Everyone lurves a tasty cocktail. And -- since it can be a full-time job to keep your guests' glasses full and their pallets' pleased -- it's helpful to have an ace or two up your liquor-dealing sleeve. I can whip up a mean adult bevvie, but I've got a cheat card...her name is Amy Eldredge. Amy is a dear friend and a bartender at downtown local fave, Bar X. She's passionate about what she does, which includes creating original recipes. Friendly tip: Do not refer to those who make handcrafted cocktails as "mixologists"; in the industry, this insult falls in line with calling a janitor a "custodial technician". Noted. I made a visit to Amy, and -- to our COLLECTIVE delight -- she was happy to share one of her very own concoctions with us. It's a 'London Calling', named after a love that sprouted after a visit to the city. It's delicious, folks. Make one.

To Get

Fresh lemon, Cognac, dry gin, Lavendar bitters, Earl Grey tea, sugar

To Do

First, whip up some Earl Grey simple syrup. It's simple: just brew a cup of Earl Grey tea, then [in a sauce pan] boil one part tea to one part sugar. Once you've let it cool, that part's done. From there, put some ice and the following in your shake, shake, shaker:

3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz. Earl Grey simple syrup
1 oz. Cognac
1 oz. London Dry Gin
2 dashes Lavender bitters

Now shake that sh*t, and shake it good. Poor into a chilled coop glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and drink up.