We've each already created classic Bénédictine drinks, so now we're going out on a limb and trying our own.
Dave's concoction, reviewed by Joe
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| As above, so below |
Holding this drink to my nose, I smell apple cider. That's totally insane, because, as far as I know, there isn't any apple cider in the apartment.
Taking a sip, I realize the smell of apple cider is actually the sugar around the rim that has been imbued with... what, I don't know? The sweat of Dave's efforts?
Here's also what I get when I taste it: tequila.
You know that scene in Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure when he dances to "Tequila" on the bar? Of course you do. Well. That's kind of what I feel like doing right now. Putting on clogs and dancing. Not, mind you, because I like tequila, but because this is what I always want to do when I have tequila. It goes without saying that I am a mess when I drink tequila.
Which is why I don't drink tequila.
But anyway. This is pretty good. The Benedictine is a little lost in the mix, probably because my brain is too busy working its way through the tequila.
I give this a solid 3.5 stars. It's not bad. Really, Dave. It's not bad.
Joe's drink, reviewed by Dave.
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| Tufts did not endorse this photo |
Joe's drink smells like orange juice. Good, fresh-squeezed orange juice. I'm not getting any alcohol, or any other smells - just a really strong orange scent, almost like those Clorox wipes that are orange-y.
It tastes like there is a lot of Bénédictine in here though. A lot of it - it really comes through. I actually don't really taste orange, except for a bit of bite up front, or a slight aftertaste. Since the Bénédictine is mixed with other things, it's not as viscous and heavy - the orange really lightens it up. But I'm not really getting any melding of the two flavors - there's Bénédictine and orange and Bénédictine and orange and ne'er the two shall meet.
However, it's not bad. I'd be interested - horror of horrors - to see what this tastes like with a hint of orange soda in it, or orange juice. Then it could be called the Sunkist Monk or something.
The hard thing, though, is I'm not sure when I'd want to drink this. The orange makes me feel like I should be wearing lots of flowy linen and swinging on a swing that's hanging from a tree next to the veranda. But the Bénédictine is still so dark and heavy, it makes me feel like there's a storm on its way, or all the leaves are about to turn on the tree that holds the swing and fall to the ground in one big, swift mess. And the linen is certainly not warm enough.
So I'll give this a solid 3, maybe 3.5, if that's how we're doing this. It's, well...
...interesting.
I love you still, even if we're not quite master mixologists - or even Fischer Price-level mixologists - yet.
The Big Reveal
Ingredients for each concoction, so you can try it at home - or, if you have any sense, avoid this combination of ingredients.
Joe's Drink: The Cara-Cara Boo-Boo
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| You are an inspiration to us all, Alanna. |
1.5 oz. vodka
1 oz. Bénédictine
juice from 1/4 Cara-Cara orange
two dashes Angostura Bitters
splash of créme de cassis
(As with all things créme de cassis, of course, you can't taste it)
Dave's Drink: Untitled, Op. 1, No. 1
1.5 oz. tequila
0.5 oz Bénédictine
One dash grapefruit bitters
Combine all ingredients and pour into a glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar. Garnish with a grapefruit segment, if you wish (mine fell into the drink just before I took the picture).
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