Magna Kum Laude
Next time I have to set a table, I’m going to take a page from chef Joe Shaw, who added a touch of whimsy to the formal setting at The Standard with bowls of key limes and kumquats in lieu of stuffy old flowers. Not only are kumquats vibrant and slightly quirky, they are deliciously tangy—nature’s answer to Sweet Tarts. On a recent evening, I bumped into The Standard owner Josh Smith and his wife, and I prevailed upon them to eat their first kumquats. I wish I had a photo of those puckered faces.
As I mentioned in this week’s dining review, the centerpieces of nut-sized citrus fruits had me quickly salivating for a cocktail—something ideally light and zingy—and I got to thinking about uses for the kumquats stacked so jauntily in the produce section at Whole Foods. This weekend, I think I’ll concoct a “kumquajito” with kumquats instead of limes. Or maybe a gimlet using a kumquat-infused simple syrup in lieu of Rose’s lime juice.
Again, I throw the question to you bartenders: What’s a good kumquat cocktail? Extra points for good names, and yes, given the product at hand, this could be a risqué proposition.
Comments
I did a drink for the Bombay Sapphire drink contest the day after I got to Nashville. The Bombay people loved it and brought in their head Master Mixologist to check it out. The drink was named Three Wises by owner Scott Sears when he put it on the menu that day. Here is the recipe:
3 ea kumquats
1 oz Ras el Hanout buckwheat honey simple syrup
2 oz bombay sapphire
fill with tonic
Stop by the restaurant and try one!
Prost!
Blake Kollker
Posted 05/15/2008 at 10:56:08 PMBlakekollker.com
Mash 3 kumquats
2oz of Hangar One Mandarin
Splash of lime
Splash of blood orange juice
and a splash of soda
the hangar kumtail
Posted 05/16/2008 at 08:51:24 AMSo many saucy possibilities. I like a kumgria, kumquat essence in sangria.
Posted 05/16/2008 at 08:55:50 AMkoyaanisqatsi?
Posted 05/16/2008 at 09:33:22 AMGesundheit!
Posted 05/16/2008 at 09:59:53 AMTtG
That's one obscure film reference dude
Tobin = Mr. Pink?
Posted 05/16/2008 at 10:09:36 AMTtG
That's one obscure film reference dude
Tobin = Mr. Pink?
Posted 05/16/2008 at 10:20:48 AMTtG =/= Mr. Pink.
Posted 05/16/2008 at 10:53:15 AM2 parts stoli
1 part midori
1 part peach schnapps
2 parts pineapple juice
3 muddled kumquats
Voila... Kum On The Beach
Posted 05/16/2008 at 12:15:57 PM(ducks)
TtG:
If you're not, then you have us all fool'd
On one hand, you've been parroting the line than anything north of Arugula equals class warfare... yet you know the correct spelling of a Phillip Glass scored experimental movie?
something is a amiss
Posted 05/16/2008 at 03:21:48 PMGoing to see Iron Man costs $8.
Going to see Koyaanisqatsi costs $8.
Eating at LaHacienda costs $8.
Eating at Mambu costs a lot more.
Understand?
Posted 05/16/2008 at 05:50:00 PMI am not the Gnome, and there are witnesses who have seen us in the same room together.
I can't believe I'm the only gutter mind here to lay claim to the "kum shot."
Posted 05/17/2008 at 12:48:01 AMMY CREATION:
1.5 oz Irish Cream liquor
+ 1.5 oz kumquat juice
---------------------------
= The Pearl Necklace (Serve straight up -- as a shot -- with a side of Kleenex)
A REAL RECIPE:
(Special thanks to Kumquat Growers, Inc.)
Sam's Kumquat Martini
In a large gallon jug, cut two pints of kumquats in half. Cover with orange flavored vodka and let stand for up to two months.
Two parts of the vodka flavored kumquat juice from the jug, one part orange juice, one part cranberry juice, two parts of sweet & sour mix, and one part of citrus flavored gin.
Pour into martini shaker over ice and pour into martini glass and garnish with a slice of kumquat and a mint leaf.
Posted 05/19/2008 at 02:20:06 PMThere was some drink with a scandalous name that Kay ordered one time at The Mirror. I can't remember the name, only that it was something salacious, creamy and kumquat-free, and when Kay ordered it all the guys within earshot did spit-takes.
The kumquat = SweeTarts analogy is a good one. Maybe next time I'll order a kumpirinha.
Posted 05/19/2008 at 04:23:53 PM