Finding Affordable Entertaining Options for 4th of July Drink Recipes
During celebration times, spending a few extra dollars in one area often means cutting back in other areas. Deciding which areas to cut costs is sometimes difficult especially in the area of entertaining. You want guests to feel pampered. When entertaining it is vague where to be thrifty yet retain quality and where to continue to spend the few extra dollars to maintain the level of premium spirit. After reviewing many spirits it becomes evident that price does not always equate to quality and flavor preference more often than not lies within the palate of the imbiber.
Some spirits are built for the finest quality cocktails with multi-layered flavors to be paired with other premium liquors of equal excellence. It would seem ludicrous for one to match a Macallan 18 Scotch with fruit juice and call it a cocktail. Scotch enthusiasts the world over would cringe at the thought. Macallan 18 is meant to be savored simply. That example is extreme of course. In theory it follows along par with pairing multi-faceted spirits with spirits created for the purpose of mixing for sheer fun and entertainment value. Value being the key word.
Take for instance the world of liqueurs. There are premium liqueurs branded individually and mass marketed liqueurs in a rainbow of flavors. Is there a difference? Of course. Differences abound in the look and feel aesthetically with the bottling and labeling, but also significantly in price. There are also significant variations in the respective flavors. Just as particular brands infuse a specific flavor into their spirit more precisely than others, certain liqueurs inculcate certain flavor more distinctively into their spirit as well. The trick is pinpointing purpose for the product.
Hiram Walker has created a vast line of schnapps, liqueurs and brandies for the sole purpose of mixing cocktails and mixed drinks. When you visit their website, drink recipes take center stage rather than many pages steeped in history and tradition of the brand. Hiram Walker products are all about mixing up cocktails for a great drink experience. A valuable drink experience begins with comfort level (which includes staying within budget) and envelops the idea of mingling with friends for a total interactive good time with flavor, fun and conversation. With 43 distinct flavors within the line of schnapps, liqueurs and brandies, Hiram Walker makes it easy to add almost any flavor to the cocktail. The most popular by far though is the ever present Triple Sec. This one is so fashionable Hiram Walker felt the need to give Triple Sec its own tab under the ‘Product’ category with a listing of eighteen recipes.
This 4th of July weekend many celebrators will be mixing Margaritas. Aside from tequila, one of the primary ingredients in this popular drink recipe is Triple Sec or orange liqueur. Many cocktail connoisseurs swear by Cointreau for premium tasting margaritas. However, Cointreau places a larger dent in the budget especially if one is mixing cocktails for a crowd of people. If you are trying to stay within an affordable price range while entertaining and still maintain flavor, will it cause significant difference to choose the lower priced Hiram Walker brand Triple Sec over Cointreau for mixing basic cocktails?
Hiram Walker Triple Sec contains a definite taste of juicy oranges. It is thick, very sweet with sugary burn. Orange flavor is light at first and grows as it washes along the palate. This liqueur is definitely not the type of liqueur one would pour in a snifter and sit in front of a fireplace to sip and linger over. It is unquestionably created for mixing in drink recipes to add character and flavor.
Cointreau contains deeper flavor character with more real orange appeal. There is more sense of fresh oranges with oil essence in this brand. Ironically Cointreau comes across much more sugary sweet than the Hiram Walker brand. This is a sit and savor liqueur as well as premium mix in.
The basic margarita becomes the baseline for this taste test.
Basic Margarita
2 ounces 100% Agave Tequila
1 ounce Lime Juice
3/4 ounce Orange Liqueur (Hiram Walker & Cointreau respectively)
Combine in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
Basic Margarita with Cointreau: Bitter on the back end, less sweet. The complicated character of this premium spirit is completely lost. No layering affect.
Basic Margarita with Hiram Walker Triple Sec: Sweeter than the Cointreau version. No orange carry through, but definite classic Margarita taste.
Conclusion: Be clear of your cocktail and party purpose. The purpose of Cointreau is to build a layered cocktail with character and distinct flavor personality. This basic margarita nullified Cointreau to such a degree one would not know the difference between it and any other brand in this drink recipe. Why pay for premium liqueur if the cocktail you intend to use it in does not make it shine?
Hiram Walker Triple Sec on the other hand stands up and fulfills its purpose in this cocktail recipe. Its function is to build a better cocktail and to do so as naturally as possible, as inexpensively as possible, as easily as possible.
More 4th of July Cocktail Drink Recipe Links:
· Korbel Champagne creates Roman Candle recipe for your 4th of July flute
· Mocktail Monday: Makeshift Margarita recipe
· Celebrate Independence Day with amended classic drink recipes
· Diddy and CIROC Vodka ‘Calling All Troops’ for Independence Day White Party
· Leblon Cachaca serves up perfect raspberry basil Caipirinha
· VeeV Acai Spirit cocktails it up with berries of America
· Absolut summer cool down cocktail - Mango Cran-Cooler
· The Intoxicologist on Facebook
· The Intoxicologist on Twitter
Cointreau is one of the many sponsors of Tales of the Cocktail 2009 ‘Stir Your Soul’ in New Orleans taking place July 8 – 12. There is still time to reserve seats at fabulous dinners and seminars for hands on educational experiences that only take place once a year. Tales of the Cocktail brings together award-winning mixologists, bartenders and chefs as well as authors, designers and the spirit and brand creators who make the magic possible from the ground up. This is a five day celebration of the history of the cocktail. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample cocktail creation at its finest.
Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved
