Steampunk intoxicant beverages

[CorneliaCarton]

A fuzzy navel 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

A shot of Peach schnapps
A shot of orange juice
Lemonade

[Maj. Clive Hathaway]

Posted this elsewhere but thought i'd re- post here...

The weekend before last we were expecting quite a bit of snow to be dumped on us. Naturally i invited my closest chums to come over and brave the weather together at my place of residence. My friend M. Logan had the good forsight to bring along a bottle of absinthe for us to sample through the long, cold nights and idle white days.
For our experiment, we purchased a bottle of Grande Absente,  a mark which boasts that its product is made according to original recipes popular in the Provence region of S. France during the Belle Epoque. (Though, thankfully, the recipe is devoid of coal oil or any other industrial byproducts that were all the rage at the time).

Most notably, Grande is made with the infamous botanical Wormwood, supposedly the key ingredient that gives absinthe its mythical halucinogenic qualities. Having done my own researches into the topic (Including a few field tests in Amsterdam and Paris while on holiday a few years ago) i can safely say that the any psychoactive qualities attributed to absinthe are largely false, (or unobtainable without the aformentioned industrial waste products) and it is my deduction that the great backlash society had against absinthe was due largely to the bohemians extensive use and abuse of the spirit.
Regardless, there are a few things about absinthe that sets it apart from other aperitifs. To put it succinctly, absinthe is to liquor as hi- test race fuel is to petrol. (Grande Absente is 138 proof, though you'd never tell by the taste alone!)

Imbibing enough of the spirt (2-3 mixed cocktails, for me) brings on quite quickly a sort of extreme drunkeness, but a singular drunkeness in which none of the normal faculties are overly affected. A functional drunkeness, i call it. Whereas in an equally drunken state (achieved by, say, strong drams of whiskey or gin,) i am inclined to slur my words, stumble and have visual impairment, (decidedly UN-functional) after taking 3 absinthe cocktails i found myself to be wildly drunk but still coherent and able to walk, talk and interact with others without looking or acting like a fool. A very extreme, functional drunkeness that came upon me quickly and was easliy maintained by slowly sipping more of the concoction. In a word, delightful.
We spent some time experimenting with different mixes and cocktail recipes. I know from prior experiences that absinthe mixes quite good with gingerale, the subtle flavor of ginger playing off quite well against the licorice- spiciness of absinthe. But for this experiment i wanted to try something a little different. I have a particularly good ginger tea, (fantastic to serve over ice) made from pure chopped ginger root. This i brewed then mixed in a glass with soda water to make my own quite strong ginger- soda. Next i prepared a dram of absinthe by pouring it through 3 sugar cubes into a glass. Following this, i lit the sugar on fire so as to caramelize it. Do not, and i cannot stress this enough, do not light the absinthe itself on fire. All this serves to do is burn off the alchohol content and makes you have to drink twice as much. Burning the sugar, however, gives the cocktail a nice caramelized sugar taste to it after it is mixed in.

Delicious.

Next i took the tea and soda mix and added an equal part of the sweetened absinthe, poured into a tall glass over crushed ice. The result was a highly refreshing and extremely potent cocktail i would recommend to anyone, even those who have an aversion to anise and other traditional liqourice flavors. The addition of the strong ginger tea and the light and bubbly soda water make for a unique and tasty result. Give it a try sometime, i believe you'll be pleasantly surprised!

http://grandeabsinthe.net/home.html

[Miles (a sailor)Martin]

been trying a few local brews now that i am in the chesapeke bay area ones thayt aren't avalable in the west ,and so far the "Heavy Seas"  brews from the Clippership brewing co. are my favorite.
 Gotta Love that pirate on the label

[LizerSparkes]

*Snip snip*Following this, i lit the sugar on fire so as to caramelize it. Do not, and i cannot stress this enough, do not light the absinthe itself on fire. All this serves to do is burn off the alchohol content and makes you have to drink twice as much. Burning the sugar, however, gives the cocktail a nice caramelized sugar taste to it after it is mixed in.

