As I mentally move the junk from the trunk of my right and left cranial hemispheres, I'm learning that moving into 2013 just FEELS better already when I apply the quality over quantity aspect of my thought process, to every facet of my life in general.
It appears that I'm not the only one who feels that life has been too-too for a long time now. As a former bartender, I'm pleased to see a return to the cocktail classics! Justine Sterling, from FOOD&WINE magazine, interviewed several mixologists across the country to ascertain this train of thought for 2013:
"...F&W interviewed bartenders from across the country, who predict a world of restrained and sophisticated low-alcohol cocktails, tequila at brunch and tableside drink service...."
The most elegant cocktail I ever saw was the Martini of James Bond *SIGH*...
Shaken, not stirred, he brings martinis to life!
In the movie, 'Vanilla Sky', Penelope Cruise's character says of Cameron Diaz's character at a party, 'I think she's the saddest girl ever to hold a martini.' James could've given her lessons in sexy and sophisticated, never the more so than when he's blithely sipping!
Back in the day, martini was THE classy cocktail of worldly imbibing, and everyone knew you made the basics with 5 parts gin, one part vermouth. Dry or dirty? Optional. Martinis ruled the world in those days, as did the movers and shakers who drank them. Don't get me wrong, because I love a Green Apple Martini as much as the next frisky femme. But the time for classic martinis has returned. Gin and I are no longer simpatico, so I'll be switching to vodka martinis, Sobieski Vodka martinis in particular, but it will be a smooth transition!
The 2nd fancy drink I learned to make, and very en vogue, was the Manhattan. In an glass made for Old Fashioned's, soak a sugar cube in 4 or 5 drops of angostura bitters. Using a small splash of water, muddle together til sugar is disolved a syrup forms. Add a maraschino cherry, an orange slice, and a tiny bit of the cherry syrup, and gently muddle. Take your time, Old Fashioned's aren't meant to be rushed! Add 2 ounces of your fave whiskey, stir everything together til mixed, and top off with a dash of soda water. Ahhhh... feel the luxury of those cushy red leather sofas yet??? Lively and easy convos? Hip atmosphere? Take your time... it'll hit you!
Manhattans are less time-consuming to make than an Old Fashioned, and as sexy as a Martini. Whether created for a banquet hosted by Winston Churchill's mother for Presidential candidate Samuel J Tilden in the 1870s, or by a bartender named Black on Broadway in 1860, those in the know all agree it claims the name of one of New York's 5 boroughs. Frisky and easy, Manhattans are simply 2 and 1/4 ounces bourbon or rye, 3/4 ounces sweet vermouth, 2 dashes angostura bitters, shaken or stirred over ice til chilled, then strained into a chilled cocktail glass and topped with a maraschino cherry.
Meet another old school friend of mine, Tom Collins!
Shake 2 ounces of dry gin, 3/4 ounce simple syrup, and 3/4 ounce lemon juice with ice.
Pour into a chilled Collins glass and kiss it with some soda water.
Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.
YUM. Big girl lemonade!
My friendship with whiskey soured almost as quickly as it had begun, due to an unfortunate incident involving 7 celebratory shots of a former OG fave, The Floater (3/4 shot glass of Crown Royal topped with Peppermint Schnapps), in 30 minutes. Rookie bartending mistake: NEVER LET THE CUSTOMERS TALK YOU INTO ANYTHING! :)
Now Margarita's are my feisty drink, and they're best at their old-school basics:
Shake 2 ounces of tequila, 1/2-1 ounce of agave nectar, and 1 ounce fresh lime juice
over ice. Strain over ice into a chilled glass, or without ice into a martini glass that's salted or not. I prefer clear tequilas, maybe it's a myth they don't cause hangovers, maybe it's the placebo effect, but so far Patron and I are still friends!
2013 has only begun, and I'm excited to see where it leads us!
Predicted trends often never see fruition, but I'm betting that getting back to basics
will indeed make its mark on our lives.
And why not? Old days, old ways... Some traditions are meant to be kept!
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