OT: Cocktail Versatility Advice
TL;DR - What's your most versatile mixer/ingredient?
Full story: The wife and I are headed to a "Stock the Bar" couples shower this weekend and I'm more of a "beer & wine" guy than a liquor drinker. As is the groom-to-be (we're good friends). He mentioned that part of what he's excited for with the Stock the Bar thing is getting more things to use when hosting, the ability to make cocktails when entertaining, etc. I plan to buy a bottle of Koval Whiskey (not sure what kind yet) http://www.koval-distillery.com/newsite/ as it's local and fancy enough, but I was hoping to get a couple of ingredients/etc. to go with it. Do I do a fancy bottle of simple syrup and some bitters? Or are there better suggestions out there?
I typically keep one bottle of vodka (titos) one bottle of rum (sailor jerry) and one bottle of bourbon (Jeffersons). I also always have on hand angostura bitters, vermouth and one bottle of flavored vodka (I like pineapple). That usually gets the job done for hosting for others along with any mixers you can think of (grape juice, cranberry juice, Coke)
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This is a GREAT choice. Been a vodka drinker for many years and Tito's is the best. I know that using good spirits for mixed drinks is a sacrilege, but personally rather have guests really enjoy their drinks.
Not a huge vodka guy but Tito's did used to be THE vodka for those in the know. I've heard the quality has gone down as they have grown. My suggestion is Galliano. No bar is complete without a 3/4 full bottle of Galliano that has been sitting there since the bar opened 20 years ago. It's tradition.
Gotta throw my vote in for Valentine. Local, and some of the most delicious I've ever had. As far as rum is concerned I also can't say enough about the quality of Brugal. Even their entry level rum is barrel aged and blended in spent JD casks, which is how it gets its spice, but it's a light aged rum so it doesn't get overpowering. 1888 reserve is extremely smooth and complex.
IMO Pinnacle on up all tastes the same especially if you are mixing. Whiskey and Gin quality certainly matters.
It always seems to me that cheap vodka gives you a banging hangover, while the top-shelf stuff does not. I realize this could be totally false, but that's what I've experienced.
You want to cut back on your hangover? Cut back on the sugar. Whenever I gift liqour I give Crown Royal, the half-gallon size, then you don't have to mess with mixers. If your a morning after Bloody Mary kind of guy and I am then every bar should have Bartenders Choice. Once you try it you'll never go back to your old mix.
http://www.amazon.com/Demitris-Seasoning-Classic-16-Ounce-Bottles/dp/B001P75CKK
The basics are in hand.
You want to get them a thrill ass gift? Buy them a seltzer bottle. All the cool kids have one.
Trill ass!
That's what I get for trying to sound like one of the cool kids.
Bring this,
and when they complain, do this
You'll be the hit of the party!
I was really happy when Two Hearted started to show up in CA. It hits two things I love. Beer and fly fishing.
actually fishing the 2 Hearted and the St Mary's rapids from the Canadian side this week. Here's to bent rods and tendinitis!
and you get the opportunity, there is a MT brewery (Madison River Brewing Co) that brews a beer called Salmon Fly Honey Rye. No, it isn't 2 Hearted, but it is one of my favorite non-IPA beers I have ever had.
Skip the booze, and go straight to meth.
Think of all the energy you and your guests will have. Plus you won't have to spend time cleaning up as somebody else will be sure to take up that task.
you're welcome
The OP can afford coke if he's buying Koval Whiskey.
However the distillery tour was really cool and highly recommended for those in Chicago, even if you're not big whiskey drinkers
Hookers and blow complete the Koval experience
Meh... Molly taken anally is a way more tits experience and it's all the rage these days. It's been the preferred drug/application at Coachella for years. You're welcome, cuck.
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that's too fancy for my broken down ass.
methburgers for the win
Can you booty bump meth? Asking for a friend.
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absolutely, just be aware that the battery acid can cause anal discomfort.
First time I've ever heard that expression here. I assume the answer is yes.
Does meth numb up things like coke does? This is important when considering booty bumps.
All in law enforcement? Or are you hard core druggies? You all have extensive drug knowledge which I feel not all of us have. Asking for a friend.
I'm actually a drug educator. If you ever find yourself in northern MICH hit me up and I'll give you an education you'll never forget.
In order to enjoy the occasional booty bump.
I'm as square as they come and serious about health and fitness. Though, I used to work on a trading desk on Wall St and saw, first hand, some really cool, sick stuff. Drug stuff, girl stuff, etc... I've been to a few lesbian lemon party shows at bachelor parties that were insane to see but tame compared to the other stuff I saw. I'm still friends with most of thees animals and they're still doing crazy shit. It's still fun to hang out and still crazy as ever to see some of the things they still do.
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was going into compliance instead of finance / trading. Those fuckers get paid insane amount of money and know how to party.
Compliance people suck. And they pay us 1/5 as much.
I finished at M in '96 and blew off law school for a job on the Nasdaq desk at GS. It was insane. After we went public at the end of '98, the pay structure changed so I cashed out and got a job trading with one of Stevie Cohen's funds. I lucked into that as my dad used to run the Gruntal desk with him in the 80's. Those jobs were not real world experiences. Insane to see so many kids making that kind of money doing stupid shit.
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didn't know you were a compliance guy. AML/OFAC compliance here. Agreed that compliance people are generally the most boring people I've ever met. Now, the folks I met while working in the food service industry... they could party. Especially the women.
Most working girls prefer to booty bump their drugs for the numbing properties that coke has. Just in case a digit, dick, or matchbox car ends up in there.
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We used to call it keistering back in the day, but that was long before the synthetic drug rage
Yes, simple syrup and bitters are a must. Besides that I'd say lemon juice and grenadine.
http://www.drinksmixer.com/guide/1-1.php
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No mixers. Glenfiddich 15, straight up. You'll need a lot if you're going to a "couples shower".
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When I do drink liquor it's usually whiskey straight or on the rocks. However (i'm 90% sure) this is a gift and not "to share" at the shower. Thus I was trying to get something that would be good to have at an empty bar.
Single malt scotch is my personal favorite too. 10 Year is okay gets a bit pricey after that.
Leave it on your tongue an extra second before swallowing which will bring out extra flavors.
You can make simple syrup in about 5 minutes so maybe not that. Bitters is a good idea though. Tonic water mixes with anything. Perhaps some "microbrew" cola or ginger ale?
For those that dont know and are too lazy to google...simple syrup is equal part sugar and water brought to a boil then cooled.
You don't even have to boil it. Just equal parts hot tap water and sugar in a jar, shaken until dissolved.
Good call on getting some Koval. As for bitters, Angostura bitters are by far the most versatile and widely used. You could throw in some raw demerara sugar cubes and an orange, and basically gift them an Old Fashioned kit. Simple syrup isnt really worth buying and can be easily made at home. Dolin sweet vermouth is also a nice option if he's more a Manhattan drinker but with whiskey and the bitters youll be fine.
I like a good Old Fashioned or five
Good drink is best enjoyed straight! Scotch, Bourbon, various whiskeys are all excellent choices. Women seem to enjoy flavored vodka and sweet mixes from my experience. Keep a bottle of cheap shit for your lush in laws
But what a useless shower! Get them a weed whipper. Tell them they can drink the other booze and mixers after yard work.
Go Blue Curacao.
Get all the ingredients to make one awesome whiskey cocktail, e.g., some good maraschino cherries, a good vermouth, and Angostura bitters for a Manhattan. Or find another whiskey cocktail. Here's a good list.
http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/03/best-rye-whiskey-cocktail-recipes.ht…
Standards:
Angostura Bitters
Dry Vermouth
Sweet Vermouth
Agave Syrup
Trendier things:
Cynar
Flavored bitters (orange, chocolate, spicy, etc)
Last piece of advice: DO NOT BUY KOVAL WHISKEY. It's gross. Just trust me. Don't. Get a bottle of Jefferson Reserve. Or the Four Roses small batch (the curved, sorta heart-shaped bottle. Or (a little more pricey) a bottle of High West Rendezvous Rye. Or Rowan's Creek (if you can't find it... it's not expensive, just not sure if it's available everywhere).
Do. Not. Buy. Koval. Whiskey. It's gross.
have you had their four grain? I don't love their bourbon, but the four grain tastes more like a bourbon to me anyway.