The Jersey Girl and Semi Suite

In the second installment of Backstage with Mark Metcalf’s series on bartenders and mixologists, we chatted with Chad Doll, a native Milwaukeean and veteran bartender. In this week’s podcast, Mark and Chad discussed the importance of customer service, the history of craft cocktails and how prohibition changed the way we drink.

Though he tends to joke about his ego, it turns out that Chad has quite a bit to brag about these days. He was recently named one of  the “Top 10” up-and-coming mixologists in the United States by Beverage Media and will be on the front cover and profiled in their September 2010 issue. He was also selected as an apprentice for the 2010 Tales of the Cocktail festival in New Orleans, where he’ll showcase his modern twist on the Rusty Nail. Plus, you’ll  find more of his cocktail recipes in the June/July issue of Imbibe Magazine. So, you could say he’s been pretty busy.

Today, Chad offers not one, but two delectable summer beverages for your imbibing pleasure: “The Jersey Girl” and “Semi Suite,” offering warm and refreshing twists on the Manhattan and the Gin Sling.

Jersey Girl
1.5 oz. Elijah Craig 12 year bourbon
.75 oz. Carpano Antica
.75 oz. Campari
1 dash Angostura Bitters
1 dash Peychaud’s Bitters

Combine all ingredients into mixing glass. Stir and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with orange twist.

Semi Suite
1 oz. Tanqueray Gin
1 oz. Pimms #1
.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
.5 oz. Agave Nectar
.25 oz. Drambuie
1 medium strawberry
6-8 mint leaves
2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Muddle the strawberry in a mixing glass. Take mint leaves in palm of one hand and give them a good slap with your other, then place on top of muddled strawberry, but make sure NOT to muddle your mint. Add all other ingredients, shake vigorously with ice and double strain into coupe glass (do make sure to double strain with this one, use a tea strainer). Garnish to your heart’s desire!

Not sure what else to do with those leftover bottles of Pimm’s and Campari? You can write to Chad through his blog and he’d be happy to offer up a few suggestions.

Enjoy!