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Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
hells yeah!
I'm 27 and a lady. I hated whiskey as a teenager, growing up in Canada, because I thought they would all be similar to the ubiquitous cheap rye found at high school parties. At 20, I was working in a pub in England and a ridiculously fashionable and hip female regular always drank Jack Daniels on ice. One night I tried it and fell in love with American whiskeys immediately (though these days my tastes run more to Bulleit and Knob Creek). A year or so later, again working in a bar, a fellow bartender edumacated me on nice Scotches. I haven't found a love for Irish yet, but I do like it on occasion.
I'm baffled as to why certain drinks are still considered to be gendered, though I'd love to read some comments from men who love Malibu coconut rum (so gross).
How Do You Slip the Waiter Extra Tip Money?
Oh god! When eating out with a certain family member, I always have to tuck at least 20% in cash under a saucer or the bill folder, but secretly and only just as we get up to leave. I do this even for substandard service, as putting up with her garbage for an entire meal deserves fair payment (when do I get my tip?).
She thinks that it's generous to leave $100 for a $96 meal. Her reasoning is "if servers want to make more than minimum wage, they should get different jobs." This, of course, is ignoring the fact that they have that exact job *because* they (rightly) expect to make more than the minimum wage. ALSO: I have explained the way that tipping out the kitchen and bar works (having been a restaurant bartender in the past and survived off that tip-out myself...), but still, that has no effect. I cringe every time. Some people can see no logic.
Gluten-Free Tuesday: Juniper Berries
thanks for the post!
I have had two ounces of Juniper berries (also from World Spice!) sitting in my cupboard for a few months just wishing they were being better used. So far I've been crushing them and adding them to loose black tea, which is delicious, but I've been hankering for some new ideas.
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Cakespy: Nanaimo Bars
@jessie - it's pronounced nan-EYE-mo. It's a mid-sized town on Vancouver island, in British Columbia.
I'm so proud that BC has given the world a delicious palm-sized heart attack. It's ours, New York, so back off!
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
hells yeah!
I'm 27 and a lady. I hated whiskey as a teenager, growing up in Canada, because I thought they would all be similar to the ubiquitous cheap rye found at high school parties. At 20, I was working in a pub in England and a ridiculously fashionable and hip female regular always drank Jack Daniels on ice. One night I tried it and fell in love with American whiskeys immediately (though these days my tastes run more to Bulleit and Knob Creek). A year or so later, again working in a bar, a fellow bartender edumacated me on nice Scotches. I haven't found a love for Irish yet, but I do like it on occasion.
I'm baffled as to why certain drinks are still considered to be gendered, though I'd love to read some comments from men who love Malibu coconut rum (so gross).
How Do You Slip the Waiter Extra Tip Money?
Oh god! When eating out with a certain family member, I always have to tuck at least 20% in cash under a saucer or the bill folder, but secretly and only just as we get up to leave. I do this even for substandard service, as putting up with her garbage for an entire meal deserves fair payment (when do I get my tip?).
She thinks that it's generous to leave $100 for a $96 meal. Her reasoning is "if servers want to make more than minimum wage, they should get different jobs." This, of course, is ignoring the fact that they have that exact job *because* they (rightly) expect to make more than the minimum wage. ALSO: I have explained the way that tipping out the kitchen and bar works (having been a restaurant bartender in the past and survived off that tip-out myself...), but still, that has no effect. I cringe every time. Some people can see no logic.
Gluten-Free Tuesday: Juniper Berries
thanks for the post!
I have had two ounces of Juniper berries (also from World Spice!) sitting in my cupboard for a few months just wishing they were being better used. So far I've been crushing them and adding them to loose black tea, which is delicious, but I've been hankering for some new ideas.
Video: How To Send Food Back At a Restaurant
I only send food back in two circumstances:
a) unexpected meat
-I have ordered the item without meat and it arrives with it/no meat was mentioned on the menu but is magically in the actual dish.
b) spoilage
- I was once served a cheese omelette where the cheese was so off that it tasted like dirt.
All else is tolerated with a smile.
Any Bring-From-Home Snack Ideas?
