Tag Archives: Make it Take it

Happy Hour: Five Whiskies, One Cocktail

A good whiskey shelf does not need to be deep. It needs to be honest. One bottle for a Tuesday night when all you want is a finger of something warm over ice, one for a dinner party where somebody is going to ask for an old fashioned, one for the friend who knows what she is talking about, one for a birthday, and one for the night you actually want to sit down with a book and pay attention. Five bottles, five reasons, five prices that scale with the occasion. Here is what I would stock right now, all American, all on liquor store shelves in Dallas this week.

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Crave’s Classic Holiday Gingerbread

We are not in the habit of sharing recipes, minor exception might be cocktails, but this is so good we couldn’t resist.

Few aromas are as evocative of the holiday season as warm ginger, cinnamon, and cloves drifting from the oven. Gingerbread has been a beloved treat for centuries, tracing its origins to 11th-century Europe where preserved ginger was combined with honey or syrup to create sweet, spiced cakes. By the 16th century, gingerbread had become popular in England and Germany, often shaped into intricate figures or elaborately decorated for festive occasions. Its combination of warming spices and rich molasses makes it an ideal treat for the cold winter months, evoking a sense of comfort and nostalgia with every bite.

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Negroni: The Bitter Truth About a Perfect Drink

The Negroni has a bitter charm that has long defied cocktail trends, outlasting fads with its unwavering simplicity. Its origins trace to Florence, around 1919, when Count Camillo Negroni asked a bartender to strengthen his Americano by swapping out the soda water for gin. The bartender obliged, added an orange peel instead of a lemon twist, and a classic was born.

What followed was a century of reverence from bartenders and drinkers alike. The Negroni’s bitter backbone, balanced with botanical intrigue and a citrus lift, makes it one of the few cocktails that drinks well before a meal, after a meal, or late into the night. It’s a cocktail with no fluff and no garnish required beyond that orange twist—more ritual than decoration.

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Crafting a Lavender-Honey Bourbon Sour

When it comes to crafting the perfect cocktail, balance is everything. Sweet meets sour, bitter meets smooth, and in some cases, tradition meets innovation. Today, we’re stepping into the world of bourbon, a spirit steeped in history and beloved by many. To honor its rich heritage while adding a fresh twist, we’re introducing the Lavender-Honey Bourbon Sour—a cocktail that blends the warmth of bourbon with the floral sweetness of lavender and honey. But before we shake things up, let’s explore the story of bourbon, the heart of this creation.

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