This marks the launch of our new blog, Cocktailing, in which mixology master Wes Galloway, who works his magic at Black Beans Steakhouse and Lounge in Port Hope, ON, will share recipes and tales of great cocktails.

The original definition of a cocktail is simple: spirits of any kind, mixed with sugar, water and bitters, with the chief aim of bringing the bitter, sweet, strong and weak aspects into glorious harmony. I always love to discover different spirits, liqueurs, bitters, fortified wines or arcane ingredients, and get to know them intimately so that I may find a home for them in a traditional cocktail. It’s similar to dating: some people just simply don’t click and disaster ensues. Others are simply a match made in heaven and you can’t wait to share your love with the world!

My unique approach has led me to be able to create a wide variety of spirit-only libations that can both make you melt or challenge your palate with a new experience. Stirring a drink is sexy in and of itself. I liken it to a couple dancing closely, gradually moving closer and finally kissing. Close your eyes and imagine it. Lovely, no? Shaking a drink is akin to taking that same couple and throwing them into a mosh pit. It’s loud, flashy and a tremendous amount of energy is used, but some ingredients have a little more trouble getting along on their own and a simple coaxing won’t do. A perfectly executed shake is a beautiful thing. Still, I do have my preferences.

As this first communication is a taste of things to come, I will leave you with a great aperitif recipe. It started with a very old drink from the old Waldorf-Astoria. The Stephen’s Cocktail was composed of equal parts sherry, dry vermouth and Benedictine. I found the flavour profile interesting, but it was too sweet and lacked depth and complexity. I studied its attributes, started tinkering and before you knew it, I had a new cocktail. Here she is.

Honour Thy Father (Wes Galloway)

1oz Amontillado Sherry
1oz Lillet Blanc
3/4 oz Benedictine
1 tsp Unicum Bitter
Small dash orange bitters
* Put in a mixing glass. Fill 3/4 full with ice and stir well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. No garnish.

Image (top) courtesy of Thomas Hawk.