I first came about drinking Grasshoppers in the Flying Grasshopper variety, passed off as a house drink at Fuel and Fuddle in Pittsburgh called the Torque Converter. Maybe it's because they taste like Shamrock Shakes, but I love them.
The Grasshopper
1 part Green Creme de Menthe
1 part White Creme de Cocoa
Cream or Milk
(to make the Flying variety, just add vodka).
Like I said up there this drink tastes like a Shamrock Shake. Except you can make these anytime you want, not just around St. Patrick's Day. I once made one with Rumple Minze instead of Creme de Menthe, but it tasted too much like burning.
9/4/10
6/26/10
The Moscow Mule
Back in the day when Kingsly Amis was writing, ginger beer was a commonality. Nowadays, not so much. Sure some weird craft brewers bottle ginger beer, but that only tends to happen in places that are not close to me. So I had to improvise, and wait until Giant Eagle got some Ginger Beer in stock, its not the alcoholic variety, but it is pretty tasty, and I bought it for two drinks from the book, and this is the first.
The Moscow Mule
Vodka
Ginger Beer
Legend has it that this beer was created in California when a guy who had a whole lot of Vodka met up with a guy with a whole lot of Ginger Beer and thus created this drink.
Thanks to the ability of vodka to mix with things and be undetectable, the Moscow Mule basically just tastes like ginger beer. Pretty refreshing, actually.
The Moscow Mule
Vodka
Ginger Beer
Legend has it that this beer was created in California when a guy who had a whole lot of Vodka met up with a guy with a whole lot of Ginger Beer and thus created this drink.
Thanks to the ability of vodka to mix with things and be undetectable, the Moscow Mule basically just tastes like ginger beer. Pretty refreshing, actually.
6/16/10
Campari and Soda
This drink is not for the feint of heart, or anyone who wants a quick drinking spirit.
Campari and Soda
Campari
Soda
Most people can't handle the taste of Campari, but I love bitter drinks, so it's up my alley. I only tried this drink after watching The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. This is a drink that you have to sip to enjoy. Drink it too fast and it's too bitter. But take it slow, and you can really appreciate the flavor.
Campari and Soda
Campari
Soda
Most people can't handle the taste of Campari, but I love bitter drinks, so it's up my alley. I only tried this drink after watching The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. This is a drink that you have to sip to enjoy. Drink it too fast and it's too bitter. But take it slow, and you can really appreciate the flavor.
6/15/10
The Mojito
For some reason, this drink was lost to humanity for like 50 years until it made a comeback in 2002ish. This probably has to do with the fact that making an actual mojito is too time consuming for today's general public. The fine people at the drink mixer corporations have seen it fit to premix some mojito juice, and thus its a little bit more accessible. I've only ever had a mojito out on one occasion, and only because Friday's had $5 Ultimate Mojitos.... the restaurant version of this drink pales in comparison.
The Mojito
1 Lime
1 tsp sugar
5-6 mint leaves
rum
soda
I have found that the best way to make the mojito is to cut the lime into 4ths, and then one of the 4ths in half again. Squeeze all the limes except for one of the eigths into a rocks glass. Put the last piece in whole. Add the sugar, mint leaves, and just a dash of soda. Muddle this for a few seconds, then add ice, as much rum as you want, and then soda to fill the glass. Stir and then enjoy.
My dad once commented that I should make mojitos for the bar, and I replied that I would have to charge $15 a piece. Such is the power of a homemade mojito.
The Mojito
1 Lime
1 tsp sugar
5-6 mint leaves
rum
soda
I have found that the best way to make the mojito is to cut the lime into 4ths, and then one of the 4ths in half again. Squeeze all the limes except for one of the eigths into a rocks glass. Put the last piece in whole. Add the sugar, mint leaves, and just a dash of soda. Muddle this for a few seconds, then add ice, as much rum as you want, and then soda to fill the glass. Stir and then enjoy.
My dad once commented that I should make mojitos for the bar, and I replied that I would have to charge $15 a piece. Such is the power of a homemade mojito.
6/13/10
The Tequila Sunrise
This drink apparently gets its name because when you put the grenadine in, it sinks to the bottom, creating an ornate, multihued affair of a drink.
The Tequila Sunrise
Tequila
Orange Juice
Grenadine
This drink is complex only because the grenadine settles to the bottom of the drink. The closer you get to the bottom the more you taste it...i.e. the sweeter it gets. I don't think I'll be having any more of these.
The Tequila Sunrise
Tequila
Orange Juice
Grenadine
This drink is complex only because the grenadine settles to the bottom of the drink. The closer you get to the bottom the more you taste it...i.e. the sweeter it gets. I don't think I'll be having any more of these.
The White Lady
I have heard this drink referred to as both the White Lady and the Delilah. Amis calls it the White Lady, so I will too.
