In working through a book like The New York Bartender's Guide, one quickly catches on to the fact that a slight change in recipe - a switch from light to dark rum, the presence or absence of bitters, even a variation in garnish - can result in a name change. The most frequent such tweak is a change in proportions. Case in point: according to the guide, 6 parts light rum to 2 parts sweet vermouth is a Poker Cocktail whereas 4:2 of the same ingredients is a Little Princess. Regarding why one is called by the one name and the other another, I can find no information. It is just so.
We decided to try the Little Princess, figuring that if we decided what it really needs is more rum, we could try the Poker Cocktail. As it turns out, less rum is just fine. In fact, with less one can truly appreciate the vermouth as more than mere sweetener.
I need to go buy some vermouth so that I can try some of these things.
ReplyDeleteI finally picked up some Vermouth and made a Little Princess. I'm still deciding what I think...
DeleteI'm not sure I'd do it again but it's a good drink to know, especially for appreciating the vermouth.
DeleteSpeaking of the vermouth, what kind do you use?
DeleteMy wife thinks what I picked up may not have been high enough quality. Which is probably true, but it was all Safeway had.
Yeah, I know; I bought it at Safeway.
Okay, most important thing: know that there are two kinds of vermouth, sweet and dry. Be sure you're getting the right one. For sweet, I like Marini & Rossi Rosso. I don't have a brand loyalty to a dry vermouth yet. I've got Gambarelli & Davitto Extra Dry in the cabinet right now and it works just fine.
DeleteThe brands I've seen available here are all about in the same price range.
awwww did your Little Princess like the Little Princess ?
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip and badger
She was not so impressed.
DeleteSounds good to me...now I have to try this recipe!
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think.
DeleteHow did the cat like the drink? :)
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
She took a pass.
Delete