52 Weeks of Drinks: Week 1 - Wisteria

January 2, 2010

Wisteria did not disappoint as a first destination for 52 Weeks of Drinks. This is one of our favorite restaurants - we love the snotty southern cuisine, the atmosphere and the people who work here including Jason (the chef/owner), Katie (manager/hot hostess), Vivianne (our former waitress turned nurse), and Patricia (multipurpose player).

Hadi (bartender & more) was serving up the cocktails and wine for an invitation only party of regulars and friends this Saturday night. Katie joined us at the bar in her PJs (it was her day off and she was on the way out when we made her join us in the fun) and helped us to select our contest cocktails.

I branched out and went with a bourbon drink - the “Old Wives’ Tale.” This tasty concoction is a nice mix of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Clover honey simple syrup, and ginger beer. I am not much of a bourbon drinker, but the mixture of flavors in this drink made it a real comfort drink on a cold night. It was not too strong, not too sweet, and the ginger beer and honey cut the bite of the bourbon to make it smooth and tasty. It was served over ice in a high ball glass.

Katie claimed creation rights on this one and came up with the name to convey the feeling of this drink - “I have a cold and need some bourbon before bed because my mommy said that may make me feel better.” Maybe she can post a comment to clarify if I have that story right. We decided the back-story and creativity of both our drinks warranted a rating for “creativity” - so we will use that instead of potency from now on.

Our ratings scale is between 1 and 5 Olives. One Olive = waste of my blogging time; 5 Olives = oh my goodness/yummmmm

My ratings for the Old Wives Tale:

Presentation - 2 of 5 Olives (but hey - this drink is a bourbon drink - it shouldn’t look all fancy and cool so I wouldn’t change a thing)

Taste - 4 of 5 Olives

Creativity - 3 of 5 Olives (not too complicated, but a great balance of ingredients with a good name)

Overall - 3 of 5 Olives

Ashley had the “Patrice” - a twist on a margarita named for the customer who requested that Hadi make her something with tequila but without the tartness of sour mix. The Patrice is a perfect answer to that request - Corazon Blanco tequila, St. Germaine, homemade sour mix, and champagne. Yum Yum Yum.

Ashley’ Ratings for the Patrice:

Presentation - 2 of 5 Olives (served in a high ball glass over ice)

Taste - 5 of 5 Olives (Ashley really wanted to give it a 4, but I twisted her arm b/c I loved this one)

Creativity - 4 of 5 Olives

Overall - 4 of 5 Olives

Cheers to Week 1 of 52 Weeks of Drinks! Join us for a drink soon and send us some recommendations.

*Picture crap because Ashley forgot her camera of course and had to use the phone…sorry. *

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