Author: Darcy O'Neil

Science

Introduction to Molecular Mixology

Lately, cocktails have been in a renaissance. There has also been an increased interest in making them a culinary equal. Molecular mixology is one of those trends that is being mirrored from the kitchen because molecular gastronomy is the food equivalent. The basic idea, about both of these techniques, is to apply scientific analysis and techniques to cooking and mixing. […]

Information on the use of egg whites in cocktail recipes
Ingredient

Egg Whites and Cocktails

Raw eggs are all the rage these days if you are an avid fan of cocktails. In many classic cocktails, eggs were an important part of the recipe, providing unmatched texture and mouthfeel. Some of the best know cocktails that use eggs are flips, sours and eggnog. Without the egg, these drinks are a mere shell of the original recipe. […]

David Teniers Drinking Monkeys Painting
Blog Post

David Teniers the Younger

Art appreciation is something that has eluded me for years. I’ve always been rather technically minded, so painting is limited to drywall, and playing music to mp3’s. Bartending could be considered an art, to some, but I think flavour if raised in a family that experiences a wide range of cuisines, is something we learn. Without this intrinsic understanding of […]

Whisky

Premium Canadian Whisky

Most people’s impression of Canadian whisky is that it is a rather uninteresting spirit with little depth. I think the reason for this is that of the four major whisky groups, Canadian whisky is the friendly, easy going one. Not surprisingly, many people see Canadians the same way. There is the casual side to Canadian whisky, with its light flavour, […]

Cordial

Rum Cream Liqueur Recipe

Many people love Irish cream liqueurs, like Bailey’s or Bushmill’s. These cream liqueurs are gentle and full of flavour, which appeals to a large section of the population. On the rocks or in a coffee, you really can’t go wrong. So what makes these liqueurs so special? Well, I’ll try to explain but you may be surprised to find that […]

How to make a Rye & Ginger
Soda

Rye and Ginger

A simple highball that is easy drinking, but still interesting. The spicy character of real rye whisky compliments the spiciness of the ginger. It was like they were made for one another.

Soda

Scotch & Soda

The Scotch and Soda is a very popular drink for those neophyte imbibers who appreciate the flavour of Scotch, but don’t enjoy it enough to drink it neat or on the rocks. Obviously, you can use any type of Scotch you would like, but for most people, a blended type like Johnnie Walker Red or Black and Famous Grouse do […]

Rum

Batavia Arrack

The spirit called “;arrack” is a difficult spirit to locate in some regions, but for a cocktail enthusiast it is a very important ingredient to acquire. In the early days of cocktails it was a popular ingredient and was used frequently by the likes of Jerry Thomas and other cocktail pioneers. It is also important in that Arrack should not […]

Uncategorized

Mulled Wine

With the holiday season underway, traditional beverages are sure to cross your path. One traditional drink is mulled wine, or glogg in Sweden, vin chaud in France, Quento in Brazil, Glhwein in Germany, etc., etc. It is a favorite in wine growing regions and is traditionally served warm in the winter months. Mulled wine consists of red or white wine, […]

Science

Cocktails & Science

My career path has been interesting to say the least. In retrospect it seems to have worked out okay and here’s an example of how my chemistry experience has melded with the world of drinks. Chemistry World is a science magazine that catalogues the latest discoveries in science by the top scientists from around the world. As serious as that […]

Tequila

Tequila Maria

One of the things you can count on in the cocktail, and culinary, world is variations on existing recipes and it just happens that this months Mixology Monday is on “Variations”. Generally, a variation of a recipe comes about because people get bored of the same old thing, don’t like something, or sometimes out of necessity. Taking something that is […]

How to make a homemade soda syrup for cola
Soda

Homemade Soda

Making soda from scratch is not as hard as you might think. Creating a flavourful soda syrup using a few simple techniques can open up a whole new world of culinary creativity.