

0.75 oz cherry brandy (Cherry Heering)

1.5 oz orange juice

Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with crushed ice. Shake the ingredients vigorously and then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with two maraschino cherries.

Martini (Classic)

Before you raise your voices and arms together in a simultaneous show of outrage at such a basic, simple cocktail making this list, ask yourself this question: when was the last time you ordered an actual Martini.

We’re not talking about the saccharine abominations that like to masquerade under the guise of “Martini.” We’re talking about a true, classic, martini. Much like the black and white tuxedo, beautiful and sophisticated in its simplicity.

2 oz high-quality gin (we prefer Hendrick’s)

1 dash dry vermouth

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and stir until well chilled. Don’t shake; otherwise you’ll bruise the gin. Make sure you’re using high quality gin and vermouth, because they’re the stars of this drink.

Also, don’t be afraid to adjust the vermouth to your taste. Sir Winston Churchill famously said that the best Martini is drinking gin while looking at a bottle of vermouth.

-Mark Vierthaler

Founder/Editor-in-Chief

Cocktails, 365

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