Mike's Mix: Ginger Rouge At Le Town Talk Diner

Every Saturday, Mike Augustyniak helps kick off the weekend by checking out some of the best cocktail recipes from bars in the Twin Cities. This week, he gets the lowdown on a ginger-flavored whiskey cocktail at Le Town Talk Diner in Minneapolis. It's a take on the classic Hot Toddy called "Ginger Rouge," and it tastes like Thanksgiving in a mug.

Ginger Rouge

1 ½ oz 2 Gingers Whiskey

¼ oz Grand Marnier

2 dashes orange bitters

5 oz cranberry juice

2 shakes ground nutmeg

2 shakes ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a coffee mug, except cranberry juice.  Heat up the cranberry juice to a boil and add to the coffee mug.

Garnish  with an skewered orange slice, sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Taste Test

A take on the classic Hot Toddy, this fruity version substitutes hot cranberry juice for hot water (or tea), and tastes like Thanksgiving in a mug.

While cranberry can be one of the tarter fruit juices, the Ginger Rouge still reads as 'sweeter' than a typical Hot Toddy.  Perhaps, too, the 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey helps to take the sinus-clearing factor down a notch.  Regardless, if regular toddies are too strong for you, give this one a try.

And, for a virgin version of this drink, leave out the first 3 ingredients, and add a little (non-alcoholic) ginger syrup to the spices and hot cranberry juice.

Le Town Talk Diner serves French comfort food, and a full craft cocktail menu.  They serve brunch, with bottomless mimosas, on Saturdays and Sundays, and have theme nights throughout the week.

On Thursday Nov. 19, Le Town Talk will host a Beaujolais Nouveau release party, which will feature two other Beaujolais wines and a food menu designed to complement the flavors of that region.  Visit Le Town Talk Diner online for more.