How to FIX a cocktail - improving the Brown Derby

[@AndersErickson]

What’s best is subjective - that what’s fun. Happy mixing everyone 🥃 Thanks to Still Austin for providing the whiskey for today’s workshop! Go check them out 👉 bit.ly/3XfikFQ

[@Runge_was_here]

Can't wait to try this. I like the Brown Derby but it's not a go to for me. The addition of cinnamon definitely peaks my interest. Thanks for the great content my dude. 🍻

[@prasantajena5722]

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[@elizabethj7969]

Omg this is such a fun idea! Please do more of these! I love playing around with mixers and spirits, so this is SUCH a great format!

[@DanielBrice7f58a6]

Doooooooogggg!

[@greysondevendorf]

As someone who hasn't had a lot of alcohol in their life, my favorite part of these episodes is when Oz (sorry idk how to spell your name) comes in and tries the drinks. It brings it down to my level of being just a normal person and not an expert on the subject. Great videos man!

[@Ea-Nasir_Copper_Co]

I'm coming back to this after a few months (I came to this channel late) to express my thanks for the cinnamon honey syrup recipe. Forget the Brown Derby; the syrup is the best sweetener for Scottish Breakfast tea I've ever tried. This has changed my life for the better.

[@justinbitner8776]

Love the fixing of cocktails videos (the Mary Pickford video is a fav of mine too). Being able to experiment and tweak recipes isn't always super intuitive for a novice such as myself, so I appreciate you breaking down the iterations.

[@MrFrowneyface]

As a local Austin resident I can say with 100% honesty Still Austin has some of the nicest young bourbon around and I can’t wait to see what they come out with and how they grow in the next couple of years.

[@Izrun]

I love Still Austin. They are actually what got me into cocktails all together. During the pandemic they produced tons of alcohol for hand sanitizing and gave it away for free, back when it was really hard to get ahold of. I went to get some and figured I would support them and bought a bottle of Whiskey and a pre-mixed Old Fashioned syrup (prebatched with bitters, etc). Anyway, I started making it and that opened my eyes to what a "grown up" cocktail could be. I stuck with that for a while then eventually decided to try to branch out to mixing my own when they stopped selling the mix. That's when I found you Anders, and you basically lead me on this cocktail journey. So thanks Anders, and thanks Still Austin.

[@AndersErickson]

Love this - thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@wizardbysmell]

Hi neighbor! I too love Still Austin. That reminds me, I need another bourbon.

[@dimitarapostolov9788]

I love this format!!! Can't wait to see you workshop the Martini! 😁 Cheers Anders and Az 🍸

[@AndersErickson]

That could be a great one

[@AlonzoTheArmless]

Yes, I second this suggestion!

[@batfinksdad]

I’ll third it! 😂

[@deysepinheiro3196]

Anders, I don’t know if you know, but I want you to know that you are the best bartender/friend/teacher that everyone can have. I love your channel, i learn so much and the way you teach things I know i’ll be here fooor a long time learning and learning and never being in boredom.

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks Deyse. Happy you're enjoying the vids - Cheers!

[@TheJoshSeattle]

Fun video. I enjoy doing these exercises at home with friend for another set of taste buds and to stay upright. We typically grab a notebook, scale the cocktails down to 1/4 size and take notes on the ratios until we like it.

[@justinandrews2904]

Thank you for doing this video. I have done something similar with multiple cocktails. It's definitely helpful seeing the steps of how you changed up the different components in the drink.

[@alfredanheier4779]

That was fun. The final version can hardly be called "brown" anymore, but that's beside the point. When I tweak my recipes, I usually have to do over different days, else on the third or fourth try things tend to get messy.... and thanks for another Rye Whiskey to try out. See whether I can find this locally.

[@hankdevilleneuve6345]

I love Still Austin, glad to see them getting a shoutout. My best friend was sent a whole case of their products for winning a comedy competition in Austin, he shared them with me and I've been obsessed ever since. They've also got a gin that slaps

[@AndersErickson]

Curious to try the gin. Good to hear you liked it!

