Where's the MGoCocktail Diary?
I used to read the MGoCocktail Diary just for fun, but never had the tools or desire to make the drinks myself. This year I finally got the urge and bought a full bar set, a bunch of alcohol, modifiers, glassware…you name it. I was looking forward to reading what the drink of the week was so I could participate this year, but I haven’t seen it. Does anyone know if that’s still a thing?
While I’m here, I might as well ask. What’s your go-to gameday cocktail? I may just write down some favorites and switch it up every week if MGoCocktails are no more.
September 6th, 2022 at 2:12 PM ^
Classic Old Fashioned:
Muddle a cherry and slice of orange in bottom of glass
Mix over ice:
your favorite bourbon 2-4 oz depending on how strong you like it
Simple syrup to taste (1-2 tsp)
2 or 3 shakes of bitters
Pour into glass with ice or straight
September 6th, 2022 at 2:28 PM ^
This has always been my favorite cocktail, so I've been messing around with the ratio to find my go-to home recipe. Still trying to determine how I like the sugar (sugar cube, simple syrup, or rich demerara syrup). I may also prefer Rye to Bourbon, but I'm still figuring that out.
September 6th, 2022 at 3:04 PM ^
I ordered an old fashioned at St. Elmo's last week, not really looking at the drink menu. It was made with rye vice bourbon. Was not a fan. I drank it of course, but my next one I was sure to let the waiter know that I wanted it made with Makers Mark and it was much better.
Everyone's taste is different.
September 6th, 2022 at 3:41 PM ^
Agreed. I even prefer Rye to Bourbon on its own, and in many cocktails, but I think an Old Fashioned just works better with Bourbon.
September 6th, 2022 at 3:43 PM ^
Another thing to try is subbing out the sugar altogether and instead using a bit of the syrup from the cherries. I always use Luxardo cherries and that syrups adds a nice layer to the drink--and means I have one less ingredient to pull out!
September 6th, 2022 at 2:35 PM ^
Ohio Buckeye Martini
Named after the Ohio State effort at Michigan Stadium 2021. This cocktail is simple and to the point. Add ice, a mix of David Ojabo, Chris Hutchison and Hassan Haskins. Shake and grind 42-27 times and pour the perfect tribute to OHIO.
September 6th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^
Hail - great recipe. Mine differs slightly. If it’s winter, I’ll go onto the deck and use fresh snow (instead of ice), and - if fresh snow isn’t available - I’ll shave ice to make it look like snow.
September 6th, 2022 at 3:20 PM ^
+1 Underrated.
September 6th, 2022 at 7:37 PM ^
When I first started making Old Fashioneds, I didn't have any bitters on hand. The result was still OK, but eventually I bought a small bottle of Angostura and discovered the bitters add a definite bit of punch that really improves things.
Currently I'm using Elijah Craig bourbon and Elijah Craig simple syrup. I tried making my own simple syrup, and while it tasted OK it eventually sort of curdled in the container, so I'm going with store-bought now.
Your recipe is basically the same as mine, but I add three Luxardos. It's a perfect cooler weather drink, and that weather is coming soon.
September 7th, 2022 at 9:23 AM ^
If you make your own, try making a semi-rich simple syrup (1.5 parts sugar to 1 part water). This makes it last much longer and is apparently how a lot of bars do their syrups. Also, I just tried making a rich demerara syrup (2 parts demerara sugar to 1 part water), and it was really nice in an old-fashioned.
September 6th, 2022 at 2:16 PM ^
Miller lite, cans if at my camp site, bottles if in my basement.
Jägermeister shot just before kickoff, and then a shot at the end of every quarter when UM has the lead. No shots if behind. Unless it's a frustrating back and forth game then all bets are off.
September 6th, 2022 at 5:29 PM ^
Deer and Beer
September 6th, 2022 at 3:42 PM ^
Thanks for being the 1 person who enjoyed my drinking blogs.
I was never part of the writing staff proper, Brian and Seth just let me post out of kindness. It really started during COVID boredom.
