Made from two of the best from France – Lillet Blanc and Cognac with bitters.

Bourbon, Anejo rum, lime juice, bitters and muddled mint leaves…

The name is traced to the creator – Jamal Hassan from Portland, Oregon.

Great gin based drink to have by the pool on a beautiful sunny day like today…
This has Midori, Gin, Dry Vermouth and lime juice.

Anejo Rum, Orange Curacao, lemon juice, orange juice, sugar syrup and bitters

This is a rum based drink. Malibu rum, Tropico Liqueur (gold rum based), Peach Schnapps, Sprite and some Grenadine

This cocktail is for those who like orange flavor – white rum and triple sec. In this case, I deviated a little and used mango infuse rum.

If there is any gin and tonic fan amongst you, you will love this drink which has gin, triple sec, Rose’s lime juice and tonic water…

Could not think of a more appropriate Valentine’s Day drink. Citron Vodka, raspberry liqueur, cranberry juice and lime juice. Got the perfect red color. The usual garnish is a lime wedge. Sharmila gave me a better idea – I put in a strawberry slice. (Placed upside down, it looks somewhat like a heart).

The four stages of making a good cocktail…
a. Getting the right portions of the right ingredients.
b. The proper shake (or stirring or layering)
c. The preparing and decoration of the garnishing
d. The taking of the picture.

Well, actually, the fourth step is “drinking”. But for my blog, I throw in the Step “d”.

Speaking of taking pictures, if you have ever wondered how I take those pictures with perfect black background and drink color, here is what I do. I got a yard of smooth black velvet fabric (about $5) from Joann Fabric. I throw that on our dryer. (Well, the dryer part is not mandatory. Since I have to share Sharmila’s laundry for my bar space, it is convenient for me). Important thing is to just “throw the fabric” – meaning no creases or edges. Then I take the picture and crop out the part I do not need.

I am not terribly sure the origin of the drink or its name – I am still researching – but anybody looking for a stiff drink on a cold night – this is a good idea. Crown Royal, Vermouth and Iced Tea,