I'm inclined to be rather leary of lighting the sugar on fire should I ever have the chance to partake of absinthe... Mosly because I am a tad accident prone, and partially because I have read elsewhere that one should never burn the sugar... though that, I believe quite firmly, is someone else's opinion.

As for my choice of inebriating beverages, I admit, I have a sweet tooth, and one of my favorite 'sweet' beverages is blueberry wine... though I won't say no to a margarita (or three)... and I have been known to imbibe a concoction that, while modern in design, has roots in older spirits... Equal parts Jack Daniel's and Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, in a highball of cola. I am also fond of brandy in cola, as well as Guinness, as long as it's not too cold (I have sensitive teeth, and will let my Guinness sit for a few minutes so it's not so bitterly cold.) ... And I'm always wlling to try anything at least once.

[Eisenbahner]

May not be Steampunk but Tequila is my drink of choice preferably Jose Cuervo.

[Camillia du Chine]

Depending upon season, weather, hour of day... 

Gin & Tonic for summers - If I get to choose, it's Gordon's gin (I LIKE the taste of juniper) and Canada Dry tonic water as Schweppes is too sweet, hearty squeeze and thick chunk of lime.  OR  B&B on the rocks, especially in the evenings. Mimosas or Pimms in fresh squeezed OJ for brunches, home-made liqueurs in champagne for special moments. This years basil vodka is amazing!

Winter is a Red Russian (equal parts or 2:1 vodka to Tia Maria) on the rocks.  OR a small glass of Ouzo with a dash of hot water in it. Store-bought non-dairy eggnog with fresh nutmeg and B&B for the holidays OR Asti Spumanti. 

There is a brand of mead we just love - Camelot label, Orange Blossom Honey.  Not too sweet or syrupy, can taste the orange blossom and honey quite clearly!

[Mister Greyshade]

May not be Steampunk but Tequila is my drink of choice preferably Jose Cuervo.

Cactus whiskey is pretty Wierd West if you ask me. Therefore it is steampunk. Much more so than say an appletini or some other silly modern drink. No offense to people who like appletinis. They just don't have the pre-prohibition feel that inspired this thread. Never had one actually. Can't get past the name.

[von Corax]

There's considerable discussion on the topic in the thread Absinthe, the Green Fairy, so I'll just make two comments here:

For our experiment, we purchased a bottle of Grande Absente,  a mark which boasts that its product is made according to original recipes popular in the Provence region of S. France during the Belle Epoque. (Though, thankfully, the recipe is devoid of coal oil or any other industrial byproducts that were all the rage at the time).
Most notably, Grande is made with the infamous botanical Wormwood, supposedly the key ingredient that gives absinthe its mythical halucinogenic qualities...

As I understand it, if it isn't made with some variety of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) then it isn't absinthe, no matter what the label may claim.

*Snip snip*Following this, i lit the sugar on fire so as to caramelize it. Do not, and i cannot stress this enough, do not light the absinthe itself on fire. All this serves to do is burn off the alchohol content and makes you have to drink twice as much. Burning the sugar, however, gives the cocktail a nice caramelized sugar taste to it after it is mixed in.

I'm inclined to be rather leary of lighting the sugar on fire should I ever have the chance to partake of absinthe... Mosly because I am a tad accident prone, and partially because I have read elsewhere that one should never burn the sugar... though that, I believe quite firmly, is someone else's opinion.

Again, this is my understanding of things: the "burning sugar-cube" ritual was introduced quite recently by the Czech makers of Bohemian-style absinth (note the different spelling). Some say the taste of burnt sugar completely obscures the flavour of the beverage. Some say that, in the case of Czech absinths, this is not a bad thing...

[The-Geared-Gentlemen]

Grog. That is if the bartender knows how to make it. Too often I have to explain the darned thing to them. Then again many dont have the taste for it. But I am suspicious of any drink thats too good or too smooth. Those usually lead to me waking up in odd places, at odd hours, and not remembering how I got there. Then again at least I have never missed an underway or duty because of it......