The White Lady
Gin
Triple Sec
Sours
Hrmm, that recipe looks familiar. Oh yeah, it's basically a gin Margarita. The drink basically tastes like one too. Actually it tastes more like Kamikaze, which is the Vodka version of this drink. Too sweet for my tastes.
The White Lady
Gin
Triple Sec
Sours
Hrmm, that recipe looks familiar. Oh yeah, it's basically a gin Margarita. The drink basically tastes like one too. Actually it tastes more like Kamikaze, which is the Vodka version of this drink. Too sweet for my tastes.
6/12/10
The Piña Colada
For some reason Amis dislikes this drink, and he even lived in a time before really terrible premixed Piña Colada mix was the norm.
The Piña Colada
Rum
Cream of Coconut
Pineapple Juice
I always take the time to buy real cream of coconut and pineapple juice, both are readily available at any grocery store, and its just as easy to mix them in the blender as the as prebottled stuff.
The Piña Colada is one of the only frozen drinks that I like, but mostly because I love coconut.
The Piña Colada
Rum
Cream of Coconut
Pineapple Juice
I always take the time to buy real cream of coconut and pineapple juice, both are readily available at any grocery store, and its just as easy to mix them in the blender as the as prebottled stuff.
The Piña Colada is one of the only frozen drinks that I like, but mostly because I love coconut.
6/10/10
The Mint Julep
Ah the famous drink of the Kentucky Derby. Apparently people have gotten into duels over whether or not the mint should be crushed. Trader Vic says not to, Kingsley Amis says not to, but to leave them in the sugar water for an hour before finishing the mix, but Robert Duvall's character in Thank You For Smoking advocates crushing to loosen the oils, and if I remember my directors commentary right, that was an ad lib. So Robert Duvall I will listen to. Also, I have a muddler that I use for my mojito's so why not put it to use.
The Mint Julep
Bourbon
5-6 Mint Leaves
1 Tsp Sugar
Water enough to dissolve the sugar
Not having any fine single batch bourbon on hand to make this drink (which I am assured makes it all the much better) I substituted Seven Crown. I have long held that Seagram's 7 Crown is your best bargain whiskey. It tastes pretty good and costs pretty little.
The Mint Julep is a smooth drink. The mint and the sugar combine with the woody notes of the whiskey to make something that is truly drinkable. I can see why the Southern gentry of old sipped on this drink as a staple.
I think the mojito is still a better drink, but thats only because I love both rum and lime, but so long as I have mint for the mojitos and whiskey lying around, I can see where this drink would go good on a porch.
The Mint Julep
Bourbon
5-6 Mint Leaves
1 Tsp Sugar
Water enough to dissolve the sugar
Not having any fine single batch bourbon on hand to make this drink (which I am assured makes it all the much better) I substituted Seven Crown. I have long held that Seagram's 7 Crown is your best bargain whiskey. It tastes pretty good and costs pretty little.
The Mint Julep is a smooth drink. The mint and the sugar combine with the woody notes of the whiskey to make something that is truly drinkable. I can see why the Southern gentry of old sipped on this drink as a staple.
I think the mojito is still a better drink, but thats only because I love both rum and lime, but so long as I have mint for the mojitos and whiskey lying around, I can see where this drink would go good on a porch.
6/9/10
The Tom Collins
I used to drink these a lot a few years ago. They're really refreshing and easy to make.
The Tom Collins
Gin
Soda
Sours
The Tom Collins is a good sit by the pool sort of drink. It basically tastes like slightly bitter lemonade and since you can put as much soda in it as you like, you can sip on one for hours.
A classic
The Tom Collins
Gin
Soda
Sours
The Tom Collins is a good sit by the pool sort of drink. It basically tastes like slightly bitter lemonade and since you can put as much soda in it as you like, you can sip on one for hours.
A classic
The Boilermaker
Before the Jaëger Bomb, the Irish Carbomb, the Cherry Bomb, or the ill conceived Buie Bomb, there was the Boilermaker. Named presumably after the tough union type that would order such a thing at 5am after his shift at the plant ended, it's simply whiskey and beer. I once ordered one and the bartender said "here you go--the worst drink in America."
The Boilermaker
3/4 Pint of Beer
Shot of Whiskey
The Boilermaker can be experienced in one of three ways. One can either: shoot the whiskey and then chase with the beer, pour the shot into the beer and drink it, or, and the most spectacular way, drop the shot glass into the beer and then chug.
I always drink mine the third way. Sure you do have to watch out for both overflow and that shot glass rattling around in the bottom of the pint glass, but if you are careful, you won't lose any teeth.
I like the boilermaker because it turns regular mass produced American style lager into something that tastes more like a scotch ale. The flavor of the whiskey brings out the malt in the beer. However, because it is a drink that is best drunk quickly, the Boilermaker is certainly not something you can drink for a shift.
