Author Archives: Payman Bahmani


May 18, 2012

The PDT Project: Absinthe Drip

by Payman Bahmani

Absinthe Drip

In the universe of consumer products, the spirits category is perhaps the most beset with mysticism, misinformation, and consumer ignorance. And there is no spirit more shrowded in mystery and mysticism than absinthe. Much of the modern misinformation involving spirits is perpetuated by the PR folks pushing their clients’ wares, and often helps boost sales–”ultra-premium”
Read More →

May 11, 2012

The PDT Project: 100 Year Punch

by Payman Bahmani

100 Year Punch

The 100 Year Punch is a cocktail that features a couple of unique ingredients that highlight the Korean heritage of its creator, Daniel Eun (who also created the #8 cocktail). Baekseju (also spelled Bek Se Ju) or “100 Year Wine,” is a rice and corn based Korean wine flavored with ginseng and other
Read More →

May 4, 2012

The PDT Project: 21st Century

by Payman Bahmani

21st Century

Last week I wrote about the classic 20th Century cocktail, and this week we move into modern times with the 21st Century. The 21st Century is Jim Meehan’s tequila-inspired update on the 20th Century which he created when he was a bartender at Audrey Saunders’ Pegu Club. The timing is serendipitous for tequila drinkers
Read More →

April 27, 2012

The PDT Project: 20th Century

by Payman Bahmani

20th Century color

The 20th Century is a cocktail created in the 20th Century (1937 to be exact) by C.A. Tuck (I don’t know what C.A. stands for–Cocktail Aficionado perhaps?). It first appeared in the Cafe Royal Cocktail Book written by William J. Tarling, and is named after the 20th Century Limited train line that operated from
Read More →

April 20, 2012

The PDT Project: 212

by Payman Bahmani

 

212

Aisha Sharpe and Willy Shine, the founders of Contemporary Cocktails, created this refreshing springtime drink. The name is both a reference to the classic Manhattan area code as well as a clever play on proportions.

212 2 oz Partida Reposado Tequila 1 oz Aperol 2 oz Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

Tools: shaker, strainer Glassware: chilled, ice-filled Collins
Read More →

April 13, 2012

The PDT Project: #3 Cup

by Payman Bahmani

#3 Cup

The #2 drink in the PDT Cocktail Book is the #3 Cup. If you like the Pimm’s Cup, then you cannot pass up this one, which appeared on the PDT menu in the spring of 2009. Created by former PDT bartender Gerry Corcoran, the drink’s name is a reference to the now defunct Pimm’s No.
Read More →

April 6, 2012

The PDT Project: #8

by Payman Bahmani

#8

 

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Lao-tzu

And thus begins the first step. The PDT Project officially kicks off with the #8 cocktail, a boozy tequila-based delight. Created in the fall of 2008 by former PDT bartender Daniel Eun (who’s now busy studying law in California), the #8 is a
Read More →

March 30, 2012

The PDT Project: An Introduction

by Payman Bahmani

PDT Cocktail Book

It’s been a while. I never really intended to stop writing, it just kind of happened that way. First my computer crashed last summer, which made it obviously difficult to write blog posts. Then the winds of good fortune blew my way and I got a couple of exciting opportunities I couldn’t pass up
Read More →

June 15, 2011

Happy Hour: Pusser’s v. Painkiller

by Payman Bahmani

The Painkiller

In the past week there’s been a lot of buzz in cocktail circles regarding the outcome of a legal dispute between Pusser’s rum and Painkiller, a tiki bar in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It’s a story that’s led to a lot of anger among us folks in the cocktail
Read More →

June 1, 2011

Happy Hour: MCC Recap (And Behind the Scenes)

by Payman Bahmani

CRW_1387

Like a whirlwind, the Manhattan Cocktail Classic came and went in a flash, leaving a trail of devastation and destruction in its wake. Except in this case the damage wasn’t in the form of homes and property, but rather brain cells and livers. After many many jamba juices and wheatgrass shots, full recovery was
Read More →