Reformed Cynic

A Lackluster Thanksgiving Indian Summer at Clink

As I catch up with my holiday drink blogging, here's my Thanksgiving Day cocktail experience at Clink, one of the restaurants in the Liberty Hotel here in Boston MA.

Finding myself without plans for Thanksgiving, I decided to just have a quiet meal and give thanks in my own introspective way. Getting a last-minute reservation for lunch through OpenTable (which, quite frankly, surprised me by its availability), I headed over fully expecting a very early taste of the dinner menu.

I was a tad disappointed to find that it was the regular lunch only, but decided to compensate by having a cocktail, the Indian Summer. Made with Grey Goose's Le Citron, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, muddled raspberries and water, it tasted rather like a Snapple foray into hard lemonade.

The best thing that I can say about this drink is that the muddling was great! The raspberries were appropriately crushed, and seemed well incorporated into the drink itself:

Overall, I did not care for the drink - there was too much liquid, and the vodka itself settled at the bottom of the water glass, which was far too large for this drink. With less water, smaller slivers of lime garnish, and and of course less raspberry - and served in an appropriately sized glass - it would have been a delightful reminder of warmer days. Instead, it tasted like a drink teen friends would make by doctoring their lemonade with vodka when Mum and Dad weren't looking.

I'll blog more about my experiences in the Liberty Hotel's Lounge area, which are always first-rate..

Martinis at a Beer Joint: Pomegranate Martini at Rock Bottom

Happy New Year, dear friends! May 2010 bring you all of your best wishes, purest hopes and desires. I've taken a little bit of a break from blogging, but am back in full-force and have a few great Holiday-season drink experiences to post in the days ahead. Prost!

Now, on to my tale of sampling cocktails at a brew pub. I had some visitors in from out-of-town, and we decided to dine and catch up at our local Rock Bottom, a brewery pub chain. I of course started with an obligatory Mug Club sized beer, then perused the cocktail menu. I decided on the Pomegranate Martini, consisting of Pama Pomegranate Liqueur, Absolut Citron up with a twist, and a sugared rim. The sugared rim seemed excessive (let's nip elevated blood glucose levels in the bud, kids), so it was nixed.

About 10 minutes later, this pleasant little glass arrived:

Pleasantly pink, it was well chilled, and after the first few sips I declared it a success. As it sat for a bit, though, I think the ingredients settled somewhat, and as I drank and the liquid in the glass concentrated, the Martini tasted more and more like that Red Children's Robitussin I so despised.

Not terrible - the bar did not skimp on the alcoholic raw materials - though it's definitely not going into my annals of cocktail fame. This Martini should only be drunk ice cold and at speed, so as to avoid the inevitable medicinal taste.

Then again, I was dining in a brewery, not a distillery.. Next time, I'll just stick to beer!

The Moroccan at the Red Fez

I'm catching up on my postings after my Mad Men Withdrawal blogging hiatus, and will be posting about the cocktails I've savored in the interim.

I'm a member of my local French Language Meetup group, where we meet once a month or so to either converse in or murder la Langue Française. Our last meeting was at The Red Fez in the South End, where a large group of us gathered. Mostly wine drinkers were present, but a few of us hardy souls started out with a cocktail. I decided on the The Moroccan, which was a light citrusy blend of fresh mint, a hint of sugar, fresh lemon juice, topped off with Absolut Citron Vodka:

A pale, citrusy yellow cloud, it was not terribly alcoholic, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing - the mint and a hint of other herbs - was it Basil? - came through, which would not have been the case if the usual MO of "let's make it strong, flavor be damned" won out.

If I'm in the neighborhood, I'd definitely stop by and have this drink again. Post SoWa tipple, anyone?

The Cocktails of Mad Men Week 12: Season Finale, Part 2

I apologize for the delay in posting this.. call it Post-Mad-Men Withdrawal Trauma..

Now, on to the final installment in the Season 3 Cocktail Series..

Lots of Buzz as we approach 10 PM.. More people are arriving, and thankfully this time there are rows of seats set up so hopefully folks won't be hanging from the rafters like the premiere.



My second drink has arrived, and to quote Monty Python, "Our Quest is at an end!" The Toronto Cocktail, a mid-season replacement for the summery Mika's Cup, is another powerhouse of rye, Fernet Branca, Simple Syrup, Orange Zest, and the ever popular Angostura Bitters. I have never been to Toronto, but based on this drink I can only surmise that it is a place that will strip the paint off of you. This drink is, in a word, deceptive - it has a lovely, faintly sweet odor, is fairly innocuous at first, then hits you in the face for all it's worth..

I was blown away by the fast pace of this season finale and the number of storylines that were (mostly) resolved. I think the overarching theme of this was pursuing what you want - for Don, the thrill of starting a new Agency, for Lane, breaking free from an employer who did not appreciate him, and for Betty, social status and security. To paraphrase Thackeray's Vanity Fair, Once we get what we desire, will we be truly happy?

