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• Reputation: 52 Q&A: 2 0 0 12 0 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Follow Following 0 Robert Hess

  2 0 Jessie, Frankly, if you are getting cocktails that are "syrupy-sweet" then you're being served poor cocktails. A very important component for a true cocktail is "balance", which amongst other things means the drink shouldn't be too sweet or too sour. But as for a cocktail suggestion... there are a wide variety of flavors out there. On one end of the spectrum migght be the Martini, which is essentially a fairly boozy drink, and without any sweetness or sourness to bring it in line. On the other end might be something like a Lemon Drop, which is sugar, lemon juice, and vodka, designed with the intent to taste like the "Lemon Drop" candies. One of my go-to drinks is the Manhattan. It is similar to a Martini, but uses whiskey instead of gin, and sweet vermouth instead of dry (and angostura bitters instead of orange). It's use of sweet vermouth will make it technically sweeter than a Martini, but unless the bartender is also dumping maraschino cherry syrup into the drink (shame), then it's sweetness will be well tempered by the whiskey. Another favorite of mine is the Old Fashioned, at least when properly made. However the chances of you getting a properly made one are almost, but not quite, zero. Unless of course you go to one of the few bars that can really appreciate this drink (Zig Zag, Vessel, Chantanee Thai, Rob Roy, Sambar, Canlis spring immediately to mind). So this might be a drink best perfected at home. Which of course brings us to the most important aspect of how to get a good non-sweet cocktail... which is find a bar that really takes pride in their craft. First and foremost, I always recommend people visit the Zig Zag Cafe, which is located just below the Pike Place Market along the outdoor stairway that leads to the Seattle Aquarium. Get a seat at the bar if at all possible, and let the bartender know what sort of drink you are looking for, and I'm sure they'll be able to take care of you. Robert Hess answered in Cocktail Q&A about 1 year ago | Report 1 comment by prompt… 0 0 If you don't like sweet vermouth in your Manhattan, you can also order it dry. prompt commented about 1 year ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question New comments are not being accepted at this time.

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  1 0 Cucumber is a great base for refreshing, but not sweet, cocktails. I once had a cocktail at the now-defunct Madame Butterfly in Portland that was some kind of cucumber-infused gin that had cucumber slices floating in it. I'm not sure what else was in it - maybe just tonic or club soda. It was super tasty & refreshing and not at all sweet. They were also known for a cucumber margarita that I never got around to trying. Another cucumber-based drink that's sweeter, but still not too sweet, is a Pimm's cup.  I made a cocktail at home a few weeks ago with fresh rosemary muddled with a touch of sea salt, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, vodka, and club soda. It was really tasty. e.strange answered in Cocktail Q&A about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question New comments are not being accepted at this time.

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• Reputation: 111 Q&A: 4 0 0 31 0 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Expert: 1 topic Cocktail Q&A Follow Following 0

  1 0 Stevi and Robert both had excellent answers to your question. I love the Negroni and think Stevi's idea of subbing our the Aperol for the Campari is very tasty! Something I have been experimenting with lately is infusing distilled water with fruits and then serving it with vodka or gin. Right now fresh local berries with a few lemon zests are great to infuse for about 4 hours in water. You can do the same with cut up apples and a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Stir these lovely infused waters into your favorite light spirit such as gin, vodka or silver rum. Serve up or on the rocks... make it as strong as you like it. If you are mixing at home and want to experiment, this is a very light, refreshing and dry cockail idea. Enjoy. - Kathy KathyCaseyLiquidKitchen answered in Cocktail Q&A about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question New comments are not being accepted at this time.

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• Reputation: 55 Q&A: 2 0 0 15 0 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Expert: 1 topic Cocktail Q&A Follow Following 0

  0 0 Rather than focusing on what you don't want, you should think about what you do want? I tend to like boozy cocktails myself, and have many of the same favorites that Robert lists. If you want to try experimenting with the bitter spectrum, I'd recommend trying out some of the amari (bitter liqueurs). A great introduction is the Negroni, equal parts Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth. This is a great template recipe, as well. Substitute one or more of the ingredients with something similar. Use tequila instead of gin, you have an agavoni, for example. If you're new to the bitter liqueurs and find Campari a little much, try Aperol, which is less intense but still flavorful. A great way to try that is in the traditional Aperol spritz, with some sparkling wine and soda water, making it a lighter aperitif drink that's great in summer. Stevi Deter answered in Cocktail Q&A about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question New comments are not being accepted at this time.

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