Chalino Special

This week's Greatest Drink In The World comes from sunny Mexico, where Tequila is the standard, and the Margarita rules the roost. Sitting unfairly in its shadow, however, is the Chalino Special.

The Recipe:

Into a cocktail shaker full of ice add

- a 4 count of Cabo White Tequila,

- a dash of Chambord,

- the juice from half a fresh lemon

- the juice from half a fresh lime

- a dash of simple syrup, (sugar,)

- Shake, ("la sacudida")

- Strain into a large martini glass

- garnish with a slice of lemon AND a slice of lime

Joe's Notes: The Chalino Special is yet again a combination of quality liquors and fresh ingredients. The use of fresh lemons and limes gives this drink a refreshing and distinctive flavor. For a time the Chalino Special was wrongfully believed to be named after the very popular and tragic immigrant/musician Chalino Sanchez. It was thought that a Chalino Special referred to the infamous shootout on stage between Sanchez and members of his audience.

Rather the Chalino special is yet another example of a drink produced during Prohibition. During this time, tequila flowed quite easily over the Mexican border. However, it was not a very popular drink with the citizens of the U.S., and it was up to the mixoligists of the period to make this fiery drink a little more palatable. A young barkeep named Chalino in California came up with this rather fine cocktail. It is a tribute to his talents that the Chalino Special is still popular today. He deserves both the clarification and recognition.

Chris's notes: The tequila really is what holds the drink together. You can taste it quite plainly, but the powerful tart of the lemon and lime and the wide sweet of the sugar and Chambord take the sting out of it.

All about balance. That what this drink is. The tart of the lemon/lime is in proportion to both the sweet of the Chambord and the sharpness of the tequila, so that the three are in perfect harmony , flavor-wise. Each element somehow comes through to complement one another. This here is a good Margarita alternative, one with the black raspberry depth and richness of Chambord.

Since Cabo Tequila is the Sammy Hagar brand, I felt it only fair to include the video to his song, "Mas Tequila!"

The Catarina

"It's time to get out of London."

Cheryl and I looked at each other nervously. "Uh, what are talking about, Joe?" we asked, tentatively.

Joe explained that the weather here in Salem was similar to back in London about this time of year. But when the dreariness, damp and chill gets too much for those Londoners, they head for Spain. Or Portugal. Or some, like Joe, head to the Canary Islands for a little taste of summer to warm the chill out of their hides.

While we were relieved as to the state of Joe's stability, he continued to describe a drink favored by tourists on those holidays, and produced a special glass which he had brought in that he decided would best compliment this concoction. He named the drink after the Square where he tended bar in Las Palmas and witnessed the hold this cocktail had on visitors.

The Recipe:

Into a large wine goblet full of ice

- Add a 1 count of Chambord,

- Add a 3 count of white wine, (Pinot Grigio,)

- Add a 3 count of tonic water, (or equal parts tonic water/wine,)

- Stir.

- Add a handful of berries,

- Add a fresh slice of orange, (the orange is more important to the taste than the berries!)

- Ignore the straw and gulp fearlessly from the rim!

Original recipe by Joe the Bartender, Passage to India Restaurant, Salem, MA

Bartender's notes: Grand Canaria surprisingly has a very diverse and interesting grape population used to produce some very fine wines. Naturally in Las Palmas we would use one of the local wines. Another great choice would be a White Rioja but I find the extra expense is not really justified. I have also used Chambord instead of the original Cassis, as it is far more widely available. Note crème de cassis is the syrup and not the liqueur and should not be used; way to sweet.

Replace your sangria with the Catarina. I have worked in a number of Spanish bars, and trust me it is not a good drink. They use the cheapest red wine and whatever liquor in a plastic bottles the cheapest at the corner store. Also the fruit is usually the near-rotten fruit the market is about to throw out. The only guarantee you will get with sangria in Spain is the most wicked hangover of your life.

The best sangria I have ever had is ironically enough, here in the US. I suppose you guys have standards.

Chris' Notes: Thanks, Joe. Standards are important to us, booze-wise.

Impressions on the Catarina: This is a definite gulping brew. More like a 'Grown-up's Gatorade' in respect to refreshing. I can see a dozen or so of these ripping down quite easily on a hot summer afternoon, (or even a winter afternoon, if spent someplace appropriately tropical.) My "research partner" today is my wife, Cheryl, who, after taking a sip, declared the drink 'hers.' She concurred with Joe and me and took it to the next step saying that this would be the perfect drink when coming back from a long run.

That's refreshing! Like a vacation in a glass.

The Hallow'tini

So, we wanted a Hallowe’en inspired drink for this week, you know, something for all those horror-themed, fancy-dress parties this coming weekend. A few ideas were bandied about; an even Bloodier Mary, a plague of Zombies, et cetera. But Joe wanted to do something original.

Starting from scratch in his laboratory, on a stormy night, much like tonight, he brought to life “The Hallow’tini,” (A.K.A. “Varying Degrees of Evil!”)

None more black.

The Recipe:

While chilling a martini glass with ice, into a cocktail shaker;

- pour a 3 count of Svedka Vodka, (original)

- pour a 2 count of Blue Curacau

- pour a 1 count of Chambourd

- pour a 2 count of POM, pomegranate juice

Shake vigorously

- Strain into the now-chilled martini glass

- Garnish with a wedge of orange

"IT'S ALIVE!!!"

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

Bartenders notes: A great drink, yes, but more specifically, The Greatest Hallowe’en-Themed Cocktail Around! ...And born right here in the Witch City of Salem, Massachusetts!

Chris’s notes: "Wicked Good!"

Trick or Treat!