The Boilermaker
3/4 Pint of Beer
Shot of Whiskey
The Boilermaker can be experienced in one of three ways. One can either: shoot the whiskey and then chase with the beer, pour the shot into the beer and drink it, or, and the most spectacular way, drop the shot glass into the beer and then chug.
I always drink mine the third way. Sure you do have to watch out for both overflow and that shot glass rattling around in the bottom of the pint glass, but if you are careful, you won't lose any teeth.
I like the boilermaker because it turns regular mass produced American style lager into something that tastes more like a scotch ale. The flavor of the whiskey brings out the malt in the beer. However, because it is a drink that is best drunk quickly, the Boilermaker is certainly not something you can drink for a shift.
6/7/10
The Screwdriver
This drink is fairly common, and probably one of the first drinks anyone has, since most people always have its key ingredients lying around. It is an easy drinker, and it does its job in terms of packing a punch.
The Screwdriver
Vodka
Orange Juice
I once had a friend that drank screwdrivers because she couldn't stand drinking orange juice straight. I'm pretty sure that's a common sentiment. This drink is good, but nothing out of the ordinary.
The Screwdriver
Vodka
Orange Juice
I once had a friend that drank screwdrivers because she couldn't stand drinking orange juice straight. I'm pretty sure that's a common sentiment. This drink is good, but nothing out of the ordinary.
6/6/10
The Sidecar
I have been putting off this drink for some time, because I really didn't know how brandy would mix with triple sec and sours. Legend has it that the drink was named after the conveyance of choice of it's inventor.
The Sidecar
Brandy
Triple Sec
Sours
Wow, this drink is amazing. If you ever wanted to take Hi-C orange and turn it into booze, you would end up with the Sidecar. Very refreshing, no alcohol taste whatsoever, and super easy to make.
The Sidecar
Brandy
Triple Sec
Sours
Wow, this drink is amazing. If you ever wanted to take Hi-C orange and turn it into booze, you would end up with the Sidecar. Very refreshing, no alcohol taste whatsoever, and super easy to make.
6/5/10
The Gimlet
Though technically I added soda to this and made it a Gin Rickey, the Gimlet is probably one of the tastier of the vintage cocktails no longer seen today.
The Gimlet
Gin
Lime Juice
While not as good as rum and lime juice, the Gimlet is a refreshing drink. The flavor of the gin is cut ever so slightly by the lime juice, but neither ingredient overpowers the other. A neat mix of flavor.
The Gimlet
Gin
Lime Juice
While not as good as rum and lime juice, the Gimlet is a refreshing drink. The flavor of the gin is cut ever so slightly by the lime juice, but neither ingredient overpowers the other. A neat mix of flavor.
The Whiskey Sour
The Whiskey Sour was my drink of choice for many years before switching back to Rum. I used to make it with lemon lime Gatorade.
The Whiskey Sour
Whiskey
Sours Mix
Amis calls for lemon juice and sugar, but he didn't live in a day when you can go down to the store and buy premixed sours. It's a lot less hassle than making your own, but can lead to heartburn.
The Whiskey Sour is still probably my favorite drink after Rum, Soda, and Lime juice.
The Whiskey Sour
Whiskey
Sours Mix
Amis calls for lemon juice and sugar, but he didn't live in a day when you can go down to the store and buy premixed sours. It's a lot less hassle than making your own, but can lead to heartburn.
The Whiskey Sour is still probably my favorite drink after Rum, Soda, and Lime juice.
6/4/10
The Old Fashioned
In reading the book, it seemed like the only drink Amis mentioned as the Dry Martini was the Old Fashioned. He once said it was the best drink on the other side of the spectrum from said Dry Martini, and he was actually right.
The Old Fashioned
Mostly Whiskey
Sugar
Angostura Bitters
Orange Juice
Maraschino Cherry Juice
I followed the method he described in the book--dissolving the sugar in some warm water, adding the bitters, then the whiskey (he calls for bourbon, I used 7 Crown) and the oj and cherry juice, stirring, then adding ice and stirring again. I forwent the fruit garnish, as I dont like cherries, and I didnt feel like slicing an orange.
This drink is a little time consuming to make, but not anymore so than my homemade mojitos, and it has the added bonus of being the only whiskey + fruit juice drink that I have found good, let alone tolerable.
The Old Fashioned has made whiskey interesting again
The Old Fashioned
Mostly Whiskey
Sugar
Angostura Bitters
Orange Juice
Maraschino Cherry Juice
I followed the method he described in the book--dissolving the sugar in some warm water, adding the bitters, then the whiskey (he calls for bourbon, I used 7 Crown) and the oj and cherry juice, stirring, then adding ice and stirring again. I forwent the fruit garnish, as I dont like cherries, and I didnt feel like slicing an orange.
This drink is a little time consuming to make, but not anymore so than my homemade mojitos, and it has the added bonus of being the only whiskey + fruit juice drink that I have found good, let alone tolerable.
