
Bananas for Nancy
Jonathan Stanyard’s Bananas for Nancy combines bourbon with banana oleo liqueur, lime, sherry and amaro.
A bottle gives you a starting point; the rest of the drink deserves attention, too. The Cocktail Cabinet explores recipes and the ingredients that make them distinctive, from a tart fruit shrub or homemade syrup to aromatic bitters and the richness of a fat-washed spirit. It’s a place to find something to mix tonight and ideas worth setting aside for a little weekend preparation.
Alongside the recipes, we look at the practical choices behind the pour: which glass to reach for, how ice changes a drink, and what a rim or garnish adds. Build on the tools and ingredients you already have, then make room for something new when it earns a place on your bar cart.
Whiskey-forward recipes, classic builds, and seasonal drinks for the home bar. Find measured ingredients, clear methods, and notes on the balance between the whiskey and its supporting ingredients.
Poured With Intention
The Cocktail Cabinet brings together whiskey-based recipes, serving notes, and bar culture, from familiar classics to new variations.

Von Payne’s Black Margarita
Blackcurrant-infused whiskey meets lemonade, orange juice, and lime in Von Payne’s Black Margarita, a citrusy cocktail finished with a spicy chili-salt rim and a lime garnish.

Von Payne Currant Old Fashioned
A stirred Old Fashioned made with Von Payne Black, a whiskey infused with natural black currant, aromatic bitters and an orange twist.

Bananas for Nancy
Jonathan Stanyard’s Bananas for Nancy combines bourbon with banana oleo liqueur, lime, sherry and amaro.

Still Austin Old Fashioned
Still Austin bourbon, rich demerara syrup and Fee Brothers bitters form this Old Fashioned.

Koopers Bourbon Peach Smash
Prodigal Son bourbon, peach, lemon and mint meet a club-soda float in Koopers’ Bourbon Peach Smash.

Koopers Ledbetter Loveletter
Koopers rye, fig syrup and black walnut and orange bitters form the Ledbetter Loveletter.
A useful recipe explains what each ingredient contributes and how to bring the drink into balance. We keep the measures and methods clear enough to follow at home.
From timeless drinks to contemporary interpretations, The Cocktail Cabinet keeps the character of the whiskey central to the recipe.
Start with the recipe, then pay attention to what is happening in the glass.
Ice, temperature, dilution, and bitters all affect how a cocktail tastes and feels. Our notes explain those choices alongside the method, including the role of glassware, aroma, and presentation.
The supporting ingredients should complement the whiskey while leaving its character clear.
A Clear Point of View
Our cocktail coverage connects ingredients and technique with the people, places, and traditions behind a drink.
Made for the Curious Pour
Whether you are making a first Old Fashioned or trying a new seasonal recipe, start with the ingredient list and method, then use the serving notes to guide the details.