FOODIE THREAD

Thank you Rizz. This is like receiving a gift, because I never heard of this drink before. It sounds great. No Benedictine around the house right now, but I'll be sure to pick some up over the next few days and give this a try. I always have Absinthe around because Sazeracs are in my regular rotation.

Liquor.com is my preferred site for drink recipes. They tend toward classic recipes rather than trendy bartender innovations plus they include some history and insist on proper glassware and accoutrements. For a YouTube site, The Educated Barfly serves much the same purpose.

I was going to post on this thread today anyway to remind the mixologically-inclined that today is the first day of National Negroni Week. We always commemorate this one, a true classic and SO Continental. We even had some at the place where it was invented in Florence by Count Negroni, the Cafe Casoni (later changed to Cafe Giacosa.)

Very easy to make -- one ounce each of Gin, Campari and semi-sweet Vermouth, served in a rocks glass over ice and garnished with an orange peel. Very popular in Italy and in the US too for that matter.

There is an A La Louisiane in my future, and I will drink it to your health!

Just had a skirt steak that had been marinated in red pepper for use in a carna asada. Delicious and tender, but Ruth hated it…

Well done, but still juicy and tender, except for the burnt ends, which were still delicious…

Okay Rizz, I went out and rustled up some Benedictine this afternoon because I had to try this drink. BTW Benedictine isn't widely available from what I read. I got the last bottle at my normally well-stocked supplier.

Anyway, it is one fine libation, no question. A pensive drink, complex like a good Cabernet Sauvignon. So many complementary flavors, as you might expect with all of those ingredients.

We drank a toast to both you for bringing it to my attention and to New Orleans for giving the world yet one more gift. Mrs. Pipps instructed me to let you know that she really enjoyed it.

I don't think I've bought Benedictine in over 30 years, but now I'm noticing some other drinks that use it --like the Vieux Carre, another New Orleans specialty -- so it has found a good home. Thanks again!

Thank you for your help in being a designated poster kaybli

I'll have a double, please.


I love Benedictine. Being a bartender all those years, afforded the opportunity to try liqueurs that were gathering dust on the shelves and Benedictine was one of them. B&B (Brandy and Benedictine) is another Another favorite is Drambuie. At one point in my life, I would drink Rusty Nails (Drambuie and Scotch) after a meal and it would be the cherry on top of a sundae. But, they are like liquid Quaaludes and would hit you upside the head and into sleepy time.  

Good story Matt. I haven't had a Rusty Nail in ages. We're heading to Scotland next week and we'll be surrounded by Scotch -- as of now we plan to hit a few distilleries for tastings. Mostly based on where we are staying. I've never been a big Scotch guy and it can be an expensive hobby, but I'm definitely in the "When in Rome" (or Inverness as the case may be) camp.

Nice fringe benefit for you to be able to sample the lesser utilized drinks. Among liqueurs I also like Benedictine as well as Chartreuse (try finding it these days, especially the Yellow) and back in the day Grand Marnier was another favorite. Some Limoncello or St-Germain can be nice on occasion.

When I was in college I first started making mixed drinks. It was one of the few useful skills I learned (along with playing pinochle and tennis. I don't even remember what my degree was in.)

Anyway, in my search for something off-beat I found this thing called a Louis Special in one of those Mr. Boston bartending guides. I'd be amazed if you ever heard of it -- it was equal parts Peach Brandy and Rock and Rye. Okay for the ignorant palate and low budget of a 19-year-old, but sickeningly sweet for a normal adult human being. To this day I have to avert my eyes if I see a bottle of Rock and Rye down there on the bottom shelf at the liquor store.

Thanks for joining the party, 55. What are you having?😁

Before I looked at the list I thought I would ace it, but actually there are three on there I've never had -- the Paloma, the Godfather and the French 75. That last one is indeed a Tom Collins but using Champagne rather than Club Soda for the bubbles.

The Grasshopper and Brandy Alexander are more in the dessert category for me. Something my elderly Great Aunt might have had to go a little wild at Christmas.

I would dispute that most of these need a comeback -- a lot of them have been very popular for years and still are -- but it's a nice list and I always like to see what people are saying about this vital topic.

If memory serves you are a bit of a Scotch fancier, so let me know what your favorites are when you get a chance.