Valentines Day 2020 – Love Potions

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Nick

Looking for that extra special something to bring your Valentine’s Day over the top? A romantic cocktail can help set the mood and put the evening over the top. And just in time for Valentine’s Day are our Love Potions.

Styled after Tiki drinks with levels – like the Painkiller and Bastards – the Love Potions come in 3 strengths:

Love Potion #1: Netflix & Chill
Love Potion #2: Going Steady
Love Potion #3: Marry Me

The difference between these love potions is complexity, and in the case of the last one, a little more booze to help you set the mood.

Love Potions

Love Potion #1: Netflix & Chill

2 oz

White Rum

0.75 oz

Velvet Falernum

0.5 oz

Passion Fruit Simple

0.5 oz

Aperitivo Cappelletti

1 oz

Lime Juice

1.5 oz

Fresh Orange Juice

Garnish

Orange Twist, 2 Cherries, and all Tiki kit you care to add

Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Meanwhile, fill a Lewis Bag with ice and beat until snow like (feel free to use a machine to make your snow ice if you have it). Fill a Tiki Mug or Hurricane Glass with the fresh snow ice. Add ice to your vessel and shake. Strain over the snow ice – top up as needed for any melt. Garnish with an orange twist, two cherries, and all the Tiki garnish you care to throw at it.

Love Potion #2: Going Steady

1 oz

White Rum

1 oz

Moderately Aged Rum

0.75 oz

Velvet Falernum

0.5 oz

Passion Fruit Simple

0.5 oz

Aperitivo Cappelletti

1 oz

Lime Juice

1.5 oz

Fresh Orange Juice

Garnish

Orange Twist, 2 Cherries, and all Tiki kit you care to add

Love Potion #3: Marry Me

1 oz

White Rum

1 oz

Moderately Aged Rum

0.5 oz

Dark Overproof Rum

0.75 oz

Velvet Falernum

0.5 oz

Passion Fruit Simple

0.5 oz

Aperitivo Cappelletti

1 oz

Lime Juice

1.5 oz

Fresh Orange Juice

Garnish

Orange Twist, 2 Cherries, and all Tiki kit you care to add

The foundation of the Love Potions is an easy going blend of tropical flavors sure to help you beat the winter doldrums. Passionfruit syrup and falernum add a mysterious island sweetness and touches of spice, while bright limes and fresh orange juice give an alluring brightness to the mix. Cappelletti adds just the right mix of bitterness and complex orange, while the rums create a complex mix flavors ranging from simple vanilla and plantain to complex brown sugars and dates. The snow ice helps bring it all together, allowing the flavors to marry and stay chilled. Like you and your drinking partner.

Drink Notes:

Rums: The secret to escalating levels is changing the mix of rums and the amount of rum. In this case, we stack 3 different rums over the iterations to create similar but evolving drinks.
- White Rums – For this application we like Plantation 3 Star (fruitier), El Dorado 3 (vanilla and plantains), and Western Reserve Distillery (similar to El Dorado 3).
- Moderately Aged Dark Rums – We greatly enjoyed Plantation Xaymaca (fruity, funky), Pussers (Molasses, Spice, Musk), and Bacardi 8 (caramel, oak).
- Dark Overproof Rum – We’re sticking with our go to – Plantation O.F.T.D. but feel free to sub in Goslings Overproof.
- Our original mix was Western Reserve, Plantation Xaymaca, and Plantation O.F.T.D.
Falernum – A sweet, slightly acidic, and delightfully spicy sweetener. We use John D. Taylor Velvet Falernum, but feel free to look into making your own. We’ve also heard great things about Maggie’s Farm if you happen to have access.
Aperitivo Cappelletti – This bitter orange aromatized wine adds a lot of complexity thanks to it’s wine base. If it’s too hard to find – grab a bottle of Aperol. Reduce the Falernum by a 0.25 oz if you do this.
Orange & Lime Juice – Your tiki drinks just won’t taste right if you don’t squeeze it fresh. Besides – you wouldn’t do that to someone you love – would you? Our old standby has been this Amco Squeezer*
Passion Fruit Syrup – Combine 1 cup of Passion Fruit Puree or Drink (FOCO Passion Fruit Drink) with 2 cups of white sugar in a sauce pan. Heat until all sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool. If using puree – strain through coffee filter. Bottle and add 0.5 oz of Everclear or Neutral Grain Alcohol as a perservative (optional). Store in fridge – discard in the event of clouding.
- For this recipe – we used FOCO.

