vodka gimlet by summerfield

vodka gimlet

'tis the season to party and canadians love a good party, especially when there's an open bar! i don't really care much for alcohol, but at home, even though i don't have a bar per se, i have a cupboard full of alcohol. in 1993 when i was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic syndrome, i was encouraged to train for another career, so i enrolled in a hospitality management course. one of the subjects that i so loved learning (aside from the wine courses) was 'mixology', the art of making cocktails! learning to do it gave me a good understanding and empathy for those people behind the bar and i could spot a poor bartender from the really good ones.

sometimes when we have company, i would create some of what i learned from that particular course. i have kept my boston shakers, bottle pourers, strainers and shot glasses. and, whenever there's a sale at the liquor store, i replenish my stock of spirits.

in my very first job back in the old country, i made friends with a girl who was sort of a social climber. most of her relatives were in the show business so she was quite adept at socials and liked to be wined and dined. my first venture into night clubbing was with her and before we left the office, she gave me pointers on drinks. i was supposed to order a screw driver or a rhum and coke. when we got to the venue, i ordered a 'vodka gimlet', didn't flinch when i asked the bartender for it, like i was a 'veteran'. bartender was impressed and while he knew how to make a gimlet, which is normally gin-based, he didn't quite know vodka gimlet. so i said instead of gin, you use vodka and a half-ounce of triple sec. when he gave me my drink, he asked where'd i learn it from. you know these bartenders they have their 'secret concoctions' and try to outdo each other. of course i didn't tell him i read it from an encyclopedia britanica.

so here's a vodka gimlet, made with two ounces lime juice, half an ounce of triple sec and three-quarters ounce of vodka. i used smirnoff vodka for this one.

-o0o-
this is prelude to my get pushed challenge. my partner this week, @julieco challenged me to " either (1) making a still image that includes 5 items with an interesting POV and/or lighting or (2) a food image which could be suitable as an illustration in a cookery book or advert in a magazine." can you guess which one i'm choosing?
Lovely
December 17th, 2013  
Love the focus. Wonderful narrative, your stories always bring a smile! I must be honest and admit that I know nothing about cocktails!
December 17th, 2013  
Such challenges! This is good and the green glass makes it very pretty with the light. I'm always making up cocktails - have got a bit of a reputation for it but nowdays the drinking driving laws don't make it possible any more!
December 17th, 2013  
Cheers! Great story! I remember now that my father loved vodka gimlets.
December 17th, 2013  
I have to love the story and admit that while I have seen triple sec. In writing I've never heard it pronounced so I'm not sure if it it "seek" or "seck" ?
December 17th, 2013  
@pandorasecho - here's the pronunciation: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=triple+sec :-) thank you, dixie.
December 17th, 2013  
Beautiful shot. Love the background
December 17th, 2013  
You have the out of focus background just right, and the lighting is very soft and pretty. I don't usually drink cocktails, but this looks very appealing!
December 17th, 2013  
Nice story! Great focus on the glass and lovely bokeh. I've not tried many cocktails but I will try this one, sound nice! I like a mojito cocktail which is white rum, sparkling water, lime juice and mint.
December 17th, 2013  
the focus is spot on. cool bokeh too. i always enjoy your stories
December 17th, 2013  
wow -- great lighting and color and emphasis and shadow!! You are so multi-talented, Ms. Bartender-ress!!!
December 17th, 2013  
two please
December 18th, 2013  
Very cool story, and nice work bookworm getting your favourite drink!
December 18th, 2013  
I"m liking all your cocktail drinks. Good series.
December 20th, 2013  
Instead of Happy Hour, you'll be having a very happy week! You really are a walking vault of amusing stories and experiences!!
December 21st, 2013  
I love lime and used to order vodka gimlets all the time in my 20s....they are good! Finally I just settled on margaritas but gimlets are good....gin or vodka. And you keep a stocked bar but don't really drink? Wow!
December 22nd, 2013  

Btw...I love the image in the glass and the bokeh
December 22nd, 2013  
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