Whether you’re hanging out at the bar or planning to throw an ‘adults only’ party, Lee Mei Li knows that cocktails make for great entertainment and sinful indulgence!
In the day and age of today, cocktails are no longer saved for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays or festive celebrations. The cocktail hour works as a breather for busy individuals, marking the transition from work to a time of play where relaxation takes over in the evening.
Different from wines, champagnes and beers which are drunk straight from the bottle, the cocktail consists of an alcoholic mix and match concoction of at least two different liqueurs or spirits.
Legend has it that cocktails originated from a Mexican princess named Xoctl, who had offered a special drink to the American officers at her father’s court. The concoction was at once curiously exotic, lethally powerful and utterly delicious, which led the officers to conclude that the princess’ name ‘Xoctl’ was in fact the name of the drink. Soon, ‘Xoctl’ became ‘cocktail’ and was passed into history as the name that best describes this unique thirstquencher.
However, this interesting story is merely another myth.
Cocktails were actually created in the 1920s during the time of Prohibition in the United States. Alcohol was banned then, and many drinkers were eager to find a way to fool the authorities into believing that their drinks were free of forbidden hard liquor. This led to the invention of colourful and exciting names that were used to disguise what was really in their cups. In truth, it is this fanciful coded system of names that brings glamour to the whole business of making, drinking and serving cocktails.
Over the years, cocktail concoctions became more varied and boasted even more imaginative ingredients and equally captivating names. In the US, Britain and continental Europe, cocktails redefined sophistication and became a drink that ‘smart’ people often preferred. It wasn’t long before every hotel and club in town strived to boast that it had a cocktail bar to offer.
Colourful Cocktail Characters
There are many different types of cocktails in town and around the world, with most based on spirits while others are winebased or even alcohol-free.
Spirits, or distilled alcohol, is found at the heart of most cocktails. As the essential ingredient in every glass, spirits provide a distinctive flavour to the characteristic qualities of the cocktail, drawing the drinker in with the first sip right up until the aftertaste of a powerful kick that lingers.
According to Shriganenthra, restaurant manager of Italiannies who is also attached to Laundry Bar at The Curve in Mutiara Damansara, vodka is the best spirit to use when mixing cocktails. Having worked as a bartender for 3 years previously, Shriganenthra deems vodka as the easiest liquid to mix, as its virtually flavourless nature allows for endless creative possibilities. It adds a surprising depth to concoctions without actually affecting the flavour, and is often described as “felt but not smelt”. Some popular vodka cocktails are Long Island Iced Tea, Bloody Mary and Sex on the Beach.
The aromatic rum is distilled from sugar cane, and comes in both dark and white forms. White rum is a better choice for cocktails without being too overpowering, as compared to dark rums which are heavier in flavour. White rum favourites are the Daiquiri and Mai Tai, while Zombie combines a mixture of dark and white rum.
As the oldest known spirit, whisky is said to have originated from Ireland and plays an important role in the Scottish nation. This spirit is the least used in cocktails, and is usually only for the more straightforward glasses.
Get to read more on this exclusive discovery in the hard-copy of Treazures in your nearest coffee outlet...
More and more gardens are making space for one. Are you ready to do the same? Lee Mei Li writes.
With the New Year barely a few months away, now’s the perfect time to think of ways to improve your home space. Evidently, the garden is the first thing you should pay attention to since it is a view with the most exposure. Besides flowers, trees and outdoor ornaments, a complementing Koi fish pond adds just the right touch to enhance the beauty and energy of your garden.
If you already have an idea on where to build your pond and what size you want it to be, it only takes one and half months to completion, according to Roland Lee, who has over 24 years of experience as a pond and landscape consultant.
However, do set aside a budget of approximately RM20,000 to RM35,000 for a reasonably-sized pond with good depth. “The ideal size is eight by 14 feet, with a depth of four to five feet,” said Lee. A professional pond specialist will ensure that the heavy investment results in a good ‘home’ for Koi fish to grow well.
Build Your Own Style There are many different shapes and types of ponds that you may want to look into according to your personal preferences. “The most suitable is still the rectangular shape for maintenance purposes,” advised Lee. It is not uncommon for superstitious beliefs to override this advice, as some may choose to build shapes according to Feng Shui recommendations.
The latest craze is the Bali-styled pond, which is a favourite among the younger generation. “It is simple, modern and instantly transforms any garden into a well-manicured space,” said Lee. Waterfall features are also common, which Lee regards as more natural and soothing.
“Some of the most unique ponds I’ve seen are those in Taiwan, where private ponds are largely built in open space areas. Landscaping plays an important role in ‘dressing up’ the ponds; different plants produce different results,” he said.
Another thing to know is that your pond must come equipped with a skimmer. This is a pipe at the bottom of the pond that is connected to the filter to absorb debris for easy drainage later on. “Lots of people tend to overlook this factor. That’s why some ponds have a layer of oil and floating particles sitting above the water, which eventually blocks your view of the fish beneath it,” said Lee.
Get to read more on this exclusive discovery in the hard-copy of Treazures in your nearest coffee outlet...
