holy city handcraft | RECIPES

Cocktails, Mezcal, Sherry Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Mezcal, Sherry Miguel Buencamino

Anomaly

THIS IS A TINY COCKTAIL 🍸🤏🏾

Called The Anomaly and it’s damn good.

It’s from the book Tiny cocktails by my buddy Tyler (@bon_vivantito). - it’s called an anomaly because it doesn’t follow the typical format for a classic cocktail structure. It’s part martini and part sour, but also stirred? The result is a balanced drink that has the makings of a light, but boozy martini with the bright freshness of a sour.

Author’s Note: “The Anomaly, as the name hints at, is one of those cocktails that deviates from classic cocktail structure. It has traces of both the martini and the sour in its balance of ingredients. Like the martini, it’s unmistakably boozy and light, but it has the freshness and balanced sweetness of a succulent sour. Anomaly matches neither template identically though. Instead, this sophisticated drink strikes a harmonious balance of fortifying spirit with sugar and acid, allowing the seamless pairing of smoky mezcal and tropical banana to take center stage. In a way, it’s a gateway cocktail to more spirituous cocktails. It’s easy to throw back, but do tread lightly: A few of these tiny yet bold libations and your legs might just turn into noodles.”

Cheers, y’all!

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Cocktails, Rye, Whiskey Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Rye, Whiskey Miguel Buencamino

Cobble Hill

From the creator of the Paper Plane comes…

You may know @samueljoelross as the founder the the modern classic, Paper Plane (equal parts: rye, lemon, nonino, and aperol). But if you dont live in NY, you probably haven’t tried his other cocktails, specifically this one. The Cobble Hill is a lighter, more refreshing Manhattan that may be your new pre-dinner cocktail.

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Cocktails, Non-Alcoholic Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Non-Alcoholic Miguel Buencamino

Oaxaca Old Fashioned (Non Alcoholic)

I think we finally did it.. a non-alcoholic STIRRED cocktail that actually tastes good.

I’ve been on a quest to find a spirit that plays well in a stirred cocktail. Unfortunately, it’s been difficult to replicate the texture and mouthfeel of an alcoholic spirit BUTTT I recently found some spirits that come very close.

I was introduced to Cut Above during Tales of the Cocktail one year. Yes, it’s got agave notes, but it’s also got the spice and slight bitterness that alcohol tends to have that lends itself to mimic that texture/mouthfeel.

Combined with Almave’s new Humo, a mezcal alternative, made with espadin agave (also non-alcoholic) - this recipe drank almost like the real thing.

Y’all need to give this a try, cheers.

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Cocktails, Scotch Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Scotch Miguel Buencamino

Rapscallion

What would happen if the Sazerac and Rob Roy had a love child? This.

We could all use more sherry cocktails in the world after all. This one uses the rich raisin notes in PX sherry to round out the flavors from the single malt scotch. If you know me, you know I love flaming my absinthe to give it a bit more toasted sugar/caramel flavor, this is optional.. If you’re a fan of Manhattans, you’re going to love this cocktail.

Cheers y’all.

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Cocktails Miguel Buencamino Cocktails Miguel Buencamino

Wisconsin Margarita

Today we’re going to answer the age old question: WILL IT WISCONSIN??

On this week’s episode, we’re going to try to ‘Wisconsin’ the iconic MARGARITA. What does it mean to Wisconsin something? It means adding fruit, some sort of soda and muddling the hell out of it to make a cocktail with some sort of base spirit.

The good news is, it works. I figured it would since this is pretty much how you make a caipirinha with cachaca. Yes I know this is pretty much a ‘smash’ type cocktail, but isn’t that what a Wisconsin Old Fashioned is anyway? ;)

Cheers y’all!

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Cocktails, Gin, Vermouth Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Gin, Vermouth Miguel Buencamino

Martini Service

Elevate your at-home martini game 🍸

A martini service is my favorite way to serve up a martini for 2. It lets everyone pick and choose their own variation and everyone leaves happy. Feel free to scale this recipe into a bigger batch since this would be great as a freezer door martini as well.

Cheers y’all

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Cocktails, Amaro, Bourbon Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Amaro, Bourbon Miguel Buencamino

Amaro Sour

Amaro sours should be the OFFICIAL after-dinner drink of 2025.

Yeah you heard me, if you’re a fan of Amari, you’re going to love using it as the base spirit. Its the perfect balance of sweet, sour and bitter. Bonus points that it’s a digestivo and it’s the perfect cocktail to have after dinner.

Let me know what other amaro base cocktails you’re making in the comments.

Cheers y’all.

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Cocktails, Whiskey, Bourbon Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Whiskey, Bourbon Miguel Buencamino

Licensed To Mill

It's horchata szn!

Last but certainly not least on our locally-inspired series with @herradurateq is our girl Meagan Cheek (@meaganvision) with her take on a Lowcountry horchata utilizing Carolina Gold Rice and caramelized puffed rice cakes. This was unreal.

