Who doesn’t love James Bond. The character’s creator Ian Fleming came up with a damn good version of the Martini in his first Bond Novel, Casino Royal. One of the latest film versions of the story even used this drink as a small character development plot device.

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Like the Pink Lady, this drink has to be made and tasted to be believed. The taste is old, not old like the ingredients have passed their shelf life, but Old like someone would be drinking one during the closing party in an Abbott and Costello movie. This drink is part of the fun of having a bar. You have a bar to have friends over and make drinks like the Fallen Angel. A unique flavor and a cool drink. I like this one.

Here we go –

• 2 ounces gin
• 2/3 tsp. of white Crème de Menthe
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Shake all of the ingredients in a shaker with cracked ice. Strain into a small, pre-chilled cocktail/martini glass and add maraschino cherry as a garnish.

I mention this drink for three reasons - the first being that it’s old and is considered a classic. Second, I once had a hell of an evening traveling with a friend from bar to bar requesting this drink. Only a few in-the-know bartenders could make it, and for those that could, I was damned impressed. She’s not an easy cocktail to mix. Third, it drinks well. This drink is tasty.

The Pink Lady is a wonderful drink to have in your arsenal. It makes guests smile when you mention it. If you’re entertaining ladies or more adventurous gentlemen, ask if you can mix a Pink Lady. You’ll usually get at least one taker. After you mix one, others will demand their own. The drink is something else to look at. It’s gorgeous. And don’t be scared of the egg white.

Here we go –

2 ounces gin
2-3 dashes grenadine (Roses is fine)
1 egg white

Pour all the ingredients into a shaker containing plenty of cracked ice. Shake hard and rapidly ‘til frothy and cold. Strain into a highball or martini glass. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

Another fantastic Autumn cocktail, the Empire is another drink which takes advantage of the Fall Flavors. I stumbled upon this one in an old bar bible from1940 and never looked back. I’m a huge Calvados fan (Apple Brandy) and must sample every cocktail I find which includes it. This is a quiet drink, one that you’ll enjoy drinking alone or with another quiet person on a chilly evening. Throw on that Cardigan and have an Empire.

Here we go –

• ½ ounce Calvados
• ½ ounce Apricot Brandy
• 1 ounce Gin

Shake with cracked ice in an old shaker. Pour into a small cocktail/martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Here’s a quick and easy cocktail that calls for just two ingredients, tastes delicious, and is perfect for a drink before dinner or before stepping out for the evening. I like this drink a lot. Even though there’s a healthy dose of sour in this cocktail, the spirit can still be tasted and even stands out. The Gimlet, unlike other drinks on this site can be made and mixed in under a minute. The drink dates back to around 1930.Here we go –

• 2 ounces Gin (Vodka can be substituted but I prefer the Gin version)
• 1 ounce Roses Lime.

Pour the two ingredients in a short glass (Old-Fashioned) filled with cracked ice. Stir then garnish with a wedge of lime. Be careful with this one, they’re tasty.