Comments on: My drink of choice: a dry gin martini http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/07/31/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/ Roger Bourland writes about music and life Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:59:55 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Red Black Window » Blog Archive » Gin http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/07/31/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/comment-page-1/#comment-7345 Red Black Window » Blog Archive » Gin Tue, 26 Dec 2006 12:05:35 +0000 http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/08/01/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/#comment-7345 [...] I even clipped the NY Times article claiming that a shaken martini is the highest in all anti-oxidants of all spirits––no, not as high as red wine, but still. [...] [...] I even clipped the NY Times article claiming that a shaken martini is the highest in all anti-oxidants of all spirits––no, not as high as red wine, but still. [...]

]]> By: Roger Bourland http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/07/31/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/comment-page-1/#comment-5765 Roger Bourland Thu, 03 Aug 2006 15:10:13 +0000 http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/08/01/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/#comment-5765 In that same spirit, as it were, to avoid a bad gin martini, and save $3, get gin on the rocks. And NO LIME WEDGES. Lime obliterates the subtle and not so subtle flavors in the gin. My favorite gin is the $67 per bottle Ol Raj. But who can afford that? Plymouth is an excellent affordable ($20) gin that comes in several strengths. In that same spirit, as it were, to avoid a bad gin martini, and save $3, get gin on the rocks. And NO LIME WEDGES. Lime obliterates the subtle and not so subtle flavors in the gin.

My favorite gin is the $67 per bottle Ol Raj. But who can afford that? Plymouth is an excellent affordable ($20) gin that comes in several strengths.

]]> By: DJA http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/07/31/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/comment-page-1/#comment-5764 DJA Thu, 03 Aug 2006 08:47:35 +0000 http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/08/01/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/#comment-5764 Roger, I agree, the state of Margaritaville is simply appalling. But many (probably most) restaurants are also incapable of serving up a proper martini. But yeah, I'll agree that the standard for a generic "margarita" in most places is absolutely appalling and to be avoided at all costs -- but if ever I'm uncertain about a bartender or a venue, I don't order anything more complicated than a bourbon on the rocks. However, if I'm at a reliable joint like the <a href="http://www.bsidelounge.com/" rel="nofollow">B-Side Lounge</a> in Cambridge, MA, or the <a href="http://www.peguclub.com/" rel="nofollow">Pegu Club</a> in NYC, I <i>know</i> I'm not gonna get stuck with a typically shitty "sour-mix-and-a-thimblefull-of-tequila-in-a-blender" faux-"margarit"a. I don't know where <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670880221/104-4439774-9616704?v=glance&n=283155" rel="nofollow">Paul Harrington</a> mixes these days, but I assume he's still operating out of SF, and I know that official Rachel Maddow show mixologist Josie Packard just relocated to the left coast, so there ought to be at least some passable margaritas to be had within striking distance of your bailiwick. Roger,

I agree, the state of Margaritaville is simply appalling. But many (probably most) restaurants are also incapable of serving up a proper martini. But yeah, I’ll agree that the standard for a generic “margarita” in most places is absolutely appalling and to be avoided at all costs — but if ever I’m uncertain about a bartender or a venue, I don’t order anything more complicated than a bourbon on the rocks.

However, if I’m at a reliable joint like the B-Side Lounge in Cambridge, MA, or the Pegu Club in NYC, I know I’m not gonna get stuck with a typically shitty “sour-mix-and-a-thimblefull-of-tequila-in-a-blender” faux-”margarit”a. I don’t know where Paul Harrington mixes these days, but I assume he’s still operating out of SF, and I know that official Rachel Maddow show mixologist Josie Packard just relocated to the left coast, so there ought to be at least some passable margaritas to be had within striking distance of your bailiwick.

]]> By: Roger Bourland http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/07/31/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/comment-page-1/#comment-5763 Roger Bourland Thu, 03 Aug 2006 02:20:47 +0000 http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/08/01/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/#comment-5763 DJ: I know that I would trust you to make me an outstanding margarita. I just think there are many restaurants that short change customers on quality booze on these drinks. I love the Junipero too, a bit intense, but delicious. Daniel and I splurged on a $300 bottle of Don Julio once and savored every little drop. We decided that we would bring IT back and share it with our friends rather than feeling compelled to buy them all presents from Mexico. DJ: I know that I would trust you to make me an outstanding margarita. I just think there are many restaurants that short change customers on quality booze on these drinks. I love the Junipero too, a bit intense, but delicious. Daniel and I splurged on a $300 bottle of Don Julio once and savored every little drop. We decided that we would bring IT back and share it with our friends rather than feeling compelled to buy them all presents from Mexico.

]]> By: DJA http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/07/31/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/comment-page-1/#comment-5762 DJA Thu, 03 Aug 2006 01:24:33 +0000 http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/08/01/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/#comment-5762 Oh, and Hendricks is a first-rate gin, definitely, but since you're on the left coast, try the (locally produced) Junipero. It's a bit too full-bodied to blend well in other cocktails, but it's perfect for martinis. Oh, and Hendricks is a first-rate gin, definitely, but since you’re on the left coast, try the (locally produced) Junipero. It’s a bit too full-bodied to blend well in other cocktails, but it’s perfect for martinis.

