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BEHIND THE STICK - with Patrick McCormick
October, I love this month! My beautiful daughter, my father, my best friend, and I, were all born in this month! I got married in October...
Halloween in Fells Point is Baltimore's answer to Mardi Gras! Strawberry Fields in NYC was dedicated to John Lennon in October; the world's largest grilled cheese was made (3000 pounds); the Buffalo wing was created. Don't forget Oktoberfest and all that good beer! The Statue of Liberty was unveiled in New York Harbor; Meat Loaf released "Bat Out of Hell;" John Candy was born and "Ice, Ice Baby," by Vanilla Ice hit #1! WHAT A MONTH! Sorry about that... now let's talk booze! I just finished a new drink list for work and it inspired my idea for this article ... syrups! Syrups are easy. So let's go to the kitchen and see what we can find shall we? Everybody has sugar and water in their kitchen; mix equal parts and you have simple syrup. Simple right?!? Now let's add some flavor. What's in your pantry/fridge? In mine I have various types of tea, coffee, ginger, mint, honey, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, tamarind, vanilla beans (or extract), Quick note, Han Ah Reum on Route 40 is a great Asian market with all kinds of fun ingredients. The great thing about today, as the Food Channel will tell you, is that your imagination and palette are your only limitations. So let your imagination run wild for the next party you throw, or if it's 4 am and you are in the mood to try something new (Or am I the only that does that?). -Prost! Get started by making your favorite syrup... SIMPLE SYRUP Mix equal part water and sugar. Bring to a boil, let cool to room temperature. GINGER SYRUP Make simple syrup and add fresh peeled and chopped ginger to taste, cool to room temperature. I add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, allspice, juniper berries, and black peppercorns to mine for a spiced ginger syrup. Taste as you steep, and then strain. HONEY SYRUP Mix equal part honey and water. Bring to a boil, let cool to room temperature. FALL SYRUP Make simple syrup and add cinnamon sticks, allspice and cloves. Let cool to room temperature. Be careful, cinnamon can take over very fast. Taste as you steep, and then strain. Then rustle up some luscious cocktails... MOSCOW MARLIN (a twist on the "Moscow Mule") 1 oz. Vodka 1/2 oz. Spiced ginger syrup Soda water Add ingredients into highball glass, stir, garnish with a lime. STORMY OCEAN (a twist on the "Dark & Stormy") 1 oz. Goslings Rum 1/2 oz. Spiced ginger syrup Soda Water Add ingredients to highball glass, stir, garnish with a lime. UPDATED ICE PICK 1 oz. Vodka 1/2 oz. Honey syrup 1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice Iced tea Build ingredients over ice. Shake and pour back into glass, garnish with a lemon SOUTHERN COCKTAIL 1 oz. Bourbon 1/2 oz. Fall Syrup 100% Apple Juice Build in highball glass and serve. I want to apologize for not acknowledging a very important piece of Baltimore history in my last article. I would now like to raise a glass and give a "CHEERS" to a Baltimore icon that left his mark on this city: Here's to "Wild Bill" Hagy! Cheers!! |
