Recipes

Anyone who is anyone that makes this classic cocktail will tell you it is all in the preparation. That is half the truth. The ingredients really make this happen, or not.....Think of this as one of the most simple, yet complex cocktails in the world. It is whiskey, enhanced. So choose wisely.

First, chill your glassware, some choose a classic beer mug, some a low rocks glass. Whatever really you like to sip out of. Careful, because these can go down fast. Next, have some awesome ice rocks available. We like the silicone ice cube trays that make it simple.

Next - This is all about the assembly. 

1.5 - 2 oz Japanese Whiskey

3 - 5 oz Top Note Club No 1

Starting with your chilled glass, pour your whiskey (1.5 oz - 2 oz) into the mug. Add ice. Top the drink with club soda by pouring down the side of the glass, avoiding the ice as much as possible.  Add a twist of lemon or squeeze if you like, and stir gently. Garnish with lemon peel.

Enjoy it like a cool cold tall drink! It is refreshing and lighter proof. You can have this on a hot afternoon. Cheers!

1.5 oz. Rehorst Gin

.25 oz. Vermu de Bodegon (Or Sweet Vermouth of Your Choosing)

4 oz Top Top Note Bitter Lemon Tonic

Glass: G&T Goblet or Rocks Garnish: Mint Sprig, 2 Orange Wheels, 3 Blackberries Fill glass with Ice. Pour in Rehorst Gin, Vermouth, and top with Top Note Bitter Lemon Tonic. Garnish with 2 Orange Wheels inserted into sides of glass, a Sprig of woke Mint (Mint sprig lightly tapped on the back of your hand), and 3 Blackberries.

A simple way to enjoy tequila without the calories of margarita

1.5 - 2 oz Tequila (Blanco or Reposado)

4 oz Top Note Classic Tonic

Build in a rocks glass with one large ice cube. Garnish with grapefruit wedge or lime wedge. Sip and enjoy!

Ok - This seems like a no-brainer, why not just serve up Ginger Beer? But to be clever about NA offerings, you need to usually add a twist. Plus the alcohol does dilute the mixer a tad bit, so let's see what we can create....

5 oz Top Note Ginger Beer

1 oz sparkling water, Lime or lemon Flavor, or plain soda water if preferred

1 lime, fresh squeezed

1/2 oz ginger syrup (Commercially purchased or hand made)

To make the drink:

Mix all ingredients together in a copper mug. Ice and add a lime slice on top. Enjoy!

To Make the Ginger Syrup

1/2 C Water, 1/2 C Granulated Sugar

2 in ginger grated w peel

Cooked water and sugar until dissolved over medium heat. Turn flame down and add ginger. Steep for 15 min. Turn off heat and let cool. Strain through cheesecloth bag. Great for tea and other cocktails! Store refrigerated for up to 1 month.

3/4 oz Mezcal

3/4 oz Fresh Celery Juice (Use a blender to grind 5-7 stalks of celery and strain through a cheesecloth bag. Store for 3-5 days in the fridge)

4 oz Top Note Grapefruit Soda

Lime wedge, Salt garnish or Celery Stalk and Cucumber

Rim edge of a collins glass with a lime wedge and dip into fine ground kosher salt. Add mezcal, celery juice to glass. Add ice. Gently pour grapefruit soda into glass. Stir and serve with a lime wedge.

Sometimes a G&T sounds great, but you suddenly realized you have to stay level and cool & collected for your party of guests. Try this simple "hack" to get the Gin flavor you want but with a juice press you can make at home!

4 oz Top Note Classic Tonic Water

2 oz savory juice press (see below)

2 dashes bitters 

Juniper Berries, Lime Wheel, Cucumber Wheel garnish

Build drink as you would a G&T, but instead of Gin add Juice Press. Garnish as you wish with Cucumbers or Lime.

If going for fancy, in a large balloon goblet, add a lime wheel and cucumber wheels first into the glass, add 2 dashes bitters, and build drink on top. Add ice. This makes a "pink drink" but builds fantastic flavor as the drinks sits and ice melts. Enjoy!

Juice Press: Blend 2 cucumbers, 3 stalks celery, 1 fresh lemon juiced in a blender. Pour into a cheesecloth and strain pulp. Save in a ball jar for up two 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Lay off the booze and recover with a winter chill. This one has potent energy of OJ and Cider, with spice of Ginger for a soothing mix.

1 oz Orange Juice

2 oz Top Note Tonic Ginger Beer

3 oz Sparkling Cider

3 frozen Cranberries

Mix together juices, and ice. Top with ginger beer. Gently stir. Add 3 cranberries to garnish. 

Photo Credit and Recipe Inspiration by Chowhound https://www.chowhound.com/recipes/autumn-chiller-13479

Let's get this down...No longer do we have to buy gin to drink Gin and Tonic! Thanks to brands like Seedlip. So try it!

https://seedlipdrinks.com/uk/cocktails/garden-and-tonic

4 oz of Top Note Classic Tonic

1.5 oz Seedlip Garden

Photo by https://www.gastronomblog.com/

How about a Spritz? Bitter and refreshing, the alcohol isn't needed in this version...

4 oz Top Note Indian Tonic 

4 oz San Bitter (S Pelligrino)

2 shakes Angostura Bitters (Optional)

Lime and Orange Slices

In a large balloon glass, mix the first two ingredients, bitters and stir. Drop in slices of lime and orange. Add ice. Drink and enjoy!

Photo Credit Sofabfood https://sofabfood.com/aperol-spritz-classic-cocktail/

A simple treat for those watching their rum intake. Fake the rum with a splash of coconut water.

4 oz Top Note Ginger Beer

4 oz Coconut Water

1/4 lime squeeze

Combine all ingredients into a tall glass. Stir and add ice. Top with a lime slice. 

Image Credit: Michael Appleton for The New York Times

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015320-dark-n-stormy

Fresh basil - 3 - 5 leaves

Fresh Cucumber - 5 slices

Sugar Cube (optional)

Angostura orange bitters - 3- 5 shakes

5 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water

In a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber, basil, sugar cube, and bitters. Add ice and shake. Strain into a rocks glass. Add Top Note Indian Tonic and Ice. Garnish with a Cucumber slice and basil if desired.