Recently I've been packing a small (1 slice folded) peanut butter and fruit sandwich as a snack. Fresh blueberries are really good with PB, as are peach slices.
I also second the votes for dry cereal. It satisfies that finger-food crunch craving.
What to do with leeks?
I had leeks last night! I cut them lengthwise, washed them well, drizzled & rubbed in a thorough amount of olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and roasted them in the oven. I then ate them with my fingers and was delighted.
To the leek haters: your opinions are wrong.
Dinner Tonight: Black Bean Soup with Fried Egg
don't fry the egg! Poach it in the soup. Also poach eggs in all-vegetable curries (mmmmmmmm).
What's Your New Year's Menu?
For a NYE party tonight, I'm making a cheeseball (kitschy, but delicious) and a loaf of homemade braided sourdough (for easy pulling apart).
The cheeseball is the standard sort (1 packet cream cheese, loads of finely grated cheddar, a wedge of blue, furiously stirred together) with some sun-dried tomato pesto and roasted garlic for flavourings.
The bread is a white-flour only (I ran out of ww), version of THE GREATEST BREAD RECIPE IN THE MULTIIVERSE.
What to do with leftover rice?
mix with smoked fish (the canned kippered herring works well), spring onions, seasonings of your choice, and an egg... make patties and fry up some ricy fishcakes!
Oatmeal Is Starbucks' Most Popular Food Launch
It's $3.45 ($3.25 US) in Canada! I'm sure it's delicious, but that's a ridiculous price for powder+water.
Help me pack my lunch, please - a Super Challenge.
I'm a full time student+full time employee too, except I school days and work nights... Having sworn off eating expensive, salty, and gross food every day on campus, my recent lunch projects include:
1. big pot of brown rice and a big pot of red lentil dahl with tomatos and spinach. This would also be really good with chopped hard-boiled egg on top. (If you pack the rice with the dahl in tupperware as soon as you cook it, the rice doesn't go dry in the fridge. Also, this takes no serious prep: you just have to pop into the kitchen every now and then.)
2. cold potato-vegetable salad: cooked small new potatos; lightly steamed bell peppers, asparagus, and zucchini, chopped fresh green onions; yogurt-dill-mustard dressing. (This was so delicious that I ended up eating a bunch of it out of the pot as soon as it was done so I only had enough for 2 days of lunches. This would *also* be great with chopped hard-boiled egg... I love eggs.)
3. Veggies and dip with a hardboiled egg. I make the dip from yogurt, cottage cheese (for substance), and various herbs and spices (curry is soo good, for a while I rocked this with just black pepper and salt.. mmm). Serve with a baggie of crackers. (More eggs!)
(Also, I like to keep a little it of really nice chocolate in my bag... you know those $5 organic dark chocolate bars with espresso or chili in them? I wrap a chunk in saran wrap and tuck it in my purse. Nothing's better when you're 12 hours into a 15 hour day and you realize that there's some candy in your bag. I can't carry the whole bar because I have pretty serious willpower issues.)
Where To Find Fried Pickles on the East Coast
In Vancouver BC [yes, yes, it's nowhere close to the east coast...]
Mr. Pickwick's Fish and Chips on Denman street does gorgeous deep fried dill spears to go with their delicious and rather posh take on F&C.
Your "house" salad dressing
I do the standard balsamic/olive oil/grainy mustard/salt/pepper/brown sugar mix
but
instead of mincing garlic I crush a large garlic clove under a big knife and chuck it in a jar full of dressing and refrigerate overnight, pulling it out just before serving.
What is Pho?
here in Vancouver we have the Pho Bich Nga... always a favourite.
Cooking With Kids: Eat Your Veggies
I second the idea that your daughter may like asparagus more as she ages.
My palate changed drastically during my teen years. Certain foods made me totally nauseous as a child [cilantro and lox being two of them] but are now necessary staples.
Give me cilantro or give me death!
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I'm a devotee to peaty scotch whiskeys: Compass Box Flaming Heart and Ardbeg's Airigh Nam Beist (only have had a glass of it, but that baby's on my X-mas list) are my favorites.
