Drink of the week

The Perfect Jonathan

• 1.5oz Vodka


• 3oz Orange Juice


• .5oz Grand Marnier


• dash of orange bitters

I made two different variations on this theme, by trying a couple of Grand Marnier substitutes. First we tried one with Galliano and then one with its more obscure cousin, Strega. I've always found Galliano to be too bitter and overpowering, even if it does come in a very nice bottle. But I can highly recommend Strega. It's more subtle and slightly sweeter and made for an excellent Perfect Jonathan.

As for the orange bitters, you'll find it is used in some very good cocktail recipes, but you probably won't find it on your local liquor store shelf. I get my supply of bitters and other cocktail mixers from Fee Brothers. They make an excellent Angostura (or classic) bitters, as well as the orange (you can also get peach and mint bitters). Their cordial syrups are also highly recommended. Their Grenadine is an excellent version, much better than the standard one you usually see on your store shelves. I still haven't found the great French Grenadine I bought a few years ago, and unfortunately, I don't remember the name. You'd be surprised at what a diference a good grenadine syrup makes.

An interesting note - Fee Brothers must ship to bars and the like more than to just folks like myself, because they send it to you Net 30! In other words, they send you the product with an enclosed bill and you send them a check back. Now that's Old Fashioned!