Perfectly clear cocktail ideas

[Shalmanese]

I'm seeking ideas for a cocktail to be named "diamonds are forever" for a cocktail party this weekend. It can't be a martini or an aviation. My biggest hurdle is finding something that doesn't contain lemon or line juice as either of those would cloud it up.

[vice]

while avoiding a classic martini, you could still hew fairly close to the Wondrich approach, i.e., the lion's share given to a white spirit of your choice, cut with a light aperitif wine (noilly dry and lillet will both give a nice golden cast akin to yellow diamonds), and a splash of liquer to jazz it up. citrus bitters of some sort as aromatics tend to add too much color.

[KD1191]

Maybe a clear riff on a red hook?

Death's Door White Whiskey, Cinzano Bianco Vermouth, Luxardo Maraschino

[cdh]

A Gin Stinger would do the job. Ingredients are both clear. The minty-ness might be a nice difference.

[fooey]

Diamonds sounds like something on the rocks, so a clear spirit or spirits on the rocks? Cointreau on the rocks? Orange curacao and tonic water (bitter and bitter works) on the rocks?

Then again, when the rocks melt, so go the diamonds and so much for forever.

Edited September 16, 2009 by fooey (log)

[mkayahara]

A Gin Stinger would do the job. Ingredients are both clear. The minty-ness might be a nice difference.

I second this. If a Gin Stinger isn't your style, Wondrich's Picador (basically a Rum Stinger) or even a Vodka Stinger would work just as well.

[Lisa Shock]

There's always the gin & tonic, just twist lemon or lime zest over the glass before filling it.

I have seen ice cube trays that make big diamond shapes. I think it was at Sur La Table, but I am not 100% certain, they are not available in their online store.

Two clear alcohols not mentioned here are aquavit and corn whiskey (there are legal versions for sale), but, I'd go and look at the variety of clear liqueurs and eau de vies available to you. Maybe some good Poire Williams?

[thirtyoneknots]

If you're trying to make a crowd-pleasing drink but have to avoid citrus I think that Bianco or Blanc Vermouth is a great way to round off the harsher flavors of spirits while keeping sweetness in check. I've had lots of fun drinking Dolin Blanc mixed with Tequila Por Mi Amante, I wonder if a regular blanco would work the same way? Anvil in Houston has a fabulous drink called the Peruvian Riddle, made from Chamomile-infused Pisco with Bianco and orange bitters in classic (ie, wet) Martini preportions. I would imagine this drink would work well with an uninfused Pisco as well.

[vice]

David Santucci recommends 2:1 blanco tequila to blanc vermouth here. Then there's eje's version which adds a touch of yellow chartreuse and bitters.

[alacarte]

This might be too subtle - but if you want to embrace a vodka drink, a number claim to be filtered through diamonds. You could use one of those brands for your drink.

Would you consider something as simple as a vodka tonic? The bubbles would provide an effervescence reminiscent of a diamond's sparkle. And rocks/ice - another diamond reference.

[MexChef]

Is clouding the only reason you don't want to use lime or lemon juice? if so, try clarifying it using agar. lookie here: http://cookingissues.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/agar-clarification-made-stupid-simple-best-technique-yet/

Cheers

pw

[cdh]

Wow! Good link to the agar clarification page. That is a very cool idea.