Last summer, OC got you Tipsy and Tan. Now, we're just getting you tipsy. Meet Fridays at Five, our cocktail series where mixologists at New York City’s white-hot new restaurants create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...
This is it lovebirds: Valentine’s Day Weekend. Whether you’re toasting freedom with some single ladies (and men), or snuggling next to a loved one, it’s safe to say that this weekend calls for a little extra TLC.
Enter the Apple Butter from subterranean nautical-themed bar The Ship (headed by Cervantes Ramirez of Little Branch, Milk & Honey, and PDT). For Valentine's Day weekend, Ramirez married two of our favorite winter warmers in one: a spiked cider and a hot buttered rum. Sweet, slightly boozy, and just a tad creamy, this drink has just the right amount of sugar and spice to heat things up in the bedroom—or the bar.
Name: Cervantes Ramirez
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? “Shanty Town” by Desmond Dekker
Drink of choice: Queen’s Park Swizzle. It’s like a mojito with bitters.
Hangover cure: Water before bed—at least three glasses. That’s what my father told me, and it works.
Best date advice: Just enjoy it. You have to have patience, relax, and just be there to learn something. That’s how you have a good time.
Worst pick-up: Once at Little Branch, we saw a girl get up and say she was going to the bathroom. She never came back. The guy took it well; we gave him a few drinks.
What not to do to your bartender: Don’t rush the bartender. And if you know them and their name, call them by their name.
Exclusive Recipe: Apple Butter OC
Alcohol Scale*: 6
“It’s a classic winter warmer”
½ oz ginger syrup
½ oz honey
Pat of butter
2 cloves
¾ oz cognac
¾ oz Apple Jack brandy
1 ½ oz apple cider
Stir everything together and then heat until foamy and steaming. Do not boil. Pour into a glass and garnish with fresh nutmeg.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now")![]()
The Apple Butter. Photos by Jessica Chou![]()
You'll need ginger syrup, honey, butter, cognac, Apple Jack Brandy, and apple cider.![]()
Stir everything together and then heat until foamy and steaming.![]()
Pour into a glass and garnish with fresh nutmeg.
This is it lovebirds: Valentine’s Day Weekend. Whether you’re toasting freedom with some single ladies (and men), or snuggling next to a loved one, it’s safe to say that this weekend calls for a little extra TLC.
Enter the Apple Butter from subterranean nautical-themed bar The Ship (headed by Cervantes Ramirez of Little Branch, Milk & Honey, and PDT). For Valentine's Day weekend, Ramirez married two of our favorite winter warmers in one: a spiked cider and a hot buttered rum. Sweet, slightly boozy, and just a tad creamy, this drink has just the right amount of sugar and spice to heat things up in the bedroom—or the bar.
Name: Cervantes Ramirez
If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? “Shanty Town” by Desmond Dekker
Drink of choice: Queen’s Park Swizzle. It’s like a mojito with bitters.
Hangover cure: Water before bed—at least three glasses. That’s what my father told me, and it works.
Best date advice: Just enjoy it. You have to have patience, relax, and just be there to learn something. That’s how you have a good time.
Worst pick-up: Once at Little Branch, we saw a girl get up and say she was going to the bathroom. She never came back. The guy took it well; we gave him a few drinks.
What not to do to your bartender: Don’t rush the bartender. And if you know them and their name, call them by their name.
Exclusive Recipe: Apple Butter OC
Alcohol Scale*: 6
“It’s a classic winter warmer”
½ oz ginger syrup
½ oz honey
Pat of butter
2 cloves
¾ oz cognac
¾ oz Apple Jack brandy
1 ½ oz apple cider
Stir everything together and then heat until foamy and steaming. Do not boil. Pour into a glass and garnish with fresh nutmeg.
*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now")
The Apple Butter. Photos by Jessica Chou
You'll need ginger syrup, honey, butter, cognac, Apple Jack Brandy, and apple cider.
Stir everything together and then heat until foamy and steaming.
Pour into a glass and garnish with fresh nutmeg.