The Danilko Devastator

This was a drink that created by one of my college roommates. It is a dangerous drink.

The Danilko Devastator
Mostly Vodka
Splash of Orange Juice
Splash or Fruit Punch

The original version of this drink was created with Shasta Tiki Punch, and as such was slightly carbonated. It works just as well using a non carbonated variety. The drink is pretty sweet, but that is designed to mask the devastating punch of having too much vodka.

The Grasshopper

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.