17 June 2023

From the bartender’s corner – Achar Mule (2)

After the disaster yesterday, I tried to follow the recipe with a different achar today (this time it was a chili achar). With equally disastrous results. That Instagram post was either by somebody who is a neophyte in cocktails or I am simply not getting it.

The oil makes it very uncomfortable to sip. Achar, in general, is exceedingly strong on the nose and the palate. Cocktails are best when they have gentle but firm expressions on your olfactory senses and taste buds.

I am dropping the concept of cocktails made from achar here.

17 June 2023

Some old Mohd. Rafi classics to start off the day

“হারানো দিন বুঝি আসিবে না ফিরে
মন কাঁদে কেন স্মৃতিরও তীরে?
তবু মাঝে মাঝে আশা জাগে কেন?
আমি ভুলিয়াছি, ভোলেনি সে যেন
গোমতীরও তীরে পাতার কুটিরে
আজও সে পথও চাহে সাঁঝে ”

Quickly translated (improvements welcome)

The lost days are not coming back
Tears well up as memories roll by
Yet, sometimes the hope surfaces
Maybe she has not forgotten me fully yet
In that small hut by Gomti, perhaps
She still awaits at the sunset

(Gomti is a river – a tributary of the Ganges – in India)