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Amer A. Vargas Mixology Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, April 2020, Let’s Talk about Mixology

Amer A. VargasLet’s Talk about Mixology, Part 54

by Amer A. Vargas

Black Truffle Pear Martini

A Black Truffle Pear Martini, picture (c) by Tim Nusog

As the world’s speed seems to slow down due to almost indiscernible entities, butlers try to stay positive and focus their attention on ways of pleasing others. And one of those ways is, of course, concocting delicious mixes!

In this month’s journey into the world of cocktails, I propose to use some uncommon cocktail ingredients to make something really special. On this occasion, then, we will produce a cocktail using black truffles and truffle essence.

As with previous cocktails, one has to prepare well in advance (many days ahead, in this case) in order to prepare the Black Truffles Martini.

So, first of all, we need to infuse the vodka by adding black truffle slices to your spirit and let it mellow for a minimum of 7 days. The original recipe that we are using today is drawn from the Grey Goose premium vodka website, so we have used their product here; although you can of course use a different premium vodka when you make your own.

This is the amount of the different ingredients you will need:

  • 50 ml./ 1.75 oz. of truffle-infused Grey Goose vodka,
  • 25 ml./ 0.9 oz. of pear nectar,
  • 10 ml./ 0.35 oz. of pear brandy,
  • A spray or two of truffle essence.

And this is how easy it is to prepare: add all the ingredients except for the truffle essence in a shaker with ice cubes and shake firmly for a few seconds; then strain in a chilled Martini glass. Spray with truffle essence and you can even garnish it with a pear fan and dunk it as shown in the picture on this page.

To life that hopefully will soon get-back-to-normal, salud!

As a side note, and in case you wonder, there is record of at least two different venues that have come up  with their own Coronavirus Cocktail, always served with a dose of humor: the New York Post reports here on the case of one Connecticut soda company called Avery Beverages, that has temporarily released a Coronavirus Cocktail, which is nothing but an orange-lime soda and includes a public service announcement on the label that requires customers to “wash your hands”; and Reuters informs us here about the staff of Moscow’s Razvedka Bar who found “a remedy for the growing angst caused by the global Coronavirus outbreak: a colorful cocktail” nicknamed after the virus. The cocktail is served in a glass with two medical syringes containing bright red and bright green liquids. This Coronavirus Cocktail arrived “suddenly, just like the virus itself” and “should be consumed when a person is overtaken by the desire to stock up on toilet paper…”

Smile, and cheers!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Amer A. Vargas Mixology Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, March 2020, Let’s Talk about Mixology

Amer A. VargasLet’s Talk about Mixology, Part 53

by Amer A. Vargas

Peppermint-Lemon Gimlet

As Spring is about to arrive in the northern hemisphere, the days are becoming longer and temperatures warmer. It feels nice to go out wearing fewer layers of clothing and even nicer to spend some time outside with friends and acquaintances, enjoying the clement weather.

This month’s cocktail is one of the simplest one can find, as it only mixes a few very basic ingredients, but we are going to give it a creative final touch by adding a common garnish as well as an uncommon one.

As I said, the recipe is quite simple but if you want to make the most of this cocktail, it calls for some preparation in advance: take 3-4 peppermint leaves and infuse them with 2.5 oz / 70 ml. of vodka for at least 15 minutes (infusions can be started up to 2 days prior).

When the time comes for the cocktail to be served, remove the peppermint leaves from the vodka and place them in a highball or lowball glass together with a few ice cubes; pour the vodka in a shaker together with a tablespoon of simple syrup, the juice of half a lemon and more ice cubes and shake well. Strain into the glass and garnish with a lemon peel or with a lemon slice. Finish by decorating with a colorful and nicely perfumed (preferably edible) flower, like the beautiful white-speckled violet in our photograph on the right.

Enjoy and cheers!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Amer A. Vargas Mixology Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, February 2020, Let’s Talk about Mixology

Amer A. VargasLet’s Talk about Mixology, Part 52

by Amer A. Vargas

Leap Year

The Leap Year Cocktail by shinycolors is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

As the New Year progresses, we arrive at a longer-than-usual February. Yes, 2020 is a leap year, which rewards us with an additional day this month for fun and cocktails!

Did you know that there actually is a cocktail named Leap Year? It was created by barman Harry Craddock on the 29th of February 1928 for the Leap Year celebrations at the Savoy Hotel in London where he worked, and was recorded for the first time in the 1930s cocktail compilation, The Savoy Cocktail Book.

To prepare it you will need:

  • 2 oz/60 ml. Gin (preferably Premium Gin);
  • ½ oz/15 ml. Grand Marnier liqueur (although modern versions call for Triple Sec, like Cointreau);
  • ½ oz/15 ml. sweet vermouth and
  • a couple of dashes (about ¼ oz/7.5 ml.) of fresh lemon juice.

Fill a shaker with ice cubes, put in all the ingredients at once and shake well. Fine strain into a chilled Martini glass and finish by twisting a lemon peel on the cocktail and leaving it on the rim as garnish.

Enjoy the 29 days of February…Cheers!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Amer A. Vargas Mixology Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, January 2020, Let’s Talk about Mixology

Amer A. VargasLet’s Talk about Mixology, Part 51

by Amer A. Vargas

Grapefruit Paloma

Grapefruit Paloma recreation, based on a picture by Isabella Mendes

Happy New Year!

As the holiday season comes to an end with the beginning of the new year, and indeed a new decade, we return to daily routines and most likely have a bag full of good intentions and resolutions – one of which can probably be found on the mind of more than one person: “This year I’m going to lose some weight!”

In case you are one of those, you probably want to take a look at your intake, as well as at your active undertakings. Whilst I leave the second to you, here I propose a low-cal cocktail to keep you enjoying and amusing your palate, while at the same time helping you conquer some of your weight loss goals.

The overall concept here is to try and use freshly squeezed juice instead of pre-processed ones (like most canned or bottled soda drinks, unless you use plain soda, which is basically fizzy water).

This is what you need to prepare the Grapefruit Paloma:

  • Salt flakes
  • a grapefruit wedge
  • 6 cl./2 oz. of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • 6 cl./2 oz. of tequila
  • 6 cl./2 oz. of club soda

And this is how you prepare it: first, put the salt flakes on a plate, rub the rim of the glass with the grapefruit wedge and dip the rim in the salt. Then, combine the grapefruit and lime juices with the sugar in the glass and stir until the sugar has dissolved. This sugar is not meant to sweeten the mix, but to “kill” the bitterness of the grapefruit a bit; if the drinker likes bitter drinks, sugar can be skipped completely. Finally, add the tequila and some ice, stir and top up with the club soda. Finish by garnishing with the grapefruit wedge. And enjoy!

My best wishes to you for success with all your New Year’s resolutions! Cheers! (And remember to exercise!)

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

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Amer A. Vargas Mixology Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, October 2018, Let’s Talk about Mixology

Amer A. VargasLet’s Talk about Mixology, Part 37

by Amer A. Vargas

Thyme Will Tell

Autumn is here, and summer is gone. The happiness of warm summer days filled with sunlight gives way to the relaxed moods of grey skies and breezes caressing the tree leaves. Will this season be as good as the recently departed summer? Thyme Will Tell.
Sorry for the wordplay… this writer couldn’t help it!
In any case, in this month’s edition, we devote our mixology article to an old and not-so-famous cocktail that goes along very well with quiet moods and tranquil environments: the Thyme Will Tell Sour, as presented by our friends from Difford’s Guide for Discerning Drinkers.
The particularity of this cocktail is centered on the herb thyme as one of its key ingredients, which gives the mix a very distinct and aromatic character. To prepare it, we need 1 fresh sprig of thyme (and a second one to use as garnish), 60 ml/2 oz of Bourbon whiskey, 15 ml/½ oz of maple syrup and 5 ml/½ of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
And this is how it’s done: strip the thyme leaves off the stem and muddle them on the bottom of the cocktail shaker. Then fill the shaker with ice, pour in the rest of the ingredients and shake firmly for a few seconds. Next, fill a lowball or old-fashioned glass with ice and pour in the mix, decorating with a twist of lemon zest and a thyme sprig.
This autumn is going to be great, and “thyme” will confirm it. For a great autumn start, cheers!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

 

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Amer A. Vargas Mixology Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, September 2018, Let’s Talk about Mixology

Amer A. VargasLet’s Talk about Mixology, Part 36

Bloody mary

by Amer A. Vargas

On this occasion, we return to classic cocktails to learn a bit more about one of the most famous cocktails worldwide: the Bloody Mary.

This cocktail uses a variety of ingredients and one can add others to offer a more personal and interesting twist.

Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary by Goblinbox (queen-of-ad-hoc-bento)

The basic Bloody Mary requires: 4,5 cl (1,5 oz) of vodka, 9 cl (3 oz) of tomato juice, 1,5 cl (0,5 oz) of lemon juice, 3 dashes of Worcestershire or English sauce, 3 dashes of Tabasco sauce and a pinch of salt and black pepper.

The classic way to prepare this cocktail is in a mixer glass (rather than a cocktail shaker). Fill the mixer glass with ice cubes and add all the ingredients, stirring for a few seconds until condensation on the exterior of the glass confirms the whole mix is really cold.

Decorate the rim of a Collins glass by dipping it in lemon juice then placing it on coarse salt or salt flakes, mixed with some ground black pepper for a more appealing result. Then, fill ¾ of the glass with ice cubes and pour the mix.

This cocktail is commonly decorated with a celery stick, a cucumber or lime or lemon slice or even a cocktail shrimp or a pickle spear.

And for those particular personal twists we mentioned above, try adding freshly grated horseradish, some curry powder or even a little bit of wasabi…wow! Enjoy!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

 

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Amer A. Vargas Mixology Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, July 2018, Let’s Talk about Mixology

Kobi Gutman

Let’s Talk about Mixology, Part 34

by Amer A. Vargas

BLACK RUSSIAN

As an homage to the football/soccer World Cup taking place this month in Russia, in this article we present the Black Russian. The name of the cocktail summarizes the two characteristics of the mix: Black for the final color of the concoction and Russian for the two ingredients that make up the cocktail. In fact, “Black” refers to the color provided by the coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa) included in this drink, and “Russian” to the use of the most famous spirit from Russia: vodka.

Preparation of this cocktail is as easy as putting some ice cubes in a lowball, then pouring in some vodka and finishing off with some coffee liqueur in a 2:1 proportion. The Black Russian doesn’t call for a garnish or decoration, but some variations of the cocktail, like the Red Russian (which uses cherry liqueur or strawberry schnapps instead of coffee liqueur) or the Green Russian (which uses peppermint instead of coffee liqueur) benefit from the addition of red fruits or spearmint leaves respectively, to enhance the final presentation.

As a trivia, and even though this article is a little homage to the World Cup host country, the Black Russian is known to have been created not in Russia, but a few countries away, in Portugal, towards the end of the 1940s.

In any case, sip and enjoy!

 

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

 

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Amer A. Vargas Mixology Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, June 2018, Let’s Talk about Mixology

Kobi Gutman

Let’s Talk about Mixology, Part 33

by Amer A. Vargas

Royal Mojito

Drawing again from this writer’s recent visit to Cuba, on this occasion we will prepare another delicious cocktail based on the Cuban Mojito. But in this instance we will add some French and Venezuelan touches, using ingredients from those countries.

Yes, we are making a Royal Mojito, which is a variant of the original Mojito: for this one, we will replace the Cuban rum with Santa Teresa Venezuelan rum and the soda with a good French Brut Champagne. In addition to those ingredients, we will also need demerara or brown sugar, 2 sprigs of spearmint (or 8-10 spearmint leaves), a lime, the juice of a lime, and some crushed ice.

This cocktail is prepared in the lowball or Collins glass it will be presented in.