Honestly, I lost interest in it. Rereading some, it turned into a feelings diary with a cocktail at the end. My goal was to knock some off this summer and when that didn't happen a very busy August with a 4 and 6 year old then starting school last week, it was put on the not necessary list.
Big time excuse train coming through there.
Maybe with the kids at school, I'll make one here and there. Honestly, I was surprised anyone noticed.
September 6th, 2022 at 3:55 PM ^
As a former bartender, I looked forward to/loved your posts. I thought you did an especially nice job of tying the weekly cocktail to the opponent/state we were facing.
September 6th, 2022 at 4:19 PM ^
Thanks appreciate it. It was done for fun.
Henneand the Jets called me out. A Hawaii one, which will be easy, will be coming.
It was thinking I have to come up with a 3rd Nebraska, Rutgers, Maryland that made it daunting.
Expect something with pineapple juice this week, as a former bartender you know how much that ingredient sucks.
September 6th, 2022 at 4:38 PM ^
I say only make those posts when you have the time/inspiration. Take the pressure out of the week-to-week and it will serve as a nice bit of bonus content every once in a while! The rest can be handled in the "What are you drinking" threads.
September 6th, 2022 at 3:55 PM ^
I loved the idea. To be honest, it was one of the many things nudging me in the mixology direction, so there's that! Could be some fun tropical ideas for Hawaii...
September 6th, 2022 at 5:21 PM ^
I enjoyed them as well. You introduced me to Empress 1908 Gin. 🤤
September 6th, 2022 at 6:41 PM ^
I loved those diaries my man and I'm not even a drinker. We definitely noticed
September 6th, 2022 at 5:38 PM ^
Also got into cocktail making during COVID lockdown. I've always been a bourbon drinker but have recently been on a rum kick. I was shocked at how varied in taste and flavor profile different styles of rum are. I've made a bunch of tikki style drinks but I don't think you can beat a Mai Tai. Play around with different rums and the ratios until it's what you like.
1.5 oz Jamaican rum (Plantation Xaymaca is my go to)
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz orange liqueur
.75 oz orgeat
Shake over crushed ice, open pour
Dark rum float (I like Koloa dark Hawaiiian)
Mint garnish
September 7th, 2022 at 9:26 AM ^
This sounds similar to Anders Erickson's recipe (YouTube bartender). I've been watching a bunch of his videos to get me started and his Mai Tai sounds amazing. I've been making it with other rums because I've already spent so much on this bar in the last couple of months.
September 7th, 2022 at 10:53 PM ^
Please help. Tried to start creating a new diary. Turns out I've used my limit for files?
Doing something wrong apparently. Not sure how the other guys do it.
Anyway I thought the easiest solution was to create a new user and get 50mb more.
but can't create until number of points reached
thanks
September 7th, 2022 at 10:58 PM ^
I have a full room bar with 50+ bottles of whiskey, a full bar of liqueurs and mixers, just about every drink vessel, and a neon sign.
I love cocktails but it's hard to beat a classic 2-1-2 Manhattan. 2 parts bourbon, 1 part good vermouth (Carpano), 2 dashes good bitters.
September 7th, 2022 at 11:02 PM ^
Way too much vermouth in my opinion.
September 8th, 2022 at 7:17 AM ^
Not if you are using the right vermouth.
If you want a more bourbon-forward cocktail, drink an old fashioned: 2 parts bourbon, 1/4 brown sugar syrup, dash of bitters
September 8th, 2022 at 3:44 PM ^
I never liked Manhattans before I got a home bar. I've tried maybe 3 in my life and all were pretty bad, which was surprising because I LOVE an old fashioned, but I figured maybe it was the vermouth. I decided to try it out just in case my palette changed since I last had one and I love it.
My theory is that I've gotten unlucky and only had Manhattans with expired vermouth. Apparently it's not common knowledge that you should refrigerate your vermouth, and even then it's only good for a couple of months.