Ryan J. Salva
N610441624_6271_small
Reputation: 93

Reputation: 93  

Q&A:
3
0
22
9
0
Classifieds:
0
0

Activity

About Ryan J. Salva


Recent posts

  • Comment on morningedition's answer…
    N610441624_6271_small

    That's the one. Thanks!

  • Comment on UnoriginalAndrew's answer…
    N610441624_6271_small

    Uhhh... no. That's not it.

  • N610441624_6271_small

    Who performs that "Invincible" song that Ira Glass played at Re-bar?

  • Do any gyms in Seattle take cash for the monthly dues?
    N610441624_6271_small

    I'm fairly certain Foundation Crossfit on 11th and Pike takes cash.

  • Can you buy "quinine bitters" so I can make a non-high fructose corn syrup with less than half the sugar homemade tonic for my gin?
    N610441624_6271_small

    Yes, you can. Here's how to make your own tonic at home (courtesy of Imbibe Magazine):

    Ingredients:

    4 cups water
    3 cups pure cane sugar (or less, if that's your preference)
    3 Tbsp. quinine (powdered cinchona bark; available in some herb stores or online)
    6 Tbsp. powdered citric acid (found in the bulk section of most well-stocked grocery stores)
    3 limes, zested and juiced
    3 stalks lemongrass, roughly chopped

    Just in case the link for quinine doesn't come through, here it is:

    http://www.zooscape.com/cgi-bin/maitred/GreenCanyon/questp513833/jornada33423824/viewsubsub101246

    Tools:

    Medium saucepan
    Spoon
    Strainer
    Cheesecloth or coffee filters
    Funnel
    Glass bottles with lids or screwtops

    Directions:

    STEP 1:   In a medium saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil until the sugar dissolves, then turn the heat down to low.

    STEP 2:   Add the quinine, citric acid, lemongrass, lime zest and lime juice. Stir well and simmer for about 25 minutes, until the powders are dissolved and the syrup is thin and runny.

    STEP 3:   Remove from heat and let cool. Strain out the large chunks through a colander, then filter through cheesecloth or coffee filters to refine. This step can take a while—and many filters—as the bark is a very fine powder, so be patient.

    STEP 4: Funnel the syrup into sterilized glass bottles, cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.

  • What is a good Gin drink thats not a Martini or a 2 item mix?
    N610441624_6271_small

    The drink that turned me onto gin was a classic by the name of Satan's Whiskers (curled) -- how can you not like a drink with that name? Besides having a brilliant name, it's also a delicious drink that highlights gins best qualities while at the same time masking some of the strong herbal flavors that sometimes turn off fans of vodka.

    Satan's Whiskers (curled)

    I should note, this is my personal variation on the recipe. You'll find slightly different versions elsewhere.

    STEP 1: In a chilled martini glass, give a wash of Grand Marnier. Pour out the excess liqueur.

    STEP 2: In a glass filled with ice, stir 2oz of Hendrick's gin, a splash of both sweet and dry vermouth, the juice of 1/2 a medium-sized orange and a few dashes of Fee's Orange Bitters.

    STEP 3: Pour the mixture into the martini glass and garnish with a twist of orange.

    In Seattle, you can find Fee's Orange Bitters at Delauranti in Pike Place Market (the south end of the market), or you can buy it online. Just Google "fee's bitters"

  • Herbs and Cocktails?
    N610441624_6271_small

    Margaritas are a great, safe way to start mixing herbs with your cocktails because -- quite frankly -- they are very forgiving about your proportions. Add (1) a healthy amount of tequila, (2) at least 1 fresh squeezed lime or 2 of they are small/dry, (3) a touch of simple syrup or agave syrup, (4) and any one of the following muddled* combinations:

    Green apple and rosemary (just a sprig for scent, do not muddle)
    Cucumber and cilantro
    Watermelon and thai basil
    Blackberry and mint

    Or, if tequila isn't your thing and your feeling all "pacific northwest," I had a heavenly Alpine Martini at a Belltown establishment several years ago. If I'm not mistaken, this is the recipe:

    Mix 1.5 ounces citron vodka and 1 scoop of Douglas Fir Sorbet (recipe follows) in a chilled martini glass with 1 small cedar frond as garnish.

    For the Douglas Fir Sorbet:

    1 cup water
    1 cup sugar
    8 inches Douglas fir (cut into 1-inch lengths)
    1 cup water
    1 tablespoon gin

    Boil first cup of water with sugar and Douglas fir for 10 minutes. Strain and cool. Add second cup of water and gin. Churn as directed on your ice cream machine.

  • How to find your favorite Gin
    N610441624_6271_small

    Recipe for a good gin-tasting party:

    1.) Print six, glass-sized circles on letter sized paper. Label each circle 1-6
    2.) Place six glasses on the table. One on top of each circle.
    3.) Pour a shallow glass (about 2-3 swallows) of each gin. I recommend in no particular order:

    Gordon's
    Hendrick's
    Old Tom
    Voyager (locally produced in Woodinville and AWESOME)
    Plymouth
    Dry Fly (Personally, I hate it. But others seem to like it.)
    Bombay Sapphire
    Tanqueray

    The trick is to include both cheap and expensive, well-known and obscure brands. Keep your guests guessing.

    4.) One-by-one, work your way through the gins, sipping water between each glass. Also, keep a handful of coffee beans handy to refresh your sense of smell as gin can be quite odiferous. For each glass, have your guests make notes about what they taste.

    5.) When it's all done and everyone's picked their favorite -- you'd be surprised what tastes good when you don't know how much it costs -- start mixing cocktails!

    When cocktail time arrives, I recommend having a few common mixers handy. Besides the traditional gin-and-tonic, I'd recommend:

    Aviation
    2 shots gin
    ½ shot lemon juice
    ⅓ shot Maraschino
    ⅙ shot Crème de Violette
    (optional egg whites)

    If that doesn't satisfy your tastes, try the Cocktail Database!
    http://cocktaildb.com

  • Comment on Ryan J. Salva's answer…
    N610441624_6271_small

    Boston Shaker - haven't tried that brand before, but from what I can tell, it meets the criteria. I have no reservations about recommending it.

    Hawthorn Strainer - used it. good.

    Muddler and Stirring Spoon - Although I haven't used that specific stirring spoon or muddler, I can tell from their pictures that they are decent products. You basically want a wood muddler without any varnish. Stirring spoons are pretty standard.

    Citrus Squeezer - used it. good.

    Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails - I have the 1st edition of the book. It's awesome.

    Fee's Bitters - Use them all the time. In love with them.

  • Comment on Ryan J. Salva's answer…
    N610441624_6271_small

    OMG... men's warehouse totally has suits for only $79. Then pick up a pair of shoes from Hot Topic and you'll have an elegant ensemble for the prom!

  • See all of my 2 Questions , 22 Answers and 5 Comments