Little Reviews of Cool Stuff
Don Morgan, Psy.D.


Springtime Libations
San Diego’s APTC meeting was a taste of summer for those of us who dwell in the cold parts of the US, and the poolside bar was the scene of the first Mojito of the summer for a number of us.  Ahhhh, I can still taste that bubbly lime and mint flavored rum!  So this installment of Cool Little Reviews will be the annual Summer Drink Lineup. 
 
The Mojito was Hemingway’s bebida favorita at La Bodeguita in Havana and at Sloppy Joe’s in Key West.  I’ve sat many times at that bistro, reading “The Sun Also Rises” and sipping a Mojito, thinking of Ernest, having just visited his great old home a few blocks away.  The classic Mojito would be:
Bacardi Limon Rum
Mint leaves
Simple syrup
Lots of squeezed limes
Seltzer
 
Muddle the mint in a tall glass or pitcher.  Pour in as much rum as you want and let the alcohol draw out the mint oils.  While that is sitting, squeeze a lime [one of those hand-held squeezers works best] and pour in the limejuice.  Add cold simple syrup to taste [made by boiling 1 cup water and adding 1 cup sugar to dissolve]. Chop up squeezed limes and fill glass with lime pieces and ice.  Pour seltzer to fill.  A straw is a must in this drink.  No little pink umbrellas – Hemingway would not approve. 
 
The French 75 is a classic, and this is my variation on it that uses St. Germaine, a most amazing liqueur.  This exquisite taste comes from elderflowers that bloom only a few weeks a year in the Alps.  It imparts subtle hints of pear, grapefruit and peach, but that doesn’t quite describe it.  Refreshing and summery is the effect.  The standard drink uses Bombay Gin, a lighter and more aromatic gin made with a host of botanicals that infuse it with subtle exotic flavors.  I like the Bombay Sapphire Gin in the blue bottle.  Generally this drink would call for Champagne and the addition of some simple syrup, but I’ve found that using a cheap Muscat or Asti will supply both the bubbles and the sweetness very nicely.  So, the mix is: 
2 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
1 oz. St. Germaine Liqueur
4 oz. Moscato wine
 
Pour the gin and the St. Germaine into an ice filled shaker and shake up.  Strain into a wine goblet and add the cold Moscato.  Some like it over ice.  
 
Forget that old gin and tonic. Whichever of these summertime delights you swig - sitting on the front porch, the terrace or the deck, around the pool or at the beach, you’ll have the classic summer cocktail.  And what about the soundtrack?  Ah, yes, the music for a summer afternoon and evening… Allow me to suggest a few treats:
· For the afternoon, try Bebel Gilberto, Joao’s daughter with the ethereal voice.  Her 2000 Tanto Tempo is a summertime classic.
· Stan Getz Bossas and Ballads – the Lost Sessions will move along in that same Brazilian groove.
· David Bryne’s collection of Brazilian music, Beleza Tropical has a host of great musicians.
· And how could we not put into the mix a little summertime funkiness from War?  Check out the Best of War for such classics as “All Day Music,” “Summer” “Slippin’ into Darkness”  A block party for sure.
· And for the quiet evening, try Charlie Hayden’s Nocturne with Cuban piano virtuoso Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Pat Methaney on acoustic guitar, and Joe Lavano’s lush sax woven throughout. Night in the City is Kenny Barron’s sublime piano and Charlie’s bass in a dance that is oh so sweet and deep.  Can’t miss.  Drink up.