[@thekimfilez]

I work at a Craft cocktail bar. We do version of this with jalapeno honey and an orange peel. Very popular it's not on the menu anymore but people still order it all the time.

[@AndersErickson]

Sounds tasty to me!

[@pauladamson4296]

Absolutely loved the progression… do more of these!

[@brokenrecord3523]

I've workshopped a few drinks. It makes you appreciate a really well balanced drink.

[@darrenschwartz2050]

Anders, please PLEASE come out with your own version of a (spiral-bound) recipe book! All these recipes you do are so good with the way you "tweak" them. Incredible.

[@KK-lw7oc]

Can't wait to try this. We have fresh grapefruit and lemons. I love the touch of cinnamon!

[@wizardbysmell]

Love Still Austin. Just down the road from me, glad to see another way they're supporting the cocktail community!

[@ryanmascarenhascrg]

I absolutely love this channel. This is my GO TO cocktail resource

[@sj32527]

I LOVE a brown derby. Looking forward to seeing how you tweak it and playing with these recipes on my own.

[@miksologia]

You know it's friday night when Anders latest video comes out. It's so relaxing to watch one of these and then go to bed (it's 10:30 pm) thinking of what I've just learned. I get so many ideas from your videos. Cheers! PS. I would imagine even a hint of cinnamon would change the flavor of the drink pretty much?

[@AndersErickson]

The cinnamon does change the flavor profile, but works well with each component. It almost has a tiki element to it with the added spice

[@DakotaHusted]

Lol this is exactly me right now as well . I always watch these right before bed and then lay there brainstorming new cocktail ideas

[@Elizaflower]

IKR? Same here. Like why are these cocktail videos so soothing? (I mean educational, Anders, educational. But also soothing.) Am I the only one re-watching these mostly because they are so nice to listen to? Or OK maybe I'm wierd...

[@joewhite4564]

I tried this tonight. It started as a 4/5 and with every sip it when up a tenth of a point. So good! Now it is a 22/5. Yum.

[@kevinshaw3138]

I made a traditional brown derby last year and it was fine but underwhelming. Just made your recipe Anders. Yes! Much better! Thank you.

[@robs720]

PLEASE MORE OF THESE, this is exactly what im looking for in this channel

[@Danny-qi4lp]

Missed the video drop on Friday, but this recipe was worth the wait. Great video.

[@tessawidenhofer]

Oh this is definitely going to be a good reference point for the project I’m working on- I wrote up a bunch of descriptions for cocktails in a D&D game and I’ve been wanting to actually make the recipes for a while now, so we’ll see how that goes!

[@Fail7515]

As someone who is working on a few orgional cocktails, this was an amazing video. Thanks

[@ewiken5529]

Still Austin, so good! The cask strength is real nice…

[@jsmarty1]

Mmm absolutely love that cinnamon infused honey syrup idea. Also love the Don the Beachcomber inspiration

[@markmcvicar2654]

Yup, absolutely loved this. More workshopping vids please. Definitely great to get friends in to help "carry the load" - Cheers!

[@kippertoo]

Great tips! Love the addition of doggo and bloopers. 🤣

[@jebujex]

Happy Weekend everyone, remember enjoy! 😊

[@Nicky68Y]

THANK YOU!!! So very cool to help in this respect. I love when bartenders have "worked" a cocktail to make it suit, best story is from NYC I hope to tell you some day, and that is artistry.....a craft.....an art. Thank you sir!!!!

[@UnclePete]

A Dog??? Love this, We workshop stuff at work all the time. Good Vid!

[@AndersErickson]

Yeah it was time to get a bar dog. Thanks Uncle Pete!

[@cristophersuarez399]

Anders, you need to make more videos like this. This is definitely an enhancement. Really good cocktail. When we get closer to the spring, please make more minty, refreshing or floral cocktails (i.e. Lavendar Bees Knees, Frozen Daquiris, etc.). I really enjoy your quality cocktails, thank you!

