I was a bartender many years ago at a place in Cambridge, Mass., called The Swiss Alps, though it's no longer there. This was a bit before the frozen drink came into vogue. Certainly there were some favorites back then that are still as popular as ever. Let's take a look.
Cosmopolitans are very popular, especially after the attention they received in the television show "Sex and the City." There are many ways to make a cosmo, but traditionally they are made with vodka and cointreau with a fruit juice. Bartenders often make them with cranberry, lemon or lime juice. For a unique fruity twist, skip the vodka and instead use Veev, which is made from açaí, an antioxidant-rich berry from Brazil.
In August 2007, the United States Senate declared that September be recognized as National Bourbon Heritage Month. While this may not have much impact on the average consumer, it is an honor for the craftsmen in the bourbon industry, as it highlights the important role that bourbon has played in this country's history. The old fashioned is a classic bourbon whiskey drink that I used to serve frequently. As the name suggests, it is quite historical; it has been served since the 1800s. The old fashioned has a lot of tastes mixed together and several variations of it have developed over the years. I made it simply. Some bartenders just add sugar to the alcohol but the sugar should be melted in water first. We were a busy bar so I used syrup, which was a pre-made mix of sugar and water. I added bitters to the bourbon whiskey, a little water and either a cherry or an orange slice depending on what the kitchen had for me.
The last two drinks are my personal favorites. The sombrero and either white or black Russians are often ordered without people knowing the names. The alcohol can be coffee brandy, which is distilled from coffee beans, or coffee liqueurs. Using coffee liqueurs, which in my experience is the more common way to have a sombrero, is perfect for an after-dinner drink because of their sweetness. They are also wonderful alone. I prefer the coffee liqueur Kahlua. If you order a sombrero you'll get the least expensive coffee liqueur. Pay the extra amount for Kahlua. Another tip is how to drink this. You may ask for Kahlua and cream, which is delicious. For an even more delicious taste ask that it be shaken and you'll have some foam on top. If you put coffee brandy or liqueur together with vodka you'll get a black Russian, though I suggest replacing the vodka with Veev for a truly unique beverage. If you add cream to this you'll get a white Russian.
If you've been to a resort or on a cruise you know that frozen drinks are a hit. I mentioned these two venues because frozen drinks and warm weather go together very well. The piña colada, which means pineapple (piña) and strained (colada) in Spanish, is made by mixing pineapple juice with coconut cream and rum, then blending it all with ice to make it a frozen beverage.
If you want something frozen with whipped cream on the top but perhaps not with the telltale color of the original piña colada (other flavors have come to be) you might want to go with a frozen daiquiri, which combines rum, triple sec, lime juice, sugar and ice. You can find flavored daiquiris just like you can with the piña colada.
Another favorite is the frozen margarita. You'll get a very different taste with the tequila and orange flavored liqueur that are the hallmarks of this drink. If you have the willpower and want a frozen drink that doesn't look too adorned, skip the whip cream!
Finally a very special drink to serve for special occasions, such as with dessert for Thanksgiving or your other holiday meal, is Godiva Chocolate Liqueur. It's a wonderful gift to bring because the bottle is so beautiful and it is hard not to love. It comes in white chocolate (my favorite) or dark chocolate.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%C3%B1a_colada
http://migration.kentucky.gov/newsroom/travel/bourbonheritage.htm
Written by jobythebay
