Metropolitan

Today we drink the Metropolitan cocktail, a brandy and sweet vermouth drink that is a great alternative to its whiskey based cousin the Manhattan. 

First though, I thought I'd share a rather interesting phenomenon that I've learned about myself.  I can no longer read horror novels.  I know, I know, this is a landmark issue for everyone involved. 

You see, I recently read "Heart Shaped Box", a book by Joe Hill.  I bought it a couple years ago, and it sat languishing on my shelf until about a month ago.  It was a relatively quick read, but it got me to thinking about how my literary tastes have changed over the years.

Joe Hill, if you didn't know, just so happens to be the son of famed horror writer Stephen King.  At one time, King was a writer I simply could not put down.  At the age of 15 or so, after reading The Stand, I was hooked.  King is gifted, and Hill, his son, is too.  I say all of the following with that in mind, namely, that Hill is a good writer.

But horror novels don't do it for me anymore.  The whole time I read Heart Shaped Box, I kept thinking that everything in the book was utterly preposterous.  Ghosts, demon ghosts?  No, no, no.  Ghosts just sound silly. 

It's funny too, I have felt this way about most horror movies for some time.  They've never been on my radar much to begin with, but apart from something like The Ring, which I loved, I find most horror movies to be comically bad.  Many plot lines are poorly thought out, the acting second rate, and the effects, if any, laughable.  I don't want to paint with too broad a brush, but the whole genre is unappealing at this point as a result of so many bad movies.

Horror novels, I thought, stood a chance where movies did not. It doesn't look to be though.  Interestingly, by way of comparison, I read Perdido Street Station last summer, a book that borders on horror (just borders though, and only slightly so) and loved it.  That'll be the furthest I'll go with the horror genre from now on though - something that just borders on horror, perhaps as a result of the bizarre sci-fi world in which the novel is situated.

Now that you've wasted a good 3 minutes reading this mindless banter, you deserve a cocktail. 

The Ultimate Bar Book, page 133

Metropolitan

1 1/2 oz brandy
1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry

Stir the liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.  Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Metropolitan is a very good alternative to a Manhattan or even a Sazerac.  It's got a strong flavor, particularly because of the bitters, which is why I think it matches well with these other two stellar cocktails.

The brandy makes the Metropolitan a little smoother than these two counterparts mentioned above.  Thankfully too, despite the sweet vermouths prominant addition to this drink, it isn't too sweet and isn't overpowering.  A little sweet vermouth can go a long way, and this is a fine amount.  In keeping with this idea, feel free to go easy on the simple syrup if you want a stronger cocktail. 

Also, a quick word on the amount of bitters to throw into a cocktail when a recipe calls for a dash or two.  Think liberally on this one.  Bitters were a major part of historic cocktails, and a dash is a couple strong shakes of the bottle, if not a little more.  Don't be shy.

Thursday - we drink the Bella, Bella.  Can't wait for it.  Appreciate the feedback from readers - thank you for your comments, suggestions and recipes - they've all been fantastic.  See you Thursday!

What We're Drinking This Week

This Saturday was an interesting one. 

First, I watched the US/Ghana game at a downtown bar, only to leave summarily disappointed.  It sucked.  It sucked bad.  The only thing worse than losing a soccer match, is losing a drawn out soccer match.  The last 20 minutes was brutal.  I think everyone knew the US didn't have a goal in them, but we had to stick around all the same, just to be sure.  I marched right out the bar door as soon as the whistle sounded.  I hate when my teams lose!

Then, after the game, I went to a beer festival, which was a great time.  JB and I met some friends who were already there, and tried some good, and not so good beers - but beers all the same.  The temperature was in the high 80s or low 90s, it was hot, and I would have chugged anything, beer or otherwise, so long as it was cold. 

[Sidebar: Breweries serving stouts during summer beer festivals should consider for a moment how terrible that idea happens to be.  I love stouts.  I love artisanally-made stout beers.  I appreciate the talent it takes to craft a really great stout.  But, just as I won't be eating a hot plate of lasagna in the 90 degree summer sun, I will also not be keen on drinking your 10-14% alcohol stout with much pleasure while beads of sweat run off my forehead.  Just, please, look at the calendar when making your decision as to what to bring to the beer festival.  Please.]

After the beer festival, we all went to the local German restaurant, ordering huge beers and food.  Admittedly, I could drink maybe a third of my beer.  It was probably around 32oz, and I had no room left in my stomach for beer.  I don't know about you, but my days of frat-styled beer drinking are long over.  I had to pass on any more hefeweizen.

Once we got home, expecting to go out thereafter, we found that Barca, the Official Mascot of The Amateur Mixologist, required our, ahem, attention.  The party most certainly stopped there. 

That was my Saturday.  Highs and lows.  This week however, should be all highs, or so I hope.  Why?  Well, because of what we're drinking this week of course!  We'll get to that in a minute, first:

Soundtrack of the Week:  Beach House, "Teen Dream" - This album came out in January, and is perfect for lazy summer days.  We just had the summer solstice after all, and it's time we start bumming around as nature intended.  "Teen Dream" is in fact dreamy.  It is ethereal, light, and airy, and a great album to throw on while doing anything summer related.  Anything.  Reading - check.  Yard work - check.  Walking the neighborhood - check.  Lying by the pool - check.  Great and versatile album - and, their best album yet, in my opinion.

What We're Drinking This Week

Tuesday:  Metropolitan - Brandy and sweet vermouth are the two key ingredients in this cocktail. It is similar to a Manhattan.

Thursday:  Bella, Bella - Gin, Campari, limoncello, and orange liqueur...I expect this to be stellar.

I'm going to try and squeeze in another part in our continuing series on Scotch, perhaps on Friday.  The Scotch series has proven popular, more popular than I would have expected, and I don't to disappoint its loyal audience.


I hope your Monday is fucking awesome.  Yeah, that's right, I dropped an f-bomb, because I want your Monday to be that good. 

See you tomorrow!