Drink Your Way Out Of Chicago
By Kyle Thacker in Food on Jun 7, 2012 6:00PM
Summer time sparks ideas of travel, leisure and a freedom to do as you please. From shedding clothes to vacations from work, people and time seem less inhibited and restrained in the summer. In Chicago, those feelings are magnified by a short and fiery summer bookended by (usually) hellacious winters.
Not everyone has the ability to act on those desires of escape, however. Some can’t take the time off from work to travel to their personal tropical paradise. Some of us must settle for fantasies of beachside resorts. But there are enough drinks with international flavor to take you away from Chicago for a short time, even if it’s only for the time it takes you to slam a cocktail.
Here are a list of drinks with international origins that will make you feel like you’re thousands of miles away from any ”L” tracks.
- Caipirinha: This cocktail is the national drink of Brazil, and made with the country’s national liquor, Cachaca. It’s also quite an easy drink to make. With just three ingredients—four if you count ice—you could just as easily enjoy it at home on your back porch as you could on your favorite patio. Cachaca (basically Brazilian rum) is added to a mix of muddled limes and sugar. It’s a simple and refreshing twist on the more familiar daiquiri. Try Novo Fogo Cachaca, with half a lime muddled with sugar in the raw, and served over ice. Impress yourself and barbeque guests with this one. (Ed. Note: Here's my caipirinha recipe for safe keeping.—CS)
- Singapore Sling: As the name tells you, the drink was conceived in Singapore, at the Raffles Hotel Singapore to be precise. The drink is like a punch, with a list of nine ingredients including gin, triple sec, Benedictine, pineapple, and lemon juice. Make sure your schedule is clear for the next few hours after ordering this drink, because it will knock you on your ass without even realizing you’ve even been punched. Try Won Kow in Chinatown (2237 S. Wentworth Ave.) for the “Sling.” After all, Chinatown specializes in over garnished drinks equipped with umbrellas.
- Tej: Tej is Ethiopian honeywine. However, it isn’t much like your momma’s dinner wine, otherwise known as her “medicine.” With honey providing the sugar for fermentation instead of grapes, it’s thicker and much sweeter than might imagine. And its blended with hops and other herbs, so it doesn’t boast the fruitiness or acidity you might here a wine sommelier jabber on about. Tej is a sweet and earthy mix that would excite fans of rooibos tea. For Tej, head north to Uptown or Rogers Park to one of the many Ethiopian restaurants on the far north side, like Demera. (4801 N. Broadway)
- Pisco: A grape Brandy distilled in Peru and Chile, the most famous cocktail for this liquor is a Pisco Sour. But at Between Peruvian Café and Lounge in Wicker Park, an entire list of Pisco cocktails is offered. You can try the classic Sour or twists like a Pisco Negroni. Though, it’s always best to start with the classic before you venture out to any variations. It’s the one that sets the standard. (1324 N. Milwaukee Ave.)
- Limoncello: The Italian liqueur is right at home at the end of this list. Normally served chilled, as a disgestif, this refreshing liqueur made from lemon zest is great as a finish to a meal. Plus you can get easily get around the no drinking policies at the beach by making limoncello popsicles. Stick it to the man! (Ed. Note: My quick and easy limoncello recipe means you don't have to wait long to enjoy some at home.—CS)