27 November 2021

From the bartender’s corner – Rigitonic

Well, that is a made up name. Recently, I saw this bottle in a liquor shop and I did what I would normally do if I did not recognize a bottle – I bought it! I had never heard of this liqueur – or for that matter any other liqueur from Switzerland, save the kirsch.

After some research, I found that this is a relatively new liqueur. Started in 2015 by two brothers who moved back to Switzerland from America, the inspiration of the liqueur is kirsch. The base is fermented cherries. But then it is distilled in copper pots with various berries native to Switzerland. And then proofed down to 20% with water. (The distillery claims Swiss Alps pristine lake water). Mount Riga in central Switzerland is surrounded by three beautiful Alpine lakes.

The drink closest to this is gin, as I could reckon. So, I had the first one with tonic water.

The nose is very floral and soft. Reminded my of elderflower and lichee. The palate alternated between the sweet of the liqueur and the bitter from the tonic water. The length was moderate.

I will give it a thumbs up. Nice to sip thru the evening. Plus you can have more since it is only half ABV that of gin!

(I made up the name – do not try to Google it)

Category: Cocktails | LEAVE A COMMENT
24 November 2021

Come again?

Met up with Amitesh after a long time. First he was down with cold and then I was traveling too much. I think we had skipped our weekly meetings by over a couple of months. In any case, we were determined to meet up today.

After Hannah took our picture in Abbot’s Bar and Grill, I showed him the picture and commented “We got the traffic light colors covered – green, red and orange”. Not sure whether he was too tired after all the driving to the airport and back or half a glass of wine had already hit the sweet spot for him – his response was “Blue is missing.”

And I was like – “You are confusing traffic lights with the cops that pull you over!” 🙂

Anyways, we then moved on to more serious topics like how James Bond completely messed up the martini cocktail!

Category: Our Friends | LEAVE A COMMENT
22 November 2021

Of vinyl records, motorcycles and Tanzania!!

You probably remember from my post a couple of days back how my friend from office – Deval and her sisters Krupal and Rachana gifted me their dad’s vinyl record collection. Well, get this…

Two days later. It was 9:40PM my time…

“Deval?”
“Yes?”
“Are you busy?”
“No. Having drinks with Chris and Celia.”

I felt reassured that I had not woken up Deval. She was out with two more of my friends from work.

“Well… your dad…”
“Yes, what about him?”
“Was he the CA in a factory called Voil Industries?”

I can only imagine the confusion that must have descended her.
“He was a CA alright. I have to ask my mom about that factory.”

“Ok. Let me try this. Did you folks live in a bungalow in Baroda?”
“Yes.”
“Was there a movie starring Snehlata shot there?”
“Yes. The movie was shot in our bungalow. How do you know that?”. Again, I can only imagine her confusion.
“Well, believe it or not, I have found a connection to your dad.”
“WHAT???”

Let’s take a brief pause here. Let’s see what else happened that day.

I am sure you remember my motorbike friend – Rakesh Rao. He is the organizer, the lead rider and the guy who keeps our team of riders together. He has been a veritable source of tips and tricks for a new rider like me.

Well, he sent a very cryptic “The world is really really small” message to me and his wife Priti the previous day.
I texted “What is going on?”
“I will explain to you when we meet”, he responded.

And later that night, he spilled it all to me. He had recognized Deval’s dad’s name from my post. But he waited to talk to his dad first to make sure he was right.

And that is how I got all the information and the connection.

“Well, your dad had a classmate in Tanzania. His name was Jashwant C Rao. His son is my personal friend in Atlanta. We go out motorbiking together.” I kept explaining to Deval.

“WHAT???”

“Yes. His dad owned Voil Industries!! And my friend has been to your bungalow many times. Remembers you folks!!”

Can you imagine that?

What is the chance that my motorbiker friend in Atlanta and an office friend in Chicago are connected by me AND their dads who were classmates in Africa?

Thank you Rakesh for helping join all the dots!

It is really a small small world, as you say! It feels so great to sit in the cross section of all these intersection points!!

Category: Intersection Points | LEAVE A COMMENT