Pimm's

This is one of the specialities of Passage to India restaurant's resident "Cocktails Guru," Joe the Bartender, and apparently a difficult drink to find done right. Unique and yummy, yes, but, take heed, a well-assembled Pimms is not a starter beverage. Despite its greenery, (or maybe, because of it!) this tasty little exotic sneaks up on you. Be forewarned!

The Recipe:

Begin with a 16-ounce, chilled pint glass

- fill with ice

- generously pour, (About 3 quarters to top,) Pimm's, (A.K.A. "Pimm's No. 1 Cup", a 50 proof, gin-based liqueur from the U.K.,)

- add a little Bombay Sapphire Gin, (I don't know, a good splash or two,)

- squeeze in the juice from one fresh lemon,

- squeeze in the juice from one fresh lime,

- add a sliver of fresh ginger,

- add a full, healthy sprig of fresh mint,

- add a slice of cucumber into the drink,

- add a slice of cucumber as garnish,

- add a slice of fresh green apple,

- top with a spritz of lemon/lime soda,

- finish with a fresh strawberry.

-Recipe by Joe the Bartender, Passage to India Restaurant, Salem MA

A row of Pimms-in-the-making...

Bartender’s notes:

-Pours vary to taste. Traditionally, you don’t add the extra gin. Joe prefers this, however, for a little added snap.

-The original recipe calls for ginger beer, but Joe feels this results in too sweet a drink, and opts for the slice of fresh ginger.

The preferred approach to this drink is to forego the straw and get your face right into the drink, sipping from the rim. This allows you to experience the various elements of mint, cucumber, and fruit in their fullest for total flavor immersion.

Chris's notes:

Watching the creation of a order for a Pimms is mesmerizing in itself. The first sight of one of these, with it's overflowing fruit, herbs, and vegetation, is immediately intriguing. But once you get past the "Cup o' Salad" and "garden-in-a-glass" jokes, (oh, and there will be "Cup-O'-Salad" jokes,) this is a really nice drink, different from anything else you've had, and one that never lets you down.

Cheers! - Chris

Saint Margarita

For this blog's first entry, I am going with the "Saint Magarita."

This drink is a total refresher, unique in it's flavor, and possibly the best summer drink ever. Similar at first to your garden-variety Margarita, this drink takes a sharp left turn with the inclusion of St-Germain, a French liqueur made from elderflowers! (I have had this liqueur straight, too, and it really is a very delicate flavor; an accessible 40-proof pour that makes for the perfect bridge between the lime and the tequila. Nice.) The final product is a beverage that is extremely delicious and refreshing.

But margarita drinkers be warned; this is simply better.

The Recipe:

Starting with a chilled 16 ounce, pint glass,

- add 1 whole lime, quartered and squeezed,

- add 1 teaspoon of simple syrup, (more or less to taste,)

- add 1 four-count of St-Germain

- muddle the lime, sugar, and St-Germain,

- add 1 three-count Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila

- mix with bar spoon,

- fill the glass with ice,

- mix it a little more,

- add 1 "sploosh" of soda,

- garnish with lime.

- ENJOY!

Recipe by Joe The Bartender, Passage to India restaurant, Salem, MA

Bartender’s notes:

The original recipe calls for Silver tequila, but Joe prefers Jose's Gold tequila for a fuller tequila flavor!

Chris's notes:

This drink is pure yumminess. Like a big ol' glass of sunshine!

SALUD! -Chris

Introduction!

Hello and welcome to “The Greatest Drink In The World... This Week.”

This idea for this blog came about whilst enjoying the encyclopedic variety of drink recipes at one of my favorite local watering holes, Passage to India, in Salem, Massachusetts, under the direction of weekend barkeep, ‘Joe the Bartender.’

Joe the Bartender has a long and illustrious career of mixology spanning decades and continents and has proven time and again to have extremely discerning tastes, and an understanding for the blending of flavors. He is a true “Booze Whisperer,” and the author of the lion’s share of the recipes contained, (or soon to be contained,) within this blog.

The drink mixes in this blog are either original recipes or interpretations of existing ones and should be read with that in mind. As individual drink tastes vary, the following of these drink recipes should also be done loosely and in accordance with each person’s preferences. Terms like “spritz," "dash,” or “splash” reflect that lack of precise measurement used in creating these drinks, so please, don’t get hung up on exactness. This is art; not science.

Moreover, should anyone be following any of these recipes, choose to make any changes to suit their personal tastes, and discover what they feel is an improvement, please share these changes for others to read in the comments sections.

Thank you and Cheers!

Chris