Drinking through my cocktail book... Part 1 of many...

As "research" for the bar I will own in the future, I have decided to drink my way through my cocktail book. I figure you might as well try everything once to get an idea of what you like and what doesn't work. And I drink a lot anyways, so its likely I will actually get somewhere with this mission as it only requires me to be more creative with my drinking time. The book I am using is called "The New American Bartender's Handbook". (Yes I know, I could use the black book, but its so cliche.) Since the back of the book breaks everything down by the main spirit used in it I have decided to start with Vodkas. Last night I made the first two drinks a "57 T-Bird" and an "Absolut Hero".

First off was the "Absolut Hero". This is the ingredient line up.

I know, I know, you're thinking "Is that an egg???" Yes it is. The recipe calls for egg white, and I wanted to do it right, so I made one with the egg and one without.

On eggs, from Drink Dogma,

"While the ice comparison is a useful argument, instead of cooling and adding water to cocktails , egg whites act as an emulsifier forging the independent ingredients together. As A Companion for the Young Imbiber explains, when an egg is shaken with a cocktail the proteins become physically agitated and then recollect near air, drastically changing the texture of drinks and creating a foamy layer on top. Alone, this foam would cave quickly, but the presence of citrus juice in many drinks functions as a stabilizer, increasing the longevity of the foam. To get all scientific, the acidity changes the pH of egg whites and promotes the presence of hydrogen ions which makes the egg foam more airy and durable. The same occurs when espresso is shaken with lemon juice, the protein in the espresso is agitated and the citric acid creates a dynamic and flavorful foam."

You can read the rest of this post here.

Here is our finished product.

"Absolut Hero"

1 oz blackcurrant vodka

1 oz lemon vodka
1 oz melon liqeur

2/3 oz fresh lime juice

2/3 oz egg white

soda water

lime wedge to garnish

Mix all but soda in a mixing glass, strain over ice in a highball, top with soda, and garnish.

Tasting Notes- You can definitely tell the interaction of the eggwhite and lime juice. The eggwhite dulled the citrus flavour, causing the black currant to stand out more. The one made without eggwhites had a stronger flavor of citrus. I didn't like the drink that much though. It would definitely be refreshing but the flavor, while sweet, was not overly interesting.

Not really something I would make again or order.

The second drink of the night was a "57 T-Bird". And here are the ingredients...

Again, a little odd... somewhat fruity and then... amaretto?

And the finished product.

"57 T-Bird"

1oz vodka

2/3 oz amaretto

2/3 oz peach schnapps

2/3 oz melon liqeur

1 2/3oz orange juice

Shake all ingredients together and strain over ice into an old fashioned glass.

Tasting Notes- Very sweet. My partner in crime called it "candy". The amaretto makes the drink, balancing out the sweet of the fruit juice and liqeurs with a still sweet yet different flavor.

Definitely one to remake.

On Writing

One of the many things I want to do this year is to write a book. Probably not a story, I don't even know where to start and where to go with stories. I'm thinking something ala David Sedaris...sortof situational and rambly. It's so hard to just start though. Well, its hard to start doing anything. For me anyways. I have ideas, execution fails a lot though. But writing is fun, enjoyable, takes no capital....but fleshing stuff out is a pain, story arcs suck, and its all self motivation. There is nothing and no one to carry you except yourself. Oddly, I find I am too lazy to write sometimes. It's like "oooh I could write lines and lines of detailed observations on cupcakes", but when you get right down to it you just feel like writing "Meh. Cupcakes are nice." How lame is that? It's not like it takes actual effort to write.... Well it does, like brain efforts and time. But it's definitely easier than weight lifting. However googling "Platypi on skateboards" is also easier than writing. This is why I took up blogging...it's an acceptable media for random short writings. (Btw, "googling" is not an acceptable word according to spell check.) (Maybe a chapter of my book will focus on unacceptable spell check words.) But even at blogging I fail. Because there is a sortof time requirement that it be consistant. Really the overall product of writing would be much more impressive for me if I wrote it all and published it at once, ala, a book. Because no one would notice the time gaps. Until, of course, I get a publisher. And then I'm screwed.

In other news...

I have decided to become independently wealthy. Not sure what the game plan is yet, I'll keep you updated.

Changing the turn signal assembly on your car is disappointingly easy. The only way to make it easier is to make a neighborhood kid do it for a popsicle. Trust me, it's not worth paying him more.

Cirque du Soleil is ZOMG FUCKING AMAZING!!!!! Please go. The artistry, creativity, strength, grace, attention to visual and aural details, beauty, performance value has blown EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN out of the water! Call me and I will talk about it forever.

Ben Folds. I want one.

Why does everyone laugh when I say "I was reading Bartender magazine today..."?

Speaking of bar... I am experimenting for my future bar. Next project is infusing liquors... Vodka is obviously a given... I want to try some random stuff.... Basil, ginger, lavender, roses... Rose tequila sounds good. Now would you use rose hips or rose petals? Also, making homemade syrups.... After that, bathtub gin... Haha jk. Oh yeah...wondering how you make coffee liqeur... I think my mom knows this one. Did you know Corzo tequila is the only tequila that uses the process of sparging? It helps the tequila to breathe.

This week is going to be stupid busy. My brother and his girlfriend are going to be visiting, my mom is going to be visiting, I'm getting my hair done, and etc...

Also my friend Ben is reteaching me to drive a manual... Super excited, but its scary....

Also Patrick will excomunicate me if I don't play more L4D with him.

Shmancy.