We all love a good cocktail, but it’s easy to tire of the classics. There’s nothing wrong with a perfectly frosty, salted-rimmed margarita, or a warm-to-your-bones, cherry-topped old-fashioned, but sometimes, you just want something new. Something that makes you think. Something that, perhaps, gives you a chuckle. These are those cocktails.
Back in 2014, bartender Jason Brown of Chicago’s Kinmont restaurant and bar, concocted this cocktail after listening to a Werewolves of London lyric about a werewolf drinking a pina colada. His creativity sparked, and the “Werewolves of London” cocktail was born.
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Though Kinmont has since closed, this recipe lives on through the magic of the internet, being passed on and enjoyed by the most daring of drinkers out there.
Werewolves of London is a mixture of Bombay Dry gin, Pimms No. 1, pineapple juice, coconut syrup, and, of course, pig’s blood.
Camel Milk Cocktail (Abu-Dhabi)
Soy. Almond. Coconut. Cow’s. Goat’s. Why not camel’s?
About ten years ago, the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi hired Mohammad Daoud, who would become the world’s first “Camel Milk Mixologist.” Daoud’s inspiration and creativity came from Ramadan – the holy month of fasting for all Muslims. “Because camel milk has a high level of protein and additional nutrients, it’s an excellent beverage to consume during Sohour, the meal taken prior to sunrise for Muslims fasting during Ramadan,” Daoud said at the time.
Since then, camel milk cocktails have spread online, fans appreciating the milk’s richness and many health benefits. We say, if you can use it to make a chocolate milkshake — why the hell not?
Karsk (Norway)
You know how in old-timey movies, there’s usually a loveable, flannel-clad, bearded old-timer who pours something from a “secret stash” into his coffee to “warm his bones?” – Well, that drink has a name. It’s Karsk. And in this case, that loveable character is probably from Sweden.
Traditionally, karsk is simply two parts vodka and one part hot coffee. Yikes. We’re not sure Karsk qualifies as an actual cocktail or not, but either way, it’ll put some hair on your chest.
Sauerkraut martini (Germany)
To be honest, we think this one sounds absolutely delicious. While it’s obviously a less-than-traditional way to enjoy one’s pickled cabbage, a “Krautini” does seem like it would satisfy that certain craving one gets for heavily brined foods and strong booze. If you’re one of those people who can’t get enough of that vinegary pucker, combined with the signature spicy sweet warmth of gin, this cocktail is probably for you. Just use sauerkraut juice instead of olive brine.
The Sourtoe Cocktail (Canada)
Apparently, in Canada it’s perfectly legal to serve human body parts on the menu. No questions asked. And in Dawson City, Yukon, you can order yourself a sourtoe cocktail at The Sourdough Saloon. The cocktail is a rite of passage of sorts and comes with one rule: “You can drink it fast. You can drink it slow. But your lips must touch that gnarly toe.”
The sourtoe “cocktail” is simply a shot of whiskey – usually Yukon Jack – garnished with one mummified human toe, generously supplied by the good people of a local amputation clinic.
Spice things up with these agave cocktails from Mezcal Unión
Embrace the sweet and spicy flavors of mezcal for love
This might be the year of the tequila Valentine's cocktail, but there's also plenty of room for appreciation of the other agave-based spirit: mezcal. Tequila's smokier, spicier cousin is perfect for those who enjoy their drinks a little moodier and deeper, as these recipes show.
Recipes from Mezcal Unión include a twist on the Paloma and the Clover Club, taking beloved classic cocktails and giving them a mezcal hit which is ideal for the adventurous drinker.
Paloma Viejo
5 classic cocktails tequila makes better, according to a master distiller
Who needs whiskey or vodka when you have a bottle of Mexico's finest on hand?
Tequila makes everything better, including a classic cocktail. The Manual recently caught up with master distiller Enrique de Colsa to get some advice on which cocktails could use a tequila twist the most. We’ve stuck to five classics, many of which you may be familiar with. Whether you’re finding standard sips a little boring or are in a bit of a tequila phase at the moment, then these five mixes should help liven things up.
De Colsa made his name as the head distiller for renowned tequila brand Don Julio. After leaving Don Julio and taking a brief sabbatical, he created a lowland tequila blanco for The Lost Explorer. The spirit is created in small batches, at a dedicated facility, and works well in all of the cocktails that the Maestro Tequilero is suggesting below.
Curious Penicillin
With good Marsala wine, you can make some quality cocktails
If you know Marsala wine at all, it's almost certainly as a cooking ingredient. This fortified wine comes from the island of Sicily in Italy, is similar to port or Maderia, and is best considered a kind of dessert wine. But you can make Marsala wine cocktails, too, even if they aren't commonly seen in the U.S. Bartenders abroad do embrace Marsala as a cocktail ingredient, and you can, too.
"We like to mix with Marsala. It is a wine that gives a drink elegance, mouthfeel, and sweetness -- and some spicyness," said bartender Marco Fabbiano in Lecce, Puglia (translated from German). Bartenders in Italy, especially in Sicily, where the wine originates, aren't afraid to use this ingredient in their cocktails. According to Fabbiano, plenty of locals like to drink Marsala neat, but they also enjoy working it into cocktails in their bar, the Laurus Cocktail Experience.
