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The making of the best Martini I ever had


Pete H

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Rule number one; go to Hope

Rule number two: make sure Carl is going to Hope

Rule number three:  make sure Carl shakes it 100 times, not 99 and not 101, 100, it's critical, just ask him.

 

Golden rule:  make sure it's the first martini that you've ever had and I promise you it will be the best!

 

Seriously, I had never had a martini in my life, vodka yes, martini no, and in my ignorance, I thought they were the same thing, until the master educated me and many others, as I recall.  I told Carl that I would try one, and after he was finished, there wasn't much for me to say with the exception of, "I don't really taste anything at all" but to my surprise, after I was then given a taste of the vodka that was used straight up I was pretty amazed that he had taken something, that really didn't taste that great at all on it's own, and made it as clean as a glass of ice cold spring water.  Kinda weird and Carl might be a witch or something, but worked for me and one of these clear concoctions seemed to supply quite a buzz to those who participated.

 

Anyone who makes claims that "they" are the best Martini maker, well, all I can say is quit talking and prove it at the next event and until then may I formally introduce, Carl, the Martini King!

 

 

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Weird that all the self proclaimed masters of the martini are silent.  The line has been drawn, the challenge laid down.  "Let's get ready to rumble"  babadono, just show up next year and I'm pretty sure, he'll be shaking them up again.

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Next year in Hope:  The Great Martini Mashup 

 

Carl takes on all challengers individually or collectively.  It'll be a slaughter...

 

Hmm...I might do my rather famous Gin & Tonic as a palette cleanser.  Sub zero glasses with PWK logo, choice of Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire, also sub zero, Schweppes tonic just above slush level cold, half a lime.  Mixed at VERY high speed and with minimal bruising of the tonic served over clear rock ice.  Serve with Klipsch speakers...

 

Dave

Edited by Mallette
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Next year in Hope:  The Great Martini Mashup 

 

Carl takes on all challengers individually or collectively.  It'll be a slaughter...

 

Hmm...I might do my rather famous Gin & Tonic as a palette cleanser.  Sub zero glasses with PWK logo, choice of Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire, also sub zero, Schweppes tonic just above slush level cold, half a lime.  Mixed at VERY high speed and with minimal bruising of the tonic served over clear rock ice.  Serve with Klipsch speakers...

 

Dave

Back in the day, I put down my share of Bombay for sure. 

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My son and I did the Jim Beam tour the day before yesterday. I typically don't do flavored spirits, but I was quite fond of the Knob Creek Smoked Maple. It's not like that Jim Beam Maple swill you can pour on pancakes. This Knob Creek gives bold smoky slightly sweet taste that you would swear was aged in a sugar maple barrel. 

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Now the above post sounds snooty.  Let me put it in audiophile terms.  If you like something, enjoy.  But, just like a recording, if the source material is crap you can't fix it.  Good whisky, or whatever, doesn't need fixing. 

 

Dave

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All this tomato juice in beer, flavors in vodka, honey in whisky and such thoroughly repel me.  It just ain't right.  If one doesn't like the stuff as it God intended, just don't drink it. 

 

Dave

 

Are you only (I don't drink beer) disparaging against flavored spirits, or also mixed drinks? Just curious.

 

My go to is Silver Tequila and soda, or a Sazerac.

 

If I want dessert, it's a Manhattan, and preferably with Bulleit Rye.

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Hmm...I might do my rather famous Gin & Tonic as a palette cleanser.

 

I like a good G&T, it's very refreshing, especially when it's hot out.  My thoughts on mixed drinks though are to buy the cheapest stuff you can find if you're going to mix them with anything.  You're really not concerned with the flavor of the spirit at that point.

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My thoughts on mixed drinks though are to buy the cheapest stuff you can find if you're going to mix them with anything.

 

Well, as your vodka martinis are about clean vodka, same with a G&T.  No amount of "just right" ingredients can mask crappy gin. 

 

Dave

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Are you only (I don't drink beer) disparaging against flavored spirits, or also mixed drinks? Just curious

 

Not really disparaging...no accounting for taste, you know.  However, beer is a sacred thing to me and I immediately remove even the lime that comes with so many Mexican beers.  Well crafted whisky shouldn't need pre-mixing with anything.  Put it in after the fact if you must.

 

Anyway, I am very much a "...whatever floats your boat" person.  But I have my opinions.

 

Dave

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And anything added will change the taste. Meh.

 

Yes, and filters or EQ will change the "taste" of sound.  But it won't improve it if it sucks to start with.

 

To a G&T lover, the point is to TASTE the juniper.  The tonic, lime, and cold amplify and smooth the flavor (maybe like tubes do for audio?).  While I like great whisky straight, I also drink it with water and ice, preferably Arkansas spring water.  Again, all personal and no judgments of others preferences implied. 

 

Cheap vodka is dirty.  Tastes dirty and no matter what you mix in it will taste dirty.  Same for gin.  Actually, same for any spirits. 

 

Dave

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All this tomato juice in beer, flavors in vodka, honey in whisky and such thoroughly repel me. It just ain't right. If one doesn't like the stuff as it God intended, just don't drink it.

Dave

+1

I can get to where I want to be with just 3-4 ounces, and I enjoy the taste just the way it is.

I would however like to try a good Long Island Iced Tea.

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