Starbucks 'Trenta': How The New Size Compares To Your Stomach
Famous Death Row Last Meals
New Year doesn't just mark a clean page on a new calendar -- it evokes nostalgia for the times that led to that point. For many, New Year's Eve is a clash of impressions of confetti, champagne corks, standing in the freezing cold (18 degrees in Times Square this year) in hopes of jockeying for a couple of seconds of nationwide camera time. But for some, the best New Year's Eve is not on the streets but in a swank nightclub several stories above, where matrons in furs peer disdainfully at doxies in sequins, where a gentleman's black tie is correctly understood to be quite enough sartorial splendor for his role as escort, where the jewelry is platinum and the hair is marcelled, and where, although champagne is popped at midnight for an obligatory sip, the drink of the evening is the martini.
Into the world of chic, artisinal gins, enter New Amsterdam. Like the pre-code New York of its name, this gin bypasses the cheap sentiment of retro to be outright old-fashioned, without the speakeasy sting of bathtub gin. Soft citrus notes open the palate much as happens with a good sauvignon blanc, but then a strident bite of juniper marches forward, lockstepping like a Busby Berkeley kickline. As a pure sip, the juniper mid-note lingers on the palate; with vermouth or lime, a final spicy note surfaces, very lightly crowned with waft of minerality.
In cocktails, New Amsterdam stars in those requiring deftness of execution and purity of design. It makes a splendid martini, simultaneously smooth and sharp. Make your New Amsterdam martini either neat or FDR style, and use extra olives. A New Amsterdam gibson is deelightful, deelicious and deeelovely. And a gimlet -- the only gin drink one can legitimately interchange with vodka -- is the essence of that cocktail: shivery with juniper and sleek with lime.
However, New Amsterdam's deco curves don't fare so well against the flat wall assault of tonic water. A gin and tonic should be crisp and lively, the playful, flirty cousin who takes to the tennis courts while the aloof martini remains on the veranda. New Amsterdam's subtleties are lost in all that ice and all of those bubbles -- for your g&t, use a favorite standby such as Tanqueray or Seagrams. Finally, the New Amsterdam gin website has the collection of cocktail recipes that liquor websites usually do -- many of them inspired by neighborhoods in the old New York which was New Amsterdam. So if you like fussy cocktails or just to experiment, give one of them a try and then leave comments below to let us know what you think about New Amsterdam's cocktails, your own martinis and gimlets, or your New Year's memories and plans.
Jane Seymour's Modest And Modern Style
Broke Stars: 11 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
Social Security Is Failing Even Faster Than We Thought
Janice Dickinson's Outrageous Style
Man Says Starbucks Discriminated Against Him Because He Has Half An Arm
Chris Brown, Grammys 2012: Embattled Singer Slams Critics
PHOTOS: How You Can Get The 'Miracle' Dress
Ford's clever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad features phantom model
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
Trace Adkins Reunites With College Crush, 30 Years Later
Van Gogh's Starry Night modded into beautiful interactive light and sound show (video)
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
'Hooker Teacher' Forced To Resign, Now Can't Find Work
Lauren Scruggs Goes On Ski Vacation
WATCH AND LAUGH: Cops In 2-Hour Standoff With Empty Car
New Clues, Details Emerge In Powell Case
Woman's Dead Fiance Is Behind Her Disappearance: Cops
Stephen Wiltshire Draws Cities From Memory
PHOTOS: Remembering The People's Ballerina
20 Of Elizabeth Olsen's Versatile Looks
We Meant There WERE Nukes In The Fire
LOOK: The Last Of The Cave People
Style Icon Dies After Collapsing At Fashion Show
Best In Show Winner Declared
WATCH: Saint VaLINtine Hits Game-Winning Shot
Most Eligible Post 50 Celebs
PHOTOS: Kate Spends Valentine's Day Solo!
10 Celebs Who Refuse To 'Fix' Their Teeth
Prosecutors Appeal Overturned Murder Convictions
1-05-2009 @5:47PM bharnett said... Although I really do like this Gin, I did find that it had some drawbacks. You mentioned the minerality, and I think that really kills any pairing with citrus. Also, this Gin is really tough on you the morning after. When compared to Hendrick's or Tanqueray Ten, my hangovers are pretty bad with New Amsterdam. On the plus side, this is a bargain at about 20% less than the previously mentioned brads.
Reply
1-07-2009 @9:19PM mike said... I dont partake much in the martini, but I find making a 'Vesper' of James Bond fame with this Gin to be a new and welcome twist on one of my favorite cocktails.
Reply
1-20-2009 @10:29AM boozysuzy said... You haven't tried gin until you've tasted Brockmans! It's a really different style of gin and tastes amazing! You can have simply over ice, with tonic or even ginger ale! You have to try it! Find it at www.drinkshop.com
Reply