MenuA Study in Pink

Case No. 001 · Signature Investigations

A Study in Pink

Une étude en rose

BourbonCoupeA Study in ScarletBright & Sharp

A Paper Plane variation substituting ruby red grapefruit juice for lemon — the result is rounder, more perfumed, and distinctly pink. The bitterness of Aperol and Amaro Nonino remains, but the grapefruit softens the edges into something almost floral.

Bitter · Citrus · Floral

Ingredients

¾ ozBourbon
¾ ozAperol
¾ ozAmaro Nonino
¾ ozRuby red grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed

Method

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake hard for 10–12 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled coupe.

GarnishExpressed grapefruit peel, discarded

Notes

Equal parts is the law here — resist the urge to adjust. The balance is the point. Use a good bourbon with some rye content (Bulleit works well); something too sweet will tip the whole thing saccharine. The grapefruit must be fresh.

Variations

The Original Paper PlaneSubstitute lemon juice for grapefruit juice

A variation on the Paper Plane.

Back to the menu Tip Your Bartender

MenuMycroft's Manhattan

Case No. 003 · Signature Investigations

Mycroft's Manhattan

RyeCoupeBaker StreetDark & Brooding

A rye Manhattan with tobacco bitters and a smoked cherry. The smoke from the glass carries through the drink — the smoked-cherry technique is the signature of this build. Mycroft's preferred method: precise, unhurried, and more powerful than it appears.

Smoky · Rich · Precise

Ingredients

2 ozRye whiskey
1 ozSweet vermouth
4 dashesTobacco bitters
2 dashesAngostura bitters
1Cocktail cherry

Method

Smoke a cocktail cherry in a coupe glass; when smoke is sufficient, set aside. Combine rye, sweet vermouth, tobacco bitters, and Angostura in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the smoke-filled coupe. The cherry goes in last.

GarnishSmoked cherry

Notes

The method here is deliberately unorthodox — a Manhattan is a stirred drink, but the shake is intentional: it aerates the vermouth slightly and softens the tobacco bitters. The smoke from the glass is not garnish; it is an ingredient. Don't rush it.

Variations

The ClassicStir instead of shake; omit the smoke

A variation on the Manhattan.

Back to the menu Tip Your Bartender

MenuWatson's Derby

Case No. 004 · Signature Investigations

Watson's Derby

BourbonCoupeBaker StreetBright & Sharp

A Brown Derby built for the good doctor — dependable, well-constructed, and better than it has any right to be. Cask-strength bourbon meets fresh pink grapefruit and an Earl Grey honey syrup that rewards the extra work of making it.

Citrus · Floral · Warm

Ingredients

1.5 ozCask-strength bourbon
1 ozFresh pink grapefruit juice
0.5 ozEarl Grey honey syrup
2 dashesAngostura bitters

Method

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until well chilled. Double-strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with an expressed grapefruit peel.

GarnishExpressed grapefruit peel

Notes

The Earl Grey honey syrup is the soul of this drink and it is worth making properly. Steep 2 bags of Earl Grey in ½ cup boiling water for 5 minutes — no longer, or it turns tannic. Remove the bags, stir in ½ cup raw honey until fully dissolved. Cool before refrigerating. It keeps for two weeks. The cask-strength bourbon matters: you need the proof to hold its ground against the grapefruit.

Variations

The Original Brown DerbySubstitute regular honey syrup for Earl Grey honey syrup; use standard-proof bourbon

A variation on the Brown Derby.

Back to the menu Tip Your Bartender

MenuBaker Street

Case No. 005 · Signature Investigations

Baker Street

A lighter Boulevardier

RyeCoupeBaker StreetBright & Bitter

A lighter Boulevardier riff that swaps Campari for Aperol — the result is less aggressive, more approachable, with a citrus brightness that suits the address. Finished with an orange garnish that ties the whole thing together.

Bitter · Citrus · Spice

Ingredients

1.5 ozRye whiskey
½ ozAperol
½ ozSweet vermouth
1 dashOrange bitters

Method

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well-chilled and properly diluted, approximately 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with an expressed orange peel.

GarnishExpressed orange peel

Notes

The swap from Campari to Aperol is the whole argument of this drink — it softens the bitterness without losing the structure. A rye with some backbone is essential; something too mild will disappear behind the vermouth. The orange bitters are a dash, not a pour.

Variations

The Classic BoulevardierSubstitute Campari for Aperol for a more assertive bitterness

A variation on the Boulevardier.

Back to the menu Tip Your Bartender

MenuRittenhouse Falls

Case No. 006 · Signature Investigations

Rittenhouse Falls

RyeCoupeBaker StreetBitter & Bright

Rittenhouse rye meets Montenegro amaro and fresh lemon juice in a drink that balances bitter, citrus, and spice with uncommon precision. An optional egg white rounds the texture without softening the argument.

Bitter · Citrus · Spice

Ingredients

2 ozRittenhouse rye
¾ ozAmaro Montenegro
¾ ozFresh lemon juice
1Egg white (optional)

Method

If using egg white, dry shake all ingredients without ice for 10 seconds to emulsify. Add ice and shake hard for 12–15 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled coupe. Without egg white, shake with ice and double-strain directly.

GarnishNone

Notes

Montenegro is doing more work here than its reputation suggests — it brings herbal complexity and a gentle sweetness that means no added syrup is needed. The egg white is optional but recommended: it lifts the texture and makes the drink feel more substantial. Rittenhouse at 100 proof is the correct choice; the proof holds its ground against the lemon.

Variations

Without egg whiteOmit egg white and shake directly with ice

A variation on the Whiskey Sour.

Back to the menu Tip Your Bartender

A Study in Pink

Ingredients

Method

Notes

Variations

The Three Pipe Problem

Ingredients

Method

Notes

Variations

Mycroft's Manhattan

Ingredients

Method

Notes

Variations

Watson's Derby

Ingredients

Method

Notes

Variations

Baker Street

Ingredients

Method

Notes

Variations

Rittenhouse Falls

Ingredients

Method

Notes

Variations