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-   -   What place has the best cocktails? (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/what-place-has-best-cocktails-350054/)

frayedends 05-14-2024 03:54 PM

What place has the best cocktails?
 
I mean, the best bartenders, and the best ingredients. I mean quality bourbons with demerara syrup, luxardo cherries, and good bitters. I mean they don't stock sour mix at all. I mean places that use lime juice and simple and don't stock Rose's sweetened lime.

I mean a place that if I ask for a classic daiquiri they won't look for strawberries and slush. A place that if I order a gimlet they will ask gin or vodka and what brand I prefer.

Maybe a place that asks if I want my old fashioned muddled or just stirred. A place that knows to never shake a martini unless a spy from Britain enters.

A place the dry shakes a drink with egg whites before the ice is added for shaking.

A place that has real grenadine, not Rose's red high fructose corn syrup.

Now, for the posts about to come... I know not to drink and drive. I know I drink too much. I know all about that stuff. I'm not looking for happy hours. I'm looking for quality. Bartenders that have come up with their own cocktails that make sense based on ingredients.

I want bartenders that measure! I want balanced cocktails.

Okay, so I did get all of the above at Harvest from a couple of bartenders. So far that is my favorite for drinks, but the food, while okay, not my favorite.

I've had good luck and bad luck at Bluefin. Once they used Rose's Sweