This is a question that comes up fairly frequently. Either from new bartenders or just someone wanting to make a good drink. My general rule of thumb is to use more ice than you think is necessary. At the bar, I'll pack a glass with so much ice that it crests over the top. Once you add the liquids, the ice level drops substantially.

Grapefruit juice is a relatively common ingredient in cocktails, with the primary drink being the Greyhound. Unlike a Screwdriver, the Greyhound isn't nearly as sweet and even has a pleasant bitterness that is imparted by the grapefruit juice. There are people who do not enjoy the bitterness of grapefruit juice, so those people tend to avoid the whole category of drinks using grapefruits, but all is not lost. There are things you can do to reduce the bitter flavour, such as adding salt. If you do this to a Greyhound, it becomes the Salty Dog.

Another month, another Mixology Monday. This one is being hosted by Marleigh at Sloshed! As usual I waited until the last minute before writing, an as I write this I haven’t even decided what I’m going to write about! Obviously the topic is brandy, so that helps to narrow it down. The first thing that comes to mind is the Brandy Old Fashioned. Now, like most people I know whisky belongs in an Old Fashioned, except if you are from Wisconsin. I’m not from Wisconsin, but I do have extended family there and ever since my first visit, brandy has become an equal in the Old Fashioned.

by Caroline O'Neil

Okay, so where's Darcy and where in the heck have I been? I did a few guest posts a little while ago. Alright so it was a long time ago. Most of you have probably already forgotten about Darcy's boss. I assure you that I am not responsible for Darcy's absence. He started off the new year with BIG plans and he has diligently been working on delivering them.

Another year has passed and as always it is a good time to look forward. Even though, like most people, I have big ideas for the coming year, they don't always pan out. But, if you set the bar too low, you'll never accomplish anything. Set the bar way too high, and by the end of the year you may not succeed in reaching that lofty height, but you'll probably end up going higher than you thought. So as per my usual, I have big plans, but don't hold me to them.