Just left PRAVDA on Decatur and had the experience of running into some Premier League Football fans who are in town from London and New York. One was a fellow Arsenal supporter, thank God. If this gentleman had not been there I believe the rest of the bunch would have booed me outta the joint. The Aston Villa supporter in particular took great offense to my Arsenal tattoo - we're talking blasphemous anti-Arsenal chants, some distasteful gestures, and I do believe he may have called me a wanker (a term of which I was certain to be reserved for men, exclusively.) They were a fun bunch though, and its always nice to get a chance to talk soccer. I had two St. Germain and seltzers with lemon then ordered an iced coffee. They lost it at this point too, "How can you order a coffee at a bar?! In New Orleans?!" I have an addiction, sir! (Not to mention, running on an average of 4 hours of sleep a night lately.) I followed it up with a Makers Mark and got out of the French Quarter while the gettin was good.
I wondered on the ride home what cocktail might go nicely while kicked back on the front porch with the Best of the South issue of the Oxford American that I still haven't gotten around to finishing. The weather in New Orleans right now is perfection. The Indian Summer- the dreamiest time of year in the deep South. Lately I've been playing with a recipe including bourbon and elderflower liquer... sounds strange, I know. Although those are two of my favorite drink ingredients I would have never thought to marry them in the same glass. I first tasted them together when my manager fixed up a celebratory shot of Jameson with St. Germain after we had made it through an exceptionally busy shift. I may have even cringed when she handed me the glass and told me what it was, but after I had a taste I was hooked. Jameson certainly has its place (particularly in shot form after a hard day) but I figured the St. Germain might be happier with a nice bourbon, and in cocktail form so we can both be happy longer. My first instinct was Bulleit, one of my mainstays, but that proved to be a bit too overbearing for what I was going for. After a few tries I settled on Makers Mark, which still stands out but creates a good balance (also tasty with Basil Hayden's if it's pay day.) Until now I couldn't come up with a name, but I think "Indian Summer" will do nicely - that perfect mix of summer and autumn right there in your glass.
Indian Summer
1.5 oz Makers Mark Bourbon Whisky
.5 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liquer
Finish with soda water
serve over ice in a Highball or Rocks glass
Enjoy with:
Tom Waits is working well for me right now, but I am definitely having a hard time getting Pedro the Lion's "God Bless the Indian Summer" out of my head. Also maybe some Nina Simone or Gillian Welch (something tough but a touch flowery.)
Cheers, darlin.
