Tom & Harry

Drink: Tom & Harry
Type: Alcoholic
From: Manifesto
Price: $
Description: Warming

This Kansas City version of the classic Tom & Jerry cocktail (similar to a hot egg nog) is named for Tom Pendergast and Harry Truman. Hot and milky, the drink is a perfect winter cocktail. The addition of Absinthe whipped cream is truly remarkable.

The drink: warm, spicy, smooth, creamy.

There's a nice bite from the alcohol that you wouldn't find in an egg nog or hot chocolate with a wonderful nutmeg flavor. The Absinthe whipped cream makes its way through the drink as you sip on it and adds lovely anise flavor. Come by Manifesto (located in the basement of The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange) sometime and check out this lovely winter cocktail.

Bell Ringer

Drink: Bell Ringer
Type: Alcoholic
From: Chaz on The Plaza
Price: $12
Description: Apple-y

Located in the lower level of The Raphael Hotel on the south side of The Plaza, Chaz on The Plaza is an intimate (and delicious) restaurant that offers live jazz and an extensive wine list. I really enjoyed the use of a tablet to browse the cocktail and wine menus.

Made with Absolute Orient Apple, Calvados, Bitters, and Champagne, this cocktail is both refreshing and light with a wonderful caramel apple flavor.

The drink: bubbly, light, spicy, not overly-sweet.

I can't recommend the Southern inspired cooking and atmosphere at Chaz enough for a truly flavorful time.

Stoli Doli

Drink: Stoli Doli
Type: Alcoholic
From: The Capital Grille
Price: $13
Description: Airy

This signature cocktail on The Plaza is made by infusing Dole Pineapple into Stoli vodka. The result is a light and sweet drink that's shaken, presumably with simple syrup, to create a cool and flavorful combination.

The drink: sweet, smooth, lightly tart.

The house special cocktail pairs well with the food options at The Capital Grille, and makes a nice pre-dinner drink.

Best of 2014

As 2014 comes to a close, I thought I'd join the reflective bandwagon and look back at the cocktails, coffee, tea (as well as soda, wine, chocolate, beer, ice cream, etc) that I've enjoyed over the past year (really since April when I started this little blog) and share with you my top ten favorite beverages. Cheers!

P.S. You can find all the beverages on the spirits, beans, and leaves pages of the blog.

Ten:  

Cali Cola, One More Cup

Nine:

Harry's Reviver, Harry's Bar & Tables

Eight:

Autumnal Seasonal Italian Soda
Second Best Coffee

Seven:

Cream Royal
The Blue Teapot

Six:

Lavender-Honey Latte
Second Best Coffee

Five:

Pendergast
The Rieger Hotel 

Four:

Brown Sugar & Rosemary Latte
Kaldi's

Three:

 Charlie Sour
The Westport Cafe

Two:

Red Velvet Rooibos Tea
Anna Marie's Teas

One:

The Old Square, Bluestem

Happy New Year, Kansas City! Here's to more great beverages and local love!

Homemade Irish Cream

Looking for a last minute DIY gift? This easy, quick, and affordable Irish Cream recipe works wonders in coffee, desserts, and as an evening nightcap. Mix up a batch for friends and family, neighbors, co-workers, or to keep to yourself! You won't regret it. Happy Holidays, Kansas City!

Irish Cream

1 2/3 cups good Irish Whiskey*
1 cup heavy cream
1 (14oz) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
2 T. Hershey's chocolate syrup
2 T. cold coffee
2 t. pure vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix on high speed for 20 seconds.

Transfer the mixture to an airtight container (I used recycled starbucks glasses).

Store in the fridge for up to two months. Shake well before using.

*I used Jameson and it turned out lovely. The only thing I might change is perhaps adding another tablespoon of coffee. Creamy, flavorful, and indulgent. Perfect for the holidays.

Ritz Cocktail

Drink: Ritz Cocktail
Type: Alcoholic
From: 801 Fish
Description:

This orange-forward cocktail comes from the local seafood restaurant in Leawood, 801 Fish. It's very light on the tongue and has no bite. Made with Courvoisier Cognac, Cointreau, Luxardo, Lemon Juice and Champagne, it's served with an orange peel in a martini glass.

The drink: citrusy, floral, smooth, light.

This lightly sweet cocktail is a great pair to the many options on the menu.

Festive Cocktails

Need some easy cocktails to impress family members and friends this holiday season? I served the Brandy Cider Champagne before Thanksgiving dinner as a festive fall cocktail, and the Hot Toddy after dinner and dessert while we watched The Plaza Lighting. 

Brandy Cider Champagne

Ingredients:

Prosecco

Brandy

Apple Cider

Powdered Cinnamon

Directions:

Put a splash of brandy and about 3/4c. of cider to a shaker with ice. Shake. Fill champagne flutes 1/4 way, add Prosecco, dust with cinnamon, and garnish with an orange twist. 

Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

J. Rieger Whiskey

Hugo Black Tea

Lemon

Honey

Hot water

spices

Directions: 

Boil water and steep with black tea (1 t. per 8 oz water), whole cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice, and lemon peel. Meanwhile, add 1 oz. whiskey and 1-2 t. honey to mugs. Add hot water to mug, garnish each mug with lemon peel, star anise, and grated nutmeg. Serve immediately. 

J. Rieger & Co. Whiskey

Located in the East Bottoms, the renewed J. Rieger & Co. is flourishing. With a newly assembled still, and plenty of high quality sherry, Ryan Maybee and Andy Rieger's venture into whiskey has been something all of Kansas City benefits from. 

Once one of the midwest's most popular whiskeys, J. Rieger fell off the grid after Prohibition began, but not before the family built The Rieger Hotel, currently home of The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange and Manifesto. 

Tours (and tastings) are available, and I definitely recommend checking it out. The entire process is filled with historical intrigue and local love. 

The Last Word

Drink: The Last Word

Type: Alcoholic

From: 801 Fish

Description: Herbal

I ended up at 801 Fish in Leawood by chance, and was fortunate enough to sample some cocktails while dining on crab legs and oysters. This Chartreuse-forward drink is a wonderful compliment to the seafood options in this beautiful restaurant. 

The drink: clear, light, sweet, smooth. 

The lime adds a nice citrus touch to the floral, herbal-ness of the Green Chartreuse. The chartreuse is so well balanced and lovely - it's really highlighted in this cocktail with flavor and clarity. 

Smoke & Flowers

Drink: Smoke & Flowers
Type: Alcoholic
From: Q39
Price: $10
Description: Tart


This competition style BBQ joint down on 39th street features some of the most phenomenal burnt ends and brisket around town, with plenty of cocktails to pair with the different platter options. The Smoke & Flowers is a tart combination of Johnnie Walker Black, Elderflower, lemon, and soda.

The drink: smokey, floral, effervescent, and tart.

The smokiness from the whiskey comes first with an extreme tartness and flowery sweetness at the end. The fresh lemon gives it a pucker factor that goes well with the sweetness of Q39's sauce. The cocktail really does compliment the barbecue well, which is an added bonus.

Hot Toddy Recipe

Drink: Hot Toddy

Type: Tea / Alcoholic

Description: Soothing

It's definitely hot toddy season, especially with this recent cold front. Between the winter weather and the cold I've been suffering from, this hot toddy has been my go-to drink. There are a million ways to make a toddy, this just happens to be my favorite: 

Recipe

1 oz. whiskey

8 oz. black tea

1 T. honey

fresh lemon

Brew tea. Steep 1 t. dry tea leaves in 8 oz. hot water for 3-5 minutes. While steeping, add about 1 T. honey, 1 oz. whiskey, and a slice of fresh lemon to a mug. When tea is finished brewing, add to the mug, stirring to mix honey and whiskey in the tea. Sip and enjoy. 

I like to choose my whiskey based on the tea that I'm using. My preferred tea for a hot toddy is Cream Royal Black Tea, with which I like to use American Honey or Jameson. A more floral tea, like Earl Grey, would pair better with a bourbon. I like the creaminess and smooth flavor that comes with the Cream Royal tea combined with the spiciness in Jameson and smoothness of American Honey.

Vieux Carre

Drink: Vieux Carre
Type: Alcoholic
From: The Majestic
Price: $10
Description: Flavorful

The Majestic, formerly The Fitzgerald Saloon, is an iconic KC staple located on Broadway. With wonderful food, great cocktails, and a jazz club that features live music seven nights a week, this downtown spot is great for date nights.

If you're looking for a late lunch, the happy hour menu is affordable and delicious. Their version of a Vieux Carre comes on the rocks and has a lingering spicy flavor that pairs quite nicely with their awesome burgers (one of the best in town).

The drink: spicy, flavorful, intense, smooth.

It's a wonderful sipping cocktail with deep flavor from the Old Overholt, Deau VS Cognac, and Dolin Sweet Vermouth. I can't wait to pair this with a night listening to music in the 100 year old building.

Smokehouse Manhattan

Drink: Smokehouse Manhattan
Type: Cocktail
From: Smokehouse Bar-B-Q
Description: Well-Matched

Great KC BBQ requires a cocktail that can match. Smokehouse has a lovely take on the classic Manhattan. With Old Overholt Rye Whiskey, bitters, and sweet vermouth, it's well balanced and compliments the sweet nature of Smokehouse's sauce.

The drink: sweet, tart, great whiskey flavor.

What makes this a unique Manhattan is the black cherry infusion of Old Overholt. It adds a subtle fruitiness and depth of flavor to the cocktail. The cocktail is a bit heavy on the vermouth, but it adds that extra sweetness that goes well with their style of BBQ.

