Fan Fiction: Sneak Peek!

It's finally arrived: Fan Fiction is tonight! Imbibe your way through a one-night-only menu (including the two cocktails featured below) pulled straight from the pages of Ted Haigh's seminal Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails. 5pm-2am.

The Avenue 

Bourbon, Calvados, Passion Fruit Juice, Pomegranate Grenadine, Orange Flower Water

Curacao Punch

Sugar, Lemon Juice, Soda Water, Brandy, Orange Curacao, Jamaican Rum

Fan Fiction: Sneak Peek!

The Alamagoozlum

Egg White, Genever Gin, Water, Jamaica Rum, Chartreuse, 

Gomme Syrup, Orange Curacao, Angostura Bitters

The banner year of 1939 saw not only the futuristic wonder of the New York World Fair but also the publication of a book to delight all cocktail explorers, a book unlike any other before or since. Whereas the World's Fair looked to a glorious future, this tome looked back to travel glories redolent of the Orient Express. However, each stop in this travelogue was punctuated by a cocktail. The Gentleman's Companion, or Around the World with Jigger, Beaker, and Flask (1939), was authored by one Charles H. Baker Jr. He was an editor for Town & Country and wrote for Gourmet, Esquire, and other magazines.

-Ted Haigh, Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails

Be sure to join us for Fan Fiction on Monday, May 28th, 5pm-2am. 

Fan Fiction: Sneak Peek!

The Blinker

Rye Whiskey, Grapefruit Juice, Raspberry Syrup

The Blinker first appeared in Patrick Gavin Duffy's The Official Mixer's Manual (1934). "Blinker" was another term for "blinder," such as one might outfit a horse or mule with to keep its eyes on the road. Grenadine was specified in the original recipe, and it's fine, if unremarkable, that way. Raspberry syrup was a common substitute for grenadine, especially in Prohibition-era European and nineteenth-century American recipes. I experimented with it in this recipe--and never looked back.

-Ted Haigh, Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Spirits

Barbara West Cocktail

Gin, Sherry, Lemon Juice, Angostura Bitters

The sad but certain truth is that some drinks, even very good ones, simply were not well named. The Barbara West (sometimes just called the Barbara, although there was also a Barbara East) hardly rolls off the tongue, though there are worse examples, all guilelessly named (no irony intended). Take the Pansy Blossom or the Fluffy Ruffles, for instance. How about the Weesuer or the Bich's Special? Again, no one was trying to be funny here, any more than they were when they christened the Diarrhea Mixture. Still, they can't have done much for their popularity. Sometimes you get a break. The Barbara West was the same drink as the euphoniously named Creole Cocktail, but with the agreeable addition of bitters. This provides every justification for fervently ordering a Creole with bitters. I won't stop you.

-Ted Haigh, Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails

Be sure to join us for Fan Fiction on Monday, May 28th, 5pm-2am. 

Why 'Fan Fiction'?

We’ve gotten some questions as to why we’ve named our new cocktail series ‘Fan Fiction.’ So, here’s our explanation: 

For those of you that don’t know, fanfiction is a term (art form) that gained popularity in the 1960s when fans of the then-popular - and now iconic - Star Trek began creating and sharing their own stories within that fictional universe and using the rules of their favorite tv show.

Today, fanfiction encompasses a huge publishing market (of the internet). Super fans write about everything from Star Trek to Harry Potter, Twilight to Shaun White. Yep, Shaun White. Oh, and that Shades of Grey series that everyone is reading under their covers? That started out as Twilight fanfiction.

Have we gotten too nerdy for you? Because it’s about to get nerdier. As much as some folks geek out over Sci Fi, that’s how much we geek out over cocktails. We love them. We love talking about them, drinking them, mixing them and comparing notes on our ‘best riffs.’ It’s our version of fanfiction. We’re following the original intent of the recipe, but we’re throwing in our own twist. 

So get ready to geek out with us on Memorial (Day) Night, when we get really nerdy over Ted Haigh’s Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails. We’ll be showing off our versions of classics that have re-surged in popularity as well as some showstoppers that remain under the radar. Cocktail enthusiasts or amateur PBR-ers, nerds or ‘too cool for schools’ - everyone is welcome.

Fan Fiction: Sneak Peek!

The Bebbo Cocktail 

Gin, Lemon Juice, Honey, Orange Juice

"Another idiotically named drink, the Bebbo was based on the more desirably titled Bee's Knees Cocktail, but with the addition of orange juice. 'The Bee's Knees' was 1920s flapper slang for the best, top-knotch, cat's pajamas. 'Bebbo' is Konkani (one0 of the twenty-two official languages of India) for frog. Other than that? It's just a name, and more often a nonsense nickname. Nevertheless, Bebbo has the last laugh. The virtuous Bebbo may have been forgotten, but it's here, whereas the not-so-great Bee's Knees remains, justly, nowhere to be found."

