Who Wants To Go In On Liters and Liters of Barrel-Aged Cocktails With Me?

{via Bourbon & Banter}

There's nothing I love more than a properly made barrel-aged cocktail. A few bars serve them in the city, but only a couple I've been too - Elsa (a delightful cocktail bar in Alphabet City) and Maysville (Char No. 4's sister restaurant)- really do it right.

Barrel-aged cocktails have all the richness of a freshly mixed cocktail, but a much deeper, more mellow undertone that comes from giving all the ingredients time to hang out and get to know each other.

Bourbon & Banter outlines the process of barrel aging at home, and even provides a great recipe to try:

Barrel Aged Vice Presidential Manhattan

• 2 Bottles Jefferson’s Bourbon
• 4 oz. Sweet Vermouth (I used Dolin)
• 1.2 oz. Blood Orange Bitters  (I used Fee Brothers)
• .8 oz. Orange Bitters (I used Peychaud’s)
• 4 oz. Maraschino Liqueur (I used Maraska)

However, this is no small or quick feat. As they say,

"A caveat: when barrel aging cocktails, you are undertaking a real liquor investment and you will need a lot of booze. So make sure you are making a cocktail that you will like to either drink copious amounts of yourself, or you are comfortable dishing out to all of your friends. It is also a time investment, as I recommend allowing your cocktail to age for at least 4-6 weeks. Yes: you must wait a month or more for your drink."

That said, I'd love to try it. Maybe this fall, when it starts to get chilly again. To read more about the process of barrel aging cocktails, check out the rest of the post here.

Anyone want to go in on a few liters of barrel-aged Manhattan with me?

wWw Holiday Edition at Flatiron Room

Last Wednesday we decided to host an impromptu event to have one last drink together before we all went our separate ways for the holidays. 

We chose the Flatiron Room, for it's cozy ambiance, live music, and well-crafted cocktails. 

The bartender pouring a flaming drink

Flatiron Room is famous for its "Bottle Keep" service.

Good whiskey is meant to be enjoyed at your leisure and preferably in the company of good friends. We created our “Bottle Keep” program for this very reason. Most of our whiskeys can be purchased by the dram or by the bottle. If you come across an expression you really like then you might consider purchasing the bottle. 

It works like this: You purchase your favorite bottle and enjoy as much as you’d like at your table. When you’ve had enough, we’ll tag it with your name and store it safely in our Bottle Keep. 

You’ll also receive some “Entitlement Cards”. These cards give the holder authorization to drink off the bottle (so be careful who you give them to!). Next time you come by simply give the server your Entitlement Card and we’ll fetch your bottle. It’s a lot of fun and it makes a great gift. 

 The bottles are kept in beautiful, softly lit lockers that line and decorate the length of the bar. 

The "Bottle Keep" Locker

We started off the evening with a round of Old Fashioneds at the bar, while we waited for our table, and perused the menu of Tasting Flights and Classic Cocktails.

An Old Fashioned

When we finally sat down we got a round of Templeton Manhattans, straight up, and waited for our food--truffled mac and cheese, mushroom pizza, and beet salad. We were starving! 

The Flatiron Room's standard is a Perfect Manhattan (made with half sweet and half dry vermouth) and served with a twist. Personally, that how I prefer it--something about the citrus aroma really opens up the flavors--but Kim was a little disappointed that they didn't have brandied cherries. 

Templeton Manhattans

Given the last minute nature of the invitation, we had a small group, but it gave us the chance to catch up with each other and share an intimate evening over delicious drinks and tasty snacks.

Mary and Julia

Julia and Andrea

Kim and Elizabeth

The live jazz was a delightful addition to the cozy, timeless atmosphere. 

The Flatiron Room is the perfect place for a quiet evening with friends, or a romantic, intimate evening with a lover. 

At around $15 each, the cocktails are a little on the pricy side, even for Manhattan, but they're impeccably mixed and the service is flawless, so it's worth the little extra, especially if you want to impress.

***

The Flatiron Room

37 W 26th Street

(6th Ave)

212.725.3860

***

Happy Hour at American Whiskey

{Buffalo Trace Manhattan}

Last Monday, Women Who Whiskey had an impromptu Happy Hour at American Whiskey, a brand new Whiskey bar that just opened in Chelsea. 

