Country: France 

ABV:  90 proof/45% 

Brand: Maison Dolin 

Spirits Type: Amaro/Aperitif/Digestif 

Taste: Between Absinthe and Green Chartreuse - mildly bitter but finishes sweet, complex, and minty. 

Price Category: $$ 

Dolin Génépy le Chamois is a classic French alpine herbal liqueur from Chambéry, Savoie, produced by the Dolin distillery since 1821. Crafted from a blend of 30 alpine botanicals—most notably mountain sage and wormwood—it features a bright, herbaceous flavor profile with notes of mint, lavender, and pine. 

8-12% ABV 

German Rieslings produce a fresh flavor showcasing tree fruit and mineral flavors without the oakiness that is generally characteristic of most Riesling wines.  Late harvest Rieslings tend to have a higher ABV along with acidity.  German Rieslings are almost never blended with other varieties, and they are a major producer of cloned vines. 

Country: Canada 

ABV:  80 proof/40% 

Brand: Sazerac Company 

Spirits Type: Canadian Whiskey 

Taste: Delicate, Vanilla, Caramel, Cinnamon, Balanced 

Price Category: $ 

Seagram's V.O. is a widely popular, affordable, and smooth blended Canadian whisky bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof). Known for its minimum six-year aging in oak barrels, it offers a well-balanced profile with notes of creamy vanilla, caramel, fruit marmalade, and subtle brown spices. 

Country: Germany 

ABV:  42 proof/21% 

Brand: Seigburg 

Spirits Type: Liqueur/Cordial/Schnapps 

Taste: Tart Red Apple 

Price Category: $ 

Siegburg Apfel is a crisp, all-natural German apfelkorn (apple schnapps/liqueur) produced by blending fine grain spirits with real, tart apple juice. With an alcohol content of 21% ABV (42 proof), it is known for its sweet, honeyed, and smooth flavor with no harsh alcohol burn. 

4-6% Acidity 

Similar to Lemon Juice in acidity, but significantly more natural sugars which leaves a naturally balanced juice if freshly pressed. It is highly recommended to test the sweetness of the juice before adding additional sweeteners.

A natural sweetener made from tree sap.  Maple Syrup will bring out wood and straw notes in a spirit while adding sweetness stronger than simple syrup. 

Adding a whole egg to a cocktail creates a "Flip"—a classic style of drink predating eggnog. The egg white adds a silky, velvety froth, while the yolk provides richness and softening. The result is a substantial, dessert-like texture.

Salt/Saline is a great flavor booster.  It can balance sweetness and bitterness, smoothing out a cocktail.  It can also enhance citrus flavor and acidity without the need for more acid. 

A pinch of salt can be added to the cocktail, but for consistency, saline is easy to make and allows more control.  

To Make It:  

2 oz (60mL) Distilled or Purified Water 

1 Tbsp (15g) Fine Sea Salt 

Combine in a jar and shake vigorously.  Once salt is dissolved, pour into a dropper bottle. 

An orange spritz and twist can add a quick bit of brightness and bold citrus and floral flavor to a cocktail.  When roasted or charred, it can add an oaky, slightly bitter aroma and flavor.