Author: byocks

I'm a visual artist with a passion for adventure stories, technology, and cocktails. When I'm not at my day job, I'm mixing drinks and working in my home art studio.

American Graffiti

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Do you live dangerously? Well you might want to start, by downing this powerful cocktail. The American Graffiti is a summery tropical drink with a lot of flavor without a harsh punch (taste wise). The main aroma builds from pineapple and sweet/sour and its bright red color is reminiscent of the Red Demon cocktail. The drink starts off very smooth and then hits the back of your palette with a mild and full bodied rum. Considering the amount of alcohol present, I am surprised it doesn’t have more of a harsh kick. I imagine this is thanks to the mix of sloe gin and roses lime to build a fruity citrus into the mix.

My only concern with the original recipie is that it calls for both “light rum” and “rum.” Because the first rum is specifically light, but the second is unspecified, I decided Bacardi Gold would be a nice balanced choice. I do wonder how Some Captain Original Spiced would change this drink. Even a flavored rum would be a good choice (something like mango or coconut). Either way though it’s a very solid drink with a great open end for variations.

Alcohol Taste Rating: 4/10
Overall Rating 8/10
Make it again? Yes. Try flavor variations too!

American Graffiti Cocktail

1 1/4 oz Light Rum
3/4 oz Rum (Bacardi Gold Used)
1/2 oz Sloe Gin
1/2 oz Southern Comfort
1/4 oz Rose’s Lime Juice
1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
1 1/2 oz Sweet/Sour

Shake and strain all ingredients into an iced tumbler. Garnish with an Orange slice and a Cherry.

american graffeti
“I ALSO like to live dangerously…”

Midorable Cocktail

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Is the name a little cheesy? Yes, but don’t blame me this time (it’s not an original).

The Midorable is a radiant green cocktail with a slight foam on top so it doesn’t require a garnish. It has a mild melon aroma which is very inviting. The flavor begins with a little banana, moves it’s way to the melon, and the finishes just a little sour. A sweeter variation might be worth a try (replace lime juice with simple syrup).

Alcohol Rating: 6.5-7/10
Overall Rating: 7.5/10 (could use 1/4 more of each ingredient to fill glass, the sour isn’t for everyone)

Make it Again? Yes. Possible Menu item

Midorable

1 oz Midori
3/4 oz Banana Liqueur (For less bite use Creme de Banana)
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1 oz Sweet/Sour

Shake and Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

midorable
“Not very cute, but it is Midorable”

Tropical Driver

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Rolling in pretty late this evening for a new Medium of Mixology Original Cocktail. The tropical driver was designed to be the embodiment of a tropical island vacation. Sweet and powerful, if the optional 99 Bananas is used as a float it creates a strong aromatic blast before it ever hits your tongue. The flavors melt together in a pure mix of orange, banana, pineapple, with a slight hint of coconut.

Alcohol Rating: 5/10
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Make it again? I already have! (To be added to next menu revision)

Tropical Driver

1 oz Pineapple Rum
1/2 oz Coconut Rum
1/2 oz Citrus Vodka
Fill with OJ
Splash 99 Bananas

Straight Build in an iced tumbler.

tropical driver
“Golden Delight!”

Nordic Death

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Well today’s cocktail is a tasty creation that is visually disturbing. Very dark green with a foamy top, and a little bloody grenadine doesn’t make it all that appealing (although it does match the name). Good thing the taste delivers and then some!

The “Nordic Death” features a tropical berry flavor with a light sparkle. It has a mild alcohol(y) taste on the finish. I’d call this a great party drink, especially in the creation side of the presentation.

Alcohol Taste Rating: 1-3/10
Overall Rating: 9/10
Make it Again? Yes! Already on the menu

Nordic Death

½ oz Vodka
½ oz Raspberry Liqueur
½ oz Midori
½ oz Blue Curacao
2 oz Pineapple Juice
Sprite
Dash of Grenadine

Shake vodka, liqueurs, and pineapple juice. Strain into an iced Collins glass. Top with sprite and dash grenadine on top.

Nordic Death
“What’s that floating in the ocean? Oh it’s just a Norwegian”

Vodka Grand

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Today’s late night cocktail is a mildly aromatic and powerful drink. The Vodka Grand is bold both in appearance and taste. Strong and mildly sour you get a semi-sweet citrus start, then to a mid-range Grand Marnier on your main palette, finalized by the familiar sting of vodka. This drink is certainly a slow sipper, with a flavorful bite. Don’t take it lightly, but instead enjoy it’s tasty elegance.

Alcohol Taste Rating: 8.5/10
Overall Rating: 7.5-8/10
Make it again? Yes (It’s good enough to recommend, but not good enough for the menu)

Vodka Grand

1.5 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Grand Marnier
1/2 oz Rose’s Lime Juice
1/4 oz Lime Juice
Orange Slice

Stir and Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish by floating an orange slice in the drink.

vodka grand
“Grandios”

Black and Mint Shot

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I’ll be the first to admit that a shot isn’t really a solo drink. In fact it’s not one that is even a “smart” choice on most occasions. However, the art of layering a shot really fascinates me. Specific gravity of different alcohols cause the higher percentages to float over more sugary and dense liquids. I modeled the Black and Mint after both taste and a strong visual component.

