MORE ABOUT MIXOLOGY
I have a really high tolerance. But I don’t drink very often. So that often leaves me in a strange spot when it comes to social drinking.
I actually never really drank any alcohol until halfway through the first year of university. I had a bet to win and a long story short… basically my drink of choice became Canadian Club whiskey. Kinda gross, eh?
Over time, my staple drink has become tequila. At first it was Jose Cuervo, but in the past couple years it’s almost exclusively been Patron and some other nice tequilas. I’m not much of a social drinker because it’s pretty hard to sip tequila or play drinking games with tequila. (Although I’ve done it, and well, it’s not pretty)
To be honest, I prefer a fizzy drink like Pellegrino to alcohol any day and I’m perfectly happy to have fun without drinking. But don’t tell my friends that. So how does someone who doesn’t drink very often, find a good social drink?
In recent years I’ve started to enjoy the occasional sour apple martini. Most places don’t make them very good, but if you can find a good establishment that can do them right (West, Blue Water Cafe, George, etc) then they are amazing.
I’ve found a mix of good vodka like Grey Goose, some lime juice, bitters, apple juice, and sour apple mix (e.g. Sourz) usually works pretty well. I still can’t quite seem to replicate it though like West or Blue Water. I wonder what their secret recipe is?
In the past couple months I’ve become a huge fan of the Mojito. However, a lot of places usually don’t carry mint and can’t make one for you. The summer months it is definitely easier to find.
I love me a good mojito, and more and more I think it is becoming my social drink of choice. I usually make them with white rum, club soda, a touch of real ginger ale, lime, and lots of muddled mint.
So yes, tequila will always be my favourite drink… but do you have any recommendations for a good social drink? I’d like something that is not too sweet, and is refreshing?
Also, do you have any famous drink recipes to share? Especially for a sour apple martini or a mojito? I’m dying to find out a good one! 
Oh P.S., just to end off this post I thought I’d share the waffles we had on Sunday. Yum!
Tags: Drink recipes, mixology, mojito, Patron, places to drink in vancouver, sour apple martini, tequila
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May 26th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Blue Water makes the best, let me repeat that, THE BEST mojito in town!
May 26th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I love CC
CC & 7 is my fav mixed drink. But i don’t really drink. 1 or 2 beers in an entire night and that’s usually only once a month too.
As for Tequila, I’ve always liked Tequila Sunrises: OJ, Grenadine and Tequila (of course)
May 26th, 2009 at 11:54 am
flagrantfoul, totally! That picture of the mojito in my post is from Blue Water. I also tried the Lychee Mojito at Banana Leaf and that was DELICIOUS. Blended mojito though, but really yummy with lots of muddled mint and a nice lychee taste.
Tyler, mmm the tequila sunrise sounds awesome!
May 26th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
one of my all-time fave drinks was found at Death & Co in NYC called the “Fresa Brava.” a delightfully refreshing and spicy concoction of habanero-infused Herradura tequila and fresh strawberries. at first sip, you get that biting, citrus-y sweetness, followed seconds later by the intense heat of the habanero as it washes down the back of your tongue and warms the rest of your body.
i’ve heard that it hasn’t been on the menu for a few months now. perhaps they’ll bring it back as the berries become in-season. recipe below. cheers!
1.) Muddle a few Strawberries in a 1/2 ounce of Simple Syrup
2.) Add ice.
3.) Pour in 3/4 ounce of Yellow Chartreuse, 3/4 ounce of fresh Lemon Juice and 2 ounces of Herradura Silver Tequila infused with Jalapeno or Habanero Peppers.
4.) Shake
5.) Strain into a chilled Champagne coupe glass
6.) Serve
May 26th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
this is a great drink to try
Bubbling Lychee-Grapefruit Martini
2 parts SOHO Lychee Liqueur
2 parts Premium Vodka
A Splash of Grapefruit Juice
2 parts Champagne
May 26th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I have high tolerance too except I turn red. Damn Asian gene.
Personally I’m not that sophisticated to drink mixed drinks, beer is usually my choice of drink 99% of the time. Maybe it’s also because none of my friends are big on the mix drinks either.
Whenever I drink mixed vodka drinks I end up regretting. One time I ended up puking on the bus and all over the street as I got out of the bus. NASTY! Perhaps I had a tendency to put way too much vodka in my drinks? Who knows….
May 26th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Honestly I rarely drink either and I’m more often than not, happy to drink Pellegrino or Club soda(sometimes with cranberry juice) instead of alcohol when I am out with friends..(and I’m NOT afraid to tell them that!)
In the summer time when it’s really hot, a good beer is super nice to have. I’m not really a beer drinker but when I do drink it, I am picky about it because I only enjoy it if it’s not too heavy.
If I had to choose a favourite summer time beer it would be Stella Artois or Big Rock Grasshopper with a slice of lemon!
May 26th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I don’t drink much either, I can have a good time without getting a buzz on. However if I do drink its usually a Stella or Heineken.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I tried a drink for the first time the other night called Liquid Cocaine. Needless to say, it will forevermore be my “social drink.”
It comes in shots, and cocktails. The version I like is the “fruity” cocktail. Give it a whirl and tell me what you think! Hopefully you’ll spread out trying these drinks that we’re all suggesting or else you may become a verrrry intoxicated chica.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Well vodka’s obviously one of my fav. alcohols (hence the name) but I do say that AB and I are addicted to making mojitos in the summer time. We even have a miniature lime tree and mint plant so we always have the ingredients on hand!
My adapted recipe (because I too don’t like sweet drinks) is to muddle mint, lime wedges and a tablespoon or so of raw sugar in the bottom of a pitcher. Add white rum and soda water + pour into glasses with lots of ice. It’s also delicious with watermelon or strawberries but I skip the sugar in that instance.
Anyway, if I’m trying to be non-difficult when out with friends or not at a fancy bar I’ll either drink vodka soda and lime (definitely not sweet, but sometimes too easy to drink!) or just a glass of red wine as they’re things people tend to have on hand.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Straight, from the freezer, Chopin vodka. Nothing else comes close.
But I share your Mojito weakness.
Don’t like beer.
May 27th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Oh, you must have a lemon drop…they are our must have drink around here!
May 27th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Hendrick’s Gin w/ Fentimen’s Tonic. This is a gin that usually is served with a slice of cucumber. Very summertime refreshing.
Nom nom nom.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:24 am
If you like mojitos, you might like caiphirinas, too (made with a Brazilian rum called cachaca, sugar, and lime). Or, just a regular margarita on the rocks with a salt rim is one of my summer faves.
May 28th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Stacks on deck, Patron on ice
And we can pop bottle all night
Baby, you could have whatever you like
I said, you could have whatever you like
Yeah….
May 29th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Vodka tonic with a twist of lime is always acceptable. Not too sweet, definitely refreshing, and not embarrassing to order.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Allie, Mojito’s are indeed the best, there is a small beachfront resturant in Mazatlan that makes the absolute BEST mojito I have ever had…. I also make them but will share that recipie with you another time
My fave drink is a long island, extra citrus or a whiskey sour….. for tequilla i suggest Cabo Wabo
I am a mixologist of sorts, my frequent trips to Washington allow me to stock up at the Duty Free and so I have everything I’d ever need to make any drink that exists and many that don’t!!
I shall make you something sometime soon
Cheers
Mandy
June 1st, 2009 at 12:28 pm
You should try a caprihinia. It’s lemons and limes muddled with sugar with either tequila or rum over ice. Very refreshing!
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Hey Allie, I think you’d love a Moscow Mule. It’s super refreshing, and not at all too sweet if you use good Ginger Beer. It’s very similar to a mojito.
muddled Lime wedges
muddled Mint leaves
vodka to your preference
Topped with (good quality) Ginger Beer (not ginger ale).
Is easy to make in an average sized pitcher too, not too big or the ginger beer will go flat.
June 5th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
For a twist on the Mojito, The Reef, on Main Street does a ‘Majito’ – the sister to the Mojito as they call it. They make it with Raspberry Vodka and I think add some of the actual fruit as well. It’s a great summer drink.
Another fave is a ‘Midori Sour’ which I don’t think you can get in BC but can in the East Coast. It’s delicious, but is on the sweeter side.
I’ve also just started to like ‘The Brazilian’ at Cactus Club which is Gin with Kiwi bits. Perfect patio drink for the summer
June 9th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
In that Tequila pic you’re just mocking soul, aren’t you.