Cocktail Hotel

A creatively themed cocktail column loosely based from my fourth book titled "The Hotel of Naughty Cocktails", a 10-Floor, 195-Room, 1000-page labyrinth of drink. This blog (as of 2006) is to celebrate the start of my 25th year as a Professional and Private Bartender here in Los Angeles - the City of Angels, and Devils too .... Kyle Branche - kbranche@earthlink.net

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Location: Woodland Hills, California

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Liqueur World - 8

Series 8 of 8

Tia Maria
A Jamaican coffee liqueur with spices. Grown in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica.

Tiramisu
A coffee-based liqueur with an espresso/cola-brown flavor, and a coffee and candied almond taste.

Trappistine
Originated by the Trappist monks in Normandy around 1670, this bitter brandy-based herbal liqueur is pale yellow-green in color.

Triple Sec
A highly refined form of curacao (orange), yet colorless and less sweet. “Sec” means dry.

Tuaca
Aged milk brandy with citrus fruit essences and hints of vanilla, orange, & tones of caramel-toffee-butterscotch.

Underberg
A natural herb bitters taken for digestion. It is not a beverage. Not to be sipped, but taken all at once and quickly because of its aromatic taste. It is alsoused as a flavoring and after a meal to feel bright and alert. Out of Lewiston, NY , it comes in a small 0.67 fl. oz. bottle and three to a pack.

Unicum
An herbal liqueur out of Hungary. Distilled from over 40 herbs and aged in oak casks, it has a bitter taste and an exotic bouquet. The secret recipe has been guarded by the Zwack family for centuries.

Uphoria
A 30 proof line of liqueurs with all natural flavors including Pink Guava, Asian Pear, and Pomegranate.

Vandermint
A unique blend of smooth rich chocolate, subtly flavored with a touch of fresh mint. Dark in color. Originated at the Chocolate House in 17th Century Holland. A premium Dutch liqueur.

Velvet Falernum
Available as of 2003 in the U.S. through the Spirit of Hartford–860-404-1776. Websites: spiritofhartford.com, velvetfalernum.com . A 22 proof white rum-based liqueur from Barbados, blended with lime juice, sugar, almond and clove. This is the original.

Vermeer
A Dutch chocolate cream liqueur out of Holland.

Vermouth
An aperitif wine, flavored with some 50 herbs. There are two types – Dry (white/bianco) and Sweet (red/rosso). Bianco is a sweet white vermouth. Dry is used for the Martini and Gibson, while Sweet is used for the Manhattan and the Rob Roy. In the past, wormwood was one of the main flavorings of vermouth (derives from German for wormwood).

Waldheidelbeer
Forest blueberry nectar by Retter of Austria. A premium liqueur with the highest rating.

White Lightning
A clear-colored homemade whiskey, rarely aged and difficult for the palate. Though it goes through the dis-tillation process, it lacks color due to not being aged in charred oak barrels.

Wild Turkey
A bourbon-based liquor flavored with spices. Also comes in a special stock Liqueur.

X-Rated
From France, a 34 proof fusion of ultra premium French vodka and Provence blood orange mingling with mango and passion fruits.

Yukon Jack
A Canadian whiskey-based liquor, flavored with citrus and herbs.

Zamoura
A liqueur with a predominant flavor of cloves.

Zen
A green tea liqueur from Japan. 40 proof.

Zone
Out of Italy, a 50 proof vodka with natural melon flavor.
Slightly sweet. Best if chilled very cold.

kb

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Liqueur World - 7

Series 7 of 8

RedCliff
America’s new premium liqueur, as of 05’.
Containing 15 proprietary ingredients, including the distinct flavors of vanilla, sarsparilla, tangerine, lime, anise, cinnamon, hazelnut, and cola flavoring. A complex character and rich in the spirit of the West. Comes in a hand-crafted western-styled elliptical saddlebag-shaped bottle. At 65 proof, it chills perfectly in the freezer.

RedRum
Not a liqueur, but close enough. This is a tropical fruit flavored rum made from an exotic blend of mango, pineapple, coconut, and cherry flavors.

Retter
The brand name for a premium Sour Cherry nectar from Austria. Clear in color. Other flavors available.

Rock And Rye
Rye whiskey flavored with rock candy syrup and fruits. Check out www.rockcandy.com

Rose Water
A clear liquid flavoring distilled from rose petals, adding a fragrant essence to specific cocktails.

Rum Tree
White rum-based liqueur flavored with sweet citrus.

Rumple Minze
A high quality schnapps from Germany, with a sweet, herbal peppermint fragrance and a perfumed bouquet. This brand also puts out a liqueur called Black Haus.

Rye
A whiskey made from a fermented grain mash and containing a minimum of 51% rye.

