The impetuous for today's drink recipe could have gone totally awry - maybe not a full-on, saloon-style brawl but a heated exchange of some fightin' words for sure!
On my last visit to this said saloon, I ordered a drink called The Lambretta. Partly because it sounded tasty and partly because that word jumps out at a vintage Vespa owner like cigarette pants and a tight sweater.
So either I'm curious or I just plain talk too much - but I inquired; "what, no drink called Vespa?" To which the bartend(ress) replied - "that is the WHOLE idea." Oh NO you did not - diss the Vespa right to my face!
I could have gone on and on about how clearly superior a Vespa is to a Lambretta in the world of vintage scooters - I mean everybody knows that right?! But instead I just quietly sipped my cocktail and smiled a knowing smile - I could tweak this drink and create my own damn recipe called The Vespa!
Here's how I see it. The Lambretta is fast, hard-edged, loud and great for racing - the Vespa is the opposite. So it stands to reason that it's imbibed namesake should be high octane if nothing else. Mixing Death's Door Gin, Ketel One Citroen Vodka and Lillet Blanc in the same glass will do that for sure AND have you steering clear of open flames.
But speed is not everything my friend. Style matters. And this where the Vespa comes in and this is how I'd slow this drink down to a smooth, styling cruisin' speed.
The Vespa
- 1/2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz vodka
- 1 oz Lillet Blanc
- 1/2 oz Cointreau
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Splash of orange bitters
- Twist of lemon
Place all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice, shake and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with twist.
The Lambretta
- Death's Door Gin
- Ketel On Citroen Vodka
- Lillet Blanc
- Fee Brother's Orange Bitters
- Stirred & served up with an orange twist
This is just the list of ingredients per The Night Light's drink list - you're on your own for ratios. Hell, just pour. It's the Lambretta - it's supposed to be fast and you'll need to fix it anyway.
Fightin' words!