Cocktail Confessions

The 4th of July is just around the corner and I just noted I haven’t put up a new cocktail recipe in some time.  After doing a little digging, I found an interesting recipe that ties in nicely with our U.S. history and our nations 234th birthday.  But before I delve into the ‘Artillery Punch’ cocktail, I thought I’d share a bit of trivia as well.  All you wordsmiths out there, or those that like to play Jeopardy or read the Oxford Dictionary in your spare time, you might enjoy this:

The word “cocktail” was believed to be first used in New York as a way to describe a combination of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters somewhere in the early 1800′s.  It is most likely the word referred to a particular beverage that included a variety of spirits in the mix, depending on what was available at the moment.  Over the years, the definition expanded to include almost any combination of spirits and other ingredients.  As a side note, however, most alcohol historians (how do you get that job by the way?) agree that the first “cocktail party” took place in Missouri.  I couldn’t find any additional information on this….perhaps the attendees were too drunk to remember themselves and write it down.

So the recipe I have for you today isn’t a singular drink mixed for one or two people.  It’s more suited for your family reunion or block party.  You may want to mix in a very large Gatorade decanter like the kind you see on the sidelines at a football game.  If those aren’t readily available, go buy yourself a large RubberMaid trashcan at the hardware store (but remember to rinse out ahead of time).

It is said that Artillery Punch originated in Savannah, GA with the Chtanham Artillery, and was actually served to one Admiral Winfield Scott Schley during his visit to the city just after the Spanish-American War.  Reports at the time state the punch had a much more dramatic effect on the Admiral than the Spanish guns ever did.  It’s a sweet drink with a sweet tea base and strong citrus overtones (thanks to the gin, lemons, and oranges no doubt) that helps mask the massive amount of liquor hidden within.  Talk about ‘shock and awe’, be careful with this one folks, it’ll sneak up on you in a big way.  Great for summer BBQ’s and gatherings.

Artillery Punch:

• 1.5 gallons (yes, gallons) of Catawba wine (a red wine produced from a regional grape on the north-eastern seaboard and midwest)
• 1.5 quarts of rye.
• 1/2 gallon of rum (choose a rum with caramel tones if you can).
• 1/2 pint of Benedictine.
• 1 quart gin
• 1 quart Brandy.
• 1.5 gallons of strong tea (fresh brewed is always better and worth the effort).
• 2.5 pounds brown sugar
• Juice of 1/2 dozen oranges (or use real boxed orange juice as a sub)
• Juice of 1/2 dozen lemons.

Place all these ingredients in your container and mix well enough (have a clean oar or paddle nearby?) so that the 2.5 pounds of brown sugar dissolves evenly and nicely.  Serve over large glasses of ice, and keep an eye on your guests lest you really do want them to re-enact the Spanish-American War in your backyard.

It’s going to be a long day today, that I can tell.

Last night I met some friends and ex-coworkers at a sports bar in the area called Rudy’s, where I got my pint on.  Not a lot, and I didn’t feel hammered in the least.  With that being said, I barely slept a wink last night.  It was freezing cold (I forgot to turn the heater on), and I tossed and turned all night.  At one point, roughly 2:30 am, I just got up and went on the computer for about a half hour.  I probably slept a grand total of three hours last night, so I am sure I’ll be a very chipper person as the day wears on.  All I know is thank goodness it is both Friday and casual day at work.  I’m telling you right now, I don’t have the energy or motivation to do jack squat.

At the gas station, I did spend $3.48 (that includes tax) on the 5-hour Engery drink that is advertised all over.  It promises that I won’t suffer a crash later and I’m holding out until lunch time to use it, so we’ll see.

Anyway, this drink recipe today is inspired by my recent lunches at Chick-Fil-A, where I’ve been having some sweet tea with my lunch.  I also get a lot of searches here on my Seagrams Sweet Tea vodka entry I made some time ago, so I figured, why not another sweet tea based drink?  This is for when you need a little pick me up during the weekend, after doing some gardening chores or detailing the car on a warm afternoon, where the thought of regular ice tea sounds good, but just isn’t enough by itself.

Sweet Tea-tini

• 1 3/4 oz premium vodka
• 1 oz sweet tea (heavily sweetend fresh brewed iced-tea, a staple in the south)
• 1/4 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
• Lemon wedge or lemon rind twist for garnish.

1. Pour ingredients in cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well, preferably due a samba dance if you can.
3. Strain into a chilled, sugar rimmed martini glass.
4. Garnish with lemon wedge or twist.
5. Look coyly at neighbor and give ‘em a wink.

I’ve kinda been having a time crisis or ‘crisis of time’ depending on how you want to look at it in adding fresh content to this site as of late.  Some of my recent Podcast appointments have fallen through due to unforeseen circumstances, but I hope to get some new episodes up soon enough.

So what better way to put a little break in this apparent lull by introducing a new drink I discovered a few months ago and a few recipes I found.  To be honest, as of this writing I haven’t actually tried the included recipes, but more or less have just drank this yummy libation on ice all by it’s southern inspired self.

First of all, I love ice tea.  That is natural ice tea, fresh brewed tea leaves and cold filtered water over a tall glass of ice.  Add a sprig of mint, maybe a slice of lime, orange, or traditional lemon.  I like black Ceylon tea, lemon grass tea, green tea, and a few other distinct concoctions like an Arnold Palmer (1/2 tea, 1/2 lemonade), or Arabic tea (very, very sweet tea with bulk Turkish tea leaves and diced mint).

When I was in high school and even college, I went through a Long Island Ice Tea phase as well (1p gin, 1p tequila, 1p rum, 1p whisky, splash of coke and a bit of sweet & sour liqueur).  I used to drink the pre-mixed Club mixes (not the best), but mostly make my own and loved them.

Anyway, not to long ago at my local BevMo I found this Seagram’s flavored Sweet Tea Vodka drink.  It looked interesting, and it was cheap, so I figured “Why not?”  Needless to say I was hooked my very first sip.  It tastes exactly how you would think a pitcher of down south sweet tea should taste, with of course a little kick.  Not the kinda vodka kick that burns your pipes, but on the contrary it is very smooth and mellow and can sneak up on you quick.  Not to brag or boast, but I’ve been known to polish off a 750ml bottle in a night or over two, and I’ve failed to get a hangover on it so far….I’m sure that’s just luck, and now that I say it, the next time I probably will hurt.

I’ve been a one man Seagram’s spokesperson for this drink and I found that you eaiterh really like it, or it isn’t your cup of tea.  Fortunately, most people like it (especially the gals) and the ones who don’t tend to have an aversion to really sweet things anyway.

Seagram’s brand is actually made by White Rock Distillery based in South Carolina.  I think it pairs really well with southern food, including of course BBQ, and is a very refreshing drink on ice.  But as promised here are a few Sweet Tea recipe’s:

Sweet Tea Lemonade

- 1.5 part Seagram’s Sweet Tea Vodka in high ball glass.

- Fill remainder with Crystal Lite lemonade mix (or for variety, instead of lemonade mix, try cherry limeade or peach mix)

Sweet Tea and Mint

1.5 part Seagram Sweet Tea Vodka in high ball glass

.5 part Peppermint Schnapps

1 part sour mix

- Fill remainder of glass with Sprite

Long Island Sweet Tea

- 1 part Seagram’s Sweet Tea in high ball glass.

- .5 parts: light rum, silver tequila, gin, and Triple Sec

- Splash of ‘Rose of lime’