[Puck]

Could someone tell me what does absinthe taste like?

I avoid alcohol for a variety of reasons, the main one being I'm underage, so I can't exactly buy a bottle and try it for myself.

Since it's such a popular Steampunk beverage, I couldn't help but be curious as to what it tasted like. And please don't answer with "anise" because I haven't the faintest inkling what that tastes like. Compare it to a more common taste, please. Thank you.

[Micki]

...a dandelion and burdock! Mmmm...

[Camillia du Chine]

Could someone tell me what does absinthe taste like?

I avoid alcohol for a variety of reasons, the main one being I'm underage, so I can't exactly buy a bottle and try it for myself.

Since it's such a popular Steampunk beverage, I couldn't help but be curious as to what it tasted like. And please don't answer with "anise" because I haven't the faintest inkling what that tastes like. Compare it to a more common taste, please. Thank you.

Anise, Ouzo, Absinthe, Galliano (sorta)... think Black Licorice.  For Absinthe, think thin, bitter black licorice.  If you like salty black fish or salty black cat licorice, you might like Absinthe. 

[Major Wolfram Quicksilver]

Could someone tell me what does absinthe taste like?

I avoid alcohol for a variety of reasons, the main one being I'm underage, so I can't exactly buy a bottle and try it for myself.

Since it's such a popular Steampunk beverage, I couldn't help but be curious as to what it tasted like. And please don't answer with "anise" because I haven't the faintest inkling what that tastes like. Compare it to a more common taste, please. Thank you.

Anise, Ouzo, Absinthe, Galliano (sorta)... think Black Licorice.  For Absinthe, think thin, bitter black licorice.  If you like salty black fish or salty black cat licorice, you might like Absinthe. 

Turpentine.

[Puck]

Could someone tell me what does absinthe taste like?

I avoid alcohol for a variety of reasons, the main one being I'm underage, so I can't exactly buy a bottle and try it for myself.

Since it's such a popular Steampunk beverage, I couldn't help but be curious as to what it tasted like. And please don't answer with "anise" because I haven't the faintest inkling what that tastes like. Compare it to a more common taste, please. Thank you.

Anise, Ouzo, Absinthe, Galliano (sorta)... think Black Licorice.  For Absinthe, think thin, bitter black licorice.  If you like salty black fish or salty black cat licorice, you might like Absinthe. 

Good God, really? By the looks of it I expected it would taste a bit more... perfumey. Or flowery.

[BrassNSteelProductions]

Figure'd I'd chime in on one of my favorite subjects;Liquid Time Aversion!

A few classic drink's I've discovered to be simple yet delicious-

Brandy/seltzer or soda
Scotch straight
bourbon/water
sweet vermouth on ice(particular tastebud warning)
The old western(shot of whiskey and ale)
vodka/tonic

And for those day's you feel like a strong tea
chai, lemon tea(served hot), mint tea, chamomille, or my personal favorite; EARL GREY STRAIGHT! yummmmm..... only 9 p.m...not too late to sneak a glass hehe.

[Miles (a sailor)Martin]

a shot of spiced rum in a cuppa Sleepytime hearbal tea has been helping me sleep lately .

[Birdnest]

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Barley Wine.   Ahhhhh, the flammable malty hoppy goodness that is Barley Wine.

We've got a great producer of Mead 'round here ... very tasty stuff, but sends me into sugar shock!

I do enjoy the occasional Whiskey.  straight up, in a small water glass (keeps me slightly skanky).

..... Absynthe .... hmmmmm .... *looks at fields of wormwood*

[Miss Ardith Algor]

Ardith does not stride purposely into the saloon, nor does she quiver on her way to the bar with a shuffling step. As much as she is reluctant to step into such a place--what with being to young to drink spirits of any kind--, Ramm will not be done repairing the aeroship for another hour, and both of them have grown thirsty. She briskly walks through the din of the other patrons, dodging curious glances and wandering hands. Stopping at the bar, she smiles shyly to a lady sipping tea, peppermint from what little scent that has made its way through the haze. At least she will not be the only one without an alcoholic drink.

