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  • Showing only topics with the tag "drinks". Back to normal view
    1. What to drink if you don't like alcoholic beverages: help me socialize

      Hello! I live in an area where a great part of socializing is done by going to bars and having a drink (or several). I don't drink alcohol, and always get weird stares after the third...

      Hello! I live in an area where a great part of socializing is done by going to bars and having a drink (or several). I don't drink alcohol, and always get weird stares after the third Nestea/Aquarius, plus I get bored from drinking the same thing over and over again. Sometimes the places we go to have the option of alcohol-free cocktails, but it's not the usual thing.

      So, what are you suggestions of other drinks I could order, that do not contain alcohol? Things that I could drink in hot weather, day or night? I'm open to all sorts of flavours.

      The ones I have listed:

      • Coke
      • Tea
      • Coffee
      • Aquarius
      • Nestea

      Thank you all for your help in advance!

      43 votes
    2. Anyone here have a home carbonation system (SodaStream, DrinkMate, Aarke, etc.)?

      Do you have a home carbonation system? What do you carbonate with it? Just plain water? Flavored drinks? My girlfriend gave me a DrinkMate as an early birthday present, and I love it. I've been...

      Do you have a home carbonation system? What do you carbonate with it? Just plain water? Flavored drinks?

      My girlfriend gave me a DrinkMate as an early birthday present, and I love it. I've been going crazy with it.

      11 votes
    3. What are you all drinking tonight?

      It's summer, and it's time to relax. What is everyone drinking tonight? I'll start: I got sick and tired of drinking margaritas so I made a Paloma with the tequila I had around 2 oz of Tequila...

      It's summer, and it's time to relax. What is everyone drinking tonight?

      I'll start:

      I got sick and tired of drinking margaritas so I made a Paloma with the tequila I had around

      2 oz of Tequila (blanco preferred)
      1/2 oz Lime Juice
      1/2 oz Grapefruit Juice
      1/2 oz Simple Syrup

      After mixing add all the ingredients into 1/2 a grapefruit soda.

      I mixed the ingredients sans a soda and strained it into a highball glass then added the soda. Normally, I'd juice the lime myself, and garnish, but I'm lazy and my wife wanted a margarita instead. It's incredibly refreshing and citrus-y, but it is incredibly refreshing especially on a hot day.

      What's everyone else drinking?

      38 votes
    4. Has anyone here cleaned their coffee grinder? What did you use and how did it go?

      I have a Baratza Encore (or whatever the entry level model is called) and it could use some tlc. There are a bunch of bean parts accumulating under the hopper and grounds are getting stuck in...

      I have a Baratza Encore (or whatever the entry level model is called) and it could use some tlc. There are a bunch of bean parts accumulating under the hopper and grounds are getting stuck in places. I can disassemble to get the big stuff, but that's not enough. I'm wary of just splashing water or using a damp rag to wipe parts down. The oily residue needs some sort of detergent but I don't want to ruin anything or end up having my coffee tasting like soap or something.

      Anyone have any experience or suggestions?

      Edit: thanks to everyone for the tips! I've bought some grindz and I already popped the hopper off and gave the grinder a good brushing. There was a lot of buildup and the first grind afterward felt like it sounded quieter and I could swear the grounds were more consistent, but those are both probably illusions. Haven't made enough cups to taste a difference yet but I'll definitely be adding a regular cleaning to my routine.

      28 votes
    5. Beer peeps, what have you been drinking?

      Lately I've been into La Fin du Monde, which is a Triple Blond from Canada. When I took the first sip it put a smile on my face. Very complex flavors. It has that Trippel flavor but I detect some...

      Lately I've been into La Fin du Monde, which is a Triple Blond from Canada. When I took the first sip it put a smile on my face. Very complex flavors. It has that Trippel flavor but I detect some of what I'd call 'berry and spice'. I'm not some beer expert, nor do I have the vocabulary to accurate explain the profile. All I can say is it's worth a shot!

