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Tiki Central / Tiki Drinks and Food / A Spiritous Journey through Remixed - From the Astro Aku Aku to the Zadaran Storm

Post #716901 by Destro100 on Wed, May 14, 2014 7:30 AM

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Drink 54: 151 Swizzle

Ingredients I used:

Fresh lime juice
Simple Syrup (1.5 - 1 sugar to water ratio)
151 Lemonhart
Angostura Bitters
Pernod

This is my type of drink. I admit that I tend to prefer stronger drinks than most people; especially my wife, who has more of a sweet tooth. Therefore, while I may really enjoy this drink, I would probably never serve this to friends or guests unless they specifically asked for it. It has a very particular flavor profile that others may not appreciate. It probably won't appeal to those looking for a fruity, sweet, or exotic drink.

It is a strong rum drink that tastes like a strong rum drink. With one and a half ounces of 151, you are really drinking closer to 3 ounces of a normal rum. Couple the 151 with the flavors of Angostura and Pernod, and this drink might actually taste even stronger than its alcoholic content would have you believe. That being said, I cannot imagine another rum filling in for the Lemonhart. I did notice that the recipe actually calls for either Lemonhart or El Dorado 151, and this confuses me. I don't have El Dorado 151 but I did notice that it was a translucent white rum when I saw it in the store. I'm not sure how a white rum, regardless of strength, can capture the smoky rich flavor of Lemonhart 151. Any opinions?

The lime juice helps bring the bitters and Pernod together for a sour-bitter backdrop that works well off the smoky bold Demerara flavor that first hits your palette. The simple syrup helps tame the alcoholic assault on the senses, and the cinnamon and nutmeg add another aromatic and delicate flavor element to the drink. Swizzling with the cinnamon stick keeps the drink nicely mixed and adds a hint of cinnamon flavor

This drink is carefully balanced. The proportions and ingredients are to be carefully measured and chosen if the imbiber intends to capture the authentic 151 Swizzle experience. Even the ice is essential. The taste changes and mellows as the ice dilutes and the drink takes on a new level of complexity. This drink is deceptively simple but very tasty and well-thought out. Enjoy and proceed with caution.

My personal rating: **** (4) out of ***** (5)

SCORECARD:

4.5 ALMOST PERFECT - 3 drinks so far
Chief Lapu Lapu / Kikuya Lapu / Mai Tai (Trader Vic)

4 - EXCELLENT - 11 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 / Mai Tai Swizzle / 151 Swizzle

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 - 14 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 / Aku Aku Lapu / Mai Tai (Royal Hawaiian) / Missionary's Downfall

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 - 2 drinks and hopefully not too many more
Boo Loo / Royal Daiquiri