The older I get, the more I can appreciate a good mixed drink. I used to drink beer, cheap beer, from a can. Then I moved to a bottle. Then I started playing around with imports. Basically it has been a progression into better booze since I turned 21 years old. Don’t get me wrong, I still drink cheap beer from a can. But not as often as I used to. As a matter of fact, Trader Joe’s has a beer that I can’t get enough of. It’s only $2.99 for a six-pack, and the beer has 5% alcohol by volume. It’s so random I can’t even think of the name of it… like it matters!
On a recent trip to New York City, I met a friend of mine for dinner at The Standard Grill. I arrived a little bit early, on purpose, to enjoy a glass of wine. I had a glass of red, and then ordered a gin-based cocktail. The bartenders here really knew what they were doing. From the mixers they used to the way they shook a martini shaker, they were simply professional and highly trained bartenders. I didn’t order one that night, but one drink I have been dying to try is the White & Stormy. I have not yet had one of these tasty cocktails, but below is how you make it! (You can thank my wonderful bartender for teaching me how to prepare this beverage.)
You start by taking 1 1/2 ounces of Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash Number 1. You can use other bourbons, but the official mixer is the White Dog. Then grab 1/2 ounce of yellow Chartreuse. Any good bar, the type of place that you would order a drink like this, will already have that on hand. Have a fresh lime ready, as you will also need 1/2 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice. Nothing beats the pure taste of freshly squeezed lime juice. Combine the White Dog, lime juice, and Chartreuse in a martini shaker. Do just that; shake that puppy like you mean it! When you are done shaking, strain over ice into a highball glass.
Now, once the beverage has been poured over ice, top the glass off with some ginger beer. Squeeze a lime wedge on top, garnish with a fresh lime wedge, and serve.
This might seem like a lot of new ingredients, but the result is surely worth it. Hard work does have its advantages. Feel free to make these at home or order one the next time you’re out. A fancy Chinese or Thai restaurant would be a good place to start, or a high-end martini/cigar bar.
Bottoms up people!
Every time I think I have seen every side of you, you twist and turn and surprise me one more time! The best thing about reading your links, blog, and website is that I am NEVER bored…
Will continue reading, and learning…about new things, new places, and about you.