It’s Happy Hour! Ben and Matthew discuss the origins of The Perfect Sip, why they love making craft cocktails, and why you will too. They then describe how they want to build a fun and straightforward resource for amateur cocktail crafters old and new. Later they introduce their current favorite original recipes that they have created.

Ben’s Winter Vacation is a kicked up daiquiri with three simple winter flavored embellishments that make it as good as a holiday sojourn. Especially if you drink it while on an actual sojourn. Let us know if you do. Better yet, take us with you and we’ll make one for you!

Matthew’s Sunny Day is a serene gin sour layered with lavender and French liqueur that will have you strolling the sun soaked fields of Sault-en-Provence. Sure beats three laps around the Costco parking lot at lunch. (Get me a hot dog!)

Recipes after all the things below!

(00:00) Opening

(01:55) The Perfect Sip Origin Story

(04:50) Ben’s Journey

(10:05) Matthew’s Journey

(19:10) Cocktail: Winter Vacation

(28:30) Cocktail: Sunny Day

(35:15) Closing

• 2 oz White Rum
• 3/4 oz Lime Juice
• 1 oz Ginger Syrup
• 1 spritz of Rosemary Tincture
• 1 Lime Wheel for Garnish
• 1 Cinnamon Stick or Apple Wood chips for smoking
• Optional: Smoke the glass with a scorched cinnamon stick or smoking kit before shaking cocktail.
• Combine rum, lime juice, and ginger syrup in a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Double strain into a coupe glass and garnish with the lime wheel and top with a spritz of the rosemary tincture.

• 2 oz London Dry Gin
• 3/4 oz chamomile-lavender syrup
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 1/4 oz Lillet Blanc
• 2 dashes lavender bitters
• Lemon wheel for garnish (the sun)
• Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim of the glass.

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We own and recommend these books:

The 12 Bottle Bar: Make Hundreds of Cocktails with Just Twelve Bottles by David Solmonson, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson

Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold

Imbibe! by David Wondrich

Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, David Kaplan

Products we own, like and use:

• Measuring tools
• OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, 2 Oz capacity
• OXO Metal Angled Measuring Cup
• OXO SteeL Double Jigger

• Shakers
• This shaking set is sold as two separate items on Amazon, you will need both
• Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Small Weighted Shaking Tin
• Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Large Weighted Shaking Tin
• Mixing Glasses/Tins