      Other than that Sam Adams Summer has been great for the hot days.

      47 votes
    6. Unique cocktail ingredient workshop thread

      An offshoot of /r/cocktails recently had a weekly challenge of making cocktails with specified ingredients. In lieu of that, I thought it might be neat if you had an ingredient (spirit, liqueur,...

      An offshoot of /r/cocktails recently had a weekly challenge of making cocktails with specified ingredients. In lieu of that, I thought it might be neat if you had an ingredient (spirit, liqueur, fruit, etc.) that you've wanted to use in a cocktail, we could workshop potential uses. Alternatively, if you've found something that works (maybe unexpectedly), you can share it here.

      12 votes
    7. What are your thoughts or suggestions for a strong "breakfast" cocktail?

      Years ago, circa 2017, I spent a few weeks in Portland, OR for work. Naturally, I ended up at Jeffrey Morgenthaler's Clyde Common regularly. On one of the weekends, I went to Common for brunch and...

      Years ago, circa 2017, I spent a few weeks in Portland, OR for work. Naturally, I ended up at Jeffrey Morgenthaler's Clyde Common regularly. On one of the weekends, I went to Common for brunch and they served a "breakfast" cocktail in glass coke bottles. From memory it was sweet, earthy, rich with slight chocolate hints, mildly carbonated, and strong. It was totally different from most breakfast cocktails that opt for bright and citrus flavors (i.e. mimosas, bloody Marys) and I think the carbonation definitely helped soften the otherwise heavy design of this drink.

      Unfortunately, I didn't have the foresight to ask about the cocktail's construction and Common closed shortly after. Recently, I've been trying to recreate it from memory, or more generously, recreate the idea of it (short of Morgenthaler himself identifying the cocktail, there's no way I'll be able to reproduce it). My best guess is that he made something close to a black Russian and ran it through a carbonator.

      Here are my thoughts to riff off of that type of drink for a strong breakfast cocktail:
      2 oz Bourbon, 1 oz Mr. Black, .5 oz Amaretto, .5 oz Maple Syrup, topped with carbonated water, built neat in a highball glass. I'm still tweaking the proportions, but given that Mr. Black is less sweet than other coffee liqueurs, and considering the dilution from carbonated water, I think a half/half mix of Amaretto and Maple Syrup is sweet without being cloying. I also went with Amaretto instead of another syrup like orgeat to keep the alcohol content higher.

      Any thoughts? Other ideas in a similar vein?

      9 votes
    8. Came up with some cocktails to represent my D&D party :)

      Was a fun little project. I worked on the drinks myself first, then gave them to my roommate for a blind taste test, and asked her to describe the kind of character she thought the drink was...

      Was a fun little project. I worked on the drinks myself first, then gave them to my roommate for a blind taste test, and asked her to describe the kind of character she thought the drink was about. If she wasn't at least mostly right, then I'd have to try again - but they somehow ended up a lot more accurate than I expected to be, despite the fact that she knows nothing about this D&D game, haha. I guess we're just really on the same wavelength?

      Anyway, without further ado, here are the recipes! If there are any other mixologists on here, I'd love to hear what you think - and you want to try (something like) any of these drinks but are missing an ingredient or two, let me know and I'm happy to try to suggest a few possible substitutions.

      Avery

      • 0.75 oz chartreuse
      • 0.5 oz montenegro
      • 0.5 oz black walnut liqueur
      • 0.5 oz distilled water

      Liz

      • 0.75 oz peated gin
      • 0.75 oz crème de violette
      • 10 drops lemon juice
      • yuzu bitters

      Matoya

      • 1 oz mezcal
      • 1.5 oz lemon tonic
      • cardamom bitters

      Morgana

      • 1 oz plum gin
      • 1 oz white rye
      • 1 oz distilled water
      • lavender lemon bitters

      Sylvaire

      • 0.75 oz cognac
      • 0.25 oz pomegranate liqueur
      • 0.25 oz grand marnier
      • 0.75 oz peach juice
      • peychaud’s bitters

      V

      • 0.75 oz peated gin
      • 0.25 oz galliano vanilla
      • 0.25 oz absinthe
      • 1 oz peach juice
      • hibiscus rosehip bitters
      • cucumber twist (i.e. take a thin lengthwise slice of a baby cucumber and curl around the inside of the glass)
      10 votes
    9. For those who partake, what beers have you been enjoying lately and what style are they?

