Drink of the Week: Dear Diary By Bill Helmkamp

Welcome to the weekly update from Drink with Greg!

We wanted to start putting together a weekly letter, but in post format, to give you guys an update on what we're doing with the website. We want to make it more about our journey through cocktails, wines, mixology, etc., and less of a corporate site.

Over the past couple of weeks, Gregg and I have been connecting and sharing notes online through text, email, and Google Notes. One of the big things we want to do is continue to drill into our drink of the week and highlight some of the great books we've been finding on the road.

We've been really into The Whistler's 15-year anniversary cocktail book lately. It's a small pocketbook with just pictures, ingredients, and short stories, and we really like it. This week's drink of the week is the Dear Diary, created by the co-founder of The Whistler, Billy Helmkamp, back in 2017.

It's a beautiful-looking daiquiri-type drink in a coupe glass, taking off from the classic daiquiri and splitting the base spirits for multi-earthly goodness. As we move into spring here in Chicago, we're excited to try this drink on a warmer day. We'll be having it this weekend during brunch at Mayberry. Check out the ingredients below.

Don't forget to purchase the cocktail book from The Whistler. If you're in Chicago, we highly recommend visiting their store, restaurant, bar, art institute, music venue, etc.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Genever
• 0.5 oz. Blanco Tequila
• .75 oz. Simple Syrup
• .75 oz. Lime Juice

Tips of the Trade

• Shake with Chicago Cubes Ice, double strain into a chilled coupe; no garnish needed.

Pairs Well With

Spicy food, think tacos or fajitas

About the Bar

The Whistler is a bar, record label, gallery, and venue that hosts live music and DJs. Our award-winning cocktail program features an always-changing menu of classics, contemporary favorites, and Whistler originals. Since 2008, we’ve been hosting an eclectic mix of DJs, jazz, rock, electronic music, film screenings, readings, and other artistic endeavors on our stage.

The Whistler: Cocktail Recipes (2008-2023)

To celebrate The Whistler’s 15th anniversary, we produced a pocket-sized recipe guide featuring twenty-five cocktails that have appeared on our menu throughout the years. Included in the book are bonafide classics such as the Milk Maid, Delhi Cooler and Dopesmoker, as well as lesser known favorites like the Twin Engine and Free Rider. The book was written and photographed by Whistler co-founders Billy Helmkamp and Rob Brenner, with layout and design by Kyle Stewart.

Connect online

• The Whistler: Website | Instagram - @whistlerchicago | Address
• The Whistler Recipe Book: Linked Here
• Drink Creator: Billy Helmkamp