We were very pleasantly surprised by the bar, which sported an impressive whiskey list--available in 1 oz and 2 oz pours, in case you want just a taste, or want to design your own flight!--as well as an innovative cocktail menu. 

I started with a Manhattan, as usual, which was made with Buffalo Trace and an orange peel, instead of the traditional cherry. It was delightful, and I was quite enamored with it, as you can see from my lipstick!

The bartenders were unbelievably friendly and attentive, which made the whole experience much more enjoyable. 

Tony, who tended to us for most of the evening, was on cloud nine, after having just that day proposed to his girlfriend (she said yes!). His giddiness infected everyone at the bar with good spirits. 

And I may have even recruited Margaret, the lady bartender, to join Women Who Whiskey! 

We had solid showing of ladies--all eager to catch up with each other after busy summers--and we even had a guest appearance by some of the gentleman from Gents Among Men, who stopped by to discuss an upcoming event we're planning together! 

{Amanda's beautiful Old Fashioned}

{Alexa, Mary, and Kim--all in teal!}

{Danielle and Megan}

{Julia and Amanda}

{Samantha's amazing new iphone case}

{Julia and Samantha--in white lace!}

{Alexa, Samantha, Amanda, and Zara}

{Old Forester 100 Proof Bourbon, neat}

{Amanda and Julia}

American Whiskey definitely became an instant favorite of Women Who Whiskey!

Do yourself a favor and go have a drink there, asap.

***
American Whiskey
247 West 30th Street 
(between 7th and 8th Ave)
212.967.1070

***

 

On The Rocks Cocktail of the Day: The Waldorf

Every day, On The Rocks--a favorite whiskey bar of mine and of Women Who Whiskey--publishes a Cocktail of the Day recipe. 

The love child of a Manhattan and a Sazerac (my two favorite drinks!), The Waldorf sounds like a delightful way to unwind after a long day. 

{The Waldorf}

The Waldorf Cocktail was one of the signature drinks of the Waldorf-Astoria Bar at the beginning of the 20th Century.

The Waldorf 

Recipe from On The Rocks

2 oz rye whiskey

3/4 oz sweet vermouth

1/4 oz absinthe or substitute

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Pour the absinthe into a mixing glass and swirl it around to coat the sides. Toss out any excess. 

Add the remaining ingredients and ice. 

Stir well. 

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Bottoms up! 

***
On the Rocks

696 10th Ave

(between 48th and 49th Streets)
212.247.2055
***

On The "To Drink" List: Distilled NY

Franklin Fizz

"We're trying to tell a story of distillation in our drinks and on our menu," says Benjamin Wood, bartender at the newly opened Tribeca spot, Distilled NY. The story, Wood says, is about "that process of starting out with one thing and transforming it into something new." 

Serious Eats looks into a new bar in Tribeca that takes cocktails back to the basics. 

Derby Julep

Tribecan

This place is definitely on the "To Drink" list for an upcoming Women Who Whiskey event! 

Distilled NY
211 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013 (map)212-601-9514; distilledny.com

Women Who Whiskey: Beucherts Saloon!

Last night we had our first Women Who Whiskey event on the road, taking the club all the way to Washington D.C.! We set up shop at Beucherts Saloon, in Eastern Market, a darling little deco saloon with absolutely delicious cocktails. 

Seated at the bar, next to a friendly giant bison, we chatted with the bartender and explored the menu. 

Lathan, our bartender, was quite charming, and even looked the other way when we stole wild strawberries from the bar...

I started with the B's Mint Julep and Paige started with the Amen Street--both so tasty! 

They even had prosecco on tap!

Smile! 

Mint juleps, 

Manhattans, 

Martinis,

Oh my!

Then we explored the rest of the cocktail menu...

and tried one with stencil!

We ended the night with a coupe of prosecco, 

complete with a strawberry stolen from the stash. 

Though we were a small group, we had a splendid time, and thoroughly enjoyed the cocktails and the service. I wish Beuchert's Saloon were in New York, so I could go back all the time, but I'll make do with stopping by next time I'm in town. 

If you're in Washington D.C. and in the mood for well-crafted drink, definitely check out Beucherts!

***

Beucherts Saloon

623 Pennsylvania Ave SE

202.733.1384

***