      In the spirit of the whiskey thread I wanted to do the same for beer. What’s the style of the evening or week? I just returned from Indianapolis and IPAs definitely dominate the taps. I’ll drink...

      In the spirit of the whiskey thread I wanted to do the same for beer. What’s the style of the evening or week?
      I just returned from Indianapolis and IPAs definitely dominate the taps. I’ll drink most anything but I’m much more of a wheat guy, myself. Hoegaarden and Weihenstephaner are my go-to’s!

      6 votes
    10. Any homebrewers/winemakers here? If so, what have you been making recently?

      I have 3 gal of blackberry wine aging on oak cubes in a carboy right now. Relatively new to the hobby but my best so far have been elderberry wine (full bodied and tannic, kind of like a...

      I have 3 gal of blackberry wine aging on oak cubes in a carboy right now. Relatively new to the hobby but my best so far have been elderberry wine (full bodied and tannic, kind of like a Cabernet), and apple wine from store-bought juice (dry and crisp). This fall I'm planning on sourcing some locally grown Pinot Noir and trying my hand at making a "real" wine for the first time.

      15 votes
    11. Any cocktail enthusiasts/mixologists here? Feel free to share or workshop some good cocktail recipes!

      After seeing the recent espresso post, I figured I'd start a thread for cocktails. I've been recently getting into decent rums (Smith & Cross is a favorite) and have been playing around with...

      After seeing the recent espresso post, I figured I'd start a thread for cocktails. I've been recently getting into decent rums (Smith & Cross is a favorite) and have been playing around with different recipes and uses.

      So far, I've found a good spring/summer spritzer of cachaça (raw sugarcane distillate from Brazil, with a grassy, vegetal flavor), elderflower liqueur, and tonic water. I need to refine it, but I think I'm at a 2/0.5/4 ratio of spirit/liqueur/tonic. I love the way the herbal-sweet elderflower mixes with the cachaça, balanced by the bitterness of the tonic.

      29 votes
    12. Any espresso enthusiasts here?

      What kind of setup/equipment do you have? Preferred roasts? Maybe you don't have equipment, but a favorite drink or place? My setup isn't anything special, but it works for me. I have an Expobar...

      What kind of setup/equipment do you have? Preferred roasts? Maybe you don't have equipment, but a favorite drink or place?

      My setup isn't anything special, but it works for me. I have an Expobar Office Lever that I bought in 2017. Daily use and a bit of minor maintenance along the way, and it's been a solid machine. Paired with a Quamar M80E grinder.

      Also have a second, more entry-level machine at our cabin - Gaggia Classic Pro (which is having some issues right now) and a DF64P grinder.

      For beans, I've been using a subscription from Bottomless for the last 1.5 years and have been super happy with it. I enjoy trying different roasters from all over the country and the service has been super reliable and not all that expensive for the fact that you get just-in-time freshly roasted beans at your doorstep.

      Anyway, what are you guys drinking?

      33 votes
    13. What whisky/whiskey have you been enjoying, and what's your opinion on them?

      What have you been drinking, sipping and enjoying, in the world of whisky/whiskey spirits lately? Discussion about Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, international whiskey, bourbon, etc. are all...

      What have you been drinking, sipping and enjoying, in the world of whisky/whiskey spirits lately? Discussion about Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, international whiskey, bourbon, etc. are all welcome. Please don't just make a list of titles, give some thoughts, reviews, and tales about the spirits if you like!

