drinks
|
Spirits |
|
Last Updated |
Sat
28th June 2003
16:00hrs GMT
Drinks : Spirits
In this section you can find out about some spirits that are commonly used when chilling out. This section will display generalised Vodkas, Rums, Schnapps and other flavours and varieties of drinks. They will not be specific, but I will give some examples of drinks within the category. Similar in layout to the Alcoholic drinks section, the Spirits section will give you some information, links and ideas about tastes.
The Spirits section gives you some suggestions of how these spirits are commonly drunk, whether it be straight, in a mix, cocktail, shooter or any other forms. Any ideas? If yes - let me know on the contacts page.
Sit back, relax and have a look at the spirits on display...
| Alcoholic | Cocktails | Spirits | Smoothies|
| Vodkas |
| About | Vodka, for those who don't know already is a russian drink that comes mostly from potatoes. There are many varieties of vodka and it even now comes with flavours. Vodka can be drunk straight (if you have a good stomach lining) but it is mostly used in cocktails and mixers. It is very popular taken with soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Irn-Bru etc and more commonly the stimulant drink Red Bull. I'm not a particular lover of Vodka, I can drink it, but not in large quantities and only if its mixed with something else. Cola is my favourite mix with it. There are numerous cocktails that use vodka.
| Types | Smirnoff, Grants, Absolut, Imperial, Finlandia| Schnapps | Schnapps is a type of spirit that has grown massively in popularity over the clubbing scene. Produced mainly in Germany and Denmark, schnapps is made from potato spirits and grains which is flavoured with herbs and fruits. The most distinctive kind of schnapps I've known is Archers Peach Schnapps. This is a sweet Peachy spirit that is used a lot in mixers. Commonly with lemonade, orange juice, Irn Bru and other assorted soft drinks. Schnapps comes in a vast array of flavours from Peach, strawberry, lemon, grape, watermelon, apple all the way to butterscotch and peppermint flavours. The list is huge. These are great drinks and go well mixed.
| Types | Archers, Peachtree, FD, Teichenne| Rums | Rum is a drink that works well as a mixer with soft drinks and can be drunk straight. Rum comes with different styles, white, light, dark etc. Rum is not a particular favourite drink of mine as it just doesn't taste all that good in my opinion. When mixed I like it better. Rum is a very popular drink and has very distinctive brands, such as Bacardi, Malibu (coconut flavoured) and Captain Morgans rum.
| Types | Bacardi, Malibu, Captain Morgans, Morgans Spiced, Havana Club| Whiskies | Whisky is a drink made originally in Scotland from oats, malts, grains and barely but is now made mostly in Scotland, Ireland, USA and Canada. Whisky comes in two styles. Single Malt and Blended. Malt is made from one grain etc and has no other whiskies mixed with it, unlike the blended varieties. Im my own opinion, I prefer single malts and brands include Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Glenlivet and Grants to name a few. Some blended varietis include Johnnie Walker, Glen Catrine and The Famous Grouse. Whiskies can be mixed, but its best not to mix the more expensive brands, as they taste better on their own and not mixed. A good mixing whisky is Jack Daniels Tenessee whisky. Whiskies can be enjoyed in some cocktails and shooters although on their own they have an aqquired taste.
| Types | Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Glenlivet, Jack Daniels, Johnnie Walker| Brandies | Brandy by definition is any spirit made from distilled grape wine. Brandy is made all over the world, the most famous coming from the Cognac Region of France. Brandies can also be made from other fruits such as apples or cherries. The Cherry brandy used in my favourite cocktail, which is the Singapore Sling and its just delicious. Brandy comes in the forms of Cognacs, Armagnacs and Calvados and can be drunk on their own, mixed or in cocktails.
| Types | Cognacs, Armagnacs, Calvados
| Others | Other types of spirits...
| Tequila |
Tequila is produced from the juice of the the agave plant mixed with previously fermented agave juice (pulque), fermented for about two and a half days. Then the mix is double distilled, producing a clear white tequila. Gold tequila is aged on oak casks for up to four years. Tequila can only be called Tequila if it is made in the region of YTequila in Mexico, just like Champagne is only Champagne if it's from that region in France.
| Types | Sauza, T.J's, Cuervo, Tapatio, Herradura, Porfidio| Irish Cream Liquer |
Irish creams are very popular drinks and are smooth, creamy and taste lovely. Made from Irish creams, Irish whisky and the finest of spirits. The most common type of Irish cream is Baileys. Its is the definitive Irish Cream and like all other varieties, can be enjoyed over ice and in some mixes and shooters. Can even be enjoyed in Coffee, whihc makes an 'Irish Coffee.'
| Types | Baileys, Carolans, Delaneys| Aftershock |
Aftershock claims the crown of the top shot drink, and has sent many a young clubber/student/colleague into a drunken stupor. This drink has spawned for the prodcution of inferior clone versions with different names. Aftershock is a strong shot drink that comes in three flavours. The first one was the legendary Cinamon flavoured Aftershock which was coloured Red and then followed the blue-coloured-peppermint-tasting one named 'Cool' And lastly the green one called 'Thermal Bite.' At the moment Im not too sure about what the green version tastes like, but apparently its been described as 'tasting of mouthwash.'
Great shots and sure to put you down if you take a few too many. Not for the faint hearted.
| Types | Cinamon, Cool Blue, Thermal Bite
