Welcome to this week’s roundup of interesting cocktail and spirits related articles plus a few fun bits of news just made for cocktail party conversation starters.
Cocktail Reading
Great British tales inspire new cocktails at The Blind Pig
(Bar news)
I’m not gonna lie. The last couple of times I’ve been to the highly lauded The Blind Pig in London, I’ve felt a little let down – mainly by the service and also a little bit by the drinks. That said, they do always go all out with presentation and this new menu inspired by stories like The Hobbit or Peter Rabbit looks like it has some real showstoppers. Maybe even enough to get me back in on my next visit…
The Essential Guide to Cocktail Sweeteners
(PUNCH)
Sure “not too sweet” seems to be the new mantra when it comes to ordering cocktails…. But, since a bit of sugar is an essential element in the sweet-strong-sour trifecta that makes for perfect cocktail balance, its importance should not be overlooked. Learn what sweetners some of America’s top bartenders stock and which cocktails they work in.
A Bitter Pill to Swallow: Don’t use your Citrus Juice Immediately
(Tales of the Cocktail)
Since we just picked up on some news about the sweet side of cocktails, let’s counter that with some talk of something tart with this article from TotC telling us that when it comes to citrus, fresh is not always best. Read the full article for the geek-y rundown or just know that they recommend an approximate 4 hour aging period for the best tasting citrus juice.
Hunting for Rum in Oaxaca’s Cloud Forest
(PUNCH)
Think Mexico is just about Mezcal and Tequila? Not so…. aguardiente is a with a long history and a serious sense of place. Bobby Heugel traveled to the mountains Oaxaca to learn more about this “Mexican rum” and visit a few of the hundreds of aguardienteros. Not just an interesting read, but nicely written, too!
Booze Your Own Adventure: Optional Base Spirit Cocktails
(Imbibe)
How can you resist highlighting an article with a name like that? Fortunately the content is interesting too. Learn how bartenders are giving guests more control over the base spirits in their drinks. Obviously, some things pair better than others, but overall it seems like there are more pros than cons to letting the customer pick and choose.
Cocktail Party Conversation Starters
Get all tongue tied around new people? Try this week’s cocktail party conversation starters next time you’re stuck for small talk…
Did you hear about…
That time Facebook mistook a puppy for a penis?
The Texan serving fifty years for stealing $1.2 million worth of fajitas?
Those other Texans who mistook some bobcats for domestic kittens?
And, this week, when I’m not reading cocktail news or finding bizarre conversation starters, I’m reading: The Road by Cormac McCarthy