      I myself was thoroughly surprised at a whisky bar today with the Hatozaki 12. I went to the bar to try out my first Japanese whiskey's and found Hatozaki 12. It was absolutely lovely, bottled with integrity and at a fair price ($8/oz). I was not expecting such fruity and floral notes. I tried out a few from Nikka and Suntory and was not impressed. The Nikka Yoichi tasted off and a wee bit musty. The Suntory felt too light and like it belongs in a highball. I am looking forward to continuing the journey of exploration with Japanese whisky in the future. It is a stark change from the Islay Scotch whisky I drink regularly.

      • Hatozaki 12 - Small Batch - Umeshu Cask: 87/100
        Owner: Akashi Sake Brewery LTD
        Region: Kaikyo Distillery, Akashi City, Hyogo, Japan
        Nose: Vanilla, honey, floral, cream, red apple, fresh fruit
        Palate: Vanilla, toffee, cherry blossom, peaches in cream, lavender
        Finish: Vanilla, floral, lavender, cream linger for several minutes after
        Note: Non-chill filtered, Natural Color, 46% ABV, speyside feel with some added bonus

      My grading chart:

      • 98 – 100 (A+) = Booze Nirvana.
        This is the promised land where every sense is satisfied and, unless it’s a perfect 100, you have to search and nit-pick for what’s wrong instead of what’s right about this whiskey because it’s so on point.
      • 93 – 97 (A) = Exceptional – Superior in every way
        These are the best of the best and within spitting distance of Nirvana. They embody everything that category is about and then elevate it to another level. These are ones I HIGHLY recommend.
      • 90 – 92 (A-) = Excellent – want to buy a case
        Whiskeys that hit this rating are extra awesome. They’re delicious and complex Daily Drinkers and even though they are not quite best-in-class, they’re among my favorite whiskeys and I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone at any time.
      • 87 – 89 (B+) = Great – always want to have a bottle
        These are whiskeys that as soon as you taste them you say, “I want to own a bottle” and if you already own the bottle, you just smile because it’s yours. It’s not a record breaker by any means, just a good solid delicious whiskey.
      • 83 – 86 (B) = Good – not a “must”, but a nice-to-have
        The majority of my baselines are found here. This range is where the “daily drinker” status starts to emerge and where I find whiskies that’re good to drink but may rotate in and out of my collection. They’re not something you’d miss when it’s out, but good enough to give a moment’s consideration when at the liquor store.
      • 80 – 82 (B-) = Not-too-bad – no major flaws, worth tasting
        This is the stuff I’d recommend you try at the bar or at a friend’s house before buying a bottle. There’s nothing really wrong with it, it’s just not… quite… there.
      • 77 – 79 (C+) = Average – not good, not bad, just is
        There might be some minor flaws, all-in-all it’s not offensive, but it might be boring. There’s just nothing at all noteworthy about this whiskey. Would recommend to starters.
      • 73 – 76 (C) = Below average – drinkable, but better as a mixer / party booze
        It’s not like you or I actually WANT to drink this stuff, but sometimes you’re at a wedding or a shitty bar and it just happens to be there, and a beer just doesn’t sound great, so you grin and bear a glass or, when possible, ask for it in a cocktail. If the bartender sucks, you might even take a bit of solace in the knowledge that they didn’t ruin a good whiskey with their terrible cocktail.
      • 70 – 72 (C-) = Not good – nearly undrinkable, wonder why the hell they made it
        When I drink this stuff, I wonder if the Master Distiller is actually proud of what they’ve put out or if it’s something they just shove out to make a quick buck. I then wonder about the person who habitually buy it and wonder what admirable qualities they find in it that I can’t.
      • 60 – 69 (D) = The only thing this should be used for is making Jungle Juice, and even then, Seriously, I start to wonder if it’s even safe for human consumption at this point. - It’s just plain vile.
      • 59 – 0 (F) = Horrifically flawed – the worst
        This is when I call the FDA because I’m pretty damn sure it’s not safe to drink this swill.
      35 votes