The drink starts with a hard bite, rolls into a powerful refreshing mint, and drops off with a sweet finish.

Alcohol Rating: 9/10
Overall Rating: 7/10
Make it Again? Currently on the Menu (but shots are more for parties)

 

black and mint shot

Black and Mint

Simple syrup
Green crème de menthe
Peppermint schnapps
Dark rum

Standard Shot Glass: Start with a dash of simple syrup at the bottom of the glass. Layer in crème de menthe to just under half, add peppermint schnapps until almost full. Splash dark rum on top

Electric Watermelon

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It’s the first Wednesday of the month and time for a new video demo drink. Full review with ratings in the video:

Electric Watermelon

½ oz Midori
½ oz Vodka
½ oz Light Rum
½ oz Watermelon Pucker
½ oz Grenadine
Sprite

Shake and strain into a pint or Collins glass, top with sprite.

electric watermelon cocktail
“1.21 Jiggawatts!”

Electric Strawberry (Variation)

½ oz Melon Liqueur
½ oz Citrus Vodka
½ oz Gold Rum
½ oz Strawberry Pucker
½ oz Simple Syrup
Sprite (dash of lemon juice, dash of lime juice, sparkling water)

Shake and strain into a pint or Collins glass, top with sprite.

Blue Marlin

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A cast into the Atlantic catches you a “Blue Marlin!”
With it’s citrusy aroma, and brilliant blue color you know this one is a catch!

Ok so nautical puns aside this is an interesting and powerful drink. The Blue Marlin Cocktail features a sugar rim and feels very tropical. Unfortunately the taste doesn’t quite come up to par with the classy appearance. I feel the drink is very lacking in a more well rounded taste palette. Of course I do prefer sweeter drinks, so it might just be me.

That being said the addition of the sugar rim, really helps make the drink manageable. It’s not very sweet in the first place, so having that extra bit on your lips redeems the cocktail a bit. Also I did need to substitute a little citron vodka into the mix which may have thrown things off a little bit.

Either way the Blue Marlin is a great drink in terms of presentation, but the taste isn’t for everyone.
Alcohol Taste Rating: 6-7/10
Overall Taste Rating: 5/10
Make it Again? Maybe. Try again with all citron rum, or variation with more juice

blue marlin cocktail
“This is a catch! …Too bad we’re looking for Barracuda”

Blue Marlin

2 oz Citron Rum (1/2 citron vodka, 1/2 light rum used)
1/2 oz Blue Curacao
1/2 oz Sweet/Sour
Lemon Wedge and Sugar (for rim)
Orange Twist (or orange blossom)

Rum lemon wedge around edge and rim with sugar. Shake and strain rum, curacao, and sweet/sour with ice. Strain into prepared cocktail glass. Garnish with Orange Twist.

Ballet Russe

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Coming in pretty late this evening with the “Ballet Russe.” A Vodka and Creme de Cassis based cocktail with a sour tart flavor and a dark and mysterious color. The citrus juices create a foam when shaken that decorates the top of the drink, and smells slightly of sweet/sour mix.

A tart berry taste quickly moves to a sour and bitter finish as the taste of black currents rolls through your palette. Very few drinks I’ve found use any more than 1/2 an ounce of the stuff, but the citrus juices and syrup round this drink out well. I believe this drink could easily be remixed with other flavors such as raspberry, mint, or coconut (rum).

Alcohol Rating: 5-6/10
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Make it Again? Yes, possible menu option

Ballet Russe

1 oz Vodka
3/4 oz Creme de Cassis
1 1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1 oz Simple Syrup

Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

ballet russe
“Wait, why am I tasting cranberries?”

Southern Belle (Mocktail)

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With so many heavy hitting drinks on the blog here, I decided it was about time to post a drink that someone of any age can enjoy. The “Southern Belle” is a refreshing minty drink right in time for a warm spring. The fresh mint builds an aromatic start with a traditional taste of ginger ale. As it reaches the back of your taste palette you’ll get more of the sweet mint flavor (especially if you grab a mint leaf as you sip).

This is a great one for all ages, and perfect for sitting in the afternoon sun.

Alcohol Rating: N/A
Overall Rating: 9/10

Make it again? Yes.

Southern Belle (Mocktail)

3-5 Mint Leaves
1/2 oz Sweet/Sour
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Ginger Ale
Mint Spring

Muddle sweet/sour/ mint leaves, and simple syrup together in a rocks glass. Add ice and top with ginger ale. Garnish with a mint spring.

southern belle
“Be our guest…”

*For an alcoholic version you may want to add in 1.5 oz of bourbon.