[@bobmanhunter]

I run a bar program in Los Angeles. When creating original cocktails, this is exactly what we do. There's a little more trial and error. Complicate, then simplify. If it doesn't work, complicate and then simplify again until you have something that makes your eyes light up.

[@JackBarlowStudios]

When I do this, I make the drinks at teaspoon scale, since you likely have measuring spoons for all the necessary fractions, and you go through booze much slower, but it’s enough to taste and iterate.

[@janiceweaver6945]

Just made it and yes, it does need a splash of lemon juice to lift the honey.

[@rachaelhuff]

Love the multiple cocktail play/workshop idea! Also, I too can’t say brown derby without some laughter 🤭😅😉😏 All in good fun, right?! Cheers, you guys!! 🥃♥️ 1:25

[@AndersErickson]

Haha cheers, Rachael!

[@justaguynamedben]

Great work on this one, Anders. I think this format of video lets your unique author's voice shine. Thoughtful, helpful, fun.

[@Phyrexia85]

Hello ! Just a little comment from a french viewer. I have found your channel a few weeks ago and I diving into the cocktail"verse, and your videos are really great (the image, the format, the different part and explainations). Thank you for adding the milliliters and not only using oz, it's perfect ; ) And not related, but god, it's not easy to find Rye Whisky in shops in France, one day I will drink an Old Fashioned with something else than Schotch ! Well I wish you the best and I look forward for your next videos.

[@royalewithcheese17]

I like how you ended up kinda recreating Donn's mix! Looking forward to trying this!

[@craigarmstrong6641]

A couple things that could help... Use 1:1 honey syrup, as it's less sweet and not as honey-forward. Use 2oz of whiskey instead of 1.5. It brings the whiskey forward so it doesn't get lost with the sweetness. I agree with the white grapefruit, its delicious. And ripeness makes a huge difference. Finally, add 1oz egg white and shake hard before adding the ice. This changes the mouthfeel and adds a delicious foam layer on top. Overall, it is such an underrated gem of a cocktail!!

[@ericeman]

One strategy I use, typically for a first pass at this sort of thing is to reduce it all down to tsp. It obviously gets tricky depending on the methods/measures (how does one measure bitters this way?) but like I said, first pass.

[@seansampson7886]

Came here to say this! It’s a lot easier with stirred drinks that don’t need the citrus balance and agitation, but a sure fire way to get on the right track quickly without pouring $$$ down the drain.

[@EricAAnderson]

I appreciate this channel. More puppers, plz. ❤

[@infernoCBR]

Tried out your version today, damn it's good. If this is not a series, it should be.

[@josephcolaiacovo5917]

Absolutely love this video!!!! It's all about how you get there!!! Very inspiring! Keep these coming!

[@greglatiolais8947]

I do a chai infused bourbon and pair it with pink grapefruit, lemon & honey. It’s delicious. I call it a Delhi Derby.

[@arthurcurry4335]

Love the intro and love the format of fixing unbalanced old cocktails, awesome vid!

[@suzanschneider6163]

Great idea for a video. I’m a newbie and learning. I love your straightforward delivery of information. And your humor. Thanks for including the dog at the intro! I’ll have to figure out how to use angostura aromatics bitters, because I bought a bottle for a Tom and Jerry, but decided not to make that drink.

[@petergrap3007]

You should do a video on how to make your own balanced cocktail with what you have at home. I usually have some sort of juice, berry, limes, and maybe a sprite. It rarely goes well when try to ad lib a cocktail.

[@ThroughTheMixingGlass]

The great thing about this video is that you are doing the work and we can reap the benefits. Much appreciated Anders!

[@nedmay1969]

Great video! Recently, I had one made with a grapefruit shrub, fresh lemon and bitters. It was delicious!! I think it was the shrub that made it nice and citrusy but with touch of tang from the vinegar that goes in the shrub. This is a really tasty cocktail!!

