Episode 54 - If I Had a Hammer . . .

The Pete Seeger/Lee Hays song says, “If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning.  I’d hammer in the evening.  All over this land.”   This is why they were great song writers but lousy neighbours.  You’re going to hammer in the morning AND the evening?  How many pictures are you hanging?  If I was their neighbour and I had a hammer, I’d trade it for a cocktail shaker, and make these two terrific tool time tipples just to cope with the endless cacophony.  The Rusty Nail and the Velvet Hammer!

Both of these drinks are taken from Trader Vic’s Pacific Island Cookbook which was published by Doubleday and Company, Inc. way back in 1968.  50 years ago this very night (if you happen to be reading this on that anniversary.  I have no idea what month or day it actually came out.)

They are listed in the “Drinks” section under “San Francisco Favorites” and with any luck, they will soon be among your favorites too.

Let’s start with the Rusty Nail.  Only two ingredients are required here.  Scotch and Drambuie. Drambuie is a scotch based liqueur that also has honey, herbs and spices.  Nothing wrong with that!

Rusty Nail
-this recipe from Trader Vic's Pacific Island Cookbook, 1968.

1 ounce scotch
1/2 ounce Drambuie

Pour into an old-fashioned glass with cracked ice and stir.

This drink seems to call for big leather chairs, dim lighting and high bookshelves.  Maybe even a cigar in the vicinity.  You don’t have to smoke it, you just have to see it.  Try making this sweetish, scotchy drink and you’ll see what I mean.  We made it with a single malt scotch called Royal Brackla.  It is a fantastic single malt and probably too good to use in a mixed drink but what the heck.  The scotch itself is not a big smoky, peaty campfire tasting scotch, but instead a little sweeter, smooth and has flavours of caramel, fruit and butter.  That’s what so great about this drink.  You can try it with all sorts of different scotches and each time the drink will be different.

Plus we used GIANT ice cubes!

Next up is the Velvet Hammer.  Trader Vic says this is an after dinner drink and it probably would suit that time of the evening very well.  Especially with all that hammering from Pete Seeger!  If you like Terry’s Chocolate Orange, you’re probably going to like this drink as well.  It calls for evaporated milk which is milk that has had 60% of it’s water removed.  It’s thicker consistency makes for a really delightful creaminess.  As a bonus, if you add 60% water back to it, you’ve got milk!  Magic!

Velvet Hammer
-this recipe from Trader Vic's Pacific Island Cookbook, 1968.

3/4 ounce evaporated milk
1/2 ounce white creme de cacao
1/2 ounce Cointreau

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker.  Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Serve as an after dinner drink.

Mmmm, mmmm, good.  Not too orangey, not too chocolately, not too creamy and not too boozy.  Just about perfect.  The drink is as white as snow too. You could even grate a some chocolate on top for a little contrast. Maybe pull this drink out at a black and white themed party, or Christmas. 
Actually, just make it tonight and see what you think of it.  We thought it was great!

Mary had a little drink, that was as white as snow, and everywhere that Mary went . . . Pete Seeger was hammering! Always with the hammering, this guy!

Yes, the Velvet Hammer was just about perfect, and then Fred had an idea.  What if we added Drambuie to the Velvet Hammer?  What would that be like?  And just like that, a brand new drink was created live on the show!  The Drambuie, gave the drink a light golden colour, and added a neat touch of spice. 
We named it on the spot and we now present to you, our loyal readers/listeners, the Rusty Hammer!

The Rusty Hammer
by the Gentlemen of Elegant Leisure 2018

3/4 ounce Drambuie
3/4 ounce evaporated milk
1/2 ounce white creme de cacao
1/2 ounce Cointreau

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker.  Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Look at it's creamy, golden hue.  What a happy occurrence.  Please make one and then leave a comment with your thoughts on this drink. 

Until next time, be a Gentleman of Elegant Leisure and . . . TIP BIG!



Oh!  Here's a clip of the show itself to tantalize you to listen to the whole thing!