Drink like the Monarchy with the Zaza aka Dubonnet Cocktail!

Have you ever wanted to drink like a monarch?  Here is your chance.  The Zaza aka Dubonnet Cocktail was the favorite tipple for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.  Queen Elizabeth like to enjoy this drink before having lunch.  There are countless number of photographs of Queen Elizabeth enjoying this drink.  She liked to enjoyed this drink on the rocks as opposed to a cocktail glass like you would see in bars nowadays.

Why does this cocktail have two names: the Dubonnet cocktail and the Zaza cocktail?  If this drink is served up rather then being on the rocks, the name of the drink becomes the Zaza.  The name Zaza comes from the name of a popular French play which was a hit on the verge of the 20th century.  The play was later made into movies and musicals.  Zaza is also a diminutive of Isabelle.   However there is nothing diminutive of the Zaza.

Dubonnet is the key ingredient in this drink.  There is no substitution for the Dubonnet.  Dubonnet is a fortified wine made from wine, herbs, and spices (including quinine).  Dubonnet was created in 1846 France.  The French needed something to give their French Legionnaires who were fighting in North Africa at the time.  Quinine is a popular remedy to fight malaria.  However, it is very bitter.  So, Dubonnet was created.  It's also the same reason for the creation of the classically popular Gin and Tonic.

Gin is the other major ingredient in this drink.  The botanicals in the gin compliment the Dubonnet. The addition of the orange bitters gives the drink a complex citrus bite and fragance to the drink.  The drink becomes a refreshing drink when served on the rocks.  When served up, the cocktail becomes an elegant aperitif.  Either way the Zaza is great way to drink like a monarch.

Zaza aka Dubonnet Cocktail

1 1/2 oz of gin

3/4 oz of Dubonnet Rogue

2 dashes of orange bitters

Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass.

Fill the mixing glass with glass.

Stir for mixture for about 15 to 30 minutes to achieve proper chillness and to dilute the drink.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Enjoy 

Cheers

Celebrating Spring Time and the Kentucky Derby: Mint Julep!

Whenever you mention the Kentucky Derby to someone, three images will pop into their mind: big hats, horses, and mint juleps.  According the official Kentucky Derby website, the Mint Julep is the official drink of the Derby.  Mint juleps at the Derby are a serious matter.  You can buy a mint julep at the Derby for one thousand dollars all in the name of charity.  It's very interesting to note that main spirit in the officially recognized Mint Julep is made with Early Times.  Early Times is a Kentucky whiskey not a bourbon whiskey, which are more commonly found in mint juleps.

The mint julep has a long storied history in the annals of American drinking history.  There are references of the mint julep being made in the 1700's around Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.  The first time that the mint julep was seen in print happened in 1803.  A British author penned the mint julep as "a dram of spiritous liquor that has mint in it taken by Virginians in the morning".  In fact, the mint julep was referred to as a type of medicine.  The French word "julep" is derived from the Persian "gulab", a sweet concoction that may have been a vehicle for medicine.  It is also to important that the first mint juleps were not made with bourbon whiskey.  Instead, there were commonly made with rum or rye whiskeys.

For a long time, Kentucky bourbon whiskey was not commonly distributed until later in the 19th century.  The first mention of a mint julep in Kentucky was written in 1816 in the Kentucky Gazette.  The article mentioned that the mint julep cups were offered as prizes at horse race events.  We do not know when Kentucky bourbon was first used in a mint julep, but nowadays bourbon whiskey is the common spirit for a mint julep.  Legend has it that the mint was grown outside the the club house of Church Hill Downs in Louisville so that it can be used in mint juleps at the first Kentucky Derby in 1875.

When making the mint juleps, there are some essential things to remember.  Use fresh mint when making the drink because when mint gets old and stale, it loses it flavor and becomes bitter.  Also, crushed ice is essential when making this drink.  The mint julep is meant to be sipped over time.  The crushed ice allows the drink to keep cold and refreshing.  If you were using cracked ice or ice cubes, the drink will become warm over a period of time.  The other thing to consider when making a mint julep is the vessel that the drink will be served in.  At the Kentucky Derby, mint juleps are drunk from silver cups.  The silver cup tends to keep the drink colder.  However, most people do not silver cups at home.  So, use an Old-fashioned glass. 

Mint juleps are ideal to drink on Derby Day (May 4th) or anytime for that matter.  Mint juleps are becoming recently unpopular due to changing tastes and many bars and restaurants do not know how to make a proper one.  Personally, I enjoy the sweetness of the mint and sugar with the strong smooth taste of the whiskey.

Mint Julep

2 oz of bourbon whiskey 

2oz of simple syrup

10 sprigs of mint

Crushed ice

At the bottom of the glass, place at least 7 sprigs of mint, simple syrup, and the bourbon whiskey.  Muddle the mixture.  DO NOT over muddle or the mint will become bruised and bitter.  Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice.  Mix the mixture and the mixture.  Top with more crushed ice until it comes up to the rim of the glass.  Served with a straw and few mint sprigs.  Before garnishing the glass, grab the mint and slap the mint with hands in order to bring the essential oils that are found in the mint.  Enjoy

Cheers

An Offer You Can't Refuse: the Godfather!

Are you looking for a new pre-dinner drink?  Craving a nightcap?  Then, I have an offer you can't refuse.

The Godfather combines the bittersweet Italian almond liqueur Amaretto and the smoky complex bite of scotch whiskey.  This drink was created in the 1970's in the USA.  According to the popular amaretto maker, Disaronno, the Godfather was one of Marlon Brando's favorite drinks.  Marlon Brando is world renowned for his role in the Italian mobster movie, The Godfather.

The Godfather is a popular drink for those who are looking for something strong yet sweet.  The amaretto plays a major role in the drink because it tends to soften the bite of the whiskey.  Scotch whiskey for some people tend to rather strong in flavor.  The bittersweet character of the amaretto plays well with whiskey while giving the drink a distinct nose.  The nose of the Godfather is sweet, nutty, woody, and a little smoky.  For the scotch whiskey, I would recommend using a blended scotch as opposed to a single malt.  The depth of flavor that tends to be found in single malts would get lost in the mix.  I am using Ballatine's in this drink, but please feel free to use your favorite blended scotch.

It's perfect on those long nights relaxing at home or for an aperitif.  It's a relaxing yet elegant drink.
 

Godfather

35 ml of scotch whiskey

35 ml of amaretto 

Fill an Old-fashioned glass with ice.  

Pour the scotch and the amaretto over the ice.  

Stir to combine the ingredients.  

Enjoy!