Because I usually drink scotch at get togethers, a lot of women will join in with me. I've also found that women of my grandmother's generation (in their 60's, 70's, 80's) are more likely to be scotch drinkers. My own nana, actually, almost had a run-in with my brother in law a few weeks ago, over his putting ice in his scotch. "Ruins the flavor." (I totally agree.)
Cakespy: Nanaimo Bars
I was under the impression that instead of the custrad-y layer, Nanaimo bars had a layer of minty-ness in the center. Can any Northwesterners speak to that?
Dinner Tonight: Black Bean Soup with Fried Egg
Wow that sounds good - and very economical!
Cakespy: Nanaimo Bars
Thanks all. I first tasted these when I moved to Seattle, where you see them around sometimes because we're not too far from Nanaimo (relatively). It was like an epiphany. And to @rhinny 's point -- I moved to the West coast from NYC, and while I feel like I saw something similar once or twice, no way can the city claim ownership.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I love working my way through a bottle of scotch over several months, but currently loving my Rye Whiskey. So complex and so inexpensive. Drink it straight or with homemade bitters. Or in an old-fashioned.
As for scotches, past splurges have included Glenmorangie and Coal Isla, but Jon, Mark and Robbo make nice inexpensive blends that I find quite satisfying. Too bad I haven't been able to find any around here lately...
What a good trend, though!
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
Hello from Hillary in Texas!
I wanted to share with you that all my female friends are avid whiskey drinkers. As a great mixer with diet coke (a 'girl' drink), we can imbibe whatever amount to our heart's desires without ballooning up. Of course, I may add my friends and I are big drinkers, so it was an acquired taste. I drink almost strictly only whiskey drinks these days and have for the past several years!
Most of the time I drink Jim Beam (great Bourbon for the price). Beats out every brand by far. Jim Beam is a very great friend in my social circle.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I'm in my thirties, and I'm a recent born-again convert to whiskey. In fact, it's mostly the only type of liqueur I drink anymore. My go-to drinks are Manhattans and Sazeracs, but when the weather gets cold, I love nothing better than a peaty, seaweed highlands Scotch.
Favorite Bourbon: Eagle Rare
Favorite Single Malt Scotch: Lagavulin (from Islay)
I haven't gotten into Irish or Canadian whiskey. And I haven't yet tried a Japanese whiskey, which is apparently trendy these days.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I am a girl and I love whiskey. I have for a long time. In fact - it's the first thing I ever drank (at family gatherings with my dad and brother). I agree that it seems like a "guy thing" and whenever I'm around guys drinking whiskey, they're shocked but I think a lot of stereotypes of guy vs. girl consumption are wrong. I love steak and burgers and whiskey and beer. Am I a guy? No.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I'm 26 and grew up with an appreciation of whiskey thanks to a Grandma who's cocktail of choice is a CC and water, and a mom who's favorite drink is Scotch neat with a glass of ice. I prefer bourbon (Makers). Add to that my husbands growing collection of islay whiskeys (current shelf includes Laphroig, Brucchladich, Caio Illa, and some other ones i won't even try to misspell. Needless to say whiskey takes up a whole liquor shelf in our house and we're definitely going to whiskeyfest in Chicago this year!
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I am a 32 year old woman and I love whiskey. Scotch especially. Rye is good, Irish, Canadian...bourbon is a little too sweet generally, but I won't turn down a glass of something good.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I am a 24 year-old female from Kentucky, so bourbon is almost like a religion. You at least have to learn to drink it, even if it's not your favorite. That being said, I prefer Maker's Mark and Woodford, but know a lot of guys who won't even touch the stuff. I just say, it's part of where I grew up!
