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Sipping Sensational Strange Cocktails: My Adventures in Mixology
If you are a fan of cocktails, you probably know that there are endless varieties and flavors to choose from. However, have you ever encountered a drink that made you go “Wait, what?” or “Wow, that’s wild!” or “Why would anyone drink this?” That’s what I’d like to explore in this blog post: the craziest cocktail creations I’ve ever tasted. From bizarre ingredients to unusual presentation, from historic origins to modern trends, these drinks push the boundaries of experimentation and imagination. Whether you love them or loathe them, these cocktails are definitely not boring. So, let’s get started with some subheadings.
What Makes a Cocktail Crazy?
Before I reveal my top picks, I want to clarify what qualifies as a crazy cocktail. In my opinion, a crazy cocktail is one that has at least one of these characteristics:
– It contains an ingredient or combination of ingredients that are unexpected, rare, or unusual. This could be a food item, a spice, a herb, a liquor, or a non-drinkable substance that adds flavor, texture, or color to the drink. For example, a cocktail that uses a bacon-wrapped shrimp as a garnish, or a cocktail that includes squid ink or CBD oil in the mix, could be considered crazy.
– It is presented in a way that deviates from the norm, such as using unconventional glassware, serving it on fire, or using a syringe to inject a liquid into another liquid. This kind of cocktail appeals to the visual sense as well as the taste buds, and can create a memorable experience.
– It has a backstory or cultural significance that sets it apart from other cocktails. Whether it’s a drink invented by a famous bartender, a drink inspired by a movie or a game, or a drink associated with a certain time or place, a crazy cocktail often has a narrative that adds to its allure.
Now that we have some criteria, let’s see how some cocktails measure up.
Cocktails that Taste Crazy
Let’s start with the ingredient-based cocktails. Here are three drinks that I’ve tasted that were pretty wild:
– The Bullshot: This cocktail is basically a beef broth spiked with vodka, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and lemon juice. It sounds like something you’d drink when you have a cold, but it’s actually a classic cocktail from the 1950s that was popularized by JFK. It’s supposed to be a hearty and savory drink that warms you up and stimulates your appetite. I tried it at a retro bar that specializes in vintage cocktails, and I have to admit, it was better than I expected. The vodka mellowed the beefy flavor, and the acidity and spices gave it a tangy kick. However, I wouldn’t recommend it to vegetarians or those who dislike the taste of meat.
– The Beetnik: This cocktail is a bright pink concoction made with gin, beet juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. It’s served in a coupe glass with a sprig of thyme as garnish. I had it at a trendy rooftop bar that focuses on farm-to-table ingredients, and I have to say, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The beet juice gave it a natural sweetness and a silky texture, while the gin added floral and herbal notes. The egg white made it frothy and velvety. It was a refreshing and unique cocktail that felt healthy and indulgent at the same time.
– The Fish House Punch: This cocktail is a historic recipe that allegedly originated in a club in Philadelphia in the 1700s. It is made with rum, cognac, peach brandy, lemon juice, sugar, water, and a chunk of ice in a large bowl that’s shared among many drinkers. It’s meant to be a potent and communal drink that symbolizes hospitality and conviviality. I tried it at a colonial-themed restaurant that claimed to follow the original recipe, and I have to say, it was strong and tasty. The punch had a fruity and spicy flavor with a kick of alcohol, and it went down smoothly despite its potency. However, I’m not sure if it was authentic or if it just tasted like an elevated Long Island Iced Tea.
Cocktails that Look Crazy
Now, let’s shift to the presentation-based cocktails. Here are three drinks that I’ve seen that were visually stunning:
– The Smoking Gun: This cocktail is served in a bulbous glass with a hollow stem that contains smoke. The drink itself is a blend of rye whisky, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and bitters, but the smoke adds a theatrical element. The effect is created by smoking a piece of applewood and capturing the smoke inside the stem. When you sip the cocktail, you also inhale the aroma of the smoke, which can enhance the flavor and create a multisensory experience. I saw it at a speakeasy bar that prides itself on its elaborate presentation, and it was certainly eye-catching.
– The Duckie Sour: This cocktail is served in a rubber duckie bath toy that’s filled with lemon juice, sugar syrup, egg white, and almond syrup, and topped with a foam of Sailor Jerry spiced rum and lemon grass. The toy bobbles in a mini inflatable pool filled with blue water and plastic fish. I saw it at a beach-themed bar that had a whole section dedicated to novelty drinks, and I have to say, I found it adorable and amusing.
– The Kata Rocks Cocktail: This cocktail is served in a goldfish bowl that’s nestled in a bed of crushed ice and surrounded by flowers and fronds. The recipe is secret, but it’s supposed to include vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice, raspberry syrup, and butterfly pea flower tea, which creates a color-changing effect. The ice melts slowly and releases more liquid into the fishbowl, which can be shared by a group of people. I saw it at a luxury resort bar in Phuket, Thailand, and I have to admit, it looked like a work of art.
Cocktails that Tell a Crazy Story
Finally, let’s look at the backstory-based cocktails. Here are three drinks that I’ve learned about that had intriguing origins:
– The Corpse Reviver #2: This cocktail is part of a series of drinks with the same name that were meant to cure hangovers or revive drinkers after a night of partying. The #2 version is the most famous and is made with gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, lemon juice, and a dash of absinthe. It’s said to be a potent and refreshing cocktail that can bring you back from the dead. The origin of the name is unclear, but it might refer to a 19th-century British tradition of having a glass of sherry before breakfast to revive oneself, or to a French custom of drinking a glass of wine with an egg yolk and a dash of brandy as a pick-me-up. Whatever the case, the Corpse Reviver #2 has become a classic cocktail that many bartenders have put their own twist on.
– The Red Snapper: This cocktail is a variation of the Bloody Mary that uses gin instead of vodka. It was invented at the St. Regis Hotel in New York in the 1930s, by a bartender named Fernand Petiot, who was looking for a new drink to serve to his vodka-averse clientele. He tried using gin instead, along with tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and salt and pepper, and voila, the Red Snapper was born. The name was apparently suggested by a customer who thought the drink should have a snappy moniker like the Bloody Mary, but with a different color. The Red Snapper is still popular among gin lovers and brunch-goers, and is often garnished with a celery stalk, a lime wedge, and a slice of bacon.
– The Mai Tai: This cocktail is a tiki classic that has a disputed origin story. Some say it was invented by a bartender named Victor J. Bergeron, aka Trader Vic, in California in the 1940s, who mixed together two types of rum, lime juice, orange liqueur, and almond syrup, and served it over crushed ice with a mint sprig and a cherry. Others claim that it was actually created by a rival bartender named Donn Beach, aka Don the Beachcomber, in Hollywood in the 1930s, who used slightly different ingredients and called it the Mai Tai Swizzle. Either way, the Mai Tai became an instant hit and a symbol of the exotic and tropical lifestyle, inspiring many imitators and variations. It’s a refreshing and potent drink that can transport you to a faraway island in a sip.
Is Crazy Better than Classic?
So, what’s the verdict? Are crazy cocktails better than classic cocktails? Should we embrace innovation or stick to tradition? The answer, as with many things in life, is that it depends. Crazy cocktails can be thrilling and adventurous, but they can also be gimmicky and unsatisfying. Classic cocktails can be refined and timeless, but they can also be predictable and uninspired. The key is to appreciate both types and experiment with your own preferences. Maybe you like a Bloody Mary with gin, or a Bullshot with vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Maybe you prefer a Mai Tai with pineapple juice instead of lime juice, or a Red Snapper with tequila instead of gin. The beauty of cocktails is that they are infinitely customizable, and that they can reflect your mood, your palate, and your personality. So, next time you order a drink or make one at home, don’t be afraid to go a little crazy, or to keep it classic. Cheers!
Conclusion
In this blog post, I’ve shared some of the craziest cocktail creations I’ve ever tasted, from ingredient-based cocktails to presentation-based cocktails to backstory-based cocktails. I’ve also explained what makes a cocktail crazy and why I think crazy cocktails can be fun and fascinating. While taste is subjective and personal, there’s no denying that cocktails are a cultural phenomenon that can evolve and inspire. Whether you’re a mixologist or a casual drinker, I hope this blog post has given you some ideas and inspiration to try something new and exciting. Remember, you don’t have to travel far or spend a lot of money to experience crazy cocktails; sometimes, all you need is a daring spirit and a few unusual ingredients. Happy mixing!
Image Credit: Pexels