[@JohanBernhardsson]

I just bought a bourbon and i haf a Honey syruo and some grapefruit juice .... Only a red grape... But an awesome cocktail in the end! :)

[@jays8n274]

I like the idea about using cinnamon with honey syrup😊very good with any bourbon // from Bangkok Cheers

[@martinmccormack2981]

Awesome video, Anders! Would love more of these videos where you walk through your process and improve classics. Cheers!

[@juliestockton8079]

I live in Texas and STILL have not tried Still Austin Whiskey! I will soon, though. I enjoyed the video and want to try your improved Brown Derby. By the way, your dog is adorable!

[@MatthewFlex]

Love your music! I'd love to know what you're playing as background in your videos - maybe add it along with the other vid details?

[@matthewtepfer5700]

Excellent video Anders! Also very relevant to me right now as I am working with some friends to workshop and create an elevated Long Island iced tea. I am currently on my fourth iteration and just on the brink of the final build. Last step is to take that extra wild out there leap to see if that sticks. Thanks for this video which gives me some more ideas.

[@maxstenklyft5096]

Love this. Was wondering if he’d use dons mix at some point and was happy to see it

[@TravellerRDS]

I made the Brown Derby recently, with pink grapefruit juice and 60 ml rye (Woodforde Reserve 92 proof). It was fine, but these experiments that attempt to improve a lacklustre cocktail are an excelent idea! SO I think I am going to try them as well. Thank you!

[@AndersErickson]

Happy mixing!

[@TravellerRDS]

Thank you, I've been following you since the pandemic began and I really appreciate the funny way you share the knowledge. Head to head experiments are exciting, I recently tried to compare the New York borroughs cocktails (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens), inspired by the recipes you made (first 2).

[@AndersErickson]

@@TravellerRDS that sounds like a fun video idea

[@kessenichp]

This was great! I would love if you did a couple of these a year to keep getting new dead of how to adjust the drinks

[@OneImperfectSaint]

I've done this to original cocktails. I created a wintery cocktail for a Christmas book anthology. I was not happy using my Chartreuse and it only doing well on one of the four versions, but I pulled out ten bottles worth. The final version really needs a spotlight somewhere but my bar doesn't have the ingredients for it.

[@kristinnelson-patel442]

Great format! This is just like what I do at home for allergen free baking recipes. Love to see how you draw ideas for the next step from all of your background expertise.

[@xaitza]

Really cool to see the process! Just bought a bottle of Muyu Vetiver Gris that I am trying to build a cocktail out of so was really useful to see how you do it! Current idea I have in my head is to try to see it works on a Last Word Mezcal/Tequila variant in place of the chartreuse and with Grapefruit (maybe acid-adjusted) for citrus. Have no idea what to use in place of the Maraschino Liqueur (maybe will start with it and go from there)

[@nathanhowe3553]

Great video. Really fun and interesting to see you go through the evolution of improving a drink.

[@colindrinkard648]

Get your hands on Still Austin's cask strength bourbon! Secrets out and it's great!

[@link1ater]

I just got a bottle of Still Austin Cask Strength on Wednesday 🔥

[@pauldi7268]

I think two dashes of grapefruit bitters would really add to the final version!

[@scotthatlestad2548]

This was a super cool episode!

[@Cynt3r]

This was just what I needed, thanks! Quite recently started trying to make up a few cocktails of my own, and I’ve been going through iterations to improve them. Your video helped me understand how to better balance each drink, so now I’m inspired to keep going and finish each idea

[@aklemmentin]

Really like this format and idea! I've been trying to find more resources for creating my own cocktails so this is perfect for working off of existing cocktails

[@allenbt11]

Great video. One thing, the signature dessert at the original Brown Derby was a grapefruit cake, hence the grapefruit forward cocktail homage. Cheers!

