Comments on: Tastes Just Like A… http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/ Jeffrey Morgenthaler is a designer, blogger and mixologist living in Eugene, Oregon Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:01:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: cha-chi http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-4187 cha-chi Fri, 06 Apr 2007 08:35:09 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-4187 I'll tell you why we don't pair cocktails @ dinner... because most of you pussy's couldn't handle another. I’ll tell you why we don’t pair cocktails @ dinner… because most of you pussy’s couldn’t handle another.

]]> By: canary http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3244 canary Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:03:08 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3244 as you say in comment above, there is an opportunity for customers "to learn the joy of a before-dinner drink, the beauty of a perfect wine pairing, or the sublime finish of a digestif." why not host (at el vaq) a cocktail-pairing dinner? In the same vein as the currently fashionable wine-pairing dinners. as you say in comment above, there is an opportunity for customers “to learn the joy of a before-dinner drink, the beauty of a perfect wine pairing, or the sublime finish of a digestif.”

why not host (at el vaq) a cocktail-pairing dinner? In the same vein as the currently fashionable wine-pairing dinners.

]]> By: Dominik MJ http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3225 Dominik MJ Fri, 30 Mar 2007 13:56:36 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3225 I think this topic is very controversial! The extrems are very clear: candy drinks against distinctive classics - but this is just the tip of the iceberg! I confess that I am a dinosaur in bartending. So I would like, that my drinks taste like the base alcohol! I want that the expression is like the ingredients and I prefer a drink with 2 ingredients over a drink with 5 (and a drink with 7 ingredients is absolute inappropriate for me!). These adjustments in mixology is giving me headache - this amount of liqueur, plus a dash of syrup, plus a pinch of sugar? That is crappy for me! 2 Liqueurs along with one spirit -> not my direction; 2 spirit in one drink -> Almost impossible (ok, you could use a flavored vodka along with another spirit- but then don't add an additional syrup). My controversial attitude: Mixology shouldn't be related to much to cuisine - as I see mixology more referring to the profile of wines! Wines have distinctive flavors, and you as consumer has to adapt to this flavor (not vice versa) if you want to drink this respective bottle of wine. So an old fashioned tast like rye, so does the Manhattan, a Martini Cocktail taste like gin and a Singapore Sling taste like gin and cherry brandy and so on! I think this topic is very controversial!
The extrems are very clear: candy drinks against distinctive classics - but this is just the tip of the iceberg!

I confess that I am a dinosaur in bartending. So I would like, that my drinks taste like the base alcohol! I want that the expression is like the ingredients and I prefer a drink with 2 ingredients over a drink with 5 (and a drink with 7 ingredients is absolute inappropriate for me!).

These adjustments in mixology is giving me headache - this amount of liqueur, plus a dash of syrup, plus a pinch of sugar? That is crappy for me! 2 Liqueurs along with one spirit -> not my direction; 2 spirit in one drink -> Almost impossible (ok, you could use a flavored vodka along with another spirit- but then don’t add an additional syrup).

My controversial attitude: Mixology shouldn’t be related to much to cuisine - as I see mixology more referring to the profile of wines! Wines have distinctive flavors, and you as consumer has to adapt to this flavor (not vice versa) if you want to drink this respective bottle of wine.

So an old fashioned tast like rye, so does the Manhattan, a Martini Cocktail taste like gin and a Singapore Sling taste like gin and cherry brandy and so on!

]]> By: Chuck P. http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3219 Chuck P. Fri, 30 Mar 2007 13:10:06 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3219 My comment would be that, like with all things in life, some people just don't get it. There are too many facets in the diamond of life for everyone to properly appreciate the details in each one. I am sure photography buffs can't understand why most of us pay $700 for a camera, but take all our pictures using the "Auto" setting because we can't appreciate all the different settings on the damn thing. The best bet is to appreciate what you appreciate and leave everyone else to their own devices. I learned long ago that when I go to the bar and get shots, its woodford on ice for me, and a plastic shot glass of sugar and cheap vodka for everyone else... CP My comment would be that, like with all things in life, some people just don’t get it. There are too many facets in the diamond of life for everyone to properly appreciate the details in each one. I am sure photography buffs can’t understand why most of us pay $700 for a camera, but take all our pictures using the “Auto” setting because we can’t appreciate all the different settings on the damn thing.

The best bet is to appreciate what you appreciate and leave everyone else to their own devices. I learned long ago that when I go to the bar and get shots, its woodford on ice for me, and a plastic shot glass of sugar and cheap vodka for everyone else…

CP

]]> By: Lindsey Mitchell http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3133 Lindsey Mitchell Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:39:14 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3133 I completely agree with you on the need to acquire a taste for a decent drink, believe me - there is nothing better then a REAL, TRUE dry martini at cocktail hour. Half the time I don't even go out to bars anymore because of the 'tastes just like a...' phenom going on out there...forgive me if I want my vodka, soda to taste like a vodka with soda. What happened to the days of Tom Collins' and Sidecars? Damn, now I want a Manhatten. I completely agree with you on the need to acquire a taste for a decent drink, believe me - there is nothing better then a REAL, TRUE dry martini at cocktail hour.

