NATHAN’S BIRTHDAY CLASS

Here’s everything you need to be prepared!

FOR MIXING

• Cocktail shaker or a Mason jar with lid

• Strainer

• Mixing glass or a large glass with a wide base

• Bar spoon or long stirring implement

• Jiggers, or small measuring cup (¼ oz – 2 oz measurements)

• A vegetable peeler

FOR SERVING

• Double rocks glass (approx. 12 oz.)

• Collins or highball glass (12-14 oz.)

• Coupe or other stemmed cocktail glass (approx. 5 oz.)

• Straws, preferably metal

BOTTLES

• Rye whiskey

• Campari

• Oloroso sherry (such as Lustau, Hidalgo or Tio Pepe; check out this primer for more information on sherry. A good rule of thumb is that you should be spending at least $14 for a 750mL bottle; anything less expensive is probably meant for cooking.)

GROCERIES, ETC.

• Ice – about a medium mixing bowl’s worth per person

• Demerara sugar, such as Sugar in the Raw

• 1 lime per person

• 1 orange, for garnish (that’ll be enough for several drinks)

• Good-quality tonic, such as Q Tonic or Fever-Tree

PREP TASKS

MAKE A DEMERARA SYRUP
Yield: ¾ cup
Combine ½ cup demerara sugar and ½ cup water in a small saucepan. Heat on medium, stirring frequently until sugar has completely dissolved. Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Label and date container. Keeps in fridge 4-6 weeks.

JUICE LIMES
Juice a couple limes until you have about ¾ oz. per person. Strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds and pulp. Store in fridge until it’s time to use it.

recipes

SHERRY AMERICANO
1½ oz. Campari
1½ oz. oloroso sherry
Tonic, to top
Pour Campari and sherry into a Collins or highball glass. Add ice. Top with 3-4 oz. tonic. Garnish with an orange twist, expressing the oils onto the surface of the drink before placing it in the drink. Serve with a straw.

BITTER END SOUR
(Adapted from Alec Bales’ “More Supreme” cocktail)
1½ oz. rye whiskey
¾ oz. lime juice
½ oz. demerara syrup
Campari, to sink
Combine rye, lime and demerara syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add plenty of ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a coupe or other stemmed cocktail glass. Measure out ¼ oz. Campari and carefully pour it down the inside of the glass so it sinks to the bottom. Garnish with fresh nutmeg if you’ve got it.

JEREZ BOULEVARDIER
1 oz. rye whiskey
1 oz. oloroso sherry
1 oz. Campari
Combine all in a mixing glass. Add plenty of ice and stir until well-chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over a big cube or several small cubes. Garnish with an orange slice.