Sabra
An orange-chocolate liqueur from Israel.

Safari
An exotic liqueur from Holland, with an ambrosia, orange, tropical fruit nose and taste, due to the infusion of the following fruits; maracuya, mango, papaya, lemon and lime. Produced by UDN in the Netherlands and exported to several countries worldwide. Served neat, on the rocks, or as a recipe ingredient.

Sake
A type of beer, made from re-fermented rice. I know this isn’t a liqueur, but I threw it in here anyway!

Sambuca
An Italian liqueur, flavored with elderbush, giving a licorice taste. Served straight up with 3 coffee beans.

Sapphire
As most Gins are made with 4 or 5 botanicals, Bombay Sapphire is made with 10, including almonds and lemon peel from Spain, liquorice from China, juniper berries and orris (iris root) from Italy, angelica (root) from Saxony, coriander(seeds) from Morocco, cassia bark from Indo-China, cubeb berries from Java, and grains of paradise from West Africa. This is a 94 proof liquor (47% ABV).

Schnapps
Schnapps is a German word for Mouthful. A fruit-based distillate that’s usually overly sweet and artificially flav-ored, with a normally lower alcohol content, resulting in a lower proof (ABV). Except for Rumple Minze! Made from grain or potato spirits, and flavored with various herbs and/or fruits. Schnapps can range from sweet - like a liqueur, to dry as an infused vodka.

Sence
A product made with the essential nectar of the Kazanlak rose from central Bulgaria, harvested and distilled at the peak of aroma and flavor. A rare European rose nectar, considered an elixir in Japan and Korea.

Shakka
Eau De Vie cordials with flavors of kiwi, red apple, and grape.
30 Proof.

Sherry
A wine fortified with brandy, added after fermentation. Made in the region of Spain surrounding the city of Jerez. It also comes from Australia and South Africa.

Shochu
A traditional japanese distilled spirit. Two types: Ko and Otsu. Various brands available. Both use malted rice for fermentation. Varies from 40–90 proof in ABV. Molasses is used in the Ko type.

Silhouette
A vanilla liqueur made by Van Gogh out of Holland. 40 Proof.

Simple Syrup
A liquid sugar solution prepared by simmering water in a saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Remove from pan, set aside and cool to room temp. Bottle, cap, and refrigerate until needed. 1 cup water with 1 cup granulated sugar. Known in the late 1800’s as Gum Syrup.

Slivovitz
A plum brandy, made from blue plums.

Sloe Gin
Sweet flavored with sloe berries from the blackthorn bush.

Snow Storm
A Wintergreen schnapps, made by Hiram Walker.

Southern Comfort
A bourbon base with peach liqueur and fresh peaches. Also known as “SoCo”.

Strega
A liqueur flavored with over 70 herbs and barks, emitting an earthy quality to the palate, including spearmint, seeds, and anise. Strega is Witch in Italian.

Suze
A French herbal liqueur, made from the root of the yellow gentian. Also used as a gastrointestinal tonic.

Swedish Punsch
Made from Arak, this is a spicy, Swedish liqueur based with rum, tea, and lemon.

Sweet Vermouth
A red wine flavored with herbs and spices.

Swiss Chocolate Almond
A liqueur with a flavored name that speaks for itself. Made by Hiram Walker.

Taboo
A 29 proof liqueur/aperitif from the U.K., with a white wine and vodka base, blended with exotic fruit juices.

Tao
A liqueur put out by Raynal, mixing French brandy and French vodka with a hint of natural citrus flavors.

Tequila Agavero
A tequila-based spirit from Mexico, mixed with Damiana liqueur.

kb

Monday, December 18, 2006

Liqueur World - 6

Series 6 of 8

Metaxa
The most famous of Greek brandies, it is distilled from red grapes, sweetened, and flavored with natural aromatic substances. Available in various grades of quality.

Midori
A honeydew flavored liqueur made from Japanese melons.

Milady
A cranberry liqueur out of Moldova, with natural cranberry juice mixed with fine spirits and natural flavor of cranberry.

Mirabelle (GRANDE RESERVE)
Made from the yellow plum,this French liqueur is clear in color, with hints of spice vanilla extract, and with a light clove nose. Made by Trimbach.

Mozart
A dark, creamy brown chocolate liqueur from Austria, with combined hints of nuts, chocolate, and nougat.

Nocello
A walnut-flavored 48 proof Italian liqueur.

Oblio
A Sambuca liqueur from Italy, with the focused tastes of anise, licorice, beans, spice, and citrus. Great quality.

Okolehao
A Hawaiian liqueur, blending whiskey and the Ti plant.

