I recently went to a one these martini bars that seem to be popping up everywhere. You know the ones where this little girls get all dress up and think they are drinking martinis when all they are really drinking is juice with a bunch of triple sec and a splash of real booze. For some reason they are happy to pay $10 a piece for one. You know that type of place? So, I go into one of these places and not to be distracted by drinks called "Gummy Bear", "Captain's Trip", or a "Strawberry Short Cake" I go for my old standard attitude adjuster a Manhattan light on the vermouth. For those of you who don't know what in a Manhattan its: bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters, and garnished with a maraschino cherry shaken and served in a martini glass. Normally before I order
I ask the bartender or server what there well bourbon is. Now, if its Jim Beam I'll just stick with the well but, if its Old Crow or some other similar rot gut (not that I am below rot gut) I'll sometimes just to the top shelve and go with Makers Mark. So, I asked our friendly young server what there well bourbon was. She came back to me and told me that it was Seagram’s 7. I couldn't help but tell her that Seagram’s 7 wasn't bourbon and that she might tell the bartender that. Seeing that there was an lack of spirits training at this place I went ahead and ordered a Manhattan with Makers Mark light on the vermouth. I ended up with a pretty good Manhattan.
Ok...So what’s the whole point of this? The point is that these martini joints have popped up all over the place and most of the people in there are ordering these drinks heavy on the triple sec and juice and light on the booze and calling them martinis. There are only two kinds of martinis out there, vodka and gin. With these fruit filled drinks you can’t taste the booze at all. I know some people would say that’s the point but all you are doing it just covering up cheap booze with sugar and more sugar. Talk about a guaranteed hangover. I encourage anyone who has been a one of those fruiti tini drinkers to go ahead and try a drink that is mostly made out of liquor. Go ahead and order a Gimlet, Vodka or Gin Martini, one of my favorites, a Manhattan. Who knows you might even like it.
