behind the bar with tony
me and my negroni
Tony takes us on a journey through his personal experiences learning to craft his favorite cocktail. Here he’ll passionately prepare a classic Negroni.
ingredients
- 1oz Campari
- 1oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1oz Gin
- Orange Peel
directions
Pour equal parts Campari, Sweet Vermouth, and Gin into Etched Mixing Glass. Add ice to the glass and give it a quick stir. Place a 2 inch ice cube in your serving glass. Put the Hawthorne Strainer over your mixing glass and strain the drink out into the serving glass. Cut a small swath of orange peel, twist to express over the drink, and place on top as a garnish.
the french 75
This week on Making Great Cocktails at Home, in honor of our warmer weather, Tony’s shaking things up by teaching you how to make a French 75, with bonus lessons on using a Boston Shaker and how to make simple syrup! Enjoy great cocktail with a kick, like the gun it was named after! Stay tuned each week as Tony covers a new cocktail!
ingredients
- 1oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1oz Simple Syrup
- 2oz Gin
- Sparkling Wine
directions
Chill your serving glass with ice.Squeeze 1 oz fresh lemon juice into your mixing glass. Then add 1oz simple syrup, and 2 oz of gin. In the body of the mixer, add ice until it is 2/3rds full. Pour the drink into the tin and lock the glass inside the body of the tin. Shake vigorously for several seconds. Remove ice from the serving glass. Place the Hawthorne Strainer over your mixing tin and pour the drink out into the serving glass.
Moscow Mule
This week, on Making Great Cocktails at Home, you’re just three simple ingredients away from a spicy,
refreshing cocktail. Learn the history and hardware behind the iconic Moscow Mule!
ingredients
- 1/2oz Lime Juice
- 2oz Vodka
- Ginger Beer
directions
Fill a copper mug with cracked ice to the top. Add 1/2 oz of fresh-squeezed lime juice and 2 oz of vodka. Then top it with a chilled ginger beer. Stir once with the bar spoon and garnish it with a lime.
The Margarita
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we’re releasing an episode early this week on Making Great Cocktails at Home! Follow Tony and get your Margarita on, the god-mother of all shaken cocktails! Stay tuned each week as Tony covers a new cocktail!
ingredients
- 1oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 2oz Lemon Sour
- 1oz Cointreau
- 2oz Silver Tequila
directions
Squeeze 1 oz fresh lime juice into the jigger and pour into the mixing glass. Then add 2 oz of fresh lemon sour and 1 ounce of Cointreau. Finally, add 2 ounces of silver tequila. Then add ice to the mixing tin and into your serving glass. Transfer the drink from the mixing glass to the mixing tin. Put your Boston Shaker together and…Shake! Place Hawthorne strainer over the mixing Tin. Strain that out and garnish it with a wedge of cut lime.
The Mint Julep
Welcome to another week of Making Great Cocktails at Home! The Kentucky Derby may be over, but you can still enjoy a refreshing Mint Julep!
ingredients
- A Dozen Mint Leaves
- 2oz Lemon Sour
- 2 Tsp Simple Syrup
- 2 1/2oz Bourbon
- Crushed ice
directions
Mix right in the serving cup. Add about a dozen mint leaves into the julep cup and 2 teaspoons of simple syrup. Muddle the mint into the syrup and add crushed ice, then slowly drizzle 2 1/2 oz Bourbon over the crushed ice. Then stir the drink together with the twisted bar spoon, add a little more ice, and garnish with another sprig of mint.
tools used
The Cosmopolitan
To continue shaking things up, we turn to the original contemporary classic, the Cosmopolitan, this week on Making Great Cocktails at Home!
ingredients
- Lemon Peel
- 1/2oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 3/4oz Cranberry Juice
- 3/4oz Cointreau
- 1 1/2oz Lemon Flavored Vodka
directions
Chill serving glass in ice. Add 1/2 oz of fresh squeezed lime juice to shaker cup. Then, pour in 3/4 oz Cranberry Juice, 3/4oz Cointreau, and 1 1/2zo Citron. Add ice into the larger mixing tin and pour the drink in on top of it. Combine the tins to shake your drink. Wake the drink up, don’t rock it to sleep! Remove ice from serving glass and separate your shaker cup from the tin. Using the Hawthorne strainer on the large mixing tin, pour through the secondary strainer directly into the serving glass. Cut a slice from a rolled lemon peel, express the lemon oils over the top of the drink and set the peel as a garnish.
