Have you ever savored a cocktail crafted by the legendary Dale DeGroff, or daydreamed about your favorite bartender concocting their own brand of spirits?
If so, this interview and line of spirits will resonate with you, blending classic mixology with innovative flavors. Watch the interview above, on this video link (or llisten to the podcast), Bourbon expert Tom Fischer talks with Dale DeGroff, and shares his rich history of bartending at iconic venues while showcasing his new line of spirits called “DeGroff Spirits.” He demonstrates how to make several new cocktails in the interview and also teases forward to a new release from DeGroff Spirits in 2024.
Dales’s deep understanding and appreciation of trends, flavors, and techniques are evident in his DeGroff Spirits line, developed in partnership with Ted Breaux and Oregon’s Clear Creek Distillery.
DeGroff Spirits range includes an Italian-style Bitter Aperitivo and a West Indies-inspired New World Amaro, both handcrafted with natural botanicals and enriched with glacier-fed spring water from Mt. Hood, Oregon.
Dale DeGroff’s warm and welcoming style, much like a festive gathering during the holidays, shines through in every interaction he makes. His genuine passion for uniting people is mirrored in this new spirit line, which masterfully blends flavors to enhance both the spirit itself and any cocktail it’s part of.
Dale’s journey, ranging from the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles to the renowned Rainbow Room in New York’s Rockefeller Center, has been a blend of passion, innovation, and an ever-evolving palate that has significantly influenced the cocktail world.
DeGroff’s role at the Rainbow Room was notably transformative; he led the bar while introducing a culture of fresh mixers and custom experiences for patrons, a rare practice at the time. In our interview, he reflects on trends he also first saw in London and elsewhere and shares the story of his first foray into creating a ‘Prohibition-style’ cocktail menu in the 1980s.
As a fitting tribute to DeGroff’s affinity for Heering cherry liqueur and its versatility in cocktails, we showcased “Rudolf’s Secret,” a recipe that exemplifies the blend of classic and contemporary flavors that Dale DeGroff has championed throughout his career. This cocktail, along with others shared in the interview, serves as a testament to DeGroff’s profound impact on the craft of cocktail making and his enduring legacy in the world of spirits and bartending.
Dale DeGroff’s cocktail recipes from the interview follow below.
Rudolf’s Secret
1 1/2 oz. Cognac
1 oz. Cherry Heering
1/2 oz. DeGroff New World Amaro
Stir with ice and top with/ fresh grated nutmeg.
Negroni Sbagliato Corretto
1 oz. Degroff Bitter Aperitivo
1 oz. Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
1 oz. Hendrick’s Gin
3 oz. Rosé Prosecco
Half wheel of Cara Cara orange for garnish
Build in a large goblet and garnish with the orange slice
Assemble over ice in a Large Goblet and stir.
Old Pal
1 oz. New York Rye Whiskey
1 oz. Degroff Bitter Aperitivo
1 oz. Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
Half wheel of Cara Cara orange for garnish
Build in a double old-fashioned glass and stir. Garnish with the orange slice
assemble over ice in a Large Goblet and stir.
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