For Joan this season, and I predict Betty, next season, the answer is not.. Don, Lane, and Peggy, I predict, will be very pleased with where they are when Season 4 commences.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Well, that's a wrap at Noir for Season 3. I'd like to thank Tanita and all of the bar staff for their excellent service and for being so accommodating of me. I look forward to returning for Season 4!

The Cocktails of Mad Men Week 12: Season Finale, Part 1

Tonight, I'm doing something entirely new - liveblogging my visit to Noir's season finale party! Due to leaving my camera cable at home (and memory card), I'll have to upload the pictures later, but am psyched to be here with so many great people!

Great Crowd, Met Elizabeth, their  Online Marketing Guru, who found me through Google, and has graciously drummed up some traffic for my weekly postings!

First Drink, Red Hook - more than just a desolate place in Brooklyn, or an eponymous beer, Nor has styled it as the Manhattan's Cousin - I think it's sweeter, and less hard edged - a good Brooklyn vs "The City" analogy.

I then met the Noir tagline winner - a devotee of sixties fashion: Witness her bold mod getup!

Who will be the first at Sterling Coo to dip their toes into the new style? Jane started in her Harlequin outfit and her earlier color blocked secretary togs. Will Peggy get a dirty weekend with Duck in London, and raid Carnaby Street? Will Miss Farrell ditch her shapeless gear?


Honestly, I'm waiting for Betty to get her inner Gina Lollobrigida on once she marries Mr. Francis..

The Cocktails of Mad Men Week 11: Your Cheatin' Heart...

.. will tell on you, in ways both obvious and subtle: Betty's laying it down for Don, Rog finally realizing who the love of his life was (and dealing with the double tantrums of his two "children"), and the hit-you-over-the-head but nevertheless wonderful scene where Betty is faced with her two, and might I say incredibly handsome, choices. For some reason some of the side plots left me cold, but I have to say the treatment of President Kennedy's death was amazing. I remember my family telling me about people not being able to stop crying for days, and just the shock and horror of it all. Was that a clip of the wonderful Walter Cronkite delivering the news that the President was dead?

This week, I delved into the last of the drinks on the menu, opting for an Old Fashioned. Whiskey is potent, even if it is dolled up with a Maraschino cherry to make it palatable, and it burned on the way down like a good one should. Don't know if I'd make it a regular, though.

I was going to have a second from the list, but saw a wonderful drink created to support Community Servings' Pie In the Sky fundraiser, and knew that I ought to try it! The Harvard Cherry Crimson is a delightful mix of Smirnoff Black Cherry Vodka, Ginger Ale, Pom Pomegranate Juice, and Fresh Lime, and tastes like a Cherry-flavoured Lik-m-Aid. Sweet and Yummy!

Next week is the Season Finale, and as for the Premiere, Noir is throwing a fete! The winner of the tagline contest will be hosting, and judging the best costumes and handing out prizes! I will be liveblogging the event, as I have my final two cocktails, and whatever else strikes my fancy!

This coming Sunday: Who will be asked to  "Shut the Door. Have a Seat", and face the music? Don and Connie? Pete and TPTB at Sterling Coo? Bets and her new man? My money is on Rog telling Joanie that she was the one.. and always would be.

The Cocktails of Mad Men Week 10: Truth in Advertising

The truth will most certainly out, and it did this past week. I think I was correct in pegging Joan as our Gypsy, hoping to piece together a life, and of course Don was our Hobo, though I think he's staying put and not planning a Season 1-esque runner yet.

As my time with this cocktail list grows short, I decided to double up this week and have two drinks, the Champagne Cocktail and the Last Word, which I must say belonged to the wretched Carlton in this episode.

The Champagne Cocktail, made of Bouillot Grand reserve, Angostura Bitters, Sugar and Fresh Lemon Juice was spicy and warm, yet physically cold - the perfect Autumn drink. Was it the bitters that gave it that spicy glow warming the roof of my mouth?

Next, I had the Last Word, which tasted kind of like a Gin Gimlet  - this has Green Chartreuse, Bombay Gin, Maraschino Liqueur and Fresh Lime Juice, straight up. Yes, I realize this is a Gimlet, with a couple of punches thrown in. I added an extra squeeze of lime, and thought it was complex in that it tasted almost like a pastis, in an odd way. Nuanced - the way I like my drinks, and my men.

 

The best line of the episode, as I mentioned, was Carlton's, "Now who are you supposed to be?" One of those perfect phrases that could only be uttered by someone who has no idea of what's really going on in a situation - a disinterested third party, who is of course the perfect channel for the Truth.

Up Next - The Grown Ups. Will Peggy ditch Duck, or will she use him like the perfect Don Draper protege that she is? Will Betty's face crack?

