CityView Magazine

It is almost time for the frenzy that is football in Knoxville to begin. Tailgating. Game day parties. Long weekends of grilling, drinking and friends. We all know the standard fare: beer, hamburgers, maybe even some wine or whiskey. However, what about adding a little more excitement to game day with easy-to-make cocktails that impress guests and add flair to your party or tailgating session? I will present a few of my favorite classics and newer fare to Knoxville, but first let us cover some basics.

Simple Syrup: Make this essential ingredient by slowly stirring 2 cups of granulated sugar into a saucepan with 1 cup of water. Let it simmer, but not boil. Store it in a thoroughly cleaned old whisky or screw top wine bottle and it will last for months in the refrigerator.

Juice: Always use fresh juice—it makes a difference. Invest $5 in a hand juicer you will not regret it.

Filling a glass with ice: This act does not sound hard, but most people do not do it correctly. Shake or mix your drinks, strain or pour into a glass filled with ice, stir, fill with more ice, stir and top with ice, then stir. These extra few moments will make a difference.

Now on to the cocktails:
:: Whiskey Sour
2 oz W. L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon
¾ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 oz Simple Syrup
3 dashes of Regan’s Bitters
Shake all ingredients and strain into a Collins glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a cherry and lemon slice.

:: Caipirinha
1 fresh lime cut into wedges
2 oz Beleza Pura Cachaça
1 oz Simple Syrup
Muddle lime in the bottom of a Highball/Old Fashioned glass.
Stir in simple syrup and Cachaça.
Fill with crushed ice. Stir.

:: Tom Collins
2 oz Graffiti Gin
1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
¾ oz Simple Syrup
Top up with Club Soda
Shake gin, juice and sugar together and strain into ice filled Collins glass.
Top with Club Soda. Garnish with a lemon slice.

:: Pisco Sour
2 oz Don César Pisco
1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1 oz Simple syrup
Dash of powdered egg white (or ½ real egg white, if you prefer)
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into chilled Highball/Old Fashioned glass.
Garnish with three drops of Peychaud’s Bitters. This drink can also be blended with ice.

Each of these ingredients should be readily available at your local spirits shop. Deviate from the norm and add a little color to your next social gathering. Mix up some pitchers of Whiskey Sour or Caipirinha and watch as you get “oohs” and “aahs” from those expecting coolers of beer.

If anyone needs me, I will be on my back porch grilling and sipping on a Whiskey Sour.