National Cocktail Day
Mixology is basically the chemistry of drinking. From shaken or stirred to the types of bitters and even shapes of ice, every element of a drink combines to make up the complex flavor of a really great cocktail. And let’s be honest, if it’s not really great, we aren’t interested!
We all know that Addison is where people meet in the metroplex for happy hour, so for National Cocktail Day, we decided to let our spirits soar. Below are some Addison cocktails that highlight the traditional spirits, in some not-so-traditional ways.
Vodka – Classic Martini at Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill
Vodka is a clear, odorless, tasteless liquor that is often made from rye or potatoes. This is what makes it so versatile as it can take on many different flavors. Temperature plays a significant role in how vodka tastes, particularly in a liquor forward cocktail like a martini.
Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill serves Grey Goose on tap that is always kept at a chilly 28⁰. Kenny’s is known for their selection of martinis… but an old school, straight up will always be a classic especially with their in-house, blue cheese stuffed olives. And if that doesn’t seal the deal, at Kenny’s, martinis are served in a chilled glass that they refresh with every drink to ensure it stays cold till the last sip.
A classic martini is usually made with gin and dry vermouth, but in modern variations vodka has been substituted for a smoother flavor with olives or a lemon twist as a garnish. Dry vermouth is a fortified wine that comes in many varieties (like sweet vermouth). Through the years, variations of the cocktail have evolved to fit everyone’s preferences.
Like 007, martinis have codenames for how they can be prepared:
Dirty = with olive juice
Dry = less dry vermouth
Gibson = topped with pickled onions
On the rocks = served over ice
Perfect = equal parts dry and sweet vermouth
Shaken = when shaken it dilutes the drink with the ice as well as chills it
Stirred = a chilling method that does not dilute the drink
Wet = more dry vermouth
With a twist = with a lemon twist
Gin – Notorious F.I.G. at Ida Claire
While gin in its early form was used as a medicinal beverage, it was popularized in the late 1600’s when it became the national alcoholic drink of England. On the palate, gin is characterized for its botanicals ranging from citrus peels to anise, with juniper being the only constant. Balancing the herbal drink is often done with tonic, a sparkling water with a hint of quinine. While there are many gin enthusiast who love the herbal palate of a London dry gin, there are contemporary gin variations that opens up the range of cocktails gin is suited for.
Ida Claire took a much lighter approach with the Notorious F.I.G., which can be found under the “Ida's Favorite Cocktails” section of their menu! Their bartender started with Greenhouse Gin, a lighter but still juniper forward liquor, and then added Mathilde Poire, a French pear liquor that is notably floral along with the soft sweetness of the pear. He then poured in just the right amount of Amaro Nonino, an Italian liquor with a bittersweet herbal flavor. The Angostura bitters he added next have a bitter herbal and spicy flavor with notes of clove and angostura bark. Fresh lemon and the Fig simple syrup that is the namesake of the Notorious F.I.G. top off the list of ingredients and were added just before shaking. The taste of the F.I.G. is amazing, but the presentation is Instagram worthy – it’s served over a deep blue ice ball colored with pea flowers, which are nearly flavorless.
With new drinks seasonally, there is always something new to try at Ida Claire. For a perfect balance of sweet to bitter with a complex palate, run to Ida Claire for the Notorious F.I.G.
Tequila – Casa Rita #1 at Cantina Laredo
Who doesn’t love a Margarita? The margarita has become one of the most popular drinks since its debut in the 1940’s. With music, restaurants, and even a hotel chain (thanks, Jimmy Buffet) created to honor this drink, it has become a cultural staple. Tequila, the base liquor in a margarita, is agave-based and comes from the Mexican state of Jalisco. Similar to champagne, there are very strict regulations on what makes a proper tequila as opposed to a mezcal which is a related agave-based liquor. Tequila comes in both light and dark varieties with many flavor variations and styles.
At Cantina Laredo, they think they have perfected the margarita. Their secret? High quality ingredients. Starting with the star of the show, Cantina Laredo has over 50 different tequilas in house, and hosts quarterly tequila dinners where they teach participants about tequila pairing and more.
For their signature margarita, Casa Rita #1, they use Monte Alban 100% agave silver tequila. So, starting with a base of smooth tequila elevates your margarita experience. Next Cantina adds Cointreau Orange Liqueur, an unaged French triple sec or citrus liquor. The last ingredient in their signature margarita is a hint of fresh lemon and lime. The lemon is used to balance the tartness of the lime. As with all cocktails, fresh fruit juices make all the difference in flavor. Lastly the drink is shaken and poured over their diamond shaped ice before it is garnished with a fresh lime twist. Fun fact: twisting citrus peels allows the oils to express creating a citrus aroma which is why you aren’t imagining it when you can smell your margarita! With an elevated flare, the Casa Rita #1 at Cantina Laredo is definitely worth a try.
Rum - Dragon Bite at RA Sushi
Rum originated in the Caribbean and was popularized by one Captain Jack Sparrow… or not. The sugarcane-based liquor originated in the transatlantic trade in the 17th century. Today it comes in both light and dark varieties. Dark rum is often spiced, and holds is sweet flavor. Light rum is clear, odorless, and flavorless like vodka.
As you can imagine, rum pairs very well with tropical flavors. That is why it is often the liquor of choice in Asian fusion beverages. The Dragon Bite at RA Sushi is the perfect example of this. In a Dragon Bite, the Bacardi Dragonberry base liquor is a dragon fruit and strawberry infused light rum which is followed by Absolut Citron, a natural lemon vodka. The acidity of the fruit flavors balances the bitterness of the alcohol. For a final touch, strawberry puree and fresh lemon is added before it is shaken and served over ice and garnished with a Japanese Yuzu, a citrus fruit.
Whether you want to feel like you’re a pirate or sitting on the beach, or if you just want a yummy drink to pair with your sushi, check out the Dragon Bite at RA.
Whiskey - Come and Take It at District
The next liquor is credited with fueling the wild west and country music writers everywhere, whiskey. This heartbreak drink is made with fermented grain and often has a bold and smokey flavor. When produced in Ireland or the US, it is traditionally spelled with the E as “Whiskey” while when produced in Scotland, Japan, and Canada it is “Whisky.”
One of District’s most popular cocktails is the Come and Take It, a smoother variation of an Old Fashioned. Just like a traditional Old Fashioned, the Come and Take it at District begins with bitters. But these aren’t any ordinary bitters. They use Amaro Nonio, a sweeter, more fruit forward Italian variation that directly translates to “little bitter.” Next comes the star of the show, Texas Ranger Whiskey, a smooth hill country Texan whiskey with hints of vanilla, caramel, and toasted nuts. As a “cherry garnish,” a healthy serving of Cherry Heering, a smooth and natural tasting cherry liquor, is added. And like any good Old Fashioned, the Come and Take It is garnished with a twisted orange peel.
The Old Fashioned is a drink as old as whiskey. For a fun and light variation check out the Come and Take It at District. With its large whiskey selection, whether you take it straight, on the rocks, or mixed District is sure to have the perfect drink for any whiskey (or whisky) lover!
