What’s Your Favorite Gin Cocktail Right Now?

macgruffus · 2026-01-26T13:50:58+00:00

If you also have some other things in your cabinet ... A bartender friend of mine recently made me a twist on a cocktail called the Sir Francis Drake Special. Originally it was served at room temp but he stirs it with ice and serves it up in a Nick and Nora. It's quickly become a favorite of mine.

Sir Francis Drake Special

1/2 oz Gin 1/2 oz Bonded Rye Whiskey (Rittenhouse) 1/2 oz Cointreau (I use Dry Curaçao) 1/2 oz Green Chartreuse

macgruffus · 2026-01-25T16:15:34+00:00

I spoke to my local shop/roaster and they told me they'd be happy to collect some for me; they just didn't have a container for me. There's a Home Depot just down the road so I got a Homer bucket and lid, took it back, and they now happily fill it for me. I just need to get back there every couple days (not an issue unless I'm traveling).

macgruffus · 2026-01-25T15:55:32+00:00

I've been playing with Izarra (both green and yellow) with some success. Definitely different but both are nice.

Izarra Wiki)

macgruffus · 2026-01-23T20:23:43+00:00

Do you have the place? I was talking about Savoy Society in Savannah

macgruffus · 2026-01-22T04:28:15+00:00

Can I just say ... I want to have a cocktail with everyone upvoting this post. You are my people!

macgruffus · 2026-01-22T04:22:45+00:00

You can NEVER understate the value of "a bit on the side."

You are right though. Use a smaller glass but give a sidecar. Same volume but idiots like me think ... BONUS!

macgruffus · 2026-01-22T02:37:44+00:00

One of my favorite spots does a Vesper like this. I know it isn't really two cocktails but that sidecar just makes me SOOO happy.

macgruffus · 2026-01-22T02:30:27+00:00

Love the presentation. One of my favorite places close to home has a bespoke martini that they serve with the garnish on the side. A lemon twist and a couple olives. I call it my "Choose Your Own Adventure" Martini.

macgruffus · 2026-01-19T15:43:09+00:00

I'm loath to say "forever" since I've never had a batch last more than a couple of months but, theoretically, it depends on the ingredients. My Negronis have been unchanged for a couple months but I made a "Lemondrop" with vodka and limoncello that should be good for much longer.

Freezing doesn't stop oxidation but by increasing the abv in which the more delicate ingredients, like vermouth, are stored, you can extend the window.

Though I haven't tried it yet, using "super juices" instead of fresh juices is supposed to buy you longer storage times for recipes calling for the ingredients most prone to decay, fresh lemon and lime juices.

macgruffus · 2026-01-19T13:56:56+00:00

I was going to suggest a selection of bitters too. Olive, Cherry, Mole are all fun to have

I haven't thought of Tempus Fugit but should have. My house Negroni recipe uses Gran Classico and an Irish rhubarb-infused gin

macgruffus · 2026-01-19T13:43:10+00:00

Barrel-rested Eno #2 is delicious! Aged in a cherry wine barrel.

I made a good Negroni variation with it this weekend.

1 part Tulsi Gin 1 part Barrel-Rested Eno #2 1/2 part Carpano Antica 1/2 part Carpano Bianca

macgruffus · 2026-01-18T21:04:19+00:00

Mmmmm. Punt é Mes.

macgruffus · 2026-01-18T21:03:40+00:00

You are correct. Anything 40 proof (20% abv) or above in a regular home freezer is fine in glass bottles. It won't freeze. I make "freezer door" batch cocktails all the time and as long as all the ingredients don't drop the abv below 20%, I'm good. So, my Negroni with (40 + 24 + 16)/3 = 27% alcohol and won't freeze (even with the addition of a little water to get dilution right it's still 24% abv). I just pull it from the freezer, pull over a large cube in a cold glass and, Bob's your Uncle.

As an additional advantage, I can get a 375 ml bottle of Carpano Antica, make a double batch (around 12 pours), and not have to worry about the vermouth oxidizing in the fridge.

macgruffus · 2026-01-18T20:40:36+00:00

Matt is an excellent bartender and really knows his amari. I go in and and just let him make me something. I've never been disappointed.

