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Seeking an autumn cocktail

In a little over a week, I will join four women I’ve known for 30 years for an annual Girls’ weekend. We’re all trying to figure out what we want to drink in our few days together, and we decided we’ll each come up with a signature cocktail and bring the ingredients for it.

We wondered whether we should do themed drinks: something seasonal? Something historical? Regional? A cocktail inspired by our favorite book?

I promised everyone I wouldn’t choose a gin-based drink. Though gin is wonderful, and maybe my love for it is tied to my love for literature from the 1920s, I’m the only one of us who appreciates it.

But gin-free is fine. I like bourbon, too. And whiskey. And rum (dark). Scotch, not so much. Nor vodka; too bland. I love Manhattans, Boulevardiers, Old Fashioneds. I also love a basic Daiquiri (lime, simple syrup, and rum — not sweet frozen dacquiries, though those have their place on summer vacations). So a little bit of darkness, a little bit of tart or bitters, a little bit of sweet. But I want something special, something different for this time together with my oldest friends.

We’ll meet on the South Carolina coast in early October. I’m leaning into autumn right now, so I’m kind of feeling something seasonal. Do y’all have any ideas?

9 thoughts on “Seeking an autumn cocktail”

  2. Since you like Manhattans, I think you would also like Vieux Carre (for some reason the German wikipedia entry for this American cocktail is much more descriptive). Take a Manhattan, add some Benedictine liquor, some brandy, and some Peychaud’s bitters and you’ve got yourself a potent cocktail!

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  3. I am also a huge gin fan, and I completely understand the lack of love from others.

    If you’re looking for something bourbon-based, I recently discovered you can switch out gin in many cocktails and replace it with bourbon.

    For example, a negroni becomes a boulevardier , and bee’s knees becomes gold rush.

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