Episode 52 - Portland Cocktails - A G of EL Roadtrip!

That's right, a couple of the Gents went to Portland for a few days and brought back wonders from the far . . . not east . .  but maybe wonders of the central Pacific coast?  But inland?  You get the idea. 
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The great thing about the city of Portland is that no matter where you go, you're going to have good food and good drink. The people are really nice too! On their first night, Gents Fred and Jason popped into Clyde Common. The first drink that jumped out at Jason was called, "Bourban Renewal". Great name right? Upon returning home, Jason found the recipe on line at jeffreymorgenthaler.com
Jeff is the bar manager at Clyde Common and created this drink to commemorate a band that his business partner was in.  You can read about it right here. 

Bourbon Renewal
by Jeffrey Morgenthaler 2004

2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce creme de cassis
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 dash Angostura bitters

Shake ingredients with ice and strain over fresh ice into an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge, or, if in season, fresh currants.


Does this not look like a wonderful thing?  Make it!  It is!  Creme de Cassis is black currant liqueur. and couples so nicely with the tartness from the lemon. It's a zingy bourbon blast and it would be the perfect drink to drink all summer long. So we will. Please check out Jeff's website for more recipes and also have a look at his new stuff that's available from Cocktail Kingdom.

Betcha can't wait to try this!

On their final night in Portland, Gentleman Fred wasn't feeling very well, but that didn't stop him from ordering a Paloma at the Matador.  It did stop him from drinking it however.  Since the Gents were recreating drinks from the trip, Fred thought he should whip up a Paloma for us to try and as a second chance for himself.
This is the way he did it:
 
Paloma

2 ounces Ilegal Mezcal Joven
2 ounces grapefruit juice
1.5 ounces lime juice
½ ounce agave syrup
Club soda
Pinch of salt
 
Shake in a cocktail shaker and pour into a Collins glass with a few cubes of fresh ice.  Top with 2 to 3 ounces of chilled club soda
¼ round grapefruit slice garnish
 
Fred adds , "In Mexico they usually use Tequila and Jarritos grapefruit soda, but I couldn’t find any and we always prefer original flavours.  This is still a bit tart – you could up the sugar (agave) to get a sweeter cocktail.  Simple syrup can be used instead of agave."

This drink is another winner.  The only thing a little tricky for the average drinker in this drink is the inclusion of Mezcal.  Tequila and Mezcal are both made from agave but the process is different.  While the agave for tequila is roasted in above ground ovens, the agave for tequila is roasted over hot coals in earthen pits.  This smoky cooking environment carries over in to the spirit and the smoke comes through in a big way.  Big enought that if one wasn't prepared for the smoke, one could be a little put off.  If you're concerned, make the drink with Tequila and prepare to have a new favourite drink.  Either way this sweet and sour, fizzy grapefruit cocktail is a great way to use either spirit.  If you'd like to know more about the relationship between Tequila and Mezcal, click right here.

Bring on the heat wave!

Finally, if you'd like to recreate the G of EL road trip on your own, here is a list of all the spots we hit!

Kalama McMenamins - This is actually in Washington state, but it's right on the way!
Clyde Common - Excellent cocktails and food in the Ace Hotel in Portland
Rum Club - Stop in here for all your rum cocktail needs.  Try the daily punch.
Eastside Distilling - Here the Gents sampled a little bit of everything.  You should too.
Kenny and Zukes - A hot dog for breakfast?  Yes.  Now. 
Cheryl's on 12th - A breakfast sandwich made out of an apple fritter?  This is the place!
Tasty n Alder - Come for the biscuits.  FRESH BISCUITS!
Hale Pele - Everything a tiki bar should be.  Excellent drinks.  Fire effects.  Smoke!
Salt and Straw - All kinds of wonderful ice cream.  We went twice.
Powell's Books - Almost every book you've ever wanted.  Like the library at Alexandria with sales!
The Matador - Mexican food in a great environment.  Check out the giant windows!
The Kennedy School - Nobody does it better than the McMenamin brothers.  Multiple bars, a movie theatre and a soaking pool and a hotel all in an old elementary school.  Perfect.
Burgermaster - We went to the one in Mount Vernon.  Try the Tom and Jerry milkshake.
Fat Pie - Three iconic pizza styles in fantastic Fairhaven, Washington.
Nick's Coney Island - I wish I had an Old-Fashioned Dog right now.  Love that slaw!

See you next time!