Wet Your Whistle Wednesday - Vol.1 Issue 1

So today I'm beginning a new edition on Dave's Thoughts called Wet Your Whistle Wednesday which will provide you various alcohol flavor recommendations for you to savor. From my favorites, to drinks I sample while taking in the single, (er hem) 30 year old entertainment and nite life, while traveling, or that I enjoy from the comforts of my couch. When possible, I'll post (with permission) a picture of the bartender who made the drink, the club/restaurant/bar where the drink was served and or the drink itself. I'll provide a rating based on the following:

1. Alcohol Taste Density (ATD): How much can you taste the alcohol in the drink. 5 stars for high alcohol taste. 1 star for a fruity drink.
   
2. Drink Impact (DI): How many of the drink does it take for me to get a good buzz? 5 stars for 1 drink or if the DI is what I call a "Whoa" drink; you know, you drink a few because they taste like watermelon water ice and 20 minutes later, you have a hard time standing. 1 star if they are so lite, or watered down, that after a good number of drinks you want something different. This can also happen if there is too much ice in the drink; I'll get to that rating item later.....


3. Drink Quality (DQ): How tasteful is the drink? Does it taste like a cherry dipped in gasoline because the bartender mixed it wrong? This is how well I am likely to order another one of these drinks or recommend this drink to someone I know would order this "kind" of drink. 5 stars for a great tasting drink. 1 star for a crappy drink. 1 star should be hard to get with a bartender in a quality place.


4. Intangibles (I): Do you hate lime, yet your drink keeps coming with lime in it? Is the bartender smoking hot? Is the bar a dive bar you wouldn't risk getting so drunk that you might find yourself barefoot in? Are you at a strip club? This is an experience rating. Crappy service, dirt stains get you 1 star. Hot bartenders, great service gets 5 stars.

Ratings 1 & 2 will always be presented.
But 3 & 4 may not be applicable all the time.

The inaugural edition of Wet Your Whistle Wednesday starts with my favorite drink, Rum and Coke. This isn't just any rum and coke; it's a Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum and coke. This goes great to start the night off at a club or if you are sitting at home on the deck on a cool fall night with a fire going. My favorite way to make a rum and coke is as follows:

• 1/3 glass of ice


• 80% Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum


• 20% Coke


• Lightly shaken with a lime
  (BUT REMOVE THE LIME BEFORE SERVING!)

Made properly, a rum and coke will warm your belly and stoke your mind; making relaxing second nature. If you're in the club, you'll find "captain courage" will soon have you kicking game to the hottest women in the place or out on the dance floor performing moves you didn't know you could even do. If you're home, you'll be listening to the firepit send crackle after crackle from its core as you blow cigar smoke into the air. The captain will take care of you, but don't abuse him. He'll rock your boat faster than you can say "Iceberg dead ahead!!"

Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum & Coke Rating:

Alcohol Taste Density:
Oh, you'll taste a well made rum and coke. If it tastes like you're drinking a coke at a family barbeque, send it back and get it made right. It should also have a whisper of lime tailing each sip.

Drink Impact:
A few of these and you'll be buzzing pretty good. If you want a real kick, get a "double rum & coke". Well made, it should boost it to a 90-10 drink and both ATD and DI will be a pulsating 5 stars. But hold on to something. A few too many and someone will be yelling "man overboard!". And I promise the next splash you hear will be the sound of chunks landing - hopefully in a safe place :-)