“Carolina Gold Rice is a huge staple here in the Lowcountry. I wanted to showcase the grain in a way that added some Latin flair to a southern classic. The already creamy texture of the rice lends itself well to horchata, and the vanilla and cinnamon notes in the rice milk play off of the same velvety vanillin undertones found in Herradura Ultra. Combined with cinnamon infused brandy, raspberry cordial, a touch of lime, and finished with rhubarb bitters, this cocktail will have you ready to face a forgiving southern winter. Garnish with puffed rice brittle and enjoy!

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Cocktails, Vodka Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Vodka Miguel Buencamino

[Improved] Azalea

⛳️🏌🏻 It’s time we make the official drink of @themasters… but better…

The original Azalea recipe calls for lemonade but I wanted to reimagine this drink as a true sour and use some higher end ingredients like maple grenadine and a real maraschino cherry. The key here is to add a bit more dilution to the build so make sure to crack the ice to get more length to the drink itself.

Cheers y’all.

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Cocktails, Tequila, Scotch Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Tequila, Scotch Miguel Buencamino

Fuerza

A smokey, coffee-forward tequila cocktail… say less.

The recipe was created by my dude Dalton Bedard (@intent_to_imbibe) at @eattheordinary here in Charleston, SC. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Dalton placed in the Top 5 US Bartenders for @worldclassus in 2024. But good news y’all, he’s back at in 2025 as a finalist for the East Coast and we’re all pulling for him to take it all home this year.

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Cocktails, Tequila, Sherry Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Tequila, Sherry Miguel Buencamino

Winter in Jalisco

If you’re not making a bramble this season, what are you even doing?

Together with my friends at @tresgeneracionestequila I’ve created the perfect cocktail recipe for your friends family and loved ones this holiday season featuring a special tequila that celebrates family legacy and 100 years of tequila-making. This recipe calls for Tres Generaciones Reposado which uses 100% blue agave that is triple-distilled then rested in oak for at least 4 months. The light oak character plays so well with the rosemary in this recipe and it’s the perfect drink to elevate your next get together.

Hosting pro tip: Batch all the ingredients together (except the creme de cassis + garnishes) using the parts below. Pour over crushed ice then top with creme de cassis and set up a holiday garnish bar for your guests to garnish their own.

Cheers y’all!

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Cocktails, Gin Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Gin Miguel Buencamino

Black Carrot Gin Sour

Today we’re drinking our vegetables

Together with my friends over at @empress1908gin, we made a gin sour inspired by the ingredients in their Elderflower Rose Gin. Elderflower and cucumber have always been a match made in heaven but I really wanted to highlight the vegetal aspects of the black carrot in this offering as well. The addition of fresh carrot juice in this cocktail provided that sweet, vegetal note I was looking for. Hope y’all enjoy this one!

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Cocktails, Gin, Vermouth Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Gin, Vermouth Miguel Buencamino

Tomato-Tini

I’m convinced this is the martini of the summer 🍅🍸

This is long overdue, but I finally had to try the Tomato Martini (aka Tomato-Tini aka Tomato-tini) created by my friend @drinksbyevie. If you’re a fan of dirty (read: filthy) savory martinis then this one is for you. I added just a slight kiss of MSG to this one just to highlight a bit of the natural MSG in tomatoes and I thought it worked out beautifully.

Have you made this recipe yet?

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Cocktails, Wine Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Wine Miguel Buencamino

The Vaporetto

This Venetian twist on a Bicicletta - The Vaporetto 🚤

It’s #spritzszn so today we’re making some with my friends at bonterra. Unlike a Bicicletta, this one will use a base of Bonterra’s Rosé, which uses 100% certified organic grapes that give this wine a dry, crisp but fruity palate with an acidic finish. The addition of Cappelletti enhances the grapefruit notes in this wine and is accentuated by the hint of Meyer lemon in the soda water.

It’s light, refreshing and very crushable.

Cheers y’all!

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Cocktails, Spritz, Aperitivo Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Spritz, Aperitivo Miguel Buencamino

Basil Limoncello Spritz

The lemon-forward spritz you’ve been looking for 🍋

Together with my friends at luxardousa we’re making a Limoncello Spritz to soak up all the #AperitivoHour vibes this summer. This one uses #Luxardo Limoncello which is made the old-fashioned way in Italy, using the traditional method of infusing alcohol with lemon peels, pulp and juice with REAL lemons harvested in southern Italy. Their Limoncello isn’t just great in a spritz, it can be enjoyed straight up and chilled, or on the rocks with soda or tonic water as well.

As with any spritz, keep it easy and fun! I encourage you to add a fun garnish to add a fun garnish of your own. I used basil to keep with the Italian flavors but also because we know how well basil pairs with the brightness of lemon.

Anyways, I hope you give this one a try this summer!

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Cocktails, Gin, Aperitivo Miguel Buencamino Cocktails, Gin, Aperitivo Miguel Buencamino

Watermelon High Sea

It’s watermelon szn and #WorldBeeDay? Let’s cook 🐝🍯🍉

This recipe combines a couple of my favorite things: gin, honey, basil, watermelon with an addition of a bitter aperitif in Select and a pinch of smoked sea salt just to bring out more of the fruity flavors in this cocktail. Of course this is going to be served over crushed ice which will let the drink evolve a bit as you drink it.

Cheers y’all.

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