Went out for supper last night with my parents; we were sort of loosely celebrating the fact that come Tuesday I’ll finally be done taking classes for my Sommelier certification. Dad picked the restaurant; a steakhouse called “Mr. Mike’s”. Personally I’d never been before, but the place had a nice atmosphere.
I ended up getting a relatively average veggie burger, though it had a TON of pickles on it and that was a bit different than the typical mushrooms you see paired were generic restaurant veggie burgers – it was a nice little twist. The highlight of the night was “dessert”, where we saw they had a Hot Toddy section available. One of the things on the list was Blueberry Tea which, of course, is a cocktail of sorts that doesn’t actually have blueberries in it. I’ve always been curious where the name for this particular cocktail came from; certainly not to liqueurs in the drink. And obviously I ordered that instead of dessert.
The presentation was gorgeous! I wish I’d taken pictures, but I was trying not to be on my phone throughout the meal. The tea I opted to substitute Earl Grey instead of the standard Orange Pekoe used in this recipe was served in a cute little glass teapot with a couple orange segments and a cinnamon stick on the side for me to mix with it as I wanted. Rested over the top of the teapot was a sideways brandy snifter with the Amaretto and Grand Marinier resting in it/heating up.
I guess the flavour tastes a LITTLE BIT like blueberries? If I didn’t know what the ingredients all were I don’t think I’d be able to break apart the flavour so preciously and the illusion of blueberry would have worked a bit better. As is, the orange elements in the tea, of which there are many bergamot, orange slices, orange flavour liquor, were very smooth and dominant but the sweetness of the amaretto and warming nature of the cinnamon I’d mixed in were such a nice counter balance. I sort of felt like I was “sinking” with each sip. In a really GOOD way though – like each sip released a bit of built up stress/tension. So I was sinking into myself in a sort of therapeutic way.
A+ Hot Toddy, would totally order again.
I’ve had the regular version of this (sans EG) and it actually tasted like blueberries. I was shocked!! maybe there is something about the bergamot oil that got in the way. Now I’m curious!
Hmm; I’ll keep that it mind for next time!