Two recommendations on making Snow Ice:

Lewis Bag & Mallet – This is the lowest cost and easiest option to store. It also provide a great stress relief moment as you take out the day’s frustrations. It will take longer to make snow ice this way. Our Lewis Bag is this one*, and you can also buy a mallet. Although we’ve found that a pan or $5 rubber mallet from home depot also works.
Snow Ice Maker – This is by far faster, but will take up more space in your kitchen or bar. However, you can make beau coup snow ice, and make sno cones on command. We’ve been using this Zeny Ice Shaver* – which works well despite it’s very unrefined commercial appearance.

*Please note – this is an affiliate link that helps us keep running First Pour Cocktails! We hope you enjoy the book, we know we have, and appreciate your support!

Card Trick

Posted on February 1, 2020November 13, 2021 by Nick

Sometimes an ingredient is just inspiring. During a recent tasting of the wine-based amaro Cardamaro, it occurred to me how the sweetness, spice, and candied fruit flavors might play well with the spicy notes in bourbon or rye. Tinkering with a Manhattan style template, the Card Trick was born.

Card Trick

2 oz

Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon

1 oz

Cardamaro

½ oz

Cinnamon Simple Syrup

Garnish

Orange Twist

Combine all ingredients in a mixing vessel. Add ice and stir. Double strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.

True to the style of the Manhattan, the Card Trick is a delightfully smooth and boozy cocktail. The notes of spice from the Cardamaro amplify with the spicy notes from the Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and the cinnamon simple syrup. Thanks to the acidity from the wine based Cardamaro, there’s a balanced despite the richness. The subtle bitterness of the amaro and freshness of the orange helps pull the entire combination together for a rich, spicy, and delicately sweet drink.

Drink Notes:

Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon – This is our house go to bourbon, and what we originally made the Card Trick with. Anything with a spicier backbone should suffice though. Feel free to try Wild Turkey 101, Bulleit Bourbon, or just play around with what you have.
Cardamaro – There’s no real substitute for this one. If you do get a bottle, please note that it should be refrigerated as it is a wine-based Amaro. It will stay good for 4-6 weeks if chilled.
Cinnamon Simple Syrup –
- Method 1: Combine 250g of sugar with 250g of water in a sous vide bag or small mason jar. Add 10g of cinnamon broken into 1″ pieces. Shake to combine. Sous vide for 2 hours at 145°F. Remove from water bath and allow to cool. Once cool, strain cinnamon pieces from syrup using a chinios and coffee filter. Add .5 oz of Everclear / overproof vodka and shake gentle for 1 -2 seconds to combine. Store in fridge. Discard if no longer transparent / any hazy develops.
- Method 2: Combine 250g of sugar, 250g of water, and 10 grams of cinnamon broken into 1″ pieces in a pan. Add heat until sugar is dissolved and syrup reaches a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cool, strain cinnamon pieces from syrup using a chinios and coffee filter. Add .5 oz of Everclear / overproof vodka and shake gentle for 1 -2 seconds to combine. Store in fridge. Discard if no longer transparent / any hazy develops.
- Note: Everclear / Overproof Vodka are optional – these act as preservatives to extend shelf life. If you add them, please do not serve to children, pregnant women, or those avoiding alcohol.
- Note: Method 1 is preferred if you’re able / have the equipment to do so.
Orange Twist – For optimal experience, express the orange twist over the drink and run the orange around the glass on one side.
- To express the orange twist: After removing a strip of zest, hold the pith side and pinch the peel over the drink to express the oils.

Christmas Cocktails 2019 – A Lump of Coal

Posted on December 17, 2019December 18, 2019 by Nick

Perhaps you’ve been a bit naughty this year, or know someone who is. There’s nothing more fitting for your naughty friend or self than a drink. To celebrate, we’ve crafted A Lump of Coal to delight you and your guests.

Christmas Cocktails 2019 – A Lump of Coal

A Lump of Coal

1 oz

Gosling’s Black Seal Rum

0.5 oz

Plantation Original Dark Rum

0.5 oz

Kraken Black Spiced Rum

0.1 oz

Kahlua

0.1 oz

Kalani Coconut Liqueur

0.25 oz

Rich Demerara Simple

8 oz

Chocolate Coconut Milk Stout

Combine all ingredients except beer a mixing vessel. Add ice and stir. Double strain into a double rocks glass or stemless wine glass containing a large ice cube or sphere. Add beer and serve. No garnish.

Deep, dark, and deceptively boozy, A Lump of Coal is a blast of sweet coconut and chocolate. The tropical notes of the various rums add a complex brown sugar note and the kahlua and coconut liqueurs function as flavor boosts for the stout. No need to stay off the naughty list with this delightfully delicious drink.

