Cocktail Quest – Episode 2 – Ultimate Summer Cocktail: Shaken, of course!
Henry Ramos and his shaker boys really knew their stuff. Originally known as the New Orleans Fizz, the Ramos Gin Fizz is one of New Orleans’ most famous cocktails. The cocktail has definitely come a long way from the days prior to “The Noble Experiment” or what was commonly known as “The Prohibition”. With its distinctive orange blossom water ingredient, the Ramos Gin Fizz will definitely make its mark on the Vancouver bistro scene.
You can download the this week’s edition in PDF format HERE (or grab the full newspaper HERE,) or just keep reading (the unrated version) below.
Episode 2 – Ultimate Summer Cocktail: Shaken, of course!
Image Cutline: Steve shakes up the Summery Ramos Gin Fizz with tremendous passion.
Raj: What’s Shakin’, lil’ lady?
Fury: I’ll tell you what. A dozen of shaker boys are lined up behind the bar to prepare one of my favourite Summer drinks, the Ramos Gin Fizz. Just like in the pre-prohibition days in sweet New Orleans.
Raj: The year is 1888, those shaker boys are slaves and they’re not as scantily clad as you’d imagine oh Furious one! I see where you’re coming from, though. If you don’t shake this drink for at least five minutes, it’s going to taste like something nasty.
Fury: Steve Da Cruz at the Corner Suite Bistro rescued me from that disaster once. As a gin enthusiast, I once ordered this complex drink with great anticipation, only to be disappointed by a watery, curdled, undrinkable mess. Steve swooped in…
Raj: You swooned…
Fury: and shook the living heck out of the concoction of seltzer, orange blossom water, orange bitters, and a touch of cream.
Raj: SWOON! It’s like drinking a flower, the ultimate Summer cocktail.
Fury: The Ramos Gin Fizz at the Corner Suite is my sultry, adult version of the creamsicle.
Raj: I was in a famous restaurant in Whistler recently, one of those places that purports to have an extensive cocktail program. The first two drinks didn’t cut it so as punishment, I assigned the bartender a Ramos Gin Fizz. Needless to say, they totally struck out.
Fury: That just shows how you have to be very selective on who shakes up your drinks. The bartender’s heart really has to be into it.
Raj: Since you’re running the Vancouver Craft Cocktail Tour with Jay Jones, you’re the lady to go to.
Fury:I only put my drinks in the hands of those I trust. Since Corner Suite is the ultimate bibliotheque of spirits, they have no choice but to work it like no tomorrow.
Editor: No shaker boys were harmed on this cocktail quest.
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Raj Taneja is part technologist, entrepreneur, social media juggernaut and foodie. He runs urbanmixer.com and publishes a miscellany of musings at raj.jp and on twitter @tinhead. Melody Fury is the founder of Vancouver Food Tour. Follow this YVR lifestyle ambassador on twitter @GourmetFury.
