Moment of Silence

From the excellent RogueBeta Cocktail book. A modern classic.

1 1/2 oz Rye Whiskey
1 oz Apricot Liqueur
1/2 oz Averna
1/2 oz Angostura
1/4 oz Applejack

Rinse a down glass with Campari. Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled glass and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into the rinsed glass and garnish with an orange peel.

Hop Toad

This recipe comes from The Joy of Mixology, and it's a deceptively complex drink.

1 1/2 oz Dark Rum
1 oz Apricot Brandy
1/2 oz Lime Juice (Fresh, please)
1 dash Angostura

Combine all of the ingredients in a glass and shake for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Enjoy.

Leap Frog

Invented by the excellent Jim Meehan at PDT and printed in the New York Times, this drink is refreshing and pleasing to both the sophisticated palate and the newcomer to cocktail pleasure. Definitely one to break out when you have fresh mint on your hands, particularly in the summer.

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Apricot Brandy
3/4 oz Simple syrup
6 Mint leaves
2 dashes Orange bitters

Combine mint and simple syrup in a glass and muddle the mint until it has released its oils. Add the other ingredients and fill the glass with ice. Shake for 10-15 seconds and double strain into a cocktail glass.

Enjoy.

Pendennis Club

A drink introduced to me by the fantastic Oh Gosh! cocktail blog, this is a highly complex cocktail that's still very refreshing and bright, and includes two of my favorite things, Apricot Brandy and Peychaud's Bitters. The drink was originally garnished with a lime wedge, but I prefer the twist for the nose it imparts.

1 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Lime juice
1/3 oz Apricot brandy
1 bar spoon Peychaud
1/2 bar spoon Simple syrup

Combine in an ice-filled glass and shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lime twist.

Enjoy.