Have you seen the Omnivore's Hundred? It's an interesting food-blog post setting out the list of 100 things that every "good omnivore" really should try at some point in their lives. (I've tried 79 of them.)
Now for the clever part: Darcy over at the Art of Drink has come up with the "Imbiber's 100" -- a hundred tipples to try before you die:
(ones I've tried are bolded. I was instructed to cross out the ones I won't touch, but I'll try anything once.)
- Manhattan Cocktail
- Kopi Luwak
- French / Swiss Absinthe
- Root Beer
- Gin Martini
- Sauternes
- Whole Milk
- Tequila (100% Agave)
- XO Cognac
- Espresso
- Spring Water (directly from the spring)
- Gin & Tonic
- Mead
- Westvleteren 12 (Yellow Cap) Trappist Ale
- Chateau d’Yquem
- Budweiser
- Maraschino Liqueur
- Mojito
- Orgeat
- Grand Marnier
- Mai Tai (original)
- Ice Wine (Darcy specifies Canadian, but I've had some damned good ice wine from NY State)
- Red Bull
- Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
- Bubble Tea
- Tokaj
- Chicory
- Islay Scotch
- Pusser’s Navy Rum
- Fernet Branca
- Fresh Pressed Apple Cider
- Bourbon
- Australian Shiraz
- Buckley’s Cough Syrup
- Orange Bitters
- Margarita (classic recipe)
- Molasses & Milk
- Chimay Blue
- Wine of Pines
- Green Tea
- Daiginjo Sake
- Chai Tea
- Vodka (chilled, straight)
- Coca-Cola
- Zombie (Beachcomber recipe)
- Barley Wine
- Brewed Choclate (Xocolatl)
- Pisco Sour
- Lemonade
- Speyside Single Malt
- Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
- Champagne (Vintage)
- Rosé (French)
- Bellini
- Caipirinha
- White Zinfandel (Blush)
- Coconut Water
- Cerveza
- Cafe au Lait
- Iced Tea
- Pedro Ximenez Sherry
- Vintage Port
- Hot Chocolate
- German Riesling
- Pina Colada
- El Dorado 15 Year Rum
- Chartreuse
- Greek Wine
- Negroni
- Jägermeister
- Chicha
- Guinness
- Rhum Agricole
- Palm Wine
- Soju
- Ceylon Tea (High Grown)
- Belgian Lambic
- Mongolian Airag
- Doogh, Lassi or Ayran
- Sugarcane Juice
- Ramos Gin Fizz
- Singapore Sling
- Mint Julep
- Old Fashioned
- Perique
- Jenever
- Chocolate Milkshake
- Traditional Italian Barolo
- Pulque
- Natural Sparkling Water
- Cuban Rum
- Asti Spumante
- Irish Whiskey
- Château Margaux
- Two Buck Chuck
- Screech
- Akvavit
- Rye Whiskey
- German Weissbier
- Daiquiri (classic)
Hmmm. 75 out of 100 doesn't seem too bad. (I'm more ashamed to have never heard of some of these: Screech, Pulque, Perique, Airag, Chicha, Wine of Pines, Buckley's Cough Syrup.) How'd you do?
Screech is a Newfoundland rum that's renowned for being...well...harsh and awful. Numerous reviews have stated that it's unique and just not enjoyable, although I've heard that they reformulated no too long ago to make their rum more palatable to the general market.
Posted by: Matt Robold (RumDood) | November 14, 2008 at 02:31 PM
I think that any liquor that has a Wikipedia disambiguation page distinguishing it from a "Saved By The Bell" character shouldn't belong on this list.
also, on Googling Perique, I remember that I've heard of it before and am very curious about it. Wine of Pines also sounds interesting, but I may have to pass on the cough syrup.
Posted by: Vidiot | November 14, 2008 at 07:26 PM
I had to ask about the screech too, I also did a little homework and apparently there is a ritual in a lot of the waterfront bars which involves drinking a shot, reciting a phrase and kissing a fish in order to become an honorary newfoundlander, that reminds me of somthing else, I'll be back once I've dug it up
Posted by: Paul Bradley | November 16, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Got it;
Check THIS out, http://www.sourtoecocktailclub.com/
this should definitely be on the list.
Posted by: Paul Bradley | November 16, 2008 at 11:28 AM