As New Year’s Eve approaches, it’s time to dress up a classic cocktail for a night that calls for sparkle. Enter the New Year’s holiday Aperol Spritz, a bright, bubbly twist on the original, finished with a splash of cranberry juice for a celebratory pop of color and flavor. It’s light, refreshing,not overly complicated, and […]
By definition, a “sour” is part of a classic family of mixed drinks. These cocktails belong to one of the oldest categories of original recipes, first described by Jerry Thomas in his 1862 book How to Mix Drinks. In essence, a sour is made with a base liquor, lemon or lime juice, and a sweetener—sometimes […]
The Daisy is what cocktail historians might call an “old-timer”—a drink with serious staying power that’s been making the rounds since the late 19th century. Thought to have originated sometime in the 1870s or 1880s, the Daisy was part of the post–Civil War cocktail boom, when bartenders began experimenting more creatively with citrus, liqueurs, and […]
A bourbon Old Fashioned is one of those cocktails that never goes out of style—and in our house, it’s one of my husband’s favorites. He’s not a huge drinker day to day, but when he does pour an occasional after-dinner cocktail, it’s often a carefully crafted Old Fashioned. It’s simple, elegant, and lets the bourbon […]
While I have a deep appreciation for the classics, I’m always on the hunt for something fresh and exciting. Take the Figa cocktail, for example. Food & Wine magazine noted that it claimed the top spot on the menu at the iconic Clyde Common restaurant in Portland’s retro Ace Hotel. Holding such a prime position […]
Papaya rum punch is a vibrant, tropical cocktail that captures the essence of an island getaway in every sip. Combining the luscious sweetness of ripe papaya with the bold kick of rum, this drink is both refreshing and indulgent. Perfect for a summer gathering or a relaxing evening on the back patio, this fruity rum […]
I can’t lie, I LOVE piña coladas, especially when I’m parked on a tropical beach somewhere totally amazing. But if I’m not lounging oceanside, I happen to have a great, guilt-free alternative I like to whip up now and again, and truthfully, it’s just as refreshing. Let’s call it like it is, calorie-wise, a traditional […]
Elevate your cocktail experience with the exquisite saketini, a harmonious blend of Japanese tradition and modern mixology. This cocktail features sake as its star and is a unique twist on the classic martini. I fell in love with the vast variety of sakes when traveling in Japan last summer. The best advice I got from […]
As the days grow shorter and the air turns brisk, there’s nothing quite like a bourbon maple smash to warm the soul. This delightful cocktail marries the rich, caramel notes of bourbon with the velvety sweetness of pure maple syrup, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate. What is a Smash? Smashes […]
Have you heard of mezcal? Mezcal was predicted to be one of the biggest food trends of 2018, yet despite its popularity, many still have not tried it. Mezcal, which means “oven-cooked agave“, is known for its distinct smoky flavor, which is unlike any other spirit, but mezcal is much more than just that. Often […]
This beauty is a rosé wine slushy, a social media darling known more playfully as a “Frosé“. This fun, prep-ahead wine cocktail is made by blending and freezing fresh fruit, rosé wine, and sweetener and is an absolute winner. These refreshing grown-up slushies come together in minutes and are perfect for warm summer days. There […]
It’s believed that the Blue Lagoon cocktail was created by Andy MacElhone, the son of famed bartender Harry MacElhone, at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris in the 1960s or early 1970s. So, despite what most think, the drink predates the 1980 coming-of-age film, starring Brook Shields, of the same name. Retro cocktails, as they’re […]
Is called a Tommy Gun cocktail. This recipe is a slightly adapted version of San Francisco Mixologist Jacques Bezuindenhout’s brilliant signature creation which I’ve long admired. In my version, this sour, which references the iconic firearm wielded by Prohibition-era gangsters, gets its zing from a little ginger liquor, and a punch from a generous pour of […]
This Ruby cocktail is a drink made with many things I adore. I am also rather intrigued by it. While learning about it, I found several foods and drink websites that claim this “fruit-centric drink”, which is at times referred to simply as a “Ruby”, is made with vodka, Aperol, Saint Germain liqueur, ruby grapefruit, […]
This simple drink oozes elegance. There is no fancy name, no long story behind it, and no unusual ingredients, but this pear-thyme Prosecco cocktail is a tasty one and a fun seasonal cocktail for the cooler months. I have always been a fan of bubbles. The trend of serving sparkling wines and campaigns with any […]
Andrea Potischman
Welcome to my blog Simmer + Sauce. I always thought I was going to be a lawyer, but going to culinary school was one of the best decisions I ever made. I’m a former professional chef from NYC who loves to eat, cook and talk about food. My focus is great food, with solid recipes and reasonable ingredient lists. Cooking should be enjoyable, not stressful. Many of my recipes are family friendly and often on the healthy(ish) side.