Episode 21 - Someone's Knockin' at Midori

First, let us send out our hugest apologies to David Wolowidnyk.  Not only did we probably butcher his name on the podcast, we also incorrectly said he was the head bartender at West.  He used to be, and while we think everybody should do their very best to get to West for an amazing dinner, we should give a shout out to Mr. Wolowidnyk’s next big adventure which is Botanist.  Botanist is a brand new restaurant which will be located in the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. Read all about it here or here.  We can’t wait to try it out!

In this episode, the Gentlemen try out a couple of green drinks.  Not because it was St. Patricks Day a couple of weeks ago but because Dave’s wife used to drink Midori Sours and asked if we would make one on the show.  The problem with the Midori Sour is that there seems to be multiple versions that all compete for top billing.  Never mind, we chose one for you to try and we think you’ll like it very much.

Midori Sour

1 1/2 ounces Midori Melon Liqueur
1 ounce vodka (we used Absolut)
2 ounces sour mix (Recipe below.  Yes, we make our own sour mix)
1 1/2 ounces lime juice
a dash of Sprite or other carbonated lemon-lime soda

Combine first 4 ingredients and pour over ice.  Top with soda and garnish with a cherry if you feel so inclined.

Sour mix

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

Combine sugar and water in sauce pan and bring to a boil to dissolve sugar.  Let cool.  Juice citrus fruits and strain in to syrup to remove the pulp.  

Wow.  Imagine a pitcher of these on the sundeck this summer.  Nothing wrong with that.

Looks like we should be charging the "Sprite" people for advertising!

Next up is David Wolowidnyk’s (soon to be of Botanist fame) Melon Crush Cocktail.  We got this recipe out of the BC Liquor Store’s Taste magazine.  You can view them online right here.

Melon Crush Cocktail
by David Wolowidnyk 2017.
Taken from Taste Magazine Spring 2017.

1 1/2 ounce Bacardi Maestro Rum
1 ounce Bols Melon Liqueur (but we used Midori!)
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
8 green grapes plus extra for garnish.  (Garnish is optional)
1 melon slice for garnish (again, optional)

Place grapes in a cocktail shaker and muddle well.  Add rum, melon liqueur and lime juice and shake with ice until very cold.  Double strain over new ice into a collins glass and garnish with grapes or melon slice if you like.  (We used grapes)

This is a great drink.  The flavours are nicely balanced and it doesn’t come off as sweet as the Midori Sour.  If you really want to impress Mr. Wolowidnyk, when Botanist opens up, order one of these and say you heard about it on “The Gentlemen of Elegant Leisure” podcast!

Cheers!

There's grapes in the bottom of them glasses! I swear!