]]> By: DJA http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/07/31/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/comment-page-1/#comment-5761 DJA Thu, 03 Aug 2006 01:21:29 +0000 http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/08/01/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/#comment-5761 Roger, As a fellow martini lover, I agree emphatically that preferring a vodka "martini" to a real (i.e., gin) martini is equivalent of preferring Michael Bublé to Frank Sinatra. But I will have to disagree about the much-maligned margarita. The margarita (as originally conceived) is a perfectly respectable cocktail, following classic cocktail proportions -- two parts strong (tequila, ideally 100% blue agave) to one part sour (freshly squeezed lime juice) to one part sweet (Cointreau -- and it really does need to be Cointreau, anything else is much too sweet), shaken vigorously and served <b>up</b> in a chilled cocktail glass. Obviously, today when you order a margarita you're much more likely to get some kind of repulsive tequila slurpee, but a decent bartender in a proper cocktail bar will be happy to serve you a real margarita if you ask for it. I love drinking a good tequila neat too, or if its hot, on the rocks with a lime squeeze, but a classic margarita can be just as sublime -- and when preparing it this way, obviously the quality of the tequila matters, every bit as much as the quality of gin matters in a Pegu or Aviation. Roger,

As a fellow martini lover, I agree emphatically that preferring a vodka “martini” to a real (i.e., gin) martini is equivalent of preferring Michael Bublé to Frank Sinatra. But I will have to disagree about the much-maligned margarita. The margarita (as originally conceived) is a perfectly respectable cocktail, following classic cocktail proportions — two parts strong (tequila, ideally 100% blue agave) to one part sour (freshly squeezed lime juice) to one part sweet (Cointreau — and it really does need to be Cointreau, anything else is much too sweet), shaken vigorously and served up in a chilled cocktail glass. Obviously, today when you order a margarita you’re much more likely to get some kind of repulsive tequila slurpee, but a decent bartender in a proper cocktail bar will be happy to serve you a real margarita if you ask for it.

I love drinking a good tequila neat too, or if its hot, on the rocks with a lime squeeze, but a classic margarita can be just as sublime — and when preparing it this way, obviously the quality of the tequila matters, every bit as much as the quality of gin matters in a Pegu or Aviation.

]]> By: Roger Bourland http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/07/31/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/comment-page-1/#comment-5759 Roger Bourland Wed, 02 Aug 2006 12:48:51 +0000 http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/08/01/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/#comment-5759 Yes my dear bro I miss our periodic martinis. Difficulty to do with you in Boston and me in LA. I'll be patient! and DJ, I'm ready to be your student. Let's have a drink next time you're in LA or I'm in, what? Germany? Yes my dear bro I miss our periodic martinis. Difficulty to do with you in Boston and me in LA. I’ll be patient!

and DJ, I’m ready to be your student. Let’s have a drink next time you’re in LA or I’m in, what? Germany?

]]> By: djw http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/07/31/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/comment-page-1/#comment-5757 djw Wed, 02 Aug 2006 09:30:25 +0000 http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/08/01/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/#comment-5757 Don't forget the Okrini (with a spear of pickled okra), the Weswolf (with a radish, or the Bunueloni (actually a Negroni variation, with Carpano, gin, and sweet Cinzano). The latter, of course, is an invention of Luis Bunuel, who, in the chapter on "Earthly Delights" (i.e. drinking, smoking, and sex) in his ever-rereadable memoirs, <i>My Last Breath</i>, notes that dry martini lovers "suggest simply allowing a ray of sunlight to shine through a bottle of Noilly Prat before it hits the bottle of gin", a positively sacramental experience. Don’t forget the Okrini (with a spear of pickled okra), the Weswolf (with a radish, or the Bunueloni (actually a Negroni variation, with Carpano, gin, and sweet Cinzano). The latter, of course, is an invention of Luis Bunuel, who, in the chapter on “Earthly Delights” (i.e. drinking, smoking, and sex) in his ever-rereadable memoirs, My Last Breath, notes that dry martini lovers “suggest simply allowing a ray of sunlight to shine through a bottle of Noilly Prat before it hits the bottle of gin”, a positively sacramental experience.

]]> By: bourland http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/07/31/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/comment-page-1/#comment-5690 bourland Tue, 01 Aug 2006 14:33:59 +0000 http://rogerbourland.com/blog/2006/08/01/my-drink-of-choice-a-dry-gin-martini/#comment-5690 This past winter, which I spent in Santa Barbara, I had many opportunities to come and visit you and Daniel. I must say that I eagerly anticipated the stroke of 5 pm (sometimes even got a little loose with the time zone: "well, it's 5:00 somewhere!") so that we could enjoy our finely prepared martini (made with Hendricks of course), mine with an olive, yours with an onion. It was a pleasant way to usher in the evening... Now that I'm home in Andover, I don't have Martinis at 5 anymore, as they are best shared with a special person who appreciates it. I look forward to the day we can spend another season together, ushering in the end of every day with a delightful Martini of your making! Love, Your brother, Andy This past winter, which I spent in Santa Barbara, I had many opportunities to come and visit you and Daniel. I must say that I eagerly anticipated the stroke of 5 pm (sometimes even got a little loose with the time zone: “well, it’s 5:00 somewhere!”) so that we could enjoy our finely prepared martini (made with Hendricks of course), mine with an olive, yours with an onion.

It was a pleasant way to usher in the evening…

Now that I’m home in Andover, I don’t have Martinis at 5 anymore, as they are best shared with a special person who appreciates it.

I look forward to the day we can spend another season together, ushering in the end of every day with a delightful Martini of your making!

Love,

Your brother, Andy

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