The Old Fashioned has made whiskey interesting again
6/3/10
The Tigne Rose
This drink may be the precursor to the Long Island Iced Tea, or it may have been just created by someone only had one shot left of everything in his cabinet and put them all together.
The Tigne Rose
1 tot Whiskey
1 tot Rum
1 tot Vodka
1 tot Gin
1 tot Brandy
I don't know why anyone would want to drink this if not for experimental purposes. This drink has no taste but all aftertaste, but not good aftertaste like the Rusty Nail. This is just awful.
The Tigne Rose
1 tot Whiskey
1 tot Rum
1 tot Vodka
1 tot Gin
1 tot Brandy
I don't know why anyone would want to drink this if not for experimental purposes. This drink has no taste but all aftertaste, but not good aftertaste like the Rusty Nail. This is just awful.
6/1/10
The Vodka Martini
I needed to get some vodka today to make some rigatoni's so I figured I might as well try the more popular version of the martini
The Vodka Martini
Mostly Vodka
Some Dry Vermouth
Olives
I'm not sold on this drink. It seems to me that the Gin martini is better because Gin at least is supposed to have some flavor to it. Vodka by nature is not supposed to have color and very little taste, so this drink just tastes like alcohol.
The Vodka Martini
Mostly Vodka
Some Dry Vermouth
Olives
I'm not sold on this drink. It seems to me that the Gin martini is better because Gin at least is supposed to have some flavor to it. Vodka by nature is not supposed to have color and very little taste, so this drink just tastes like alcohol.
5/31/10
The Margarita
The Margarita is the only acceptable way to drink Tequila, in my book. Shots are just a waste of time, if i want to get drunk real fast, I'll do shots of something more amazing, like Rumple Minze or something. Also, Tequila mixes in nothing else very well.
The Margarita
Mostly Tequila
Some Triple Sec
Sweetened Lime Juice/Sours Mix
Rim Salt
Sadly most people in today's age think that Margaritas are tequila and prepackaged margarita mix. While this is an acceptable shortcut, the full recipe is so much better. Pre-packaged mixes have a tendency to be too sweet or too acidic sometimes. Also I prefer my margaritas on the rocks. The frozen margarita just leads itself to brain freeze more often.
I never, ever, drink flavored margaritas. Just like the daiquiri, the margarita is best served in it's original concoction.
The Margarita
Mostly Tequila
Some Triple Sec
Sweetened Lime Juice/Sours Mix
Rim Salt
Sadly most people in today's age think that Margaritas are tequila and prepackaged margarita mix. While this is an acceptable shortcut, the full recipe is so much better. Pre-packaged mixes have a tendency to be too sweet or too acidic sometimes. Also I prefer my margaritas on the rocks. The frozen margarita just leads itself to brain freeze more often.
I never, ever, drink flavored margaritas. Just like the daiquiri, the margarita is best served in it's original concoction.
5/30/10
The Cuba Libre
To most people this drink is just rum and coke, but throw in a little bit of lime and you end with the Cuba Libre.
Cuba Libre
Rum
Cola
Lime Juice
My favorite incarnation of this drink involves using Pepsi Max Cease Fire. I suppose Diet Coke Lime would work the same, but Pepsi Max is more caffeinated. Cease Fire is a special release from Pepsi, so I snag it up while I can. I once tried this drink with Pepsi Twist a few years ago and it was terrible. Fake lemon flavoring bad, fake lime flavoring good. Amazing, I know.
Rum is the only drink that is acceptable to be mixed in cola for me, and even then I don't think its all that great, the daiquiri is a far better rum drink.
Cuba Libre
Rum
Cola
Lime Juice
My favorite incarnation of this drink involves using Pepsi Max Cease Fire. I suppose Diet Coke Lime would work the same, but Pepsi Max is more caffeinated. Cease Fire is a special release from Pepsi, so I snag it up while I can. I once tried this drink with Pepsi Twist a few years ago and it was terrible. Fake lemon flavoring bad, fake lime flavoring good. Amazing, I know.
Rum is the only drink that is acceptable to be mixed in cola for me, and even then I don't think its all that great, the daiquiri is a far better rum drink.
5/29/10
The Harvey Wallbanger
Well, I've been putting off both the Harvey Wallbanger and the Sidecar for some time, because they both sound gross. Tonight, however, I decided to try and drink one of them. Given that my local Friday's has this bottle of Galliano that I have never seen touched in all the times I've been there, I decided to go with the Wallbanger.
The Harvey Wallbanger
Mostly Vodka
Some Orange Juice
A Tinge of Galliano
Why someone decided that a screwdriver just wasn't good enough as it was is surely lost to history, but mess with it they did, and for some reason it was with Galliano. For those of you not in the know, Galliano is an Italian liqueur, flavored with anise, but with the added flavors of vanilla. It's bright yellow and comes in a two foot tall bottle, and how it ended up in the Harvey Wallbanger was probably because someone needed to get rid of it.