The Manhattan
This week on Making Great Cocktails at Home. Stirred cocktail classic, The Manhattan.
ingredients
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes Tony Abou-Ganim Chicory Bitters
- Black Cherries
directions
Add cubed ice to the serving glass and mixing beaker. Then, using the jigger, measure out 2 oz of Rye Whiskey and pour them into the mixer. Then add 1oz of sweet vermouth and 2 dashes of the Tony Abou-Ganim Pecan Chicory Bitters. Stir the drink 20 times in each direction (yes, 20!) Place the Hawthorne Strainer over the mixing glass and strain the drink out into your serving glass. Garnish with black cherries and enjoy!
The Mojito
This week we’ll learn the simplest, most difficult drink to make perfectly. Learn how to use the right style of glass and CRUSH your ice for a perfect Mojito this week in Making Great Cocktails at Home!
ingredients
- 12-15 Mint Leaves
- 1oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
- 1oz Simple Syrup
- Crushed Ice
- 1 1/2 oz Light Rum
- Chilled Soda Water
directions
Use a thin Collins Glass and you’re going to build the drink inside of it. Add about 12-15 mint leaves (no stems!) and 1 oz of fresh-squeezed lime juice to the glass. Then add 1oz simple syrup and use the muddler to massage the mint into the mix without shredding it. Use muddler and lewis bag to make dry crushed ice and fill the glass with ice. Add 1 1/z oz light Rum to the glass, using the long-handled bar spoon to stir from the bottom up. Add more crushed ice as needed and the glass will frost as you stir. Top it off with just a ticket of chilled soda water, garnish with some fresh mint.
tools used
The Vesper
This week, learn how to shake up Ian Fleming’s great contribution to the world of Craft Cocktails, the in’spy’red Vesper Martini!
ingredients
- 1.5oz Vodka
- 1.5oz Gin
- 1/2oz Lillet Blanc
- Lemon Peel
directions
Fill the cobbler shaker lid up to the top with 1.5oz of Vodka and pour it into a glass of ice. Do the same with 1.5oz of Gin, then 1/2oz of Pinot Lillet on top. Pour it all into a shaker full of ice and shake! Double strain through the top of the shaker and through the fine mesh cone into the glass. Express lemon oils over the top of the drink, and drop the peel in for a garnish.
tools used
The Libertine Swizzle
Meet the signature Libertine Swizzle!
ingredients
- 12-15 Mint Leaves
- 1oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
- 1oz Simple Syrup
- Crushed Ice
- 1 1/2 oz Light Rum
- Tony Abou-Ganim Pecan Chicory Bitters
directions
Start off squeezing 1oz Fresh Lime Juice into a high ball glass. Balance that by adding 1oz of Simple Syrup, then add Crushed Ice. Add in 1.5oz of a light-bodied rum. Use a swizzle stick (or spoon!), and swizzle the drink by working the stem between your palms back and forth! The drink will frost and foam, add some more crushed ice and give it a quick, final swizzle! Then top it off with some Tony Abou-Ganim Pecan Chicory Bitters, garnish with fresh mint, and enjoy!
tools used
Want more guidance from tony?
Checkout Tony’s book’s below, or join Tony for one of his events!
The Modern Mixologist
In The Modern Mixologist, Tony Abou-Ganim, a pioneer in the craft cocktail movement, shares his expertise on elevating your drink-making skills to an art form. With a focus on fresh ingredients, precise techniques, and timeless recipes, Tony presents a stunning collection of contemporary classics designed to inspire both novices and seasoned bartenders.
From mastering the perfect martini to creating signature twists on beloved favorites, this book offers step-by-step guidance, vibrant photography, and practical tips for building a well-stocked bar. Whether you’re entertaining guests or refining your craft, The Modern Mixologist is an essential guide to making cocktails that impress every time.
Vodka Distilled
In Vodka Distilled, Tony Abou-Ganim, the Modern Mixologist, takes readers on a deep dive into the often-underestimated world of vodka. This comprehensive guide unravels the spirit’s nuances, from its rich history and diverse production techniques to its unique ability to elevate cocktails.
With expert insights and practical tips, Tony explores how vodka can transform drinks when paired with fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation. Featuring signature recipes, tasting notes, and behind-the-scenes stories, Vodka Distilled is the ultimate resource for both cocktail enthusiasts and professionals looking to master vodka’s versatility.
Whether you’re crafting classics or creating new favorites, this book will inspire you to reimagine what vodka can bring to the glass.