"Bartender, one fruit nectar please"

xxxxxxxxxx

I couldn't help myself, you set it up like a story, and i had to continue...

a fruit nectar is a mix of water, orange juice, lemon juice, pineapple juice, and sugar served over ice (http://thefoody.com/hdrinks/fruitnectar.html)

[lady_brooklyn]

Heated Silk (soy) eggnog with a splash of spiced rum is just what I need in the wintry months. 
Or my new discovery, the gimlet (made with Bombay Sapphire, of course).

[megmoira]

Could someone tell me what does absinthe taste like?

I avoid alcohol for a variety of reasons, the main one being I'm underage, so I can't exactly buy a bottle and try it for myself.

Since it's such a popular Steampunk beverage, I couldn't help but be curious as to what it tasted like. And please don't answer with "anise" because I haven't the faintest inkling what that tastes like. Compare it to a more common taste, please. Thank you.

Anise, Ouzo, Absinthe, Galliano (sorta)... think Black Licorice.  For Absinthe, think thin, bitter black licorice.  If you like salty black fish or salty black cat licorice, you might like Absinthe. 

Good God, really? By the looks of it I expected it would taste a bit more... perfumey. Or flowery.

Hi Puck,
Nope, absinthe is not so flowery. (But if you've ever walked open mouthed thru a perfume cloud... yuk >_<) Absinthe is a herbal + licorice flavor. Sambuca is flavored something like the licorice altoids. Jagermeister is flavored like a riccola cough drop. If you'd like a non-alcoholic flavor approximation of Pernod, which is an absinthe substitute (from while the ban was in effect, no wormwood if I understand correctly,) crumble one half of a licorice altoid with a whole riccola cough drop, and rehydrate with a tablespoon of strong astringent brew of linden flower tea or plain water. This won't get you the whole flavor, but it should be as close as you can get without the bitterness of the herbs & alcohol. I find it to be quite the acquired taste.

But to answer the original question, my winter beverage is a hot toddy, made with Tazo's Wild Sweet Orange tea & American Honey (or Wild Turkey & honey, if it's not available) and for the summertime I brew a lavender flavored wheat beer with orange peel. Very flowery & feminine, surprisingly refreshing.

[Tyrant Seabear]

I'm glad to see mead has been mentioned, fantastic stuff.
Golden Glory (Badger brewery) is quite possibly my favourite beer, very light and summery, I enjoy it often (when the father isn't stealing my stash, of course!)
I've recently been exposed to this wonderful tipple called Rochester Dickensian Recipe Ginger (non alcoholic).
It certainly lives up to its promise of having "the kick of two very angry mules" - perfect for rousing any crew members losing their wits!

[Miles (a sailor)Martin]

AHH Ginger beer, what a wonderful fire killer for overspiced jerk chicken... miles

[Dr. Euphonic]

I rarely imbibe these days, but when I do, it's more often than not a vodka tonic.  Back in college I was pretty fond of making a an alcoholic milkshake made with vanilla ice cream, a banana, rum, and a cap of Triple Sec for good measure - we called it a Monkey's Uncle.  When the urge takes me, absinthe. 

A note, any absinthe produced or imported into the U.S. must denature the wormwood-derived opiates as a condition of sale.  Observations therefore about the efficacy of absinthe vended in the U.S. as far as purported hallucinations, etc. are obviously going to be off   I can't say that the mass-produced stuff in Europe is much better.  I have tried home-made absinthe made by someone I trust (and inspected the recipe) and it was much more efficacious than anything I've tried that was mass-marketed.  No, it wasn't for sale, just personal consumption   Sorry to disappoint!

In any event, my drink of choice nowadays is a hot cup of tea

[groomporter]

A recent study found that even in vintage absinthe the thujone levels were much lower than previously speculated.
http://www.thujone.info/thujone-absinthe-39.html

[SteamFreak]

Crown Royal and Coca cola