I Need a Drink!
What to have when you need a nip
Posted by: John Chandler on May 26, 2010 at 02:00PM
10 Comments
Welcome to a brand-new Bar Pilot feature called I Need a Drink. On a semi-regular basis (or whenever deadline pressures cause my toupee to melt into my scalp) I will take a well-earned break from my Herculean labors and venture out into the wide world of Portland in search of a lovely cocktail.
Today’s edition features the Grand Old Fashioned ($10) as prepared by bartender Arthur Smith from the Palm Court bar at the Benson Hotel.
The Grand Old Fashioned
2 oz. Maker’s Mark bourbon
1 oz. Grand Marnier
Muddled orange and cherries
Dash of Angostura bitters
Sprinkle of sugar
Top off with Prosecco
This stately creation has all the brawn of a simple old fashioned, but the Grand Marnier gives it an elegant and luxurious boost that brings out the royal best in the fruit mashup. Add the fizzy kick of the sparkling wine and you have a drink fit for a king—or a jack or a 10 of diamonds.
After jawing with Arthur for a bit (martinis, cosmos, and lemon drops are his most-requested drinks) I search the menu for future possibilities. My eager peepers settle on the Benson Bubbler, an imperial blend of Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac, Veuve Clicquot champagne, and a splash of lemon. It retails for $95. “I’ve only sold one,” Arthur tells me.
I almost order a double to cheer him up, but I’d probably have a devil of a time getting reimbursed.
This perfectly balances my imaginary hard-bitten-reporter persona (bourbon) with my imaginary Audrey-in-Italy persona (topped with Prosecco!) Bar Pilot you have reconciled my weary warring psyche in one pithy post. Thank you. Maybe I and …8 friends… can take you out for a Benson Bubbler?
Make me another Boilermaker.
Damn that sounds tasty. Lately I’ve been getting into Highballs, but it’s appallingly difficult to find a bartender who knows what that is when I order one. Then again, I don’t exactly frequent the highest-end places.
Are the muddled cherries local?
Do they make those Benson Bubblers to go?
But how much is the Benson Bubbler during happy hour?
Hey John, was nice meeting you. I must say in your reporting of The Benson Bubbler’s recipe, you forgot the inclusion of Veuve Clicquot Champagne! Other than that it’s all good!
Whoa! Thanks Arthur! Problem solved.
Not so sure about Maker’s Mark. Not my favorite.
And toupee? I thought that was just a rug.
By choice for this particular drink I would use Buffalo Trace, but the bar I work in does not carry this brand of bourbon, yet ;)