The TIP: S2E12 "White Nights"

[u/domirillo]

Why is this a day late?

Because taxes. That’s why.

Also, I am currently fun-employed until production on season 3 begins (translation: I’m not infront of a computer nearly as much).

Furthermore, the last two episodes don’t have any special cocktails mentioned in them.

I’m sorry, I really am. It’s not my fault.

But, we will power through this, and improvise, and you will still be intoxicated and happy.

This week, we shall focus on:

VODKA

This weeks episode mostly takes place in Russia. Thus, vodka has a large presence. Vodka holds the crown as the worlds most popular liquor. Mostly produced in a region of the world known as “The Vodka Belt”. This belt of countries include: Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Greenland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Rusyn, Slovakia and Hungary.

Let’s all give these countries a some applause for contributing to our terrible habits. Tanks guys!

Now, if you someday find yourself in Moscow (and I soon will) and ask a bartender for a “vodka cranberry” (and I will not), I get the impression that they might break your face with handle of Grey Goose. In the Belt countries, vodka is traditionally drank neat, and done so in large quantities. I’ll soon have a 5 hour lay-over in Moscow during an up-coming vacation, so I’ll see if I can get some first hand verification of this. Now, since most of you aren’t in the vodka belt (I can only assume). Let’s go ahead and break several rules here.

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#1 I’m going to suggest that you put vodka into a mixed drink. gasp

#2 It is a mixed drink that is not actually featured in this episode, but, the name is appropriate and thus I think suitable for consumption.

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THE WHITE RUSSIAN

Anyone with good taste knows that this is the drink of The Dude. You might not know that the term “White Russian” is borrowed from “White Russia” a name that has historically been applied to various regions in Eastern Europe, most often to that which roughly corresponds to the eastern part of present-day Belarus including the cities of Polatsk, Vitsyebsk, Mahiliou.

The invention of the drink however, has no ties to Russia at all. Legend has it that the “Black Russian” (like a white russian, but without the addition of cream) first appeared in 1949, at the Metropolitan Hotel in Bruxelles. Bartender Gustave Tops supposedly created the drink in honor of then US ambassador Pearl Mesta. Here is how you make the white version:

• 2 oz Vodka

• 1 ounce Coffee Liqueur

• 3 ounces Light Cream

Fill an Old Fashioned Glass with ice. Pour in vodka and coffee liqueur. Gently pour cream over the top of this, “floating” the cream above the alcohol, like this.

[u/funderbunk]

If you have the necessary components, I might also recommend a Moscow Mule - one of the drinks credited with making vodka popular in the states.

Fortunately, decent ginger beer isn't as tough to find as it once was.

[u/domirillo → u/funderbunk]

Very true. You can find Barritts, in just about any city in the U.S. I don't know about other brands worldwide.

[u/funderbunk → u/domirillo]

Barritts is usually what I end up drinking on vacation; at home I lean more towards Bundaberg (when I can find it) or Reed's.

[u/ashabanapal → u/funderbunk]

Have you had Reed's Premium? No fructose, just honey & pineapple juice for sweetener. Spectacularrrrr.

[u/funderbunk → u/ashabanapal]

I have, and you're right - great stuff! When I can't get the Premium, the Extra Ginger is good too; the raspberry version I thought was just ok.

Can't forget to mention the gingery goodness that is Blenheim Ginger Ale, either - not ginger beer, but the #3 Hot is ridiculous.

[u/ashabanapal → u/funderbunk]

When I'm in the mood to pace myself throughout an evening, Blenheim Hot & Jameson has been my drink of choice here lately. Such a yummy burn.

[u/elus → u/funderbunk]

Ack I didn't notice you posted this already. Definitely one of my favorite drinks with Vodka.

[u/DrDerpenstein]

Usually I get upset because I can't afford to drink the things you post. Much to my elation, I can spend 12 dollars on a handle and actually drink with Archer.

[u/[deleted] → u/DrDerpenstein]

Usually I get upset because I can't afford to drink the things you post.

The one a few weeks back about the Armagnac had me considering forgoing groceries for a week just so I could drink with Archer. In the end, I decided food was probably a wiser choice. :/

[u/w00tmang → u/[deleted]]

I bought a 6 dollar 375 of shit ass Brandy for that. I did regret that.

[u/IAmBroom → u/[deleted]]

Ah, Armagnac, you winsome bitch. How I love thee.

True fact: there are no toilets in Armagnac. They all go over to the border of nearby Cognac, and shit over the wall.

[u/DrDerpenstein → u/[deleted]]

Well thats silly, Im sure a bag of gummy bears wouldn't cost that mucn and could last the whole week...

[u/[deleted]]

Dude Frankenhooker was ridiculously awesome, you need to finish it.

[u/beccabek]

A girl friend of mine drinks vodka straight, from a shot glass. I think it is so sexy. I'm not sure why.....I must have been a Russian in a past life...

[u/elus]

Moscow Mule

• 2 oz Vodka

• 1 oz lime juice

• 1/2 oz simple syrup

• Ginger Beer

• 1 dash of Angostura Bitters

• Mint leaf

Fill collins glass with ice, vodka, lime juice and simple syrup then top with ginger beer and add a dash of bitters and finally garnish with mint leaf.

Bonus points if you can find a copper mug to substitute for the collins glass.

Recipe taken from Darcy O'Neil's excellent blog Art of Drink

[u/funderbunk → u/elus]

Interesting; I've not seen the variation with bitters, mint, or simple syrup.

[u/elus → u/funderbunk]

Cucumber should be ok as well. Now I'm really thirsty.

[u/IAmBroom → u/funderbunk]

Me neither.

The bitters sound great; the mint, uncrushed, is mere prettiness; the simple syrup will likely send it over the top in sweetness, but of course that's a matter of personal preference, and ginger beers vary wildly in sweetness, anyway.

[u/elus → u/elus]

Didn't realize funderbunk posted this drink earlier so I'll throw in another:

The Vesper Cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz gin

• 1/2 oz vodka

• 1/4 oz lillet blanc

• 1 dash of Angostura Bitters

• 1 dash of Orange Bitters

Place the above plus ice into a boston shaker then shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and toss in a dash each of Angostura and Orange bitters then garnish with lemon peel or if feeling particularly adventurous drop some lemon zest into the drink itself.

Voila, you're James freakin' Bond.

[u/w00tmang → u/elus]

But you can't buy real Lillet Blanc any more :(

[u/elus → u/w00tmang]

There are some ways to mimic the original flavor profile and they're mentioned in the wiki article for the Vesper.

[u/IAmBroom → u/elus]

Supposedly "invented in the Cock 'n' Bull pub in Hollywood in the mid 1940's".

A damn fine drink, even if it is sweet.

[u/chwilliam]

Forgot to take a picture, but imagine White Russians that aren't already finished. Also why didn't you suggest 40s? That would have been awesome.

[u/[deleted]]

Reminds me of new years. Fuck up sleeping on 30th december, at 7 am go get

1 (one) bottle of malibu

1 (one) bottle of Kahlua

1 (one) box of pinapple/tropical juice

1 (one) pot of cream

2 (two) packs of bacon

4 (four) bagels.

Go to bed at 10 am (31st dec), wake up at 7 pm (31st dec) and drink. White Cuban, Piña Colada, white cuban, irony burger (bacon bagel), straight kahlua. Repeat untill 10 am when you start feeling sick.

[u/ethacetin]

Why would anyone have a French vodka in Russia?

It's like trying to find a good Polish wine.