Picked up the first drink from the book I had mentioned before. Tried a coffee and rum cocktail. With some sugar syrup.

Not a big fan. The coffee was completely overwhelming. As it is rum does not have much of a nose or even a palate. The coffee completely took over. On Sharmila’s suggestion, tried the same with some small bites of dark chocolate. That opened up the taste buds a little better.

Next time, I might experiment with half the amount of coffee and see if things improve.

Took two of the Bengali favorites – “Aam” (Mango) and “Paan” (betel leaves) and threw in this cocktail. Will go best on a summer evening but given that the temperatures rose up quickly in Atlanta today, I am going to consider this season appropriate!!

Ingredients are mango juice from Indian store, Jaan branded vodka and a few lime juice drops.

This is a variation of the class of “Breezes” like Bay Breeze, Sea Breeze and such. Vodka, cranberry juice and another fruit juice. This has lychee juice.

The lychee juice of course takes over the nose but the cranberry juice is more pronounced on the palate. The finish is short and mixed though.

Instead of pineapple juice, I went with mango juice. So, that would be vodka, cranberry juice and mango juice. Less of a fall drink and more of a summer drink. But what the heck, Sharmila has bought all these fruit juice cans from an Indian store…I felt like I needed to do some justice to them before the expiry date!!

Used Barrel Rested Chemist Gin from Asheville and the trusted Indian Fever Tonic water

Remy Martin Cognac with Disaronno Amaretto

I always thought an Americano is a coffee (basically espresso with hot water). Just learnt that it is a cocktail from Italy! Campari, sweet vermouth and soda water.

Celebrating National Rum Day with mango juice, mango flavored rum, lime juice and simple syrup.

Picked this up from Difford’s Guide. A relatively new cocktail – about 15 years old. First introduced in the Cabinet Room in London.

Bourbon, Chambord, Sweet Vermouth and Bitters.