The Cocktails of Mad Men Weeks 8 & 9: Don Draper Meltdown in 3..2..1..

I was delayed in posting, and boy, am I glad! The "Wee Small Hours" and "The Color Blue" are, I think, the beginning of the cracks showing in Don Draper's carefully crafted sandcastle paradise.

First, what happens in the "Wee Small Hours"? Don brings his passions too close to home - does anyone else think that Miss Farrell is perhaps a little bit Psycho? In keeping with the dark theme of this episode - most of the action, I think, took place in darkened sets - I had a Periodista, which I can only describe as a Dark and Angry Goddess. She is made of Myer's Dark Rum, Cointreau, Apricot Brandy, and a hint of lime, and like all Dark Goddesses, is both powerful and sweet.

As it was Columbus Day weekend, and blissfully had Monday free to do as I wished, I decided on another drink from the non-classic cocktail menu. At a very informed hostess' recommendation, I had 'Murder, My Sweet', which tasted like liquid Chivers' Bitter Orange Marmalade - spicy, clove-studded, icy cold yet warmed me all over.

Next, on "Don Draper Meltdown Part II"/ "The Color Blue"/ or perhaps my favorite alternative title, "Stone Cold Busted!", I'm beginning to wonder if Don makes a run for it, would Miss Farrell come with him?  He seems quite affectionate with her, and I don't recall if he ever was so with Midge.. We also saw the uneffaced douchery  of Paul, and the best lines of the episode going to the silver-haired folk: first Bertram with his "Pile it on and lick it off" comment, and Mrs. Sterling Senior's entire scene!

Realizing that all of the drinks I have left are hard, hard liquor, I decided on perhaps the sweetest of the bunch, the Sazerac:

A potent mixture of Whisky, Bitters, Pastis (which I looove), it was strong but with a top note of sweetness, like an old-fashioned Southern gentleman. Ladies (and gents who are so inclined), if you ever get to go out with one of these types, do - chivalry is not dead with them.. I let mine go, and more's the pity on that one.../Sigh.. Anyhow, back to the drink - he was so powerful that I couldn't take all of him, so I nursed him along after having half, and eventually had to finish off with some plain, garden-variety H20.

Coming up tonight:  Who will portray  "The Gypsy and the Hobo" - will this be return of Elliott from Belle Jolie, demanding Sal be rehired (I think Elliott made his debut in the Season 1 episode, "The Hobo Code"), and who could the Gypsy be? Our poor Joanie having to piece together an income doing whatever comes her way, perhaps..

The Cocktails of Mad Men Week 7: Plus ca change...

An interesting series of references to past events in this episode, and how, when presented with a situation from the past and given a chance to act differently, many people miss that opportunity - Pete Campbell, I'm talking to you. The parallel between his first nocturnal visit to Peggy in Bay Ridge and his preying on the hapless Gudrun was adeptly drawn - thanks, writers! I also enjoyed Betty in Fellini-esque getup in Rome; sometimes you can revisit your past and take some of that golden light back into wherever you are in your present.

I decided to stay with a Rum-based drink this evening, and had the saucily-named Between The Sheets. It's a combination of Bacardi, Cognac, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice. A beautiful, warm hued drink that tastes like a Sidecar's Floridian cousin - tart, sweet, with more substance that you'd give her credit for based on her appearance and bright demeanor.

Here she is:

Up next: A few new additions to the cocktail menu for fall; I'll be sure to update on my progress through the drink list and any substitutions made. Also, what will be revealed in the "Wee Small Hours" - late night confessions and breakthroughs, anyone? Is this the week Betty finally gets that locked desk drawer open?

The Cocktails of Mad Men Week 6: Wicked Games

This was definitely an action packed episode, and based on the reaction of the crowd at Noir - applause at the end of the ep- probably the best (so far) this season. Don's instant karma catching up with him (his dressing down of Peggy and his subsequently being reined in by Bertram), Peggy's potentially dangerous rendez-vous with Duck, and Betty's flirting with infidelity all brought that Chris Isaak song to mind.

I had the Stardust this week, rum, Parfait Amour, and fresh lemon juice, with a sugared rim. Unfortunately, it looked a bit like bilge water, and was a little like a milder Mike's Hard Lemonade, something I don't particularly care for. I can't say that I really enjoyed the drink, but it wasn't horrible either.

I can understand/relate to Peggy's actions with Duck, however hotly debated it has been on TWOP - when you're used to being with boys, the opportunity to be with a man is very, very appealing. Of course, it remains to be seen if this will lead to her sacking at Sterling Coop.

Coming up: "Souvenir" - who will have the proverbial 'Remembrance of things Past'? We've been a bit Dick Whitman heavy, so who will be tortured by memories or new realizations this time?