Tag: alcohol
Disco Never Dies
Inspiration strikes in the most unexpected places, and for Disco Lemonade, it began with a traffic jam.
Rush hour is an all day affair lately, as construction on already congested roads reduces three lanes down to a single-file funereal procession. If it’s not raining, or foggy, or dark, and no one has any accidents, we’re talking about an extra 20 minutes to crawl one mile. Mentally prepared or not, it’s a slog. The only thing you can do to stay rage-free is immerse yourself in an audio distraction. For me, that’s one specific alt radio station that usually hits a good blend of new and nostalgic, but sometimes sounds like a broken record.
A Drink Inspired By Driving (Not At The Same Time)
If I had a nickle for every time I was subjected to Marcy Playground’s Sex And Candy in a one week period, maybe I could afford a chauffeur service to save me from this mess. Again and again, I just kept thinking about…
And then there she was, in platform double suede
Yeah, there she was
Like disco lemonade
What’s The Meaning Of Disco Lemonade?
“Disco lemonade” in the context of this song means nothing. There’s no deeper significance beyond sounding cool. Despite how captivating it sounds, only a few ventured to make cocktails based on this passing reference after the fact.
How To Make A Disco Lemonade
Online recipes keep it very simple; generally 3/4 of the glass is filled with regular old lemonade, then topped off with vodka for potency, and often blue curacao for both that alluring color and sweet-tart citrus flavor. That’s all well and good, but how can you possibly have a disco without some sparkle? Edible drink glitter is absolutely essential for crafting a cocktail true to the name, if you ask me. To really highlight that glitz and glamour, sparkling water flavored with lemon helps convey the concept without all the extra sugar, keeping all the whole drink shimmering as it effervesces.
Flavor Variations
There’s more than one way to disco, of course. Blue curacao has a distinctly bitter edge that may be off-putting, so it’s easy to swap that out for less polarizing liqueurs. Here’s your quick swap-out guide:
- Pink Disco Lemonade: Cherry Brandy
- Disco Orangeade: Grand Marnier
- Classic Disco Lemonade: Limoncello
- Disco Appleade: Apple Schnapps
For a simple drink that makes you get up and want to dance, look no further than the previously fictitious Disco Lemonade. Bright, vibrant, and just a bit flamboyant, it’s worth wading through traffic to enjoy back at home.
Lost In Tokyo
Few cocktails are as infuriating as the Tokyo Tea. Some may be able to separate the name from the content, but it’s unforgivable false advertising to me. Standing tall in a slender high ball glass, glowing bright green, you’d expect something at least minimally connected to Japanese iced tea, right? Wrong. There’s no tea, it’s not made in Tokyo, and it’s not even particularly tasty. Let’s give the Tokyo Tea a makeover to finally live up to its promise.
What Is A Tokyo Tea Cocktail?
Following the blueprint of a Long Island Iced Tea, which notably contains zero tea content itself, the bulk of this drink is a mishmash of spirits that seem like the leftovers of disparate bottles, mixed together in a last-ditch attempt to clear out. Vodka, rum, tequila, gin, and triple sec are all invited to the party in equal measure, indiscriminately mixed with abandon.
The star of the show that sets this rendition apart and contributes the only plausible inspiration for the name is midori, a sweet, green liqueur flavored with the subtle fruitiness of melons. At only 1/8th or less of the total volume, though, I promise you’d never know, if not for the color.
Updating The Recipe
Putting the Tokyo and tea back into the Tokyo Tea, my version of the cocktail starts with a base of full-flavored ceremonial matcha. Bold, vibrant, subtly grassy, umami, and just slightly bitter, it provides a richly nuanced foundation to build upon, all while balancing out the sweeter liqueurs. Though most Americans think of matcha lattes with velvety milk foam, this take skips the creamy component to keep the drink light and refreshing.
If you’re craving a Tokyo Tea that lives up to the name, this twist on tradition will finally set the record straight. Remember to enjoy responsibly because even after paring down the number of spirits involved, this cocktail still packs a punch.
Flipping The Script
Vegan eggnog is usually the first thing in my shopping cart come November 1st, remaining a steady line item on my grocery list until the supply runs dry. My head-to-head Nog-Offs are legendary, but this year, only disappointment was in store. With no new contenders in the ring, this fight was over before it began.
Instead, I’m flipping over a lighter, easier, quicker approach that anyone can mix up at home. Flip cocktails, a captivating twist largely forgotten to time, are long overdue for a plant-based revival.
What Is A Flip Cocktail?
First hitting the bar scene in the late 1690’s, a flip is a cocktail made with whipped whole egg, sugar, spirits or fortified wine, and garnished with nutmeg. Traditionally poured back and forth between two shakers to properly mix and froth, or “flip,” is how they got their name. They can be served hot or cold, and are now most commonly made with brandy (my personal favorite here), bourbon, or rum.
How Are Flips Different From Eggnog?
Reminiscent of the eggy richness that eggnog has made its calling card, flip cocktails are notably lighter, since they lack the dairy component often fulfilled by heavy cream. Eggnog is a tall, voluminous drink that sits like a meal, whereas a flip is a smaller tipple, better for pairing with food or snacks. If you want to leave room for Christmas cookies, this is what I call “balance,” at least when it comes to a holiday indulgence!
An Eggless Flip? Flip Yeah!
It seems counterintuitive to suggest revamping a cocktail that’s primarily based on eggs, but there’s nothing we can’t veganize these days. Case in point, you’ll never miss the cloying unctuousness of a chicken yolk when you can enjoy all the flavor instead.
- Aquafaba takes the role of egg whites, building up a stable foam that won’t dissipate once it hits the glass. Simultaneously, it acts as an emulsifier that keeps the whole mixture together, giving it body and a velvety texture to the very last sip.
- Instead of plain simple syrup made of equal parts sugar and water, a touch of nutritional yeast adds subtly savory flavor along with an alluring golden hue. Black salt, aka kala namak, contributes that telltale sulfurous aroma that makes everything instantly taste eggy.
- Distilled spirits, such as those called for here, are naturally or “accidentally” vegan by default. There are some odd outliers, but they would most likely call attention to that fact because it would be out of the ordinary.
Flip Variations
Anything that’s been around for a few centuries is bound to morph and adapt with changing tastes. As such, there’s already a long history of flip cocktail variations, including:
- Sailor’s Flip, often using cheaper ale or beer instead of or in addition to liquor
- Egg-Hot, which was an early zero-proof cocktail that skipped the spirits
- Sleeper, using an aromatic blend of cloves, coriander, and lemon in lieu of nutmeg
More creative, modern interpretations bring a bit more fun and flavor to the party:
- Chocolate Flip: Add a splash of vegan chocolate liqueur to make an adult version of hot cocoa.
- Fiery Flip: Infuse your flip with a hint of chilies and/or ginger for a warming kick.
- Red Eye Flip: Incorporate a shot of espresso to craft a bracing wake up call.
Nog Off, Flip On
Not every year can bring a blockbuster eggless nog to market. To fill that void, a veganized flip cocktail may be a better choice for welcoming in the Christmas spirit. Given its simplicity, versatility, and accessibility, the only thing you stand to lose is your sobriety.