Old Whiskey River
A blend of genuine Kentucky bourbon and real dairy cream, with the flavors of mocha and chocolate.

Opal Nera
A Black Sambuca liqueur with a deep purple color, and a sweet licorice and spice taste, with anise in front holding court over other luscious fragrances.

Orange Bitters
Principally flavored with the skins of bitter oranges. Difficult to find, The Fee Brothers out of Rochester, New York may be the last makers of this in the United States. They also make a Peach bitters. Their phone numbers are 716-544-9530 and 800-544-FEES .

Orange Flower Water
A clear liquid flavoring distilled from bitter orange flowers, which adds a fragrant essence to specific cocktails.

Orchid
A line of vodka-based liqueurs out of Calgary, Alberta, including Mango, Lychee, Guava, and Passion Fruit. Go to OrchidLiqueurs.com

Orgeat
An almond flavored sweetener/syrup. A sugar syrup with almond extract if you’d like to make it yourself.

Ouzo
A Greek aniseed flavored liqueur, rather drier than that of Anisette.

Oxygene
A liqueur from Belgium, representing a milder form of an Absinthe substitute.

Pama
A pomegranate liqueur made w/ California pomegranates. Bottled in Bardstown, KY.

Pallini
Fruit flavored liqueurs from Italy, with Lemoncello, Raspicello and Peachello.

Paolina
A cappucinno cream liqueur from Italy.

Parfait Amour
Scented from the petals of the Parma Violet, and infused with curacao orange peel, spices, vanilla pods, al-monds, and coriander seeds. French for Perfect Love. Aka Creme de Violette or Creme Yvette.

Passion Fruit Liqueur
A Hawaiian liqueur flavored with peaches and mangos.

Passoa
A liqueur made from passionfruit juice.

Pat O’Briens
A New Orleans based Bar and Company selling original drink mixes including Hurricane mix and Cyclone mix as well as many others. All mixes are in 1 liter bottles. Orders and shipping by calling
1-504-588-2758 (direct line to the catalog and warehouse) or by going to their website www.Patobriens.com also – 1-800-597-4823

Pearle de Brillet
A fine liqueur made from Williams pears grown in Alsace, and young eau-de-vie from the Cognac region of France.

Pennsylvania Dutch
A 30 proof egg nog liqueur out of the Philadelphia dairylands, made with real dairy cream, brandy, rum, and blended whisky.

Pernod
A licorice flavored liqueur, which turns white over ice. A product of France.

Peter Heering
Developed in 1818 using the renowned cherries that grow in southern Denmark. It is deep red, light textured, and medium sweet with wild cherry flavors. Aka Cherry Heering.

Peychaud’s
A form of bitters concocted from a New Orleans apothecary in 1793, normally dispensed a few drops at a time. A tonic known for its curative powers. Available in New Orleans at Sazerac.com

Pimm’s
A gin base liqueur with fruit flavors and herbs. Pimm’s Cup is a classic cocktail. Originated by London bar owner James Pimm in the 1880’s as a digestive tonic.

Pineau (des Charentes)
From France, a blend of young cog-nac and grape juice, matured in casks. Available - Rose or White.

Pisang Ambon
An emerald green exotic specialty liqueur from an old Indonesian recipe, using small green bananas. The tropical fruits and herbs come from the Emerald Belt (Asian Islands).

Pisco
A Chilean grape brandy made from the pomace of the wine press. The defining ingredient in the classic cocktail Pisco Sour. Distilled in Chile and Peru. Also, see Marc

Pistachia
A pistachio flavored liqueur, made by Cointreau.

Port
A full bodied wine, fortified with grape spirit (Brandy) during the fermentation process. Comes from the Duoro Valley in Northern Portugal. Calories Per Ounce – 40

Praline Pecan Liqueur
Made in the U.S., a syrupy liqueur with an attractive brown / oloroso sherry color, and the flavors of burnt nuts, and a smoky, pecany nose.

Prunelle (SAUVAGE GRANDE RESERVE )
Made from the sloe plum, this French liqueur is spring water clear and of the highest quality. The brand name is Trimbach.

Pucker
A registered trademark name from Dekuyper Royal Distillers out of the Netherlands, which produces a line of sweet & sour schnapps, licensed to produce in the U.S., by John Dekuyper & Son, in Cincinnati, OH.

Punt e Mes
A bittersweet vermouth distilled with the bitter taste derived from quinine. Launched in 1876 from the Carpano Bar in Turin, this dark colored Italian aperitif wine is one of the world’s most popular. Punt e Mes means point and a half.

Quinine
A bitter extract made from the cinchona bark. Used for medicinal purposes, it was also a treatment for malaria in the 1930’s.