The Harvey Wallbanger isn't as disgusting as I thought it would be. I mean, I don't know why you just wouldn't order a screwdriver. but it isn't all that terrible. The fact that its only a tinge of Galliano doesn't really change the flavor of the drink all that much, it adds some sort of complexity, but I'd still just have a screwdriver.
The Harvey Wallbanger
Mostly Vodka
Some Orange Juice
A Tinge of Galliano
Why someone decided that a screwdriver just wasn't good enough as it was is surely lost to history, but mess with it they did, and for some reason it was with Galliano. For those of you not in the know, Galliano is an Italian liqueur, flavored with anise, but with the added flavors of vanilla. It's bright yellow and comes in a two foot tall bottle, and how it ended up in the Harvey Wallbanger was probably because someone needed to get rid of it.
The Harvey Wallbanger isn't as disgusting as I thought it would be. I mean, I don't know why you just wouldn't order a screwdriver. but it isn't all that terrible. The fact that its only a tinge of Galliano doesn't really change the flavor of the drink all that much, it adds some sort of complexity, but I'd still just have a screwdriver.
5/28/10
The Daquiri
The Daquiri has long been known to me, but mostly in strawberry or banana varieties. Banana Daquiris are still the only drink I order at Red Robin, but the original formula was one I did not try until a few months ago, mostly because I got tired of making my mojitos by hand. Amis gives the recipe using Bacardi, but I have become a Sailor Jerry fan and as such am using that. Light rum is for the birds.
The Daiquiri
4 Parts Rum
1 Part Lime Juice
Sweetened to taste with simple syrup
Now I didn't have and fresh lime juice, nor did I feel like making simple syrup, which is what the drink calls for. Thankfully Rose's Lime Juice exists. The Daiquiri in its original incarnation has long been lost to casual drinkers because it lacks the sweetness and frozenness of it's fruity varieties, but let me tell you, there is no drink that is better. Amis favors his Dry Martini, I choose the spiced rum daquiri (albeit I enjoy it more when made into a tall cocktail by adding club soda).
Judging from my bartender friends, I am the only person that regularly drinks rum, lime juice, and soda. My friend Cam, who drinks rum like it's water when mixed with diet coke, called the drink "so bitter." I guess I'm just that old school for liking bitter drinks.
The Daiquiri
4 Parts Rum
1 Part Lime Juice
Sweetened to taste with simple syrup
Now I didn't have and fresh lime juice, nor did I feel like making simple syrup, which is what the drink calls for. Thankfully Rose's Lime Juice exists. The Daiquiri in its original incarnation has long been lost to casual drinkers because it lacks the sweetness and frozenness of it's fruity varieties, but let me tell you, there is no drink that is better. Amis favors his Dry Martini, I choose the spiced rum daquiri (albeit I enjoy it more when made into a tall cocktail by adding club soda).
Judging from my bartender friends, I am the only person that regularly drinks rum, lime juice, and soda. My friend Cam, who drinks rum like it's water when mixed with diet coke, called the drink "so bitter." I guess I'm just that old school for liking bitter drinks.
5/27/10
The Salty Dog
I'm bringing this project back to the book and finally getting around to the first drink from the book I ever had, albeit a year or so before I read it.
The Salty Dog
Gin
Grapefruit Juice
Salt
The biggest distinguishing feature of this drink from the other two is the salted rim of the glass, which gives the drink its name. The salt is also the key to the greatness of this drink. The mix of gin and grapefruit juice is sort of a bitter thirst quencher, but add the salt and you get a complex mix of flavors which is amazing for a drink with just two ingredients.
The Salty Dog
Gin
Grapefruit Juice
Salt
The biggest distinguishing feature of this drink from the other two is the salted rim of the glass, which gives the drink its name. The salt is also the key to the greatness of this drink. The mix of gin and grapefruit juice is sort of a bitter thirst quencher, but add the salt and you get a complex mix of flavors which is amazing for a drink with just two ingredients.
5/26/10
The Monkey Wrench
You know, for someone who has pretty much chosen to exclusively drink Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, this is the first mention of the sugar cane based spirit of the blog. For some unknown reason, the third variation on this drink eschews the canine names in favor of The Monkey Wrench.
The Monkey Wrench
Rum
Grapefruit Juice
This is by far my least favorite of the drinks mixed with grapefruit juice. Maybe it also has to do with grapefruit juice being the least favorite of juices to mix with rum. Well, it's probably better than mixing rum and say, tomato juice, but I'd rather have my rum taken with either lime juice or pineapple juice.
The reason why I dislike the monkey wrench compared to the others is because of its sweetness. The grapefruit juice doesn't do as much as lime to cut the sweet of the rum, putting it on the sweetest side of the three drink spectrum, and I'm not big on sweet drinks (aside from the occaisional pina colada or banana daquiri).
Tomorrow I'll do the Salty Dog, even though you can probably infer what I am going to say, based upon these last two posts.
