They're tempting in their own way - they're easy, they promise great taste and they usually have elaborate labels that jump out in the liquor aisle - but when we start talking about ready to drink cocktails there are only a few winners and a lot of losers. While they are designed for convenience and eliminate the need to stock 2-5 individual bottles to make one drink (and taking most of the fun out of mixology), more often than not these bottled cocktails require something added to them to make them palatable or the strength we're used to getting in drinks mixed from scratch.

There are a few very good pre-mixed drinks, you just have to seek them out and spend a little more money. Charbay's Aperitifs and Sake2Me are two great examples of this genre and use quality ingredients and clean tastes. The flavors of these upscale ready to drinks are often more exotic, fresh and unique (compared to other ready to drinks) like yuzu, green tea, pomegranate, Asian pear and ginger with mango. You can't go wrong with quality or making your own bottled cocktails. Read more...

Today's Timeless Tipple is a hidden gem and a fine, although mostly forgotten, libation and one that truly deserves rediscovery. This little find is called the Weep No More and even though the name likely has an interesting story which is now lost to time, this cocktail is divine.

The Weep No More is a variation of the better known Napoleon in which brandy replaces the gin and maraschino the Grand Marnier, but that other gem, Dubonnet Rouge, remains. The finished cocktail is a beautiful and rich mix where you don't have to be scared of showing off your favorite brandy.

I also want to thank DM Grafton for bringing this cocktail to my attention. You can read his thoughts on it on the recipe's page.

When a Gin and Tonic has just a little too much alcohol, beer just isn't going to fit the bill and you want to avoid the sugar-laden "malt beverages" that inundate the convenience store coolers, there is another option, and it's oh-so-good. Saké2Me is a sparkling bottled drink made with a junmai sake base and flavored with natural ingredients and if you can find it you will never want another malt beverage again.

Saké2Me is beyond the majority of the individually-bottled drinks that are so popular. The flavors alone are a nice touch and every one is light and refreshing as either a straight drink right out of the bottle or as a substitute for soda to top off mixed drinks. The Yuzu Citrus was by far my favorite, but the Green Tea in a Gin Fizz is nothing less than divine. These fun, light drinks (alcohol equivalent to a light beer) are spreading in the market, so hopefully soon everyone can put down those "Hard" drinks from Mike's, the many flavors of Smirnoff Ice and the like for a little bit of sake.

Today I'm marrying the new with the old: the classic Aviation cocktail with a newer gin on the scene, Bluecoat. The mix is quite interesting and highly recommended.

Bluecoat is a very aromatic gin that is "Made in America" - Philadelphia to be exact - which is not the standard location for gin, but this one stands up to its counterparts and is made with organic botanicals, creating a win-win. Its earthy bouquet is dominated by juniper and citrus, which is an excellent background for the Aviation's violet and maraschino. The entire drink is very floral, semi-sweet and nothing less than delightful.