Having conquered, or at least challenged, a fair number bars
(80, to be exact) within an hour-and-a-half’s travel, most that remain involve
overnight trips and both exhausting and exhaustive pub crawls. We have arrived
at the beginning of the selection process as we continue the final push for
finding the 46 best bars inside the blue line. For those of you who have
recently begun following our bar reviews, there is indeed a purpose. Our goal
is to find the 46 “High Peaks” from among the pubs and taverns located inside
the Adirondack Park, as well as 46 Adirondack-themed cocktails for inclusion in
our book, Happy Hour in the High Peaks.
As sometimes happens, we were unable to travel this weekend,
but found some time to don our lab coats and Happy Hour in the High Peaks hats
for some serious recipe development in the lab at Pammy’s At-Her-On-Deck Pub,
where jiggers, shakers and muddlers take the place of Petri dishes, test tubes
and beakers. No Bunsen burner here, but you’ll find a blender as we whip up
unique libations or variations of the tried and true. Our scientific method
borders on madness as volunteer subjects await the mixtures they’ve been
recruited to test. In other words, we threw a party!
Sorry, Pammy’s Pub is not public. The envy of invited
guests, the three-level deck, complete with hot tub and a fully stocked bar is
host to social gatherings with friends and family on any occasion we can think
of. Inclement weather is spent in the cozy converted basement bar (the
Rathskeller) with a wood stove and a small, slab pine bar. Both serve as
testing facility and headquarters of Happy Hour in the High Peaks.
Rhubarb is in abundance now, and Kim has more than she knows
what to do with. One of our most popular blogs has been the Rhubarb Margarita
recipe. It was time we created a new one and decided that blueberries would be
the base. With a tart, lively personality, this margarita maintains its
identity while the blueberry keeps its wildness in check.
Blubarbarita
3 oz. tequila
1 oz. triple sec
1 oz. lime juice (fresh squeezed)
1 oz. lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
½ c. rhubarb and blueberry puree*
Mix in blender with ice. Pour into salt-rimmed (optional)
margarita glasses and garnish with fresh blueberries and lemon and lime slices.
Makes 3 margaritas.
*To make the puree, cut 5-7 stalks of rhubarb into one-inch
pieces. Place rhubarb and 1 c. blueberries in heavy saucepan and just cover
with cold water. Add 1 c. sugar and slowly bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to
low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until rhubarb is mushy. Chill. Refrigerate
extra for up to two weeks, or freeze to enjoy in the middle of January!
We have a list of cocktails whose names evoke the character
of the Adirondacks. Many have yet to be created, so we continued to experiment.
The leftover blueberries would keep us inside the blue line and be the perfect
base for the APA Martini, a more sophisticated and rigid drink than the
frivolous margarita. Unlike some of today’s trendy and incorrectly categorized
martinis, the APA Martini is no girly drink. Like a trail guide boldly
bushwhacking the way for a flatlander with a bucket list, Tangueray’s bold,
piney flavor and subtle botanical essence leads while the blueberry tries to
keep up.
APA Martini
3 oz. Tangueray gin
1 oz. sweet vermouth
¼ c. pureed blueberries
1 T sugar (optional)
Shake with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glasses.
Garnish with a lemon slice.
Variances (allowed): A squeeze of fresh lemon complements
and enhances the blueberry flavor. Or, for a sweeter martini, add I oz.
limoncello (lemon liqueur). You can even make your own using one of the many
recipes online. Makes 2 martinis.
According to proper experimental procedure, a typical
experiment should be repeated at least three times. This is not advisable. We
often work with survey participants, a sampling of volunteers willing to
consume and evaluate new products before they hit the market. With this study
pool, it’s not necessary to repeat the experiment, though that is frequently requested.
Since our sample size was fairly small, please let us know what you think. 46
cocktail recipes, with names like Adirondack Mudslide and Black Fly Bite, will
be chosen for our book from our own creations, as well as some signature drinks
contributed by taverns we’ve visited. We only want the best!
Cheers & Bottoms Up!
Kim & Pam
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