Post #252954 by thinkingbartender on Thu, Sep 7, 2006 5:15 PM

Hakalugi,

Yes I have tasted them all, why would I offer my opinion otherwise? With the 8 years of cocktail bartending I have under my belt I am qualified enough for the point I am making.

Orange Curacao in one drink is not that far from the Cointreau in the other, once again the same is true of the orgeat/ falernum.

Bartenders do not look at the differences in most products, but are usually more concerned with the similarities. If you focus on the similarities of ingredients it is easier to use them in other recipes, as you will have used them before, or at least something similar.

When bartenders start constructing recipes for new bar menus or cocktail competitions they always go for combinations/ recipes that they are comfortable with. Thats just how bartenders are, there is no use re-inventing the wheel. Or maybe its just laziness!-)

I believe that Trader Vic did this too. TV had his favourite combinations of flavours just like every other bartender.

Rum= Babados/ Wray & Nephew 17 year old.
Orange Liqueur= Cointreau/ Orange Curacao.
Almond Syrup= Orgeat/ Falernum.
Lime Juice.
Rock Candy Syrup.

The Mai Tai needed to be sweeter to go with the crushed ice, whereas the B.Y.C, Cocktail had to be dryer as it was being served without ice.

Cheers!

George S.

g.sinclair[at]yahoo.co.uk

http://www.wiki.webtender.com/wiki/