Club scout columnist George Lenker lists his favorite drinks. What are your choices?
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As readers of my other column, Beer Nut, know, when it comes to tippling, I'm mainly a brew guy.
I also enjoy a glass of wine more often than not, but when it comes to harder liquor, I'm pretty selective and don't drink a lot of it. It's not that I don't enjoy spirits, it's just that I don't like to get drunk and those things will get you there way too quickly, especially if you're not careful.
But every so often I like indulge in a cocktail or two. This occurred recently when I quaffed a few gin and tonics during a ferociously hot day. That got me thinking: my What are my favorite cocktails and/or spirits? Below you will find my list of my Top Five and I invite you to share yours as well.
As always, I remind readers that I'm not advocating drinking to intoxication. I'm merely acknowledging the greatness of these following drinks. In no particular order, here are my Top Five:
Martini – A classic that has been somewhat ruined by all the "(blank)-tini" abominations that exist today. Chocolatini, Bananatini, Idiotini. Whatever. I'm a classic gin and vermouth fan, five-to-one ratio. I even wince at so-called vodka martinis, since the name "martini" comes for the brand of vermouth, and very few vodka "martinis" I've seen use any vermouth. So what the customer really wants is straight-up chilled vodka in a cool-looking glass. That's fine, but it's not a martini.
2) Gin and tonic – Another classic, and it just occurred to me that these first two and making me look like quite the gin nut. Well, it was F. Scott Fitzgerald's (one of my favorite writers) drink of choice. Make mine with Hendricks (which also goes for my martini's, in case you want to buy me one).
3) Bourbon, straight up – I've been known to knock back a Jameson now and then, but when it comes to drinking whiskey, I usually will choose that amber liquid from my niece Mary Beth's state, Kentucky. And when I choose to do so, I drink Woodford Reserve, which Lloyd Cole hipped me to a number of years ago. He's a great songwriter and has great taste in liquor.
4) Aviation – I had never heard of this cocktail until last year, when my friend and cocktail maven Shaun Hickson made them at cocktail party. Apparently it has gin (there it is again), maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and creme de violette. Not easy to find (not a lot of places have creme de violette, apparently) but worth seeking out. (Word is that The High Horse in Amherst makes them.)
5) The Sidecar – I really wanted to put the Tom Collins here, but I figured if I listed one more gin drink, you'd think I was taking bribes from the juniper lobby. So, although I'm not The Most Interesting Man On the World, let me leave this choice at this: I don't always drink sweet concoctions (almost never) but when I do, it's a sidecar.
What are you favorite cocktails? Ppst them in the comments section below.
SCOUTING REPORT
Speaking of Lloyd Cole, (see how I did that?) he will be doing a special, pre-tour acoustic show at The Elevens on June 9 from 7-9 p.m. Then, you should stick around the club for the release of the "Chamomile" issue of Meat For Tea magazine immediately following the Cole show. Rob Murphy will serve as MC for the evening which will include performances by the Happy Hour Burlesque Troupe and three bands: Leo and the Spectacles, Azuza Inkh, and Gross Motor Guitar. The Elevens is at 140 Pleasant St. in Northampton.