Cocktails at Jax Fish House

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar on the Plaza is the new home of phenomenal local bartender Kenny Cohrs. During the media preview in October, Kenny shared several of the cocktails that are on the KC menu. 

The Roanoke

Named for the street on which this new oyster bar and restaurant resides, this gin-based cocktail includes ginger liqueur, fresh lemon juice, angostura bitters, and is topped with Moscato. It's light and refreshing with the perfect amount of effervescence and a subtle ginger flavor.

Jax Strawberry Lemonade

The world famous drink is a great option made in-house with fresh lemons and their own strawberry simple syrup. It's lightly sweet, not too tart, and has lovely strawberry flavor. 

 High Plains Negroni

With Greyling gin, Aperol, Dolin Rouge, and an orange peel, this is a great Negroni. It's well-balanced, bitter but fresh from the citrus and easy on the palate.

With a partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a by-the-glass wine list to pair with the freshest oysters you can get, a wonderfully diverse and unique menu, and a passionate staff, this is a gem that shouldn't be missed. Happy Hour is 4-6, with an all-night Happy Hour on Mondays. 

The Man From Another Place

Drink: The Man From Another Place
Type: Cocktail
From: The Westside Local
Price: $10
Description:

The Westside Local is a small restaurant; a really casual and fun place to get phenomenal food and great craft cocktails. This particular cocktail is made with Jack Rudy small-batch Grenadine, a flavoring that isn't syrupy or fake-tasting which adds wonderful flavor depth without taking away from the other flavors.

The drink: sweet, subtly citrusy, light, spicy.

The spiciness comes from the scotch, which is complimented well by the juice, soda, and grenadine. All in all, a very well mixed cocktail with great balance and flavor.

Cashewtini

Drink: Cashewtini
Type: Alcoholic
From: The Cashew
Price: $11
Description: Girly

For a girl's afternoon out, a little bubbly is in order. This cocktail, made with champagne, St. Germain Elderflower Liquor, and garnished with a Hibiscus flower, is exactly that.

The drink: floral, fruity, sweet, bubbly.

The Cashew uses a nice, dry champagne which mellows out the sweetness from the Elderflower liquor. It's wonderful for sipping and the bubbly just makes it fun.

French 75

Drink: French 75
Type: Alcoholic
From: Aixois Bistro
Price: $9
Description: Refreshing

Located at 55th and Brookside, Aixois is a lovely French bistro and coffee shop with a beautiful patio and delicious options.

The drink: tart, sweet, light, herbal.

This cocktail is well-mixed with fresh flavor that compliments the gin with the perfect amount of carbonation. Be sure to pair it with the Happy Hour specials Monday - Saturdays 4-6pm.

Harry's Reviver

Drink: Harry's Reviver
Type: Alcoholic
From: Harry's Bar & Tables
Price: $9
Description: Herbal

As one of the more popular location for industry employees to hang out, I've found myself at Harry's in Westport more and more frequently. With one of the best patios in Kansas City, it's the perfect time of year to grab an appetizer and sip cocktails on Sunday afternoons. This cocktail is made with Citadelle gin, St. Germain, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, and topped with Green Chartreuse.

The drink: light, citrusy, cool.

This perfectly balanced cocktail has phenomenal Chartreuse flavor that pairs well with the gin and lemon flavors, making for a delicious drink. If you are looking for a drink flavored with Green Chartreuse without the strong bite and overpowering flavor it can sometimes come with, then this is the perfect cocktail.

Falling Leaves

Drink: Falling Leaves
Type: Alcoholic
From: '37 Steak
Description: Autumnal

One thing I really appreciate about Mike Strohm from '37 Steak at Harrah's in North Kansas City is his love for new and strong flavors. His new fall menu is inclusive of these, including this perfectly spicy and smokey whiskey-based cocktail.

The drink: spicy, strong, smokey, crisp.

Mike starts with scorching a board and letting the wood smoke fill the glass while preparing the cocktail with Dark Horse Reunion Rye. The addition of floating house-made cardamom liquor on top is quite nice. The complex flavor, spiciness, and smokiness compliments the rye flavor really, really well. The name is obvious, as this cocktail has both the color and crispness of autumn leaves.

Rue de Main

Drink: Rue de Main
Type: Alcoholic
From: The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange
Price: $9
Description: Bitter


With Rose de Provence, Aperol, and Dolin Rouge, this cocktail is light and a little bit sour, but full of flavor. If you're not a fan of Aperol or Campari, this cocktail probably isn't for you, because the flavor plays a strong part in this drink.

The drink: sharp, bitter, smooth, clear.

The Rieger, located at 1924 Main, hosts a wide arrange of unique and delicious cocktails, along with a patio perfectly lovely for fall evenings. If you're looking for something different with a bit of bite to it, this cocktail is perfect for sipping.