Benjamin Franklin’s Milk Punch Recipe
Benjamin Franklin’s Milk Punch
By: Steven Rodia
In 1763, after returning from his diplomat duties in Europe, Benjamin Franklin penned a letter to his friend, James Bowdoin, and enclosed a recipe for milk punch. The recipe called for brandy, citrus juice, water, and sugar combined with boiling milk, then strained of the milk’s curd. The milk washing clarifies the alcohol mixture and yields a much smoother and clear drink. It may sound strange, but it is quite a refreshing concoction.
Milk Punch Recipe:
As with many cooking tasks, [...]
Plum Cocktail Shrub Recipe
Pear Shrub Recipe
By: Steven Rodia
Many of my food and drink experiments are driven from reading about new or exciting recipes. When I started reading Amy Stewart’s The Drunken Botanist, I became interested in the history of shrubs. The shrubs I’m referring to here are acidulated beverages made of fruit, sugar, and other ingredients that became popular in America’s colonial era. Long before refrigeration, shrubs were an effective way to keep fruit from spoiling and also allow for easy transportation of [...]
I.W. Harper 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review
I.W. Harper 12 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review
By: Steven Rodia
Proof: 86 Proof (43% ABV), Aged 12 Years
Originally started by Isaac Bernheim around 1872, this whiskey has traditionally been export-only. Rich in history, the I.W. Harper story is quite fascinating. Recently, the current owner, Diageo made the decision to bring I.W. Harper back to the United States after 20 years. They will offer a 4 and 15 year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon to [...]
Kentucky Derby Prep: Mint Bitters & Sous Vide Mint Infused Bourbon
Kentucky Derby Prep: Mint Bitters & Sous Vide Mint Infused Bourbon
By: Steven Rodia
With the Kentucky Derby coming up in the first week of May, it’s time to get your seersucker dry cleaned and to sharpen your cocktail game. Since 1875, no drink is more synonymous with the Derby than the Mint Julep. That was my inspiration for the very, very simple infusion detailed below and I hope you enjoy. Of course, this infusion could find a home in several warm weather cocktails, particularly [...]
Homemade Tonic Water Recipe
Homemade Tonic with a Sous Vide Twist
By: Steven Rodia
Some of the new boutique tonics on the market are very tasty, but they can also be very expensive. One of my favorites happens to be a concentrate that you need to dilute with club soda. What I’ve included below is an adapted version of a recipe that I first read about on Jeffrey Morgenthaler’s blog. I lowered the level of cinchona bark in a effort to avoid any toxicity concerns. The end result [...]
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