Tag: mixology

Sleepy Martini

There is no greater tease than the espresso martini. Tall, sleek, and slender, the elegant glass is filled to the brim with dark amber liquid, topped with a velvety crown of foam. The very air around it seems to buzz with the aroma of roasted coffee. Should you succumb to temptation, you’ll get a jolt of caffeine, masking the intoxicating effects of the alcohol. Too boozy for breakfast but too stimulating for a nightcap, this classic cocktail remains firmly out of my reach when adhering to a rational schedule.

Odds Bar & Bistro – Decaf Espresso Martini

Surely, I can’t be the only one that wants to imbibe and still fall asleep at night. And yet, decaf coffee liqueur is simply not a thing. As one of three primary ingredients, this is a problem. There’s also the shot of straight espresso, but how hard is it to swap that for decaf in the first place? Really, it’s such an easy fix, it’s laughable.

When Is A Martini Not A Martini?

One thing that bothers me about the espresso martini, besides mixing uppers and downers, is that it really isn’t a martini at all. By definition, a martini is classically made with gin and dry vermouth, optionally garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. Strong, dry, and served straight up in a chilled martini glass, it’s the consummate definition of elegance.

The only thing that the espresso martini shares, like many other variants that rely on additional flavorings and sweeteners bolstered by vodka, is the glass. This is important to clarify not to belittle the espresso martini, but to free ourselves of the pretense that it must contain x, y, or z. For the espresso martini, there are no rules aside from stemware.

Robust and Relaxing

Writing out a recipe for something so simple feels silly, but I know just as well as anyone that a good recipe doesn’t have to be ground-breaking, ambitious, or even terribly innovative. It has to be delicious, of course, foolproof, and something you’d want to make again and again. That’s the case for this cocktail, which could be cut down to as few as three real ingredients at its core.

That’s part of the appeal, too; something that can be whipped up on the fly, even when your liquor cabinet is mostly empty, when friends show up unannounced, or when you just need something to take the edge off, post haste. This is the one that I’m shaking out more often than not, so I think you might enjoy it, too.

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Hannah (BitterSweet)4 Comments

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.

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Hannah (BitterSweet)11 Comments

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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Hannah (BitterSweet)6 Comments