Ask Alfred Soto

I actually have a couple of bottles of sotol (which afaict is one of about 6 types of agave spirits, including tequila, mezcal, raicilla, etc.). I like it! My point was that agave is a relatively rarified ingredient, and while people have traditionally been making spirits from it for ages, it's not something the vast majority of the world has access to; I've always thought the concept of "bathtub (x)" was something that can be whipped up by anyone, from moonshiners to the dudes in M*A*S*H. And while anyone can make whiskey, yeah, at least of some sort, bourbon specifically, by law, requires a handful of "special" attributes (most notably aging it for a couple of years in a virgin oak barrel) that make it hard for people to simply whip up it on demand over a couple of weeks, like they can gin or vodka or moonshine or even I guess rum. Now, you can argue those rules/restrictions are arbitrary, or just hoops to tax, and maybe they are, but those special/unique characteristics of tequila etc. and bourbon are what imo make those spirits so remarkable and full of character in a way that gin or vodka lacks. Rum is pretty diverse, too, depending on where it is made, how long it has aged, etc. But there's a reason no one ages vodka, and few age gin; what you make is more or less what you've got.

I should market a bottle of sotoa

What will you call it?

US Bureau of Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things

Sotoa Pop

Sotol Le Bon

Alfred, Lord Sotoa

I bought a bottle of Italicus and find it very nice. The orangey-floral-bitter combination works for me. Tried it with just club soda = good. Tried it with Prosecco and some lemon juice = also good, though instead of the 1:1 ratio suggested on the Italicus bottle I did it 3:1 Prosecco. I suppose now it's onward to the Negroni flavored with Italicus.

ooh I like the idea of mixing with prosecco + lemon juice

you really love "posture" as a verb don'tcha?

you do plenty of it too

You answered your own question!

what are your other Categories beyond Big British Summer Crossover Album and #PoppyBushInterzone?

Cute Dudes Who Love Campari.

https://cinemasips.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/steve-zissou-campari.jpg

otm

what day is it today Alfred?

you really love "posture" as a verb don'tcha?

you do plenty of it too

― a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Sunday, November 17, 2019 1:47 PM (one year ago) bookmarkflaglink

You answered your own question!

― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, November 17, 2019 1:48 PM (one year ago) bookmarkflaglink

Aw, I miss Morbz.

what day is it today Alfred?

― calzino,

The day I mix a cocktail at 4:45 p.m. instead of 5:15!

excellent, i hope it's good one and add some ribena! Hb Alf!

Thanks!

Happy Birthday!

http://cdn02.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/headlines/2020/05/jake-gyllenhaal-across-the-way-song.jpg

"...happy birthday dear Soto..."

busted jake gyllenhal jpg^

Jake as Jeffrey Hunter.

I miss Morbs too :/

happy birthday!

well, yeah

Happy birthday Alfred. Raising a Negroni in your honor tonight.

Tonight?! Now, you scalawag.

Thanks, jon!

https://c.tenor.com/D4XGY0CrbusAAAAd/bette-davis-all-about-eve.gif

Let me ask you a hypothermical question.

HB Alfred!

https://i.imgur.com/I0x2x5G.gif HAPPY https://i.imgur.com/I0x2x5G.gif BIRTHDAY !!!

sorry about the spilled ice cube and hope your smoke alarm doesn't go off

Happy birthday Prince Alfred!!

happy birthday alfred!!!

happy birthday so to
happy birthday so to
happy birthday your lordship

Etc

Omigod those Negronis

Thanks, all! You've made the last few years endurable.

don't know you at all alfred, but definitely enjoy your presence here. hope it's a great day for you. i will drink an effervescent nonalcoholic beverage in your honor. cheers.

happy birthday, may the cocktails be adundant

don't know you at all alfred, but definitely enjoy your presence here. hope it's a great day for you. i will drink an effervescent nonalcoholic beverage in your honor. cheers.

― the beginning of the end of discourse. (Austin), v

More importantly: listen to an effervescent Everything But the Girl album from 1990. Thanks!

Happy Birthday Alfred - just one question, cocktail-related: a couple of years ago you were touting the aperitif Italicus, which comes in a beautiful aquamarine bottle; do you still use it on a regular basis, or are you over it? If the latter, have you discovered any other aperitifs since then?

I do, yeah. Tonight. I use it in martinis and Negronis.

and thanks!

How much of it goes into a martini?

Cheers and happy birthday to you good sir!

I moisten the glass at most, Josefa.

You know that great, great Polish actor, Joseph Tura?

Happy birthday! I enjoy your writing/Twitter posts!