We start by putting in 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, then adding the lime after cutting it into 4 segments, then adding the spearmint. With a pestle, gently press the spearmint against the lime segments, the sugar and against the walls of the glass, avoiding as much as possible breaking the leaves (they are not intended to be absorbed, but rather will stay in the glass throughout the enjoyment of the cocktail); the objective is to extract the spearmint oils and essences and so impregnate the drink and provide a fresher aroma. When done, top up the glass with crushed ice, pour in 45 ml/1.5 oz of Santa Teresa Rum and the lime juice, and finish by adding Brut Champagne to the rim of the glass.

Garnish with a slice or wedge of lime, a little spearmint sprig, and present with a stirrer stick and/or a straw.

Sweet and extra refreshing… Enjoy!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

 

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Amer A. Vargas Mixology Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, May 2018, Let’s Talk about Mixology

Kobi Gutman

Let’s Talk about Mixology, Part 32

by Amer A. Vargas

Havano cocktail

For those who like to try new things, you might want to prepare this eye-catching and wonderful cocktail.

During my recent visit to Varadero, Cuba, Paradisus Varadero’s Resident Manager Carlos Martínez-Almoyna shared the following video and suggested we make it known in the MBJ: 

Elio, barman at Paradisus Antilles, prepares a Havano cocktail, a drink that mixes the best of Cuba when it comes to pleasing the senses: Cigars and Rum.

Summarizing the video, this is how it is created.

The following recipe serves 4.

One cigar serves 4-6 (or more, depending on length). Cut the cigar in chunks of about one inch and open/unravel the tobacco so that it is easy to light. Hold the tobacco with a set of tongs and light it. Then place above it, upside down, a lowball glass so that it is impregnated with the tobacco smoke.

Add 3 dashes of Angostura bitters into a shaker, two lemon and two lime twists (after spritzing their citric essential oils), and 1oz of thin honey. Muddle gently with a pestle and then add 4oz of 7-year old Cuban rum. Next add some ice cubes and stir. Strain into the smoke-coated glass and rim with a lemon twist, adding it as garnish.

Enjoy mi amol!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

 

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Amer A. Vargas Mixology Newsletter

The Modern Butlers’ Journal, April 2018, Let’s Talk about Mixology

Kobi Gutman

Let’s Talk about Mixology, Part 31

Flaming Lamborghini

by Amer A. Vargas

Put your seatbelt on and let’s drive into a different sort of mix in this month’s cocktail section: Experiencing the kick of a high-alcohol drink and the spectacular and beautiful looking presentation of the Flaming Lamborghini.

As the name suggests, it’s a flambé cocktail that comes with the eye-catching look of a vehicle than can accelerate from 0-to-60 mph/96 kmh in 3 seconds or less. This cocktail does exactly the same, and whoever enjoys it claims it keeps the motor running for quite a long time…so be careful!

This concoction requires following very specific instructions, both for preparation and drinking.

The ingredients, Sambuca, Kahlua, Blue Curacao, and Irish Cream, are served in the same amounts (normally 1oz/30ml, or 1.5oz/45ml for braver drinkers).

And this is how it is prepared: pour the Kahlua in a cocktail glass, then layer the Sambuca over it. Next you’ll need two separate shot glasses: pour the Irish Cream in one and the Blue Curacao in the other, placing them to either side of the cocktail glass. Place a straw (preferably a thick one or one made of bamboo) in the cocktail glass and the show is ready to start!

Ignite the Sambuca and let it burn for a few seconds: some barmen like to sprinkle a bit of cinnamon over the flame to add some extra aroma and a bit more show, as the powder will sparkle gently. Then the drinker starts drawing from the straw. When the glass is almost empty, the Irish Cream and the Blue Curacao are poured into the cocktail glass at the same time so as to put out the fire, whilst the drinker keeps drinking through the straw in a long draw.

The drinker is left feeling anything but indifferent, as the body goes from nil to full throttle in just a few seconds.

Buckle up and enjoy (responsibly, meaning don’t climb straight into your Lamborghini!).

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.