Raspberry Liqueur
Available in Red Raspberry which many brands produce today, and Black Raspberry which is the flavor of the French liqueur Chambord.

kb

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Liqueur World - 5

Series 5 of 8

Hpnotiq
A liqueur from France, blending pure cognac, premium vodka, and natural tropical fruit flavors, with hints of orange and passion fruit. Baby blue in color. Frosted bottle, comes with a corked top.

Illy
A rich, full espresso liqueur from Italy, with the aromas of toasted coffee, sweet fig, raisin and date with a flavor note
of burnt coffee, and a slightly bitter finish.

Intrigue
A 34 Proof liqueur out of France. A blend of French vodka, fine cognac, and exotic tangerine and passion fruits. Also available is Pink – a 50 Proof blend of premium French vodka with peach and passion fruits.

Irish Cream
Irish whiskey flavored with cream, mocha and sweeteners.

Irish Mist
A spicy Irish whiskey flavored with honey & herbs.

Izarra
An herb flavored liqueur made with armagnac, herbal plants, and acacia honey. Produced in France. Comes in Green which contains 48 different ingredients, and Yellow which con-tains 32 different ingredients.

Jagermeister
A dark colored German liqueur with over 56 herbs, roots, fruits, and spices.

Just Desserts
Cream liqueurs with the flavors of thin mint chocolate cookie, and chocolate chip cookie.

Kahana Royale
A macadamia nut liqueur from Hawaii, made from the rich essence of roasted macadamias, blended with exo-tic natural flavorings.

Kahlua
A premium coffee flavored liqueur from Mexico.

Kamasutra
An exotic ginseng coconut liqueur from Germany.

Ke Ke Beach
A key lime cream liqueur from the Netherlands.

Kirsch
A clear liqueur distilled from black cherries.

Kirschwasser
A premium cherry brandy.

Kona Gold
An authentic liqueur from Hawaii’s kona coffee.

Kummel
A liqueur flavored with caraway and anise seeds, and other herbs.

KWV Van Der Hum
A citrus peel/tangerine flavored liqueur from South Africa followed by flavors of pineapple and sweet and sour.

Le Grande Passion
From France, with the seductive scents of candied apples, passionfruit and red raspberries. A premium tropical fruit liqueur.

Licor 43
A Spanish brandy-based liqueur with 43 ingredients, mostly herbs, with a prominent vanilla flavor.

Lillet
A French aperitif wine. Comes in rouge and blonde.

Lillehammer
A Scandinavian berry liqueur from Denmark, and produced from overripe red lingon berries, yet more sweet than tart.

Limoncello (Caravella)
A really flavorful lemon liqueur from the gorgeous lemon groves on the AMALFI coast in Southern Italy. Original recipe dating back to 1898. A combination of lemon juice, lemon peels, and the finest grain spirits. They now make Orangecello.

Liqueur
A spirit-based distillate infused with natural flavoring
ingredients and sweeteners, with the exact recipe remaining a secret. Normally higher in proof (alcohol content) than that of Schnapps, originating centuries ago as medicinal treatments to
stimulate the heart.

Luxardo
A cherry liqueur from Italy.

Madiera
A blended and fortified Portuguese wine.

Malibu
A coconut rum from Brighton, Black Rock, Barbados.

Mandarin Napoleon
A citrus-based liqueur, made from the macerating of mandarin peel in selected brandies. Has an amber hue, from Belgium.

Maraschino
A clear, relatively dry liqueur made from the spicy Marasca cherries of Italy and Dalmatia (in Yugoslavia). The cherry pits are distilled separately and contribute to a bitter-almond nuance. Used frequently in mixed drinks.

Marc
A French grape brandy made from the pomace of the wine press.

Marcel Trepout
The beginning nose of this liqueur reminds you of Grand Marnier, but not as sweet. This is a super quality armagnac liqueur from France, with ripe scents of Mandarin orange, with a refined and delicate balance.

Marsala
A full-bodied fortified red wine from Sicily.

Mathilde
A selection of premium liqueurs out of France, with the flavors of cassis, peach, framboise, and orange.

Maui
A tropical fruit schnapps from Hawaii.

Medoc
An 80 proof liqueur from France, made from brandy, orange curacao, cherries, and creme de cacao.

Mezcal
Distilled from the fermented sap or juice of the agave plant in the same vein as tequila, but only single distilled, and does not come from the tequila area of Jalisco. The Peyote Cactus is cultivated from its native habitat of Northern Mexico and the southwestern U.S. Peyote contains the principal alkaloid Mescaline, which is a powerful hallucinogen and shamanistic plant
used in Native American rituals and religious ceremonies to deepen spiritual understanding, and popularized by Aldus Huxley in his book The Doors of Perception.

kb