Make it Good and Make It Snappy.

The Grade “A” Bentley Cocktail
You know that the Grade “A” Fancy Beverage Commission endorses only drinks that have a swift shaker-to-table appearance.  The oft-quoted Harry Craddock of the Savoy Hotel, London, said that a cocktail should be imbibed quickly, while it’s still laughing at you.  The GAFBC says it must also arrive in front of you at a decent clip, while you can still laugh with it.

We enjoyed this one last night, and it’s so simple and satisfying we predict it will stay at the top of our rotation.  It began in our test labs as an applejack takeoff on the Manhattan, but when we replaced the Italian vermouth with Dubonnet, and in a smooth one-to-one ratio, it frankly purred like a fine engine.  For a garnish we added a lemon twist – it turned out to be a zingier garnish than that cherry you assumed would be indispensable.  A dash of Angostura bitters makes it very stimulating, indeed.
We then hied it to our library for a spot of cocktail bible study—because of course such a simple drink could not possibly be new—and in our search discovered that Mr. Craddock’s own Savoy Cocktail Book contains a Bentley cocktail with the same liquors, yet no garnish or bitters.

We urge you to try our new vintage Bentley Cocktail for 2012.

The Grade “A” Bentley Cocktail
1 part Laird’s Old Apple Brandy*
1 part Dubonnet Rouge
Dash Angostura Bitters
Stir over ice. 

Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a twist of lemon peel.

*applejack will do, and Calvados will more than do


There's no reason to think it's named after John Steed's beloved automobile, but here's…

A toast: To top professionals and talented amateurs!

Tiny Tim's Crutch

By popular demand — and as a teaser for tomorrow's fun — we give you the award-winning Fool's Paradise Xmas Party Cocktail of 2008:


Tiny Tim's Crutch
A salute to The Smoke

1 1/2 ounce Gordon's Gin
1/2 ounce Harvey's Bristol Creme Sherry
1/2 ounce brewed and cooled Lapsang Souchong tea

Put some sugar on a plate.  Moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with a citrus wedge and dip glass into the sugar. 
Stir all liquids over ice until very cold and strain into the cocktail glass.


There you have it, now you won't have to wait for the publication of the official Grade "A" Fancy drinks manual.  Remember to tune into Rex on the mighty WFMU this Saturday for this holiday season's dedicated cocktail.

'Tis The Season!

Click me.

December 24, the war on X-mas Eve gets off to a rollicking start as Grade "A" Fancy joins Rex for the annual Fool's Paradise Christmas party on the mighty WFMU, the Fun 91, the Freeform Station of the Nation at 91.1 on your fm dial.  Rex will remind us, one and all, of the reason for the season as he celebrates the American Novelty Songbook in true Fool's Paradise style, spinning your favorite (?) holiday-themed selections at 45 r.p.m.   And Grade "A" Fancy's own chief mixomatologist, Karen McBurnie, will once again unveil a brand new cocktail to make your spirits bright, live on air!  "Bartender of the Airwaves" is a unique piece of radio broadcast history.   Don't you dare miss it! The fun happens from 1 to 3pm EST and you can find WFMU at 91.1 here in the tri-state area, 90.1 in the Hudson Valley, or streaming live at WFMU.org on the interwebs.  If you insist on spending the day with family the show will be archived so you'll be able to enjoy the radio hi-jinx at your leisure for years to come.

Algebra of Ordering

Avoid disappointment! Master any menu! Beat the odds!
Ladies and Gents, dinner and cocktails are no longer a gamble. Calculate the Grade “A” Fancy way.

Blarney Stone

What's green, tastes like beer and corned beef, and used to stand on every other corner in Manhattan?