Manolith Explores: Summertime Drinks.

By Ned Hepburn on July 31st, 2009

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Ah, the drink. We at Manolith drink heavily from the moment we get up to the moment our head hits the pillow. It would seem that we are, in fact, giant drunks, and thus incredibly well versed in the ways of alcohol. Yes: it is a sight to watch Yosef Solomon down an entire bottle of moonshine in one sitting, and yet another to see Sean Percival make his own wine in the company toilet. Aysha, the girl around the Manolith office, is partial to Smirnoff Ice because she is, not only heavily involved in the Russian Mafia, but she also, “really likes to dance to rave music,” whatever that means. Without further ado, here are some of Manolith’s favorite summer drinks.

The Dark & Stormy

Drink enough of these and you will become its namesake; a haggard individual with no protocol for regular talk … more apt to tell stories about “my days on the sea” than make small talk with smaller minded people. To hell with them. Give me more RUM. To make a Dark & Stormy you’ll need some top grade Ginger Beer. Ginger Beer is NOT Ginger Ale, despite them sounding so alike. Ask at your supermarket and you’ll probably find a couple bottles of the real deal, a much spicier version of the Ginger Ale we’ve all come to know and love as our mixer of choice. Now add two parts that to one part dark rum, cubed ice and a tall glass. Dash of lemon juice and a pinch of sugar (or bitters) should do the trick, and you’ve got one of the best drinks of the summer. To be enjoyed on porches or discretely hidden in a flask and consumed in unmarked vans outside of Daycare centers.

The Gin & Tonic

A good Gin & Tonic is also one of life’s better pleasures. It’s a classy drink, enjoyed by high powered businessmen and Dads alike, and Grandmas and secretaries can get in on the action if they so choose to as well. Like its younger brother the Jack & Coke, it’s a universal beverage. Now, gin is one hell of a drink. It’s the kind of drink where you’ll have three of them and feel a slight buzz, but by the end of the fourth you’re already slurring and yelling at people that, “they don’t know what love is.” To make one, my gin of preference is Tanqueray. Tanquerey makes a very good version called “Rampur”, which is lime infused. You’ll want a bottle of that. Get a small glass tumbler and fill it half way with ice. Now, my rule of thumb is somewhere close to half gin and half tonic. However, my best friend enjoys two parts tonic to one part gin and a splash of sprite. You’ll have to figure out what your favorite way of making it is and what tastes best to you, but the classic recipe calls for two parts tonic to one part gin. Now sit out on the porch and put on some jazz and relax. It’s summer. You’ve earned it.

Tom Collins

There’s an old past-time in my apartment called “Listening To Phil Collins While Drinking Tom Collins”. It’s one of those drinks that every bartender knows of, but few actually know how to make. How about you school them? We ganked the recipie from Esquire, as the office was abuzz with, “how do you actually make one of those fucking things”, so props to the big boys at Conde Nast Publications for giving us this.
• 1 ½ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• ½ oz superfine sugar
• Stir until sugar has dissolved.
Add:
• 3 oz gin (Hendrick’s is particularly cooling)

Fill the glass with ice, then seltzer water up to near the top, then garnish it with a damn umbrella if you want to.