|
|
||||
|
Travel
|
|
|
||
|
the-south-asian.com September 2000 |
||||
|
Return of the Gin by Martin(i) Sapphire
It had been an idyllic evening, listening to Nina Simone live in Washington DC in the company of eminently likeable friends, on a perfect summer evening in June. What could be closer to bliss? Well, I was just one Martini away from complete bliss. DC is generally devoid of an après theatre/concert culture ( the business of running the world leaves little time for such inane activities) - there is just Georgetown - take it or leave it. I am no bar lizard but I certainly turn into a perfectionist where my drink is concerned. America, we know, is a land of great opportunities - it is one of surprises too - as I soon found out! We spotted a bar on M Street that was still open as late as 10.30 PM - they had bar food too - of sorts. The ritual of ordering and, more importantly, making a drink is generally an interactive one. Every bartender normally offers his/her creation with a sense of great pride - or so I thought. My bar experience was limited to Europe and Asia. Glancing at the drinks menu, I noticed an entire section on Martinis. Nina's haunting music had already made me heady - I was ready to take the challenge. I threw caution to the winds and asked for a Chocolate Martini. I had never heard of one before. In hindsight I know why. Without much ado and diplomacy - the bottom line is THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CHOCOLATE MARTINI. It is only a figment of American imagination, a pretense of American creativity. I am a ginophile and I like to think that I know a little about this colourless spirit. Ginophiles can live to be hundred! Unlike most other spirits, gin requires careful handling. Like an emotionally charged woman, gin can also be hurt very easily - no wonder it is more charitable to stir it and not shake it - the suave Bond understood it too well. Gin has a very distinctive flavour of its own - it does mot mix in wrong company - chocolate certainly is not right company. Having been in social hibernation for a while, there has been almost a global revival of the drink. It is trendy once again to be drinking G & Ts and Singapore Slings - it is definitely a drink for the tropics. My favourite brand is Tanqueray. If you are in the Tanqueray footprint - try their 'Ten' or 'Malacca Gin'. Schweppes, ice and lemon are all you need for a perfect G & T. It is classic and distinctive.
Until next time! |
||||
| Copyright © 2000 [the-south-asian.com]. Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. | ||||
| Home |