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BOOTHBY'S WORLD DRINKS
and where both are used—Royal. In continental Europe, however,
where a beverage contains absinthe, it is termed Royal.
Use bitters, cordials, syrups, etc., with the greatest caution. A little
too much entirely alters the character of a beverage and, in many
instances, spoils rather than improves it.
Grate nutmeg, or other spice, over the individual beverage, only
after ascertaining the pleasure of the guest to be served.
When drawing a cork, or removing a cap, from a bottle containing
Champagne, ginger ale or effervescent water or soda, hold the bottle in
a slanting position, to a point where the surface of the contents is just
below the mouth of the bottle. Retain the bottle in this position for
a few moments after opening and no loss of contents can occur.
Kecessary accessories for the home mixer should include: Shaker
(metal); stirring glass (16-ounce heavy tumbler); bar strainer (for
use in shaker or stirring glass); pony and jigger (one and two-ounce
measures) (whisky glasses of respective size will suffice); bar spoons
(for stirring and measuring); ice shaver, pick and lemon or orange
extractor.
A cellarette, from which a great many of the recipes contained
herein may be prepared, should contain: Gin, whisky, brandy, sherry,
curacoa, French and Italian vermouth, angostura, orange bitters, grena
dine, sweet-sour and sugar syrup. To these may be added a few of
the more popular liqueurs, either domestic or imported, such as Coin
treau, Rumola, Benedictine, etc., etc.
Just because a particular recipe calls for an ingredient not possessed
by the home mixer, he should not become discouraged. He must
remember that many of the finest beverages have been discovered by
the substitution of one syrup or cordial for another, the addition of a
further ingredient or, in some instances, the omission of an ingredient.
To sum all in a few words, use the head, proceed along sane lines,
mix a few of the "What-have-you" variety, and the knack of knowing
how, and when, will come, along with much experience. Gesundheit!