Concoctions of Equal Parts Make Home Bartending Easy and Elegant
Today’s Thirsty Thursday is brought to you with a spirit of balance. Like yin and yang, classical and rock-n-roll and tranquil island escapes and skyscraping urban adventures, balance in all facets of life is one of the keys to truly rewarding experiences. And your cocktail game is no exception. Today, Crystal barkeepers are sharing two of their favorite “perfect” cocktails – those composed of equally measured ingredients. Such beverages are a favorite among mixologists thanks to the ease of preparation, as well as the fact that the right ingredients equally measured often result in a perfectly balanced flavor profile that is both – shall we say, in equal measure – smooth and complex.
Both of the cocktails featured on this week’s virtual visit to Avenue Saloon offer the bite of fresh lemon, one with bourbon and the other with gin. Both are modern mixes, created by some of the 21st century’s top mixologists and adding cache to the menus featuring around the world – including aboard Crystal ships.
Mix, toast, sip, repeat. Cheers!
The Paper Plane
Created in 2007 by famed Australian bartender Sam Ross – one of the most prolific cocktail creators in the industry today – as a modern take on the Last Word cocktail.
0.50 oz Cynar Amaro
0.50 oz Aperol
0.50 oz Bourbon
0.50 oz Fresh Lemon Sour
Shake and strain over fresh ice in an old fashioned (rocks) glass. Garnish with an orange slice.

The Stepford Sister
Created by Scottish bartender Sam Hughes of the Bramble Bar in Edinburgh. He aimed for “something zippy and refreshing for that perfect afternoon aperitivo moment…” Mission accomplished.
1.00 oz Beefeater gin
1.00 oz Elderflower Liqueur
1.00 oz Averna Italian Bitter
1.00 oz Fresh lemon juice
Shake with ice and *fine-strain into a chilled Martini Glass and garnish with an orange peel.
(*fine or double straining is the method bartenders use to extra strain a cocktail through a small mesh strainer to ensure no ice fragments or fresh juice pieces are left in the finished product)
Crystal@Home: A Virtual Cruise Experience program brings several elements of the renowned Crystal Experience directly to guests, wherever in the world they are.
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