[@kertuplitu6222]

I love this concept

[@dalefortenberry3837]

Hey Anders! I noticed you used Still Austin bourbon. If you and Az get down to Austin sometime, call me as I own one of the oldest wine (and distillery and brewery) tour companies in Texas, Heart of Texas Wine Tours. I’d love to drive you around the area and show y’all what all we have to offer. No charge of course, I’m just a huge fan of your channel. You probably know many of our distilleries already, Tito’s, Deep Eddy, Garrison Bros., Desert Door, etc., so send me a message and come on down. Lots of awesome eats here too if you’re a foodie!

[@filmsaavy]

Great content, Anders! Love watching your creative process. Would love to see you do more of these types of videos. Perhaps on an original of yours?

[@robertolopez6153]

The first time I made a brown derby i actually couldn’t finish it cuz i thought it was so bad. It tasted like old candy to me but im excited to try this new and improved version 😂

[@David-mg8zu]

I love this drink Anders, like a more mature version of the Greyhound. I prefer using a pinch of salt to temper the bitterness of grapefruit, and I garnish with grapefruit twist. Thanks for the video Anders, happy weekend.

[@AndersErickson]

Salt's a good call. Thanks David - Cheers to you!

[@rhinomite5203]

Just hand picked about 1000lbs of grapefruit (yellow) in the phx ax area from a friends place. Was liking for a recipe and this just might be the ticket. Now to get rid of at least 980lbs of fruit…….

[@toniamilashon5659]

I just did something similar with friends and family making Manhattans and Perfect Manhattans. Trying to find the rye that I like to make it “my go to”. I wondered, with the addition of lemon juice, is it still a Brown Derby? It seems if you change one ingredient the cocktail is called something else. This was fun to watch, can’t wait to see what my Brown Derby drinkers think!

[@oa3114]

Loved the video .. these experiments helps us learn a lot abt mixology ❤

[@Mark723]

What a brilliant idea - well done!

[@octo_contra]

thanks for inspiring me to add weird stuff to a gimlet today Anders, Dubonnet Rouge turned out to be pretty tasty

[@AndersErickson]

Love it. Never know until you try - Cheers!

[@danieljosenaval]

This is awesome! Do you think you could do the bloody Mary? I know it's one of the cocktails with so many renditions. I'd like to know how you'd make it!

[@Paulxl]

Now I want a Cobb salad. It's the most famous dish from the Brown Derby restaurant.

[@tawdb]

Which is better/more practical? Make a lot of scaled down cocktails and try them, or adjust full size cocktails from day to day?

[@doriangray6064]

Do you think that you can use 1/4 oz Honeysirup and 1/4 oz cinammonsirup? Because you will not often use a infused sirup

[@Mark_Wood]

That looks great. Gotta run to the store real quick, brb...

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers Mark!

[@oa3114]

Ohh also loved the new merch 🐻‍❄️… do send some here in India

[@bp3986]

Another great video, Anders (as usual)… by the way, I love your bear logo with the coupe nose! I’m guessing Az is responsible for that! Well done, Az!

[@steveanderson5077]

Do you ever do half size drinks when workshopping, or is that not a fair comparison given the ice dilution and aeration vs. a full recipe? Just thinking about how to experiment without throwing too much away or getting sloshed!

[@MattDelDC]

Wake up babe new Anders Erickson

[@felixgouin97]

Pleaaase do a full martini breakdown video🍸🍸🍸

[@nickmonts]

I gave up on the brown derby. Maybe I will go through this process

[@bludelight]

I often find that my flat drinks are missing lemon juice. This drink sounds good.

[@wonganisiwande]

Would ground cinnamon work for the syrup infusion?

[@MixingUpTiki]

Since you changed out a few ingredients and added some new flavors, what are you calling it?

[@jays1752]

I'm familiar with another Brown Derby. It's comprised of rum, lime and maple syrup. Think I saw it in a Dave Wondrich article. A pretty good drink without the tweaking. But regarding the Bourbon/grapefruit version, I've often wondered if a lot of fruits were significantly more tart when these drinks were created and why using modern versions of them makes for such unbalanced drinks.

[@vladislavnekrasov9929]

You cool man, thank you) I well be use your mix)