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I'm only 22, but I love Scotch on the rocks! Two years ago I went to the Famous Grouse distillery in Scotland and that's where my love started :)
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I'm a woman, 33 and I grew up on Scotch. I think I've received a bottle every year since my 19th birthday, too. I finally got my (now) husband drinking scotch when we went on a holiday last year, and now it's a hobby for him. We even took a (small) bottle of Johnny Walker Blue with us to our wedding in Mexico in September, and incorporated a toast with it into our ceremony, before we said our vows.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
With me as the sole exception to the rule, all the females in my family drink Chivas Regal, Crown Royal, or J.D.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I'm a 30 year old New York transplant who was raised in Kentucky and I adore bourbon, and have been drinking it and cooking with it (banana's foster is amazing with bourbon) since I was younger than anyone should know. Although I rarely drink, when I do, I help myself to some bourbon.
It has been the drink of choice in my family for generations - my grandfather would liberally pour it on my ice cream as a kid, as he and my grandmother enjoyed their evening bourbon cocktails. His grandfather could only be convinced to get his limb amputated with the assistance of bourbon.
When it comes to bourbon, there isn't a house in Kentucky that doesn't have at least one bottle in its bar. The "table" bourbon of choice of any Kentuckian is Maker's Mark. I was taught from a young age to mix with Marker's and keep the good stuff like Woodford Reserve and Knob Creek for drinks on the rocks or a dash of water.
Every place I have lived, be it continental Europe, the American midwest to the UK, I have always brought at least one bottle of my dark caramel friend (even had backup bottles sent via mail) to share with friends and convert them. I extol the wonders of it and after one drink, I can quiet down and let it speak for itself.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
Bourbon girl all the way, here. I like the good stuff, but will drink most brands if it's what's on offer. And I like it on the rocks; no splash; no mixers.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
Bourbon girl all the way, here. I like the good stuff, but will drink most brands if it's what's on offer. And I like in on the rocks; no splash; no mixers.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I'm 34 & female and I was a Jack drinker for years, but now my go-to whiskey is Power's, on the rocks. I can't often afford fancy stuff, but a bottle of Maker's is required for Thanksgiving and again in the spring when the mint starts growing- it's the only bourbon I use in Manhattans and mint juleps.
I like other liquor too, depending on my mood, but there's something soothing about whiskey.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I'm 26, female, and whiskey-rocks is definitely "my drink," particularly in the fall and winter (when spring and summer roll around, I tend towards good tequila on the rocks). When at a standard bar, I tend towards the Maker's-Woodford types, since they're widely available, but when at a whiskey bar I go for the Blanton's, Bookers, Hudson Baby, etc. Jefferson's Reserve is also phenomenal. I haven't quite developed a taste for Scotch yet, though I'm trying.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I am trying to cultivate a taste for bourbon--I've always been a martini gal but am looking for something warm (flavored) and maybe just a little sweet for cold weather. Any recommendations?
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
i'm a fan of Gentleman's Jack...some would call me lame for that, but it's always appealed to me.
my other half loves rye, and enjoys supporting a local brand - he drinks Pikesville.
Serious Cocktails: Women and Whiskey
I am a woman and I love whiskey. My loyalties lie with scotch. Several years ago I ventured into Scotch with Laphroaig, and I haven't looked back. I love Scotch generally, but I *really* love those salty, iodiney, seaweedy, peaty, smokey malts. I dabble in bourbons (Michter's in among the faves), and recently moved into rye (love Tuthilltown's Hudson Rye).
How Do You Slip the Waiter Extra Tip Money?
if you don't anticipate your dinner companion cheaping out, walk out the door and then immediately say 'i think i forgot cell/wallet/something' and go back in to make up the tip.
if you know you are going to eat with someone cheap, drink all the water or something, say you are gonna go to the washroom and find the waiter instead...tell him/her your friend is notoriously cheap but you don't want bring it up at the dinner table, here's part of your tip beforehand.
alternate solution: just let the other person think you are a ridiculously generous tipper.
and also, don't get mad at cheap friends, they are who they are. don't invite them out to eat if it bothers you so much. i just consider it part of the cost of the meal....
How Do You Slip the Waiter Extra Tip Money?
@climbhighak--how can you throat punch a buddy if his head is up his ass?
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@jessie - it's pronounced nan-EYE-mo. It's a mid-sized town on Vancouver island, in British Columbia.
I'm so proud that BC has given the world a delicious palm-sized heart attack. It's ours, New York, so back off!