James Bond would have you believe that you ought to shake that Martini, and while it won’t kill you if you do, you’re better off stirring it. You’ll also look pretty dumb ordering one shaken at any respectable bar. If you’re determined to order it shaken, just don’t be offended when you get some snickering from behind the bar.
Hit the break to find out why.
The origin of the Pisco Sour — like the Pisco itself — is a point of contention between Chile and Peru. Both countries manufacture Pisco, and both call the Pisco Sour their national cocktail. If you’ve never tried Pisco, the Sour is a great way to start. Pisco is a deceptively smooth liquor that masks its alcohol content (usually around 45%).
Pisco Sour
Build in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice, then add Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and the egg white. Shake hard for at least 30 seconds. Strain into a sour or Old Fashioned glass and serve up (no ice). Add the dash of bitters to the top of the foam on the cocktail. Alternatively, in place of the cocktail shaker you can blend with crushed ice.
For those of you who were fans of The Dude’s White Russian, we think you’ll enjoy these two equally delicious variations.
White Mexican
Build in an Old Fashioned glass with ice. Add coffee liqueur and vodka. Then slowly add the horchata, floating it over the other ingredients. Serve as is, but stir gently before drinking.
By substituting the horchata — a mexican drink made from rice for the cream (or half-and-half in The Dude’s case), you get a sweeter cocktail. It’s like dessert all by itself. Great for after dinner.
Hit the break for the second recipe.
33 Bottles of Beer is a pocket-sized beer tasting journal made right here in Portland. Created by Dave Selden of BS Brewing after attending a few too many brewfests, this great little notebook allows you to record tasting notes anywhere. Record all the info and stats about the beer, including where you had it and any notes, then fill in the unique flavor wheel for a cool visual look at the taste of the beer. The book allows you to quickly refresh your memory about beers you’ve had, and is a lot of fun for casual drinkers and beer geeks alike. And all for only $4.