For The Weekenders: Three Liquors You Should Know About…

Every once in a while, it’s nice to share some of your favorite things with other people. In particularly, people whom you enjoy having a small gathering with.

Often the trend nowadays is for everyone to bring their own alcohol, and share it around – but if you’re looking to share something more than just beer or wine, considering that’s what most usually bring, here’s three kinds of alcohol that will be sure to make a great night for everyone. Enjoy.

Let’s start off with my favorite….Jagermeister. More of a digestif liqueur, this stuff is amazing. Good God…there’s so much you can do with it – so many drinks you can make. The most well known being Jagerbombs – Red Bull and Jager (formerly Jager and beer)…but there are many, many more mixes than that.

I really enjoy the taste of this stuff, not to mention the fact it’s made of 56 herbs and spices. Usually when I drink I try and drink clean, and am very particular about the type of alcohol I take into my system. Hence why if for example, if anyone were to hang out with me, it’s more than likely you wouldn’t see me mixing alcohols.

So besides the ever-so-famous Jagerbomb what are two more drinks that are worthy of mentioning? Read on…

The Bob Dylan. – Fairly simple, with a decent proof. You’re gonna need a blender for this one – it was originally made with Surge…but that was discontinued. Then I used to make it with Vault…and that was discontinued. Now, I used Mountain Dew. Take 12 oz. Mountain Dew, 4 oz. Jagermeister, and 16 oz. ice. Put all this in a blender, throw the top on, and blend until smooth. Careful though – this is soda you’re blending, after all.

Serve it in a highball glass and what do you get? One chilling, refreshing drink with a nice aftertaste. The ice M.D. taste hit you first, with a nice finish of jager once it warms up as it goes down. Try it out, and if you have already, comment below.

Reservoir Dog. Named after one of my favorite movies, this one’s quick and simple to make, as all it takes is one part Bailey’s Irish cream and one part Jager. Mix both over ice cubes, strain, and before you know it you’ve got one excellent drink that didn’t takes years of mixology to perfect.

Jager, depending on your alcohol tolerance, is one of those alcohols that give you a nice buzz without the terrible hangover. Quite honestly, what causes a terrible hangover is one of two things:

A) Cheaply made alcohol
B) Not enough oxygen to the brain – not drinking enough water after you’ve had your fill of alcohol

Next up…New Amsterdam Gin. Usually, I’m a bit of a gin snob. I like Beefeater London Dry Gin all the way – but sometimes, just sometimes, I like to change things up. New Amsterdam Gin is (suprisingly) something that caught my attention one day while I was out with a few friends getting some spirits for a small pool party.

It’s a bit lacking in Juniper, but it does quite well in fruity drinks, due to its citrusy flavor. It’s also one of the better gins if you’re looking to pay less than $20.

Personally, when it comes to gin I have one favorite drink. It’s very simple, and sometimes boring – but with my fitness regime and again, conscientious nature, it’s something I don’t mind. Sometimes, the best things are the simplest – one of which is your classic G&T, or Gin and Tonic.

If you’re looking for more flavor though, these two should do the trick:

Classic Clover Club. – Another classic, but with a twist. Created in the 1800’s, this is one of those classics that everyone should try at least once.

All it takes is 2 oz. gin, half a lemon’s worth of juice, 1 egg white, 1 tsp. sugar, and lastly 1/4 raspberry syrup. Pour everything in to a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake like your life depends on it. This is so the sugar and egg mix well, and properly. Strain it into a cocktail glass and you’re good to go. Many people replace the raspberry syrup with grenadine but to be quite honest, without the syrup the drink is nothing to brag about. Raspberry syrup is key.

If you like mint, Caruso is for you. This one is both old-fashioned and cocktail glass worthy, and is simple enough for even the novice bartender to make.

The ingredients? 1 oz. gin, 1 oz. dry vermouth, and a touch of green creme de menthe. Pour them into a mixing glass with ice, stir, and stir well, strain into a glass and presto – you’ve just found a drink for the upcoming St. Patty’s day.

…but maybe you’re not a gin fan. Some people hate it. Maybe you don’t even like Jager – some say it smells like medicine….but everybody loves honey, right?

Cue Wild Turkey American Honey. What can I say about this stuff…except for the fact it’s effing awesome. You can drink it straight, on the rocks, or mixed. It’s got a sweet start and robust finish. The honey is so thick, it coats the glass quite easily even if you’ve accidentally let the ice melt. Interesting fact: Whiskey back in the day used to actually be considered medicinal, and was the preferred drink over water due to a safety point of view – considering the filtration process a few hundred years ago wasn’t exactly…effective.

Sometimes I like to make Masala Chai (mixed spice tea) and spike it with an ounce or two of American Honey, makes for a real nice nightcap.

But if you prefer your drinks cold and not warm, here’s two recipes that’ll knock your socks off:

Let’s start simple, with American Honey and Ginger Beer. – Just as the name says all you really need is a large tumbler glass, limes, ginger beer, and about 30 ml of American Honey.

Pour the A.H. in the tumbler glass, slice the limes up into wedges, squeeze four over ice in that same tumbler glass, and top up with ginger beer. Keep in mind I said ginger BEER, not ginger ale – big difference. You can usually find the ginger beer in the “ethnic” aisle of your local grocer. No Canada Dry here folks.

Nothing like a little Lo-Fi THC. – If you’re looking for something a little more rewarding to make – as in, complex, then you’ll really enjoy Lo-Fi THC. I love making this whenever friends are over. I don’t care what anyone says, the way in which you mix a drink determines the flavor, so follow these instructions closely…

First, you’ll need the following:

30ml Wild Turkey Bourbon
30ml American Honey
30ml Campari
Dissolved sugar cubes
Dash of whiskey bitters
An orange rind twist for garnish

Throw all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker GLASS. Stir 3 times clockwise, then ONE time anti-clockwise. Place your ice in a tumbler glass and start pouring the ingredients through a strainer over the aforementioned ice. Top it off with the orange rind in the glass and voila – you just became 50x more impressive to that date you invited over.

You’re welcome…and I hope everyone has an awesome weekend. 😉

As always…

Stay awesome.

– Rego

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