Fat Like Buddha

Loving rum as I so generally do, We came upon a bottle of Flor de Cana Centenario Gold 12 year rum at the I.O. My boss could see the salivation and eagerness in my eyes. Without even a pause the first drink that came to mind was the Fat Like Buddha  cocktail from the Flor de Cana website. After a tasting of the rum by itself I decided a 12 year old rum in this cocktail could possibly be ruined and chose instead a blend of two rums that I enjoy.

Fat Like Buddha
1 oz. Old Monk rum

1 oz. Ron Zacapa Centenario

3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth (Carpano Antica)

1/4 oz. Benedictine

1/4 oz. Cointreau

-stir and strain

orange twist garnish

     The Fat Like Buddha cocktail was very reminiscent of a Embury's style Palmetto, which I thoroughly enjoy. A might bit sweeter and with a definitive herbal tone coming from the Benedictine, a suitable occasional substitute for my Palmetto has been found. Long live Flor de Cana, you never disappoint. 

Ritualistic Behavior

     Following an old drinking ritual of Venezuela that I have been following for years I decided to incorporate  the idea into a cocktail. "El Ritual" consists of a shot of Venezuelan rum with a lime wedge coated one side with raw/brown sugar and the opposite side coated with coffee grounds. Having many of these throughout the years and loving them I decided to make a cocktail out of it all. What's better than a coffee accented daiquiri? Thus I give you:

Ritualistic Behavior
2 oz. dark/aged rum (i used English Harbour; but I suggest Zaya also)
1 oz. homemade coffee cordial
1 oz. fresh lime juice
shake and strain

Cathedral Cocktail

     Driving by the many downtown churches that laden the streets of Omaha I felt a personal challenge to concoct a mixture I'd deem Cathedral in the honor of the Catholic lifestyle. After purchasing a bottle of cola flavored vodka recently and a bottle of port I took a chance and found the mix quite pleasing. What's better than a fortified wine with some humph to bring it up to today's standards.

Cathedral Cocktail
1 1/2 oz. 360 Cola Vodka
1 1/2 oz. Noval Black Port
1-2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Muddy Waters

     After a session of making some candied nuts I was left with a nice pot of infused syrup, with only endless possibilities to quench my interest. I was reminded of the Greenwall Cocktail that I had earlier concocted but remembering how I didn't exactly love the drink I decided for a mix most similar related to the Old Fashioned.

Muddy Waters
2 oz. rye (I used Templeton but I suggest Rittenhouse Bonded)
1/4 oz. nut syrup ( a mix of walnuts and pecans)
2 dashes Fee's Black Walnut Bitters
- stir many times and strain over a large cube



The drink presented itself largely with rye on the front as expected. Blending into a slight bitterness and rounding out into a nutty aftertone. Oddly enough though the final notes were of caramelized banana. All in all a very good rendition on a classic with a festive twist.