-Ted Haigh, Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails

Be sure to join us for Fan Fiction on Monday, May 28th, 5pm-2am.

Fan Fiction: Sneak Peek!

Arnaud's Special Cocktail

Scotch Whisky, Dubonnet Rouge, Orange Bitters

"In the 1940s and '50s, this drink was a signature cocktail at the legedary Arnaud's Restaurant in New Orleans. Arnaud's, opened in 1918 by 'Count' Arnaud Cazenave (previously a wine salesman with no claims to royalty), has seen a number of signature cocktails, and the French 75 holds that position currently. No on has made an Arnaud there in years byt, hint, hint..."

-Ted Haigh, Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails

Barnum (Was Right) Cocktail 

Gin, Apricot Brandy, Lemon Juice, Angostura Bitters

"I must break it to you early in Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails that there are only a finite number of cocktail ingredients, and there are more now than there were when virtually all of the drinks in this book were invented. Although this is a testament to the mixing prowess displayed by the pioneering parents of these libations, there is always the initial inevitable letdown of the novice when he or she first mutters the glum words, 'Hey! This is nothing but a Blah Blah Cocktail with a little blah blah blah in it!  Barnum was right... there's a fool born every minute!' Back up. Once you try the many combinations, you'll happily see the devil (and the heart) in the nuances." 

-Ted Haigh, Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails

Be sure to join us for Fan Fiction on Monday, May 28th, 5pm-2am.

Fan Fiction

The team here at Scofflaw is starting a not-so-secret society that everyone will want to join. We’re calling it Fan Fiction, and all you have to do to become a member is say ‘Bottoms up!’ The first meeting is on Monday, May 28th, when we'll create a menu of classic cocktail recipes from Ted Haigh’s seminal Vintage Cocktails and Forgotten Spirits. Our renditions will be a steal at just $8-10 a piece. 

Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails

For those who don’t already have the title in their cocktail library, Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails is a must-have manual for mixology enthusiasts. Haigh’s engaging style and clear passion for the topic makes this manual easy to read and endlessly fascinating as he documents the evolution of the cocktail, from its invention through the booze mixing heydays of the previous century. We're ready for the challenge and excited to push the boundaries of our menu!

The author, Ted Haigh.

We are so excited to host an event that celebrates the cocktail and allows us to highlight the versatility of gin - the spirit our bar is focused on. Guests can expect 8 special cocktails to choose from, as well as unique offerings from chef Mickey Neely designed specifically to complement the evening’s special drink menu.

Monday, May 28th, 5pm-2am. 

New Menu Item: Scofflaw Swizzle #1

We love gin (we really do!), but we’re into rum, too. And Smith & Cross is one of our favorites. It’s been around for a while; in fact, the mark of Smith & Cross dates back to 1788. This traditional Jamaican rum is distinguished from the herd by a complex flavor profile and Navy Strength (114 proof, y’all). A tiki-inspired cocktail is the fastest way to this challenging spirit’s heart, so batten down the hatches and say ‘Ahoy!’ to the Scofflaw Swizzle #1: Smith & Cross Jamaican Rum, El Dorado 3 Year White Demerara Rum, house-made orgeat, pineapple, lime, Angostura Bitters.  

Smith & Cross Jamaican Rum, El Dorado 3 Year White Demerara Rum.

This swizzle-style cocktail greets the drinker with a heady swath of Smith & Cross Jamaican Rum, which is tempered slightly by the more subtle  El Dorado 3 Year Cask Aged White Demerara Rum. Angostura bitters lends complementary notes of cinnamon and clove, while the graceful flavors of fresh lime and pineapple follow. The sweet nuttiness of house-made orgeat finishes each sip with a balanced tiki-ness. This drink delights the palette and is scientifically proven to prevent scurvy.* Everyone wins!

Pineapple, orgeat (almond syrup!), and lime.

The Scofflaw Swizzle #1 ($8) is available right now at Scofflaw.

*We have not actually proven this scientifically.

Day Ninety-Four: Thanks

Before some more substantial posts come through the pipeline, we'd just like to say thank you to everyone. We are so lucky and so grateful for our amazing and charismatic staff, our kind and adventurous clientele, and our warm welcome from the city. Thank you. Also, sorry for not having posted for this long. It will not happen again!