Half the time I don’t even go out to bars anymore because of the ‘tastes just like a…’ phenom going on out there…forgive me if I want my vodka, soda to taste like a vodka with soda.

What happened to the days of Tom Collins’ and Sidecars?

Damn, now I want a Manhatten.

]]> By: Dan http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3116 Dan Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:38:51 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3116 I had some friends over the night who are accustomed to cheap beer and 'mixed drinks' that consist of a few ounces of Captain Morgans, a whole can of coke, and no ice. After we ate dinner I asked if anybody else wanted a drink while I was fixing myself up a Manhattan. A few of them asked what it tasted like, trying to compare it to something they had previously had, but all I had to offer was, "It tastes like a Manhattan and it's god damn delicious." I had some friends over the night who are accustomed to cheap beer and ‘mixed drinks’ that consist of a few ounces of Captain Morgans, a whole can of coke, and no ice.

After we ate dinner I asked if anybody else wanted a drink while I was fixing myself up a Manhattan. A few of them asked what it tasted like, trying to compare it to something they had previously had, but all I had to offer was, “It tastes like a Manhattan and it’s god damn delicious.”

]]> By: Smach http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3111 Smach Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:16:06 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3111 Maybe what one is trying to say in comparing a complex flavor, or blend of flavors, with a widely known candy or dessert is "Mmmmm, this is as enjoyable as a ..." It's better than saying "It tastes , um, purple", right? Maybe what one is trying to say in comparing a complex flavor, or blend of flavors, with a widely known candy or dessert is “Mmmmm, this is as enjoyable as a …” It’s better than saying “It tastes , um, purple”, right?

]]> By: Jeffrey http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3057 Jeffrey Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:30:28 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3057 Ceetar, I will agree with you that liquor is an acquired taste. I just think that a lot of people these days don't try to acquire that taste - they stop at Chocolate Cake Shots. I mean, when I see a grown man (and I see this more often than I should) putting down three or four Lemon Drops over the span of a beautiful three-course meal, it makes me really sad. Because here's a guy that's never going to learn the joy of a before-dinner drink, the beauty of a perfect wine pairing, or the sublime finish of a digestif. All he's going to know is heartburn and stomach aches, and never understand why. Believe me, when I see this I always try to pull out a new drink or an appropriate glass of wine, but more often than not the customer is set on his Lemon Drops. It's just sad to me. Heartburn and stomach aches should never be a part of the dining experience. Ceetar, I will agree with you that liquor is an acquired taste. I just think that a lot of people these days don’t try to acquire that taste - they stop at Chocolate Cake Shots.

I mean, when I see a grown man (and I see this more often than I should) putting down three or four Lemon Drops over the span of a beautiful three-course meal, it makes me really sad.

Because here’s a guy that’s never going to learn the joy of a before-dinner drink, the beauty of a perfect wine pairing, or the sublime finish of a digestif. All he’s going to know is heartburn and stomach aches, and never understand why.

Believe me, when I see this I always try to pull out a new drink or an appropriate glass of wine, but more often than not the customer is set on his Lemon Drops.

It’s just sad to me. Heartburn and stomach aches should never be a part of the dining experience.

]]> By: Ceetar http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3046 Ceetar Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:45:11 +0000 http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2007/tastes-just-like-a/#comment-3046 Liquor is an acquired taste. A lot of people don't really like the taste of most of them, or think they don't from memories of doing shots of really really bad Tequila in college. This is probably how they acquired the taste for that crappy beer they're drinking, through beer pong and other college antics. Because of this, a lot of people will jump at the idea of a drink that tastes like something yummy(and sweet) and still can get them drunk. But then who am I to judge? My favorite shot is a Chocolate Cake Shot. Of course, there's never a bad time for chocolate, and I generally try to appreciate most cocktails as long as they don't have orange juice. Liquor is an acquired taste. A lot of people don’t really like the taste of most of them, or think they don’t from memories of doing shots of really really bad Tequila in college. This is probably how they acquired the taste for that crappy beer they’re drinking, through beer pong and other college antics.

Because of this, a lot of people will jump at the idea of a drink that tastes like something yummy(and sweet) and still can get them drunk.

But then who am I to judge? My favorite shot is a Chocolate Cake Shot. Of course, there’s never a bad time for chocolate, and I generally try to appreciate most cocktails as long as they don’t have orange juice.

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