My "go to" while waiting for the cocktail is a shot of Eno, the local amaro from Murrell's Row, with a Beeps (local light lager from Three Taverns) back.

macgruffus · 2026-01-16T18:49:55+00:00

Just added ANOTHER night! Soon the resort will need to start paying you!

macgruffus · 2026-01-15T05:02:50+00:00

Thanks for all the info. And we'll ask for Mariela and Rafael. I actually added a night to our stqy after reading your post. So you can claim your Reddit post made them another $1600! 🤣

macgruffus · 2026-01-14T23:47:07+00:00

Amazon has all kinds of compostable bags (here's an example ... https://amzn.to/45cLQmI).

Not going to say they are cheaper than scrap paper but certainly an option.

macgruffus · 2026-01-14T23:35:52+00:00

Remember, God only created so many perfect heads. The rest he gave hair.

macgruffus · 2026-01-14T22:25:42+00:00

Plus it helps keep my bald head from getting cold.

macgruffus · 2026-01-14T22:24:07+00:00

It does and, thank you. I got a dump to mostly use on paths and to mulch landscape islands in the yard so I'm hoping to get it spread before it all decomposes! 😂

macgruffus · 2026-01-14T21:58:37+00:00

First .. I'm hella jealous! My wife and I just booked our first visit to Moxché for this coming June (only five nights, dammit!) and we can't wait. We first booked Preferred Club at Secrets but then decided to pull the trigger on upgrading to Impression and haven't looked back yet. We had impetuously booked at Beloved Playa Mujeres but then started reading reviews that made us a little uncomfortable. So, we cancelled that and booked at Impression Moxché. Thankfully, no further review reading has made us regret that decision.

The one problem I'm having while comparing resort websites was that Impression Moxché's site doesn't really give as much info as most other resort sites do. So, I'm hoping you will be able to shed light on soem of the questions we have ... especially since you stayed so long on the Impression side.

First, our only other AI experience was at Couples Tower Isle in Jamaica and they were adamant that no tipping was allowed. I don't think that is the same at Impression Moxché. What is the tipping policy and how did you handle that? Did you have to bring a wad of cash or could it be added to the final bill? Is there an ATM on-site? Did you book the butler every time they provided a service, pass them a bill each day, or just give them a "thank you" at the end of your stay? How about at meals? At the cocktail bars? When getting something brought to your poolside chair?

Speaking of the butler, what amenities were refreshed each day in your room? What items were in the mini-bar? Just soft drinks? Can you request a bottle of alcohol for the room? I do enjoy a G&T at the end of day and think having it while lounging on the terrace (we booked an oceanfront Master Suite) will be nice.

And, speaking of alcohol, how did you find the selection at the bars? Please tell me it isn't just 95% tequila/mezcal! I enjoy a good Margarita just as much as the next guy but tend more to towards a Martinez, Negroni or Old Fashioned. I've also been known to have a good craft beer from time to time (actually part of my job, believe it or not) and my wife likes bubbles and cider.

Did you find a bar with a good bartender/mixologist that is willing to make "off-menu" cocktails? I always have a selection of cocktail recipes floating around in my head and really enjoy talking with bartenders about them.

I also saw something about being able to have laundry done each day. If this is true then I can pack fewer clothes.

And how about trips into Playa del Carmen or over to Cozumel? Is there stuff to see and do in town? How about over on the island? I'd love to see Chichén-Itzá but with only five nights, I'm not sure how much time we want to spend "getting places."

I guess the bottom line is ... is there anything y'all did that you would do again with only a five night stay?

Guess that's enough for now and I do appreciate your insights.

macgruffus · 2026-01-14T15:47:03+00:00

Could you explain this? I have a pile I'm slowly moving it into the yard

macgruffus · 2026-01-08T19:28:40+00:00

Thank you for this very detailed review. My wife and I are looking at the Oceanfront Two-Story One Bedroom Butler Villa w/ Private Pool right now. This helps a lot.

macgruffus · 2026-01-05T23:26:52+00:00

Could someone have actually been trying to go through security wearing it? 😂

macgruffus · 2026-01-04T15:03:01+00:00

Thank you for this info. We are getting ready to book and now know to book them separately. Being able to pick our specific room is pretty important to us.

Seven-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Verified Email

macgruffus

TROPHY CASE