The Monkey Wrench
Rum
Grapefruit Juice
This is by far my least favorite of the drinks mixed with grapefruit juice. Maybe it also has to do with grapefruit juice being the least favorite of juices to mix with rum. Well, it's probably better than mixing rum and say, tomato juice, but I'd rather have my rum taken with either lime juice or pineapple juice.
The reason why I dislike the monkey wrench compared to the others is because of its sweetness. The grapefruit juice doesn't do as much as lime to cut the sweet of the rum, putting it on the sweetest side of the three drink spectrum, and I'm not big on sweet drinks (aside from the occaisional pina colada or banana daquiri).
Tomorrow I'll do the Salty Dog, even though you can probably infer what I am going to say, based upon these last two posts.
5/25/10
The Greyhound
I'm actually taking a detour from drinks Amis mentioned in his book today, mostly because I have grapefruit juice, and there are so many drinks you can make with it. Also, he talks about the Salty Dog a lot, and this drink is a variant.
The Greyhound
Vodka
Grapefruit Juice
Unlike the Salty Dog, this drink doesn't require a salted rim. I think that is what actually makes the Salty Dog the better of the two drinks. The Greyhound uses vodka to cut down the bitterness of the grapefruit juice and it does so quite well. It would be a great summer drink, but it's a little too bland for me. I guess I just like the mix of bitter and salty of the Salty Dog a little bit more.
The Greyhound
Vodka
Grapefruit Juice
Unlike the Salty Dog, this drink doesn't require a salted rim. I think that is what actually makes the Salty Dog the better of the two drinks. The Greyhound uses vodka to cut down the bitterness of the grapefruit juice and it does so quite well. It would be a great summer drink, but it's a little too bland for me. I guess I just like the mix of bitter and salty of the Salty Dog a little bit more.
5/24/10
The Brandy Alexander
From my dad's old standby drink to my mom's. Amis claims that this drink isn't so much a drink for before meals, but a drink for a meal. This is probably due to the fact that you make it with heavy cream.
The Brandy Alexander
1 part Brandy
1 part Crème de Cocoa
1 Part heavy cream
sprinkle of nutmeg for garnish
The only bad thing about this drink is that I am currently on a diet, and anything that has heavy cream in it can't be good for that. That aside the drink is very tasty, and it's easy to see why Evelyn Waugh made it the drink of choice for one of the characters in Brideshead Revisted. You really can't drink a lot of these, due to their sheer weight alone, but they are good, but I'm pretty sure anything with crème de cocoa and heavy cream in it is bound to be good.
The Brandy Alexander
1 part Brandy
1 part Crème de Cocoa
1 Part heavy cream
sprinkle of nutmeg for garnish
The only bad thing about this drink is that I am currently on a diet, and anything that has heavy cream in it can't be good for that. That aside the drink is very tasty, and it's easy to see why Evelyn Waugh made it the drink of choice for one of the characters in Brideshead Revisted. You really can't drink a lot of these, due to their sheer weight alone, but they are good, but I'm pretty sure anything with crème de cocoa and heavy cream in it is bound to be good.
5/23/10
The Manhattan
Now, my dad has forever used the Manhattan as his drink of choice. Many a time is remembered as having memorized Crown Royal Manhattan on the rocks as his drink order. I had one before but that was after a long night of drinking, so it doesn't count.
The Manhattan
Mostly Whiskey
Some Vermouth
Dash of Bitters
Whenever you want to drink whiskey but not be stigmatized for drinking straight whiskey, it seems that the Manhattan is the answer to all your dreams. Though Fridays is not so much a legit bar as they don't have Angostura Bitters, at least they didna have to ask what was in a Manhattan..
The Manhattan makes a straight whiskey drink pretty smooth... I mean it seems the kind of drink someone wants to order because he wants to mix his whiskey with more booze. It's a good drink, a smooth drink, definitely awesome before a meal
The Manhattan
Mostly Whiskey
Some Vermouth
Dash of Bitters
Whenever you want to drink whiskey but not be stigmatized for drinking straight whiskey, it seems that the Manhattan is the answer to all your dreams. Though Fridays is not so much a legit bar as they don't have Angostura Bitters, at least they didna have to ask what was in a Manhattan..
The Manhattan makes a straight whiskey drink pretty smooth... I mean it seems the kind of drink someone wants to order because he wants to mix his whiskey with more booze. It's a good drink, a smooth drink, definitely awesome before a meal
The Stinger
So Friday's is apparently more legitimate of a bar than Buffalo Wild Wings, and as such I was able to partake in a Stinger tonight.
The Stinger
Mostly Brandy
Some White Crème de Menthe
James Bond once ordered this drink, and it boggles my mind as to why he would want a primer drink. This drink seems to be another in the list of drinks that ease you into drinking something straight. The Crème de Menthe really does nothing for the brandy, except give it a burny aftertaste. So Obviously someone invented this drink either to get into drinking straight brandy, or because they had an old bottle of Crème de Menthe lying around and they wanted to get rid of it.
