181 / 226
THE EXOTIC DRINKING BOOK
a highly toxic beverage based on wormwood elixirs, with a very odd and
intriguing taste. It is an absolute essential for every well-stocked bar–
mainly as a flavouring agent.
ANIS . . . A potent Spanish liqueur made of aniseed and other simples.
Anis del Mono
is the old favourite. Needed oftener than the average
mixer believes. A fine morning eye-opener indeed.
ANISETTE ... A French aniseed cordial. Not only good as a liqueur,
for the various tummy aches which beset humanity, but often com–
manded in cocktails. Sweeter and milder than Spanish.
APPLE BRANDY, or APPLEJACK . . . Needed these days for several
excellent cocktails and taller drinks, but not necessary for the small bar
except on special occasions. . . . Don't get Jersey Lightning that some
friend has put down in the wood since last fall, get it at least four or five
years old. It is a very deceiving fluid, and when not watched will induce
a happy state from the waist down, closely approaching voluntary paraly–
sis. We speak feelingly.
APRICOT BRANDY ... Jnvaluable both as a cordial and for certain
cocktails such as the Grande Bretagne. . . . The best imported dry
type is indicated, as over! -sweet attempts spoil the drink entirely, unless
used as a straight cordial. Eschew American brands.
AQUAVIT ... A clear potent spirit from the Scandinavian countries,
and drunk in tiny thimblefuls, with a toss of the head. Aside from being
a kind gesture to visiting Danes, and so on, it is practically uncalled-for
in mixing. The general flavour
i~
reminiscent of caraway. Say
skol.
AROMATIC SPIRITS of AMMONIA . . . No bar should be without
this morning after saviour, as well as such itinerant feminine emergen–
cies such as faintings, swoonings-either real or assumed. . . . Chemi–
cally it is NH
8 ,
distilled from a pungent gas, which in its former state
is of scant interest to mixers.
ARRACK or RACK . . . A distilled, variable, and erratic spirit found
throughout the Far East; without enough flavour to attract western
palates. It may be made from fermented palm toddyi ifrom
muohwa
• 181 •