Drink Notes

Rums: Gosling’s is the most important here – but don’t underestimate the complexity that Plantation and Kraken bring. If you only have two of the three – try to keep the Plantation / Gosling’s in the forefront (1.25 / 0.75).
Kalani Coconut Liqueur – If you don’t have Kalani – try substituting Malibu.
Rich Demerara Simple – Combine 8 oz of Demerara sugar with 4 oz of water in a sauce pan over medium heat. Heat until combined, but not boiling. Remove from heat, allow to cool. If desired, add 0.25 oz of everclear. Store in the refrigerator.
Chocolate Coconut Milk Stout – For this – I used The Brew Kettle’s Kitka, however any chocolate coconut milk stout you happen to enjoy should work well here. Depending on sweetness, adjust the Demerara accordingly.

About The Name – A Lump of Coal

Everyone knows that if you’ve received coal for Christmas – you’ve been a bad boy or girl. We’ve ingrained it into popular culture to the point that we suggest it for people on Twitter with hashtags like #coalforChristmas. Perhaps the only person that would be truly grateful for it is frosty – who can finally see. Yet as I dug into an explanation of how coal got it’s reputation, it became apparent perhaps it wasn’t always a bad thing.

Way back when, before the 20th century (time period, not the cocktail), coal was actually a greatly appreciated gift. This was in part because it was cold, but also due to the scarcity in coal making it a valuable commodity. It wasn’t until coal became widely available that it was seen as something to punish bad children with.

With that said – this lump of coal should leave your guests with a delighted smile. To learn more about the history of coal, check out this in-depth dive from The Atlantic.

Halloween Inspired Cocktails 2019 – I Am Dracula … I Bid You Welcome

Posted on October 28, 2019October 11, 2021 by Nick

Hungarian born actor Bela Lugosi cemented our perception of Dracula in 1931 with his iconic portrayal of the vampire. The movie was part of the golden age of Universal’s monster films, and has helped shape our perception of multiple horror icons, including Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and The Wolfman. Along with the imagery, the vocal cues such as those of Bela Lugosi would lend themselves to the characters indeliably, giving us the iconic style of Dracula’s voice. As the count welcomes Renfield, it’s hard to forget Bela’s introduction, “I am Dracula … I bid you welcome.”

Halloween Inspired Cocktails 2019 – I Am Dracula … I Bid You Welcome

I Am Dracula … I Bid You Welcome

4 oz

Sandeman Tawny Porto

0.75 oz

Averell Damson Gin

0.5 oz

Lemon Juice

0.5 oz

Monin Orgeat

Dash

Fee Bros Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a Nick & Nora glass. Once filled – add the remaining into a carafe on ice. No garnish.

A beautiful dark garnet – ruby color in the glass, it’s a bloody beautiful color. A fragrant mix of warm spiced plums, bright currants, and hints of almonds and spice come off the nose. The body is light and bright, dancing across the tongue in a mix of bright fresh plums, baked almonds, and spices all come together in an elegant mix. Touches of caramel and currants come through as well. The finish is a wonderful mix of fresh plum, hints of plum skin, and touches of almond tart.

Drink Notes:

Tawny Porto – You could go super overboard here and buy a high end Tawny Porto here. You don’t need to though, grab a middle of the road like Sandeman.
Damson Gin – To the best of my knowledge – Averell Damson Gin is the only Damson gin available on the market. This plum infused gin liqueur is delightfully fruity and spiced. For a substitute – consider Sloe Gin (which is also a type of plum).
Orgeat – You can make your own – we’re using Monin in this version.
Lemon Juice – As always – use fresh squeezed (if you don’t have a juicer – this is what we use*)

About The Name – I Am Dracula … I Bid You Welcome

It wouldn’t be fitting to have a Dracula, and not give it some connection to blood. Thanks to the mix of Damson Gin and Porto, the color is spot on where we wanted it. The use of Porto is both a nod to the luxury of the castle and lusciousness of Port, but also as it works beautifully with the spices in the Damson Gin, giving a bit of mulled character. Renfield’s slight nuttiness gets pulled in with the orgeat to create a beautiful if unexpected cocktail.

A final note – I want to give a shout out to James Rolfe’s Cinemassacre’s Monster Madness for getting me into the classic monster films. If you haven’t seen his work, it’s worth a view this time of year – you might even find something amazing to watch on a dark, scary night.

If you’d like something a little less bloody, check out our Ghostbuster’s cocktail – Slimer or our other Universal Monster – Frankenstein.

Halloween Inspired Cocktails 2019 – Slimer

Posted on October 21, 2019October 11, 2021 by Nick

Happy Halloween ghosts and ghouls! Just in time for the big night, we’ve got a handful of fun cocktails to help you scare up some good times (and I promise the cocktails are much more enjoyable than the writing!). Leading things off for our Halloween Inspired Cocktails 2019 is Slimer.

Halloween Inspired Cocktails 2019 – Slimer

Slimer

2 oz

Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila

0.5 oz

Giffard Blue Curacao

0.5 oz

Lime Juice

0.25 oz

Vanilla Simple Syrup

4 oz

FOCO Mango Nectar

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into double rocks glass over a large ice cube. No garnish.

