If there is one thing I’ve discovered along this mixology mission I’ve set myself on, is that with a basic set of bar staples, you can craft an almost limitless number of tasty concoctions. With that in mind, it was tough to come to a decision on what to make this week. With the exception of bourbon or rye (of which I plan on rectifying soon), I have plenty of bases and mixers, which leads to indecisiveness. After thinking it over, I decided the Miyako Hotel Special from The Gentleman’s Companion fit the bill for a drink this week. Apologies if it seems I’ve been going to the Charles Baker well too many times, but the man was an amazing wordsmith, and his book is amazing, as I have mentioned before.
The Miyako Hotel Special (from Kyoto Japan)
1 Jigger (1.5 oz) Dry Gin
1 Jigger (1.5 oz) Cointreau
1 Pony (.5 oz) Fresh pineapple juice
.5 Pony (.25 oz) Lemon or lime juice
Shake with finely cracked ice, and pour into a tall four ounce cocktail glass with stem. It is fairly sweet, so step up lemon a trifle and cut down pineapple, if preferred.
Why did I decide on this one? The citrus from the lemon (or lime) and the crispness of the pineapple seemed like it would fit the trend of hot weather drinking. Of which, will be continuing over the summer. It certainly is a summery drink. As Mr. Baker notes, the drink is sweet, but not cloyingly so, which is nice. I personally am wary of overly sweet drinks, and avoid them like the plague. I definitely want to make it again. I plan on keeping the rations the same, except for swapping lime for lemon and seeing how the flavor changes. Baker also suggests increasing the citrus juice while decreasing the pineapple juice to taste.
The drink itself has a citrus front, with hints of orange at the end. If I had to describe the back end of the flavor, I would compare it to a creamsicle almost, which I know sounds odd, but it works. Trust me. The flavor of the gin (Bombay Sapphire) is not up front, but you can definitely tell the booze is there. To sum up, The Miyako Hotel Special categorize is a solid summer afternoon day drinker, or a pre-dinner drink due to the brightness of the flavors. Skip mixing this one once dinner is served.
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I had a couple of these at a bar in San Fransisco several years ago and the next morning felt like the USS Arizona on Dec. 8th, 1941.
Wet?
and capsized.
*left this open for the “many dead seamen in your hold.”
I’m afraid this will give me The Vapors.
You really think so?
I’ve got your picture, I’ve got your picture
I want a doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
Now that’s stalking!
I came for the Bill Parcells jokes, and there are none. SMDH.
I will 100% make this tonight, I have all of those things!
I thought I put it right over the plate. I expected Hemingway shotgun jokes last week and was sadly disappointed.
“What can you do about being disappointed by Ernest Hemingway?”
–Margaux
Deep cut.
Pillhead old man happy discovery of the day – #BFIB are playing Bastard Man Small Bears at 2:20 EST, so I can safely plan to be asleep by 8 or so.
I wonder if you could sub mango for pineapple? Yet another Hippo weirdness, I hate pineapple.
Don’t see why not. As long as it doesn’t fight with the citrus you should be good.
You hate pineapple? Let me guess, you were team tagalong in the Great Cookie Wars, too.
No, I also hate coconut.
LOVE Thin Mints, but they are a migraine trigger
Tagalongs are chocolate and peanut butter. Samoas are the coconut ones and the only right side to be on in the Cookie Wars. Savage.
Ooh, pineapples are on sale, so I may have to try this with fresh juice!
Do it up! I used canned, but it still got the job done
Skip mixing this one once dinner is served.
This guy doesn’t appreciate how these cocktails with juice in them ARE dinner. And stave off scurvy.
I’m fat enough now that I am going back to the juice diet. So this adds up.
All Andy Reid read was “fat enough now” and now he’s looking into the cooking times for Hippo brisket.
This is valuable health advice right here.