Who knew

I learned via CocktailDB that a Pink Squirrel using Amaretto (instead of Creme de Noyeaux, which gives the cocktail its rosy hue) is called a Gatsby. Hum. Who knew?

Original: No name; we'll call it an Alejita for now

Well, let's be honest, it's a Mojito-like drink, but with a twist. I have a ton of mint that needed to be used up, but I didn't want to make yet another Mojito.

I created a drink using vodka (approx 1.5-2oz), lemon juice (approx .75oz), raspberry syrup (approx .75oz) and muddled mint, topped with club soda.

It's tasty, but I think I might try to up the raspberry syrup (well, and next time I'll actually measure so that I have an idea of proportions, too) to get more raspberry flavor.

I also think it may be interesting to try a mint julep type beverage using Amaretto instead of whisk(e)y.

Mint is a lot of fun, I really need to buy a plant of my own.

Review: Columbia Cocktail

Well, at least that's what CocktailDB calls it. Seems like there are many different versions using that name.

Anyway, I wanted to find a cocktail that used lemon and rum, since I've been having so many lime drinks, I haven't been using up my lemons. This one looked perfect - not only did it have lemon and rum, but it was complimented by some raspberry syrup, which I happen to have on hand, as well!

I have to say, this drink seemed very well balanced to me. The tang of the lemon, the kick of the liquor, and the sweet of the raspberry ... and you could even taste the raspberry in this one - a very light note of it that in no way overpowered the libation.

All in all, a very enjoyable beverage.

Mojito glasses?

I know, this blog has turned into All Mojito, All the Time!, but, really, I don't mind waxing poetic about them.

In any case, there's an actual company dedicated to Mojitos and products to ease the Mojito-making process. They even have Mojito glasses.

The glasses cost 5 bucks a pop! (in a set of four, for $20). My PomTea costs the same amount, and you get a glass AND a beverage! Plus, you don't have to pay shipping. Honestly, they look like the exact same glass, except mine say "PomTea" on them, which I don't mind at all. I'm not that picky.

Otherwise, I'd say hit up a restaurant supplier or a discount store, to see if you can find them for cheaper.

Note to self, however, purchase a bona-fide muddler.

Yet another mojito

My electric ice crusher (as opposed to my manual cube-crusher) has two settings, coarse ("C") and fine ("F") (..at least, that's how I interpret the letters). I had been using fine-crushed ice, but this last go-round I decided to try coarse-crushed.

No noticeable difference aside from a greater ability to slide the straw into the finished product. I suppose coarse-crushed allows for more soda to be added, as well, and I think I may prefer fine simply to avoid that result. Either way, using crushed ice (as opposed to cubed) presents a striking vision of a Mojito for cooling off - a minty-fresh libation in a glass filled with spirit and ice - could it get any better?

Mojito Revisited

Just a quickie. The other day I made another Mojito, this time topped off with club soda vice Sprite.

The lack of sweetness was apparent, but I can't say whether I really prefer one over the other. They're simply ... different. I will say that a club soda Mojito seemed to pair better with a meal (I happened to be having spicy buffalo wings, a good compliment to the cool drink) than the Sprite version.

However, after I'm finished with the drink it is my wont to (when I'm not in the mood to get tipsy) fill the glass with more mixer to make the most of the minty goodness, and I definitely prefer the Sprite for that purpose.

On that note - I think topping some muddled mint with Sprite would make a great "virgin" Mojito for any young ones (especially in the years where they desperately want to fit in with the adults).

Also, in a fun convergence of events, Thinking Bartender has published an in-depth post on Mojitos.

Perhaps I'll stir next time - My methodology so far has been to build in glass, shake a little, then add ice and soda. We'll see.

Poor Bartending Woes

Saturday night I was served by a bartender who could not make a Bay Breeze correctly. A Bay Breeze!

First of all, when I ordered, he got this confused look on his face and asked "Malibu Bay Breeze?", to which I replied "no, just normal".

He proceded to make me some sort of drink that included Bacardi, and what I think was pineapple and orange juice. Um, what?

I didn't say anything because I knew it was a lost cause. I drank the amalgam he made and went on my way.

*shakes head and sighs*