This drink sort of tastes like weak Drambuie--not as sweet and less of an aftertaste. Definitely something I won't have again
The Stinger
Mostly Brandy
Some White Crème de Menthe
James Bond once ordered this drink, and it boggles my mind as to why he would want a primer drink. This drink seems to be another in the list of drinks that ease you into drinking something straight. The Crème de Menthe really does nothing for the brandy, except give it a burny aftertaste. So Obviously someone invented this drink either to get into drinking straight brandy, or because they had an old bottle of Crème de Menthe lying around and they wanted to get rid of it.
This drink sort of tastes like weak Drambuie--not as sweet and less of an aftertaste. Definitely something I won't have again
5/21/10
The Americano
I've been drinking Campari and Soda for a while now, mostly so that I can be like Steve Zissou, but also because its damn good. Campari isn't for most people (i.e. people who like sweet drinks) but I love it, but then again I also love a good DIPA. The bottle of Campari I have in my possession now is the prize from a four liquor store scavenger hunt--even the Wines and Spirits superstore by the mall only ever seems to have one bottle at a time.
The Americano
1 Part Campari
1 Part Sweet Vermouth
Soda to fill the rocks glass
This is an interesting combination of sweet an bitter. It seems to me that this is a drink for people who want to drink Campari but can't handle it on its own merits, much like the Rusty Nail for Scotch drinkers. I'll stick to drinking my Campari with orange seltzer
The Americano
1 Part Campari
1 Part Sweet Vermouth
Soda to fill the rocks glass
This is an interesting combination of sweet an bitter. It seems to me that this is a drink for people who want to drink Campari but can't handle it on its own merits, much like the Rusty Nail for Scotch drinkers. I'll stick to drinking my Campari with orange seltzer
5/20/10
The Rusty Nail
I originally wanted to drink a Stinger today, but the bar I went to had no Crème de Menthe. How this is possibly I am still not fully sure, so in substitute, I drank a Rusty Nail. I'm not sure if this drink is ever called so in Everyday Drinking, but I remember it being mentioned, so it counts.
The Rusty Nail
Mostly Scotch
A Tinge of Drambuie
A friend of mine who wanted to get into drinking scotch was told to start with equal parts scotch and Drambuie and then to decrease the liqueur gradually until he was just drinking scotch. After a half and half pouring, he quickly switched to pure scotch.
The Rusty Nail is a drink that is little on taste, but big on aftertaste. The woody notes of the scotch are combined with the honey licorice of the Drambuie only after you have swallowed. Not a bad drink, but definitely not one to write home about either. I'm pretty sure the scotch is much better on its own.
The Rusty Nail
Mostly Scotch
A Tinge of Drambuie
A friend of mine who wanted to get into drinking scotch was told to start with equal parts scotch and Drambuie and then to decrease the liqueur gradually until he was just drinking scotch. After a half and half pouring, he quickly switched to pure scotch.
The Rusty Nail is a drink that is little on taste, but big on aftertaste. The woody notes of the scotch are combined with the honey licorice of the Drambuie only after you have swallowed. Not a bad drink, but definitely not one to write home about either. I'm pretty sure the scotch is much better on its own.
5/19/10
The Dry Martini
It amazes me sometimes that I've made it to my late twenties without ever having a martini. Not even one of those crazy appletinis or cotton candy affairs they serve at TGI Fridays. Thankfully this book came along and Kingsley constantly claims that the Dry Martini is the greatest drink ever, so I felt behooved to try one, even if the drink he describes is more modernly known as the Gibson.
Dry Martini
4 Parts Gin
1 Part Dry Vermouth
Cocktail Onions
I made my drink stirred, not shaken, because I would rather trust the advice of a Mid Twentieth Century Humorist and not a fictional character. However, I did stick to the traditional recipe and not Amis's suggestion of 16 parts gin and 1 part vermouth--I didn't feel like trying to measure out a quarter second pour. Martini and Rossi was the vermouth, because although it's name has nothing to do with the drink, I am assured it is the right vermouth to use.
The dry martini is amazingly smooth for a drink containing mostly gin, but it is true that being chilled is key. As the drink warms it loses its drinkability, thankfully you have the cocktail onion to look forward to at the end. It's just too bad the drink has to be served in a glass so ostentatious, but then again, drink and oneupsmanship go hand in hand.
Dry Martini
4 Parts Gin
1 Part Dry Vermouth
Cocktail Onions
I made my drink stirred, not shaken, because I would rather trust the advice of a Mid Twentieth Century Humorist and not a fictional character. However, I did stick to the traditional recipe and not Amis's suggestion of 16 parts gin and 1 part vermouth--I didn't feel like trying to measure out a quarter second pour. Martini and Rossi was the vermouth, because although it's name has nothing to do with the drink, I am assured it is the right vermouth to use.
