For those of you just joining in, Phoodie as recently adopted Gin as its beverage of choice for these cold-blooded new times; if it was good enough for your Depression Era ancestors, it’s good enough for you, buddy. And as an addendum to our post on where to get olive juice for the extra-extra-dirty martini the other day, further, erm, “research” has led us to another stop on the quest for the most magnificent Dirty Dirty. It’s called Junipero, and it’s made by Anchor Steam — yep, the same Anchor Steam that makes that beer that you may or may not like. Junipero has a kind of cold clarity to it, but also a resolute smoothness; in a Dirty, this means low wince factor for the gin noob, but also that wonderful you-know-you’ve-been-somewhere feeling that all liquors of a certain stature could carry. As a plus to those of us truly concerned about Great Depression 2.0, we should note that Junipero is American made, but it’s gonna cost ya: It’s currently retailing for $35.39 at State Stores. But it’s totally worth it.
Sounds like it’s time for a Philly-vs-SF gin smackdown vs. Bluecoat.
friends brought a bottle back from vacation as a gift a few years back, before you could buy it around here at all legally. i remember cherishing and rationing it because it made a terriffic martini. glad to see it finally arrive in PA. too bad this isn’t a pay week.
For those of us on more of a budget and who want to go to real cocktail roots with a real American spirit: I hear Old Overholt’s on special in the PLCB system for $13.99. That’s a real good deal.
For ease of preparation and seasonal tastes, I recommend the Algonquin: 2 parts rye, with roughly 1 measure of sweet vermouth and pineapple juice (give or take a little of either for taste) and 4 liberal dashes of Peychauds. Serve on rocks or up. The pineapple juice invigorates physical faculties suffering from seasonal sun vitamin deficits. Seriously, it feels like a soothing recharge.
Bluecoat just isn’t my thing, at all. Almost picked this Junipero up the other day, definitely will now that I know it’s by Anchor Steam. Hendrick’s is still my all-time fav.
@ Marty: I’d love to try an Algonquin… if you can tell me where I can find a bottle of Peychaud’s that does not involve a $10 S&H fee.
@Brian, Excuse to hop a cheap flight to NOLA? Seriously, I’d try Kegworks through their Amazon store. I don’t think the shipping’s that high through them. To even out the cost, throw in a range of Fee Bros. Bitters (DiBruno’s supposedly has them in stock, but they’ve never been well stocked to guarantee local loyalty from me), Regan’s Orange bitters, some orange flower water. With all that and a decently stocked bar, you can ride out the whole Depression 2.0 without setting foot in a “real bar.”