Helping Jane at the Bar, A Poorly Made Drink.

        Sometimes people call upon me for advice, dating hints, cooking recipes .... in this case Jane asked my help with what to do if you don't like a cocktail you are served. OK so in all honesty, I had created a magnificent Negroni. Served in one of my House of Bols exclusive collection of Red-Light Bulbs (you get it, Amsterdam!). 

So, as I started my soliloquy ... she became bored and spoke 

"Constantine, can you just write this down for me?"

"Surely", says I.

What to do when the drink you are served is not to your liking?

Send it back!

Send it BACK!

If that is not possible then alter the ingredients. Identify what you don't like, e.g., not sweet enough; add some simple syrup or agave. Too sweet - add some lemon or other neutral ingredient.

You are a paying customer. Do not accept mediocrity. On Christmas Eve I observed  two ladies add ice to their glasses of white wine, apparently warm.

       for goodness sake, send the damn glass back.  How else is the waiter 

and bartender going to know their doing a poor job

Constantine 

The Christmas Morning Buck’s Fizz

Fortunately,

London’s Buck’s Club

for us back in 1921, Malachi “Pat“ McGarry, Master Bartender at the London’s Buck’s  Club created the first Buck’s Club Fizz Cocktail for Christmas morning. And my good friend from London, Richard, advises me it’s  a traditional Christmas morning drink. Happy Christmas to you.

Comprised of two parts champagne to one part orange juice with a twist of orange added. I understand the original recipe included some grenadine and – known only to the bartenders – a secret ingredient  

So we’re gonna go for a chilled champagne flute, to which you add one part orange juice, a bar spoon of grenadine and a twist of orange. Stir and then,  to that you can add your two parts of champagne. 

And there you have it, “Bob’s your uncle”, you’ve completed the task for Christmas morning. But,  other than to give your loved ones a little kiss …….

Happy Christmas

Constantine 

December Cocktail the Month. Wassail.

Wassail that old English, Norman, Welsh 14th. century, really olde alcoholic beverage.  Winter imbibement. It’s been around a really long time!

Recipe For Wassail Punch

2 quarts of apple juice or  apple cider

2 cups of orange juice

1/2 cup of lemon juice – or less, adjust to taste

12 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

One pinch of ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer. Refrigerate and let it set for 24 hours.

It’s an interesting history on the evolution and origins of the warm winter drink. Likely originated to honour the apple trees, a long time, long time ago. 

And, to be thoroughly candid there are as many recipes as there are varieties of apples. 

Therefore don’t be confused when you hear of such drinks as glugwein, vin Chad, glug, mulled wine, FEUERZANGENBOWLE.  The principle is the same …… wine, fruit juice (usually apple along with more  wine! More often than not you’ll be invited to add, as the Germans refer to it …. mit schuss. Meaning with optional shot, such as dark rum, whiskey, etc. 

FEUERZANGENBOWLE 
Or, Fire Tongs Punch

My favourite, when entertaining, is the Feuerzanganbowle. As you can see it is the traditional mulled wine.  But accompanied by a cone of sugar, soaked in high proof rum and the voila, you try to carefully light it, very carefully, in an appropriate environment.  The first time I prepared it I had my trusted associate, David, with me. We did it outside on the deck and brought the drinks inside.The girlfriend and I first experienced it in Wien Austria, served by the Master Bartender of the hotel bar, Ritz-Carlton. 

        Merry Christmas  Joyous Holiday Joyeux Noelle Frohe Weihnachten Καλά Χριστούγεννα

Buon Natale

Constantine