Post #710924 by Destro100 on Wed, Mar 12, 2014 7:08 AM

Good but not tiki:

Drink 45: Mariposa Fizz

Ingredients I used:

Fresh lemon juice
Simple syrup
Marie Brizard Creme De Cacao
Hayman's Old Tom Gin
Egg white
Orange flower water
Soda Water

The "Fizz" is a style of drink that dates back to early 20th century but really became famous with the New Orleans' Ramos Gin Fizz. The drink usually uses a combination of an egg white and carbonation to create a distinctive foamy top and a unique fizzy texture. Orange flower water is often added as an additional accent.

The Mariposa fizz is different in that the gin quantity is lowered, the acidity is slightly lowered, and the usual simple syrup sweetener is replaced with a combination of creme de cacao and simple syrup. I enjoyed it very much and found the addition of creme de cacao to be a wonderful new take on the classic. In truth, I upped the Cacao another 1/4 ounce; I just didn't really taste it at first. Do not fear - it will not make the drink too sweet. I still prefer the Ramos and Sloe gin variations of this drink, but this was a nice change.

I opted for Hayman's Old Tom Gin. This is a great example of the classic Old Tom Gin style that was popular pre-prohibition. It's a style of gin that showcases less of a juniper flavor up front and is also ever so-slightly sweetened. Hayman's is a very affordable version of an Old Gin, BUT if you can afford it, try Ransom Old Tom Gin. It's about $10 more than Hayman's but might be worth it. They actually age the gin for a short while, developing the smoothness and character of the flavor from the barrel.

Make sure you shake this up as much as possible to achieve the right look and taste. My photo is a terrible example of what it should look like. I waited too long to snap a picture.

My personal rating: ***1/2 (3.5) out of ***** (5)

SCORECARD:

4.5 ALMOST PERFECT - 1 drink so far
Chief Lapu Lapu

4 - EXCELLENT - 9 drinks and counting
Colonel Beach's Plantation Punch /Aurora Bora Borealis / Outrigger / Bourbon Special / Beachcomber's Gold (Hollywood and Palm Springs) / Hell in the Pacific / Krakatoa / La Florida / Tortuga

3.5 - VERY GOOD - 13 drinks and counting
Beachcomber's Punch / Coronado Luau Special / Hawaii Kai Treasure / Coconaut / Castaway (slightly modified) / Don's Special Daiquiri / Banana Daiquiri / Captain's Grog / Viking Fog Cutter / Navy Grog / Hurricane / Lani-Honi / Mariposa Fizz

3 - GOOD - 11 drinks and counting
Eastern Sour / Astro Aku Aku / Kapu Kai / Western Sour / Beachcomber's Gold (Waikiki) / Red Tide / Samoan Fog Cutter / Gold Cup / Headhunter / Fogg Cutter / Noa Noa

2.5 - ABOVE AVERAGE - 4 drinks and counting
Jasper's Jamaican / Derby Daiquiri / Carioca Hawaiian Cocktail / Hawaiian Room

2 - AVERAGE - 6 drinks and counting
Beachcomber's Gold (Chicago) / Lychee Nut Daiquiri / Fog Cutter / Von Tiki / Planet of the Apes / Rum Runner

1.5 - BELOW AVERAGE - 1 drink and hopefully not too many more
Boo Loo

[ Edited by: Destro100 2014-03-12 07:12 ]