Slimer is intimidatingly green in the glass, and the large ice cube is vaguely reminiscent of his potato like body. The nose is fruity and plays at all manner of tropical fruits and fruit snacks. Hints of vanilla and pepper from the tequila join in. The body is smooth, sweet, and nicely rounded out by the brightness of the lime. The vanilla syrup gives it a creamy nature. The mango and lime do their part, giving this a very mysterious fruit forward character. The finish leaves you haunted, looking for more.

A few notes:

Silver / Blanco Tequila – The recipe started with Tres Agaves. You don’t need to use Tres Agaves (our go to is actually Centenario) – but bear in mind you’re going to taste the tequila variance in this as it is almost 25% of the drink.
Blue Curacao – Blue Curacao? Really? – Yes – a lot of Blue Curacao is just awful – but not all of it. We love Giffard’s Blue Curacao, which has a lovely mandarian orange flavor with some underlying vanillin / breakfast cereal notes – in addition to being blue. To be clear – this is one area we don’t recommend swapping in another liqueur – unless you happen to really like the blue curacao you have.
Mango Nectar – We use FOCO Mango Nectar. In a side by side with Trader Joe’s Mango Juice we found the FOCO to have more body. Check your local Asian market.
Vanilla Simple – bring 8 oz of sugar and 8 oz of water to a boil with a whole vanilla bean split lengthwise. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cool – add 1/4 oz of Everclear (or vodka) to help stabilize and preserve shelf life. Bottle, cap, and refrigerate.
Lime Juice – Use fresh lime juice. If you don’t have one – buy a juicer (like this Amco – which is our go to*).

About The Name – Slimer

One of the reasons we started making cocktails was we were inspired by challenge of trying to make ones that represented nostalgic characters from our youth. When I think about Ghostbusters as an adult – the casting and subtle humor in some of the jokes stands out. As a kid though, Ghostbusters was one of those rare times where cartoons crossed the line into reality. With characters like Slimer and Stay Puft it was fun to watch and more relatable. Plus – you get to watch Bill Murray get slimed!

While the cocktail version of Slimer thankfully doesn’t have the same texture – the color was a clear nod to the childhood character. It was also sort of nostalgic in a way toward the old Hi-C Ecto Coolers both in fruity flavors and color.

If you’re looking for another spooky cocktail, consider our Dracula and Frankenstein cocktails.

* – please note this is an affiliate link that helps keep First Pour Cocktails going and making more awesome content. We may receive a fee from purchases made – but trust me – I spend way more on booze that I’ll ever make in commissions.

Yeah Baby! – The Improved Porn Star Martini

Posted on August 1, 2019April 11, 2021 by Nick

A few days back I posted about Passoa Passion Fruit Liqueur. As I mentioned in the review, there aren’t a whole bunch of cocktails that immediately come to the forefront with Passoa. The most prominent is The Porn Star Martini, a mix of vodka, Passoa, lime, and vanilla simple. To say this drink is sweet is an understatement. It’s positively cloying. Perfect for those that love to feel the sugar as they drink.

That said, it’s still darn easy to drink. Still, it got me thinking, is there someway I could make a more balanced Porn Star Martini?

As it turns out, the answer is ‘Yeah Baby!’.

Yeah Baby!

1.5 oz

Aviation Gin

2 oz

Foco Passion Fruit Juice

0.5 oz

Passoa Passion Fruit Liqueur

0.25 oz

Vanilla Simple Syrup

0.5 oz

Lime Juice

1.5 oz

Cupcake Prosecco

Combine all ingredients except prosecco in a shaker with ice. Separate shaker and add prosecco. Double strain into a coupe. No garnish.

The improved version of The Porn Star Martini starts passion fruit forward – combining both the concentrated side of the Passoa with the floral Foco passion fruit juice flavor. Light effervescence from the bubbles combines with the floral nature of the passion fruit and vanilla interlaces sweetly with a balanced acidity from the lime. The finish is more lime – vanilla forward with hints of passion fruit lingering around the edges.

A few notes:

Contemporary gin works best here – Aviation was our favorite, but Ford’s works as well.
I used Cupcake Prosecco – but a Brut Cava such as Freixnet or a simple champagne methode like Korbel will be just fine here.
Adding the sparkling wine at the end before you pour will help distribute the sparkling without knocking out too many bubbles. Just remember not to shake again!
Plus, with the elimination of the sidecar of sparkling you’ll have one less glass to wash.

About The Name:

We like to associate our cocktails with characters – and this one seems like a great fit for Austin Powers. Not only was The Porn Star Martini once tops in the UK (like Austin Danger Powers), but it’s loaded with passion (fruit)! Toss in the gin, and it’ll make you feel down right groovy baby!