Flaming Cocktails

Legend has it that when President Ulysses S. Grant had his first Blue Blazer—a flaming whiskey toddy poured between cups in a pyrotechnic arc—he rewarded its inventor, Jerry Thomas, with a cigar from his own breast pocket. It was well deserved: Fire enhances aromatics, brings pleasing warmth, and caramelizes surface sugars, making the experience of sipping a cocktail all the more heady. While you're unlikely to land a presidential commendation for flambéing drinks at home, what you will get is showstopping libations.

Colts Neck Toddy

Named for the New Jersey birthplace of Laird's Apple Brandy, this toddy gets bittersweet complexity from cardoon-flavored amaro. Blow out the burning bourbon that floats atop the drink, then stir it in.MAKES 1 COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS

1 oz. apple brandy, such as Laird's (available atDrink Up NY)
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. maple syrup
½ oz. Cardamaro (available at Astor Wine & Spirits)
⅛ oz. decanter bitters, preferably Bitter Truth Jerry Tomas' Own (available at Chelsea Wine Vault)
1 slice lemon
5 whole cloves
½ oz. barrel-strength bourbon, preferrably George T. Stagg (available at Twenty Twenty Wine Merchants)

INSTRUCTIONS

In a tempered-glass mug, stir together brandy, juice, syrup, Cardamaro, bitters, and 3 oz. hot water. Stud lemon slice with cloves and add to mug. Float bourbon on top; ignite.

Navy Blue Blazer

This twist on Jerry Thomas's original uses overproof rum, a spirit with a high sugar content that, when burned, lends caramel depth to the drink.
MAKES 2 COCKTAILS

INGREDIENTS

2 oz. navy-strength rum, preferably Smith & Cross (available at Drink Up NY)
2 oz. blackstrap rum, preferably Cruzan (available at Drink Up NY)
1½ oz. fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. orgeat syrup
¾ oz. cinnamon syrup (see recipe)
1 oz. 151-proof rum, preferably El Dorado (available at Amazon.com)

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill 2 tempered-glass mugs with boiling water; set aside for 2 minutes. Discard water; add navy-strength and blackstrap rums, juices, syrups, and 4 oz. hot water and stir. Add 151-proof rum; ignite.

The Big Red

Grapefruit juice and cinnamon-infused syrup bring bright, spicy balance to the wallop of navy-strength gin, a variety with an extra-high alcohol content. This elegant drink is topped with a flaming lime rind.
MAKES 1 COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS

2 oz. navy-strength gin, preferably Perry's Tot (available at Astor Wine & Spirits)
⅔ oz. fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz. fresh lime juice, plus ½ of a lime
½ oz. Cherry Heering (available at Astor Wine & Spirits)
½ oz. cinnamon syrup (see recipe)
1 tsp. orgeat syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine 1 ½ oz. gin, juices, Heering, syrup, and orgeat in a shaker filled with ice; shake, and strain into a coupe glass. Hollow out the lime half; turn inside out. Float on top of the cocktail, and fill with remaining gin. Ignite gin.
From Saveur.com/ Posted by Mags