The dry martini is amazingly smooth for a drink containing mostly gin, but it is true that being chilled is key. As the drink warms it loses its drinkability, thankfully you have the cocktail onion to look forward to at the end. It's just too bad the drink has to be served in a glass so ostentatious, but then again, drink and oneupsmanship go hand in hand.
Pink Gin
I purchased a bottle of Seagram's Dry Gin today to drink the first Salty Dog of the season, and as it turns out, I just so happen to have the ingredients available to make most of the Gin drinks in the book. So the first, and probably the simplest of them is Pink Gin
Pink Gin
1 part Gin
dash of Angostura Bitters
Pink Gin obviously gets its name because when you add the drops of bitters into the gin, it produces a faint peachy pink color, any stronger of a color and you probably added too much bitters.
I can see why this drink is lost to most of humanity, as it lacks everything people seem to want in a drink these days. Hidden alcohol, fruitiness, and some sort of trendy name tacked on to a drink that includes nothing of the original recipe are nowhere to be found.
Pink Gin tastes exactly as it name implies--like pink gin. Actually, the dash of bitters goes a long way in influencing the flavor of the drink. I never thought I could stomach a drink of mostly 99.7% gin, but sure enough I did, in fact, I found it enjoyable.
Pink Gin
1 part Gin
dash of Angostura Bitters
Pink Gin obviously gets its name because when you add the drops of bitters into the gin, it produces a faint peachy pink color, any stronger of a color and you probably added too much bitters.
I can see why this drink is lost to most of humanity, as it lacks everything people seem to want in a drink these days. Hidden alcohol, fruitiness, and some sort of trendy name tacked on to a drink that includes nothing of the original recipe are nowhere to be found.
Pink Gin tastes exactly as it name implies--like pink gin. Actually, the dash of bitters goes a long way in influencing the flavor of the drink. I never thought I could stomach a drink of mostly 99.7% gin, but sure enough I did, in fact, I found it enjoyable.
Introduction
So it was actually 2009 during the Lenten Season wherein I decided to give up drink for the forty days. About a week in, I decided to amend my sacrifice and thus constrain the ban to only beer. I was a big beer snob at the time and it was the bigger sacrifice.
Aside from college invented drinks of Spiced Rum mixed with Crystal Light Iced Tea or Whiskey and Lemon Lime Gatorade, I really wasn't a drinker of spirits. Sure I would drink the occasional whiskey sour or seven and seven at restaurants, or partake in the wonder that is a margarita, but by and large the world of cocktails eluded me.
That was until I lifted the ban on liquor and made it a point to try several different drinks I had never had before, including any number of vintage cocktails like Gimlets and Rusty Nails. Along my drinking travels I stumbled upon the Salty Dog, which is the only way I drink Gin now and, of course the mojito--not the mojito you find in bars, mind you, real mojitos, with fresh squeezed lime juice, top shelf rum, cane sugar and muddled mint leaves... the kind you would probably have to pay $15 in any bar just for a chance to partake.
Fast forward to the beginning of this month, when by chance I picked up a compilation of Kingsley Amis articles on the subject entitled Everyday Drinking. In reading the reviews for the book online most of the audience said that it was irrelevant to drinking today. It is just for this reason that I intend to try most of the drinks mentioned in the tome, some are truly irrelevant, as the ingredients are no longer available, but most are just socially irrelevant--that is, they don't come in a mix and aren't sweet. Because it seems like a good idea at this time, and because I've been looking for a new project, I'm going to blog it.
Aside from college invented drinks of Spiced Rum mixed with Crystal Light Iced Tea or Whiskey and Lemon Lime Gatorade, I really wasn't a drinker of spirits. Sure I would drink the occasional whiskey sour or seven and seven at restaurants, or partake in the wonder that is a margarita, but by and large the world of cocktails eluded me.
That was until I lifted the ban on liquor and made it a point to try several different drinks I had never had before, including any number of vintage cocktails like Gimlets and Rusty Nails. Along my drinking travels I stumbled upon the Salty Dog, which is the only way I drink Gin now and, of course the mojito--not the mojito you find in bars, mind you, real mojitos, with fresh squeezed lime juice, top shelf rum, cane sugar and muddled mint leaves... the kind you would probably have to pay $15 in any bar just for a chance to partake.
Fast forward to the beginning of this month, when by chance I picked up a compilation of Kingsley Amis articles on the subject entitled Everyday Drinking. In reading the reviews for the book online most of the audience said that it was irrelevant to drinking today. It is just for this reason that I intend to try most of the drinks mentioned in the tome, some are truly irrelevant, as the ingredients are no longer available, but most are just socially irrelevant--that is, they don't come in a mix and aren't sweet. Because it seems like a good idea at this time, and because I've been looking for a new project, I'm going to blog it.
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