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Does Bacardi'n'Coke count?
Topic Started: Jan 9 2012, 01:26 PM (2,095 Views)
May-Cee

Now that I've made a fool of myself on the Food forum, I may as well go the whole hog...

I know youse are thinking that all I know about are Guinness and Bushmills.
(As it happens, all I *do* know about are Guinness and Bushmills. But not always in the same glass; I do have some class!)

Basically, what I'm asking (to the horror of connoisseurs like Rum and Mobs) is:

Cocktails.... What are they all about then?

When I was in my mid-teens, two lyrics from two of my favourite albums confused me.

On "Talk To Me" (from "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter") Joni Mitchell sings -

"I didn't know I drank such a lot
Till I pissed a tequila-anaconda
The full-length of the parking lot"

For many years after, I thought a Tequila Anaconda was a cocktail...
(At university, I was on the verge of ordering one.)

Now that I'm older, wiser and drunker... I know what Joni meant.
Oooops!
Gauche, moi?


And on the opening track of Steely Dan's "Aja", it wasn't -

"Drink your drink, black cow, and get out of here"

Which is nasty and racist.
It's really -

"Drink your big Black Cow, and get out of here"

Which is still a bit rude; but not half as bad.

Though I'm still none the wiser about what a Black Cow is!
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rumbaba
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I got interested in cocktails when I was working in Budapest. I became friendly with the people running a bar called 'Martinez', which used to be in Dohany Utca (opposite the big synagogue). They were real afficionados and entered mixing competitions all over the world. I asked the lady who owned the bar what her favourite cocktail was: she smiled and said she actually preferred a gin and tonic to anything else. So, May-Cee, Bacardi and Coke (Cuba Libre, if you prefer :) ) certainly counts (I had one yesterday evening and it is one of my favourite drinks). Complicated doesn't mean good, anything with more than 4 ingredients get's short shrift from me.

There are different types of cocktails: some are long drinks like a Cuba Libre or a Mojito, which would be served in a tumbler with ice cubes or crushed ice, some, like martinis, would be shaken and strained into a chilled martini glass, there are also shots. Basically, any drink that has more than one ingredient is a cocktail of sorts. Simon Difford even lists a 'depth charge' (POUR lager into Boston glass. POUR vodka into shot glass. DROP shot glass into lager and consume. One way to ruin a good beer - no stars).
There are 'sour' drinks e.g. Margarita, which is Tequila/Cointreau/lime juice, there are sweeter drinks, with fruit juices. There are even 'virgin' cocktails (no alcohol). If you miss out the vodka from a 'Bloody Mary', it's either a 'Bloody shame' or a 'Virgin Mary' . I love the names but I am not a fan of the drink :)


Check out Simon Difford's website. I have half a dozen of his books (basically different editions of his cocktail guide), mainly because one of mine is in it and he gives it 5 stars <ok>

<technicolourcocktail> <star> <star> <star> <star> <star>

It's my one and only claim to fame (pathetic, I know :) )

http://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails.jsp
Edited by rumbaba, Jan 12 2012, 04:25 PM.
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rumbaba
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http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink1279.html

'Black cow' is a sort of ice cream float that you might get in an American ice cream parlour - not really a cocktail, more of a dessert.
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May-Cee

Obviously, Rum, I admire the knowledge and enthusiasm you and Mobs have for the subject; I genuinely enjoy reading your posts.

But as with Food... I have too much on my plate already!

I'm resigned to the fact that I'm pretty sophisticated in some aspects of life.
Whereas in others...
You could take me nowhere!

Slainte!
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rumbaba
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There are lots of bars claiming to serve cocktails but the majority are rubbish and have no idea what they are doing. In this case, better to have a Bacardi and Coke or a Gin and Tonic, it's hard to screw up. I've had some very disappointing Margaritas in my time. Generally you will get a shot of tequila with some 'sour mix' (a sort of cordial which is lime and orange flavoured). If you are really unlucky, you'll get vodka (or some other spirit) and some sort of lemony, limey, squash. A properly made Margarita is great though. I make it with 2 parts tequila (I use either Sauza or Cuervo gold), 1 part Cointreau (you can use any triple sec or orange liquer but I always use Cointreau), 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice and (very non-standard and technically makes it a 'Margarita elegante), I put in a half measure of Roses lime cordial, just to take the edge of lime juice. I rub the rim of the glasses with the lime skin (I have proper margarita glasses but you can serve this in a martini glass) and dip it in a saucer of salt (I like a salty rim <laugh> ). I chill the glasses in the freezer for 5 minutes, shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain into the chilled glasses. Nice with tortilla chips or olives.
Edited by rumbaba, Jan 9 2012, 02:20 PM.
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rumbaba
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Most people are bit shy of it because they feel they don't know enough but any decent cocktail bar will have a list that describes exactly what is in each drink and you should not be afraid to ask the 'mixologist' (honest, <doh> ) about anything you are not familiar with. If he/she is any good, they will be delighted to recommend something that you'll like. If you find yourself in a cocktail bar and want to have a couple of stand bys then I can suggest a few. Sparkling wine based cocktails are good (and you can control your drinking easier than with spirits based drinks) and hard to get wrong.

Buck's Fizz/Mimosa: with orange juice
Kir Royale: with creme de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur - sort of 'posh Ribena' (Mobs will kill me <laugh> ) - is really nice. Should be made with champagne but any decent sparkling wine is ok
Bellini: with peach puree. Should be made with prosecco but any decent sparkling wine is fine by me. (I had one in Harry's Bar in Venice, where it was invented and it cost a fortune)

If you really want to get pissed then a 'Long Island Iced Tea' is what you want. Suprisingly drinkable but, if made correctly, has; Bacardi, gin, vodka, Cointreau, tequila, lime juice and is topped up with Coke. I used to drink these with my colleague Bill in Martinez at the end of each evening before we went back to the hotel. We would have two, sometimes three each. It was a crazy time, I couldn't do it now :(


Edited by rumbaba, Jan 12 2012, 04:24 PM.
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Mobson
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rumbaba
Jan 9 2012, 02:00 PM

'Black cow' is a sort of ice cream float that you might get in an American ice cream parlour - not really a cocktail, more of a dessert.
A fabulously over sweet and sickly drink that is served on sea fronts still - a cola with vanilla ice cream when I was girl and recently in the most beautiful ice cream parlour in the world on Scarborough's sea front!

Here it is, The Harbour Bar.....which makes supreme old style knickerbocker glory! <technicolourcocktail>

http://www.classiccafes.co.uk/harbourspecial.htm
Edited by Mobson, Jan 9 2012, 03:03 PM.
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Mobson
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rumbaba
Jan 9 2012, 02:44 PM

Kir Royale: with creme de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur - sort of 'posh Ribena (Mobs will kill me <laugh> ) - is really nice. Should be made with champagne but any decent sparkling wine is ok
Bellini: with peach puree. Should be made with prosecco but any decent sparkling wine is fine by me. (I had one in Harry's Bar in Venice, where it was invented and it cost a fortune)

If you really want to get pissed then a 'Long Island Iced Tea' is what you want. Suprisingly drinkable but, if made correctly, has; Bacardi, gin, vodka, Cointreau, tequila, lime juice and is topped up with Coke. I used to drink these with my colleague Bill in Martinez at the end of each evening before we went back to the hotel. We would have two, sometimes three each. It was a crazy time, I couldn't do it now :(


Drumming down the Kir Royale! Eh Rum! Tut! Tut! but you know, as I've 'matured' I've become much less of a purist in some things and quite enjoy drinking a 'bastardise' version of a classic cocktail as long as I can enjoy the real thing another day!

A Bellini is one of my favourites too, and as I think Rum knows, as I mentioned on H's defunct forum, we have an apartment in Venice nr H's bar - it's on a very long let so please don't ask to stay there! - I used to drink at Harry's quite a lot! However, when peaches are not in season there is a great peach nectar substitute - it's made by a german company with an italian name, Granini, from the italian 'grano' = grain. and their range of fruit juices is of a superior quality.....

Coke is full of sugar and caffeine and neither are good for any of us, as Rum well knows! <star> but it is an easy mixer that's for sure! <ok>
Edited by Mobson, Jan 9 2012, 04:33 PM.
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May-Cee

On that "Something For The Weekend" programme, the London barman fella knocks up a great, exotic cocktail every week.
Have they done any market research into who this item is aimed at?

The cocktails need so many expensive ingredients and so much dedication...
Surely the only real audience is Rumbaba and Mobson; them two urban sophisticates!


Meanwhile, on the other side of the tracks...

On "Tom Traubert's Blues", Tom Waits sings -

"And I'm down on my knees tonight /
old bushmills I staggered..."

Which I always hear as -

"old Bushmills I staggered..."

A pun that Tom probably didn't even intend; and that says more about me than it does about him!
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Mobson
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May-Cee
Jan 9 2012, 05:26 PM
On that "Something For The Weekend" programme, the London barman fella knocks up a great, exotic cocktail every week.
Have they done any market research into who this item is aimed at?

<erm> Alack, Alas, sadly not for much longer, Tim one of the presenters glibly announced on yesterday's programme that they are being given the chop (yes, as part of those interminable cuts!)...they will bow out in March so maybe the market research told them that 2 persons called Rum and Mobs are not enough of an audience to sustain their existence! <whistles>

I have more to say but am getting ready to see a pre-screening of Coriolanus in L. Sq - yesterday Mrs Thatcher, today Cori....not so much between them really is there! <whistles>
Edited by Mobson, Jan 9 2012, 05:35 PM.
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May-Cee

I can picture a sort of "Wayne's World" - type online programme.
Instead of Wayne and Garth...

Rum and Mobs... mixing cocktails and spreading the word to the slobs like me!
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Mobson
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....and vying like hell to come up with a better cocktail! <technicolourcocktail> ... ... ... and May-Cee please, you're no slob! <wink>


Could do with a stiff whiskey right now...after the blood and gore of Cori!
Edited by Mobson, Jan 9 2012, 10:20 PM.
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rumbaba
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I think you've got me wrong May-Cee, I like a drink but I'm not what you would call 'sophisticated' <laugh> By the way, I like a drop of Guinness and a Jameson from time to time <ok>
Edited by rumbaba, Jan 10 2012, 09:18 PM.
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Mobson
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<wink> No you've got me May-Cee! On the button! ....although my passion is more for food than drink although I do have a half pint of Guinness almost every Friday when I take my mother out to lunch! <cheers!>
Edited by Mobson, Jan 11 2012, 10:03 AM.
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May-Cee

I read your post wrong, Mobs. I thought you meant the cocktail feature was going; but I see it's the whole show.

Mind you, when yer man finished off each drink with dollops of ice... the ice was usually the only ingredient I'd heard of and can afford.
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Mobson
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Yes the whole bloody show! <steam>

'arry's (Redknapp) daughter-in-law will have to find something else to occupy her sofa-sitting on a Sunday morning! <laugh>
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rumbaba
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Mobs probably has designer ice cubes, hand carved into the shapes of animals and birds. :)
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Mobson
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<erm> No Rum I'm into shapes at the moment - trending oblongs and rectangles, squares and circles, don't you know! ...

downsizing - had to let the Ice Man go <whistles>





got my dog!
<puppydog>
Edited by Mobson, Jan 31 2012, 03:53 PM.
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rumbaba
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BTW Mobs, don't know if I mentioned it, but I am off to Venice in April for four nights from the 21st. I won't go back to Harry's Bar though. It was a bit disappointing, with the peach for the Bellini being poured out of a crappy plastic bottle and then some ludicrous service charge bunged on top of what was already pretty expensive. I don't mind paying for top class service (5 years ago we went to Venice on the Orient Express and it was great) but this was cynical fleece the tourists stuff. It's not exactly plush either, I've been in more salubrious working men's clubs in Fife. Anyway, been there done it, got the photo. I am looking forward to going back to Venice though. This will be our Pearl anniversary :)
Edited by rumbaba, Jan 31 2012, 03:58 PM.
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Mobson
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Smashing Rum! I'll look out a couple of places that you might be interested in visiting....April you say...I have to see if they're in season....

So heartbreaking when a place runs down - over the years it's happened to so many fab places I used to frequent...Remember Maxims in Paris - after not going there for a while, we went back to celebrate an anniversary with a couple of friends - the meal cost a grand and boy! were we taken for a ride!
Edited by Mobson, Jan 31 2012, 03:59 PM.
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rumbaba
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'The Ice man goeth' ;)

Speaking of shapes, my friend Steve was telling me he once bought a mince pie in a bakers called 'Oliver's ' (a small chain, probably northern) around Christmas time. Instead of being round, it was cuboid, rectangular, however you call it. The packaging explained that it was 'in the shape of the manager'. We can only assume that the spell check had changed 'manger' to 'manager' and nobody had spotted it. <laugh>
Edited by rumbaba, Jan 31 2012, 03:58 PM.
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Mobson
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immediately off the top of my head is La Corte Sconta - Hidden courtyard - (one of an association of good restaurants) situated near the Arsenale, which you may not have visited before...it's pure venetian - exceptional fish dishes and seafood.
I first went there in October 1997 when it was very exclusive (not in price - in lack of foreign tourists) and frequented by locals. I had to book quite a bit in advance - have never had a bad experience...what it is like today I know not... but have a look at this very useful website....

http://www.veneziaristoranti.it/associati/restaurant-corte.html
Edited by Mobson, Jan 31 2012, 04:27 PM.
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rumbaba
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As a West Ham supporter, I am not sure I should be going anywhere near the Arsenale, Mobs <laugh>

We will be staying at the Palazzio San Angelo on the Grand Canal, near the Rialto bridge.

Thanks for the info, I will check it out. <ok>
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