Comments on: Month o’ rum: El Presidente prelude

By: Cocktail Recipe: El Presidente

Cocktail Recipe: El Presidente — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:37:30 +0000

[...] Presidente is a Cuban-born cocktail from the Dark Days of American tippling – Prohibition. The history of the cocktail is somewhat hazy, with several different bartenders credited with creating it in honor one or more Cuban presidents [...]

By: The perfect starter cocktail — A Dash of Bitters

The perfect starter cocktail — A Dash of Bitters — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:57:51 +0000

[...] other day, a reader commented: I’m new to cocktails. I’m intrigued by cocktail menus at restaurants, but could never decide [...]

By: jitters

jitters — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:38:23 +0000

I’ve been reading through your blog and think you’re doing a fantastic job! I’m new to cocktails. I’m intrigued by cocktail menus at restaurants, but could never decide what to order. Could you recommend a good “starter” cocktail for a novice? I’d like to try Wondrich’s basic recipe but don’t know what kind or brand of spirit to buy. Cheers!

By: Matt Robold

Matt Robold — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:44:10 +0000

Michael, you’re killing me with this suspense. Get on with the El Presidente Showdown! I have rums to drink and need the variants to use them in!

As far as orange liqueurs, I generally use the Creole Shrubb or divert away from curacao and use Cointreau (though some argue that this, too, is a curacao). The Shrubb is drier and spicier while the Cointreau is sweeter and smoother.

Usually in my El Presidentes I opt for the Shrubb to keep the sweetness from getting out of hand.

By: phil

phil — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:51:31 +0000

If you haven’t seen it, you should check out the Orange Liqueur Showdown over at Oh Gosh! : http://ohgo.sh/category/cocktails/orange-liqueur-showdown/

By: JS

JS — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:40:57 +0000

Don’t forget Mandarine Napoleon liqueur…peels of Sicilian mandarine oranges are dried, macerated in alcohol, distilled & then blended with aged Cognac.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:20:13 +0000

I’m looking forward to your experiments as I just made a fresh batch of hibiscus grenadine. My two attempts using Noilly Prat, Cointreau and Bols Triple Sec were less than stellar. I’ll be interested to hear of your rum choice(s) also!