Do you have a favourite spirit? (Drinks only - no poltergeists!)

[Pert_UK]

Following on from Sweetheart's question about favourite whiskies, I thought I'd ask this.

Personally, my favourite spirit is Calvados - apple brandy from Northern France. Oddly, I've found that I prefer the cheaper, younger Calvados to the matured, expensive bottles.....

I also enjoy a good, strong G&T, preferably with Bombay Sapphire gin or Tanqueray (sp?).

Malt whisky is also damn good stuff.....

Any others?

P.

[SOteric]

1. Sort of depends on the occasion, really

I love a good cognac or armagnac, or an after-dinner grappa.

I love Poire William, - especially in a white chocolate sabayon. I adore cassis ...in a rhubarb or loganberry pie.

I personally find gin to be a little to reminiscent of 'aftershave,' but I do like an icy vodka from time to time.

[northofdenali]

2. SOteric, I'm glad I'm not the only one

who thinks aftershave when gin is mentioned!

Hmmmm, Grey Goose vodka, ice cold; Glenmorangie on occasion; B&B with coffee after a good meal; and good cognac!

[Pert_UK]

3. Mmmm.....Grappa / Strega after a good Italian meal - marvellous!

Although I usually only go for it if work is paying!

P.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. For the truly adventurous:

Try a Vodka Martini. Use good vodka that has been left in the freezer for about a week. Finish it with Anchovy-stuffed olives and one turn of a peppermill. Mmmm. Surprisingly good.

Worlds Best Martini, ala me, from the original recipe from The Algonquin Blue Bar:

Make your gin martini, using the best gin and white vermouth you can afford. Put 1/4 inch of Ouzo in a shot glass. After decanting the standard martini mixture into a martini glass, use a stir straw to gather up 1/4 inch of the Ouzo, using a finger to keep it from falling out of the straw. Put it into the martini, and stir a couple of times. The Ouzo makes a "bridge" of flavors between the aromatics in the gin and the aromatics in the white vermouth.

It used to get me some prety good tips from Professional Martini Drinkers, when I was bartending. They don't brook no tomfoolery.

[bicentennial_baby]

5. Vodka!

Either a Bloody Mary made with Absolut Peppar or Raspberry Stoli in Tonic with Lemon

:toast:

[Pert_UK]

6. I LOVE Bloody Marys too......but hold the celery!

Can't stand celery, but a good Bloody Mary is hard to beat.

Lots of Tabasco, dash of Worcestershire, salt, pepper, drizzle of dry sherry...mmmmmm.........got to have it really cold though, but without too much ice.

P.