Comments | mamagotcha: What am I missing out on?

mamagotcha

What am I missing out on?

Feb 26, 2012 21:48

Sometimes I think I missed out on some How to Be an Adult class in school somewhere. I never really learned to use makeup, or shave anything, or deal with clothes (buying them, matching them, wearing them so they don't look like burlap sacks)... I think I just missed the bus entirely on certain ubiquitous life skills. Most of the time, I really don ( Read more... )

cocktails, alcohol, drinks, bar

Comments 29

anonymous February 27 2012, 04:24:07 UTC

I got my "drink education" in college. Living in the dorms, we had a relatively safe environment to experiment with alcoholic drinks (the dorms at my college have since been declared "dry", a reflection of more politically correct times, I guess). My friend Mike and I picked up an old bartender's guide at a book sale, and made a point of trying out a new drink each week. Alcoholic Jello shots, Mai Tai's, Long Island Ice Teas, and other more obscure potions were all brewed up and sampled. One very tasty drinkI had years ago was a "girl scout cookie", a three-shot mixture that is a dead ringer for a Thin Mint. I finally found the recipe online http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink1138.htmlThese days, I don't drink too much, but do enjoy a gin martini (on the rocks, dry vermouth) paired with something really salty like a few potato chips. As with food, sometimes pairing a drink with food makes the whole experience better. And don't forget the classic Juggler's drink, Juggle Juice (pineapple juice with Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum). Paired with ( ... )

mamagotcha February 27 2012, 05:04:57 UTC

Obviously a juggler... but which one?! Thanks, we will definitely check out the cookie!

mh75 February 27 2012, 05:31:27 UTC

I feel like there are weird holes in my training, too. Weirdly, cocktails don't make the cut - not because i am knowledgeable, but rather because it doesn't feel like quite as hopeless as my inability to accessorize.

I like Cosmopolitans, various things with rum, and used dig white russians but haven't had one in forever. But i don't love gin.

mamagotcha February 27 2012, 13:37:10 UTC

My very first Cosmo was with you at that game thing you and Josh came to... Cleveland? Gads... I was very pregnant and very hot and very cranky. That peaceful and lovely dinner we had was one of my best memories of that trip!

jedusor February 27 2012, 19:09:31 UTC

You were drinking Cosmos while pregnant? :O

mamagotcha February 27 2012, 23:42:47 UTC

Hee, just the one. At nearly 8 months along. And at about 280 lbs., 20 of which were baby-related, so I'm certain he only got a very small fraction of it. One cocktail in the third trimester was not going to fry the kiddo's brain, and so far he seems to be OK.

anonymous February 27 2012, 06:08:13 UTC

Oh, I forgot that I love a drink called a Chambord Kamikaze, served straight up in a martini glass. back when I used to drink :)
xo Nancy

mamagotcha February 27 2012, 13:49:18 UTC

I'll give it a go, thanks! :D

lunacow February 27 2012, 07:16:51 UTC

As you might know, I only started drinking after I turned 30. Gin and tonic was one of my early faves. I'm partial to Bombay Sapphire gin and a healthy splash of lime juice. For a different flavor, try Hendricks gin with a slice of cucumber.

We often experiment with cocktails at home, looking up recipes online or with a smartphone cocktail app. The gin fizz was a big hit (our version had powdered sugar and no egg). My current favorite is this absinthe cocktail.

mamagotcha February 27 2012, 13:40:26 UTC

Oooh, that looks very interesting... not sure if we have any absinthe yet.

I didn't know you started drinking at 30... was there a specific event that kindled your interest?

lunacow February 27 2012, 23:04:30 UTC

I should mention that absinthe has a licorice/anise taste, so only buy it if that sounds tasty to you.

I realized that my deliberate avoidance of alcohol for the previous decade-plus didn't have much logic behind it, other than believing that I didn't like the taste, which I found to be less true once I tried more flavors (I still don't like beer, whiskey, and some other strong alcohol tastes).

mamagotcha February 27 2012, 23:50:21 UTC

I do usually like anise, although I tried Pernod a while back and found a very small amount to go a very long way. Maybe I'll try it again at a bar first, before investing in a whole bottle.

Thanks!

jillcook February 27 2012, 07:44:34 UTC

You might like a sidecar, which is brandy or cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. For something spicy, try a bloody mary, which is vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, hot sauce and worcestershire. I love to come home and have just our homemade limoncello with some fizzy water for a kind of "grownup soda". I still think of you two whenever I have a mojito. I tend to like citrusy mixed drinks, but right now the Almond Joy you described sounds very appealing. Next time I come visit will you make me one?

I don't know if you ever watched Mad Men, but whenever people start talking about mixed drinks I always think of Peggy Olsen saying “You need three ingredients for a cocktail. Vodka and Mountain Dew is an emergency.”

mamagotcha February 27 2012, 13:44:52 UTC

Haven't tried the sidecar, will do so soon! We tried the Bloody Mary with mix, Bill wants to do it from scratch (so I need to find some decent tomato juice). I drool every time you have mentioned that limoncello! I must try it someday!

I fell off the Mad Men wagon when they moved their office (season 3?). Everyone just seemed like they were in a rut and whiny and I quit caring about them. Should I pick it up again?

And of course we will mix you whatever your heart desires! Bill LOVES requests!