In the beginning of 1944, the allies were being kept from capturing Rome by German army elements holding the Rapido-Gari, Liri, and Garigliano valleys. Monte Cassino, a Benedictine Abbey founded in 529AD dominated the landscape and was believed to be serving as a German lookout post. The allies dropped thousands of pounds of ordinance on the abbey in an attempt to neutralize its use. The bombing proved fruitless and actually allowed German paratroopers to set up an almost impregnable defensive position in the rubble of the monastery.

For four months the allies assaulted Monte Cassino in an attempt to remove the German blockade. Finally, on May 18, 1944, Monte Cassino fell and the flag of Poland was raised above the ruins – Poland providing the unit that finally lodged the Germans from their positions.

In tribute to the many lives that were lost in the capturing of this iconic landmark, thus enabling the allies to finally take Rome from the Nazis, I present the Monte Cassino cocktail*:

1oz. Rye Whiskey

1oz. Benedictine

1oz. Yellow Chartreuse

1oz. Lemon Juice

3/4oz. Cold Water

Shake the ingredients with crushed ice, strain and serve with a lemon twist

Cin-Cin!

*(from “365 Days of Cocktails…”)

Despite the snowfall today (April 6th), it is time to jump start Spring with a refreshing and fruity cocktail that just oozes sunshine!

The Spencer Cocktail is originally from Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book, which is one of the definitive cocktail collections from the 1930’s.

The cocktail is well-balanced with a charmingly fruity personality, perfect to welcome Spring.

I present the Spencer Cocktail…

2oz. London Dry Gin

1oz. Apricot Liqueur

1/4oz. Orange Juice

Dash of bitters (Orange was my preference)

Shake with crushed ice and strain into a coupe. Garnish with a cherry.

Cheers!

Chilean Cabernet is so often forgettable. Not terrible, but not memorable either. Every so often the stars align and a Chilean producer comes up with a serious, memorable wine. This wine is truly wonderful. Solid structure, ample fruit and a melange of beautiful flavors on the finish. Moderate aging potential. The best thing? You get all this for a nudge over $10 per bottle… very solid value!

Cheers!

This Prohibition-era cocktail borrows it’s name from the slang phrase at the time meaning “the best.”

Like most cocktails during this era, the design was more about concealing the poor quality of available spirits, especially “bath tub” gin.

This cocktail was unusual, in that it used honey as the primary sweetener, as opposed to sugar or simple syrup. The result is actually quite pleasant, with the unctuous quality of the honey lurking in the background.

The use of honey is a bit challenging, as shaking the drink with crushed ice makes the honey tough to fully integrate due to its thickening viscosity.

Refreshing and crisp, the Bee’s Knees is a welcome addition to one’s cocktail repertoire.

2 oz. London Dry Gin

3/4 oz. Lemon Juice

3/4 oz. Honey

Shake with crushed ice and strain into a coupe glass. Lemon twist garnish.

About fifteen years ago there was a great French Bistro in town that featured delicious food and intriguing wines. The restaurant partnered with a local wine shop to bring in small production wineries from California for a few truly awesome wine dinners.

One of those dinners was with Stephen Ross Winery, featuring their limited production wines made from the highest quality fruit found in some very sought after vineyards.

At the time, we bought a few cases of several of the wines – some Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. The wines were awesome and deserved some cellar time.

Well, tonight we opened the 2001 Pinot Noir from the Bien Nacido vineyard and I can safely say that this wine is still incredible after 17 years in bottle.

Bright fruit with floral hints. Jammy on the palate with deep, red berry fruit. Long finish with a spicy aftertaste. I would guess that this wine will continue to improve for many years to come. Pleasantly surprised, as my personal experience suggests that West Coast Pinot Noir does not age well…

The not so good news… current vintage of the Bien Nacido is selling for $42/per bottle from the winery… not cheap, but the 2001 suggests exceptional quality!

Cheers!

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the Great War, WWI ended. The first world-wide conflict that changed the face of war forever was finally over, but it would only be a temporary lull, until aggression again consumed the world with the start of WWII.

Today is a solemn day of remembrance and an opportunity to thank all of the men and women who have given “that last full measure of devotion” in defense of this great nation.

To commemorate this day, Charles Schumann has produced a near-perfect libation… The Fallen Leaves…

1-1/2 oz. Calvados

1-1/2 oz. Carpano Antico Sweet Vermouth

1/2 oz. Dolan Dry Vermouth

1/4 oz. Cognac

Shake with crushed ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

God bless veterans everywhere! Without your tireless sacrifice, this nation would cease to exist…

Cin-Cin

David A. Embury, a Manhattan-based attorney, was born on this day in 1866. Who is David A. Embury, you ask? Well, Mr. Embury wrote one of the most pivotal books on cocktails in 1948, entitled The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, which essentially guided generations of men and women to a boozy future. I have read this sacred volume at least a dozen times and have tried to commit its contents to memory. Alas, so compendious is this work that not even my eidetic memory can store all of the recipes.

The Larchmont is in honor of Mr. Embury and hails for the book 365 Days of Cocktails…

An orangy riff on the standard daiquiri, refreshing and yet pleasingly Fall-like…

1-1/2 oz. White Rum

1/2 oz. Grand Marnier

1/2 oz. Lime Juice

1/2 oz. Cold Water

1/4 oz. Simple Syrup

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Cin-Cin!