posted by JD on Jun 26
Absinthe contains a considerable amount of alcohol than most other liquors. This can vary between various brands but generally, absinthes are about as twice as strong as whisky, vodka or gin.
In short, one single shot of absinthe is equal to 2 shots of whisky or similar.
Just as guide we have put together a guide to the various alcohol levels.
Average whisky, gin or vodka: 40% alcohol
Absinthe Kubler: 53% alcohol
Pernod Absinthe: 60% alcohol
La Fee Absinthe: 68% alcohol
Hills Absinth: 70% alcohol
King of Spirits Absinth: 70% alcohol
I don’t know about you but this weekend, I will mostly be drinking excessive quantities of Absinthe. Anyone who wants to donate any hangover cures for the Monday morning would be greatly appreciated.
posted by JD on Jun 12
This week I have been re-introduced to the joys of wine - white wine in fact, which I haven’t been drinking for a long time.
My lodger decided to break open a bottle earlier this week and of course, it would have been rude of me to refuse to join him in a celebratory glass. Then the second bottle was opened - but left unfinished - and this was where the damage was done.
The next night, that half a second bottle was still sat there.. begging to be finished.. so we obliged, and opened a third, but didn’t finish it. Can you see where this is going?
I think I’m now on the fourth bottle of wine this week, and half a bottle is still sat in my fridge. This is not good. I think tonight that half a bottle will have to be finished and I shall resist opening another. Besides, I think we’re on the last one and I’m not going to go to the shops to buy any more. Although, I was tempted when Sainsburys announced on the radio a 25% discount on all wines this week…
posted by Harvey on Jun 6
I found this recipe in a really great cocktail book, aptly named The Book of Cocktails. It’s more of a cordial drink, with a bit of a kick.
Ingredients:
1 part malibu
1 part blackcurrant cordial
ice
lemonade
coconut - grated or sliced
Pour malibu blackcurrant over the ice in a glass. Fill with lemonade and stir. Garnish and enjoy with a straw
posted by Arty on Jun 5
This is a really sweet cocktail, not one to drink all night but more of an after-meal drink or end of night drink. It’s more like a dessert really. Oh, and sin of all sins, it’s non-alcoholic. Ideal for when you’ve had a few big nights out and you’re going through a ‘I’m never going to drink again’ period
Ingredients:
1 part peppermint cordial
4 parts cream
grated chocolate
2 chocolate sticks
cracked and crushed ice
Put the ice and peppermint and cream in a shaker. Shake till frosty. Strain into large wine glass. Add crushed ice. Sprinkle with grated chocolate. Garnish with chocolate sticks.
posted by JD on Jun 2
Following my weekend, it seems only appropriate to remind everyone, for the sake of the public’s health and wellbeing, that you should be sure to eat properly before a night (or in my case afternoon and evening) of drinking. Especially if you are planning a serious outing.
Some people prefer to eat whilst they are out, but as the saying goes, you should ‘line your stomach’. Now, if you’re drinking before eating, your stomach will be lined with alcohol and any food added will surely simply swish around in your stomach with said alcohol.
My advice is to eat BEFORE you go out and even better, be sure to have good old carbohydrates as they last longer and fill you up better. I don’t know how or why this is, but it works and that’s the most important thing.
posted by JD on Jun 1
If you fancy a few garnishes in your drink, to brighten them up for the few seconds before you drink them, then follow these tips:
- Choose firm, bright coloured fruit without blemished skin
- Was the fruit just before use
- Use a spiral to hang over the rim of the glass
- For something different, peel a strip using a vegetable peeler, tie the strip into a knot and drop into the drink
- Use a stainless steel knife as a carbon steel will discolour the flesh
- Use a canelle knife or vegetable peeler to score the fruit in lines before you cut it so the slice looks decorated
- When cutting citrus garnishes, be careful not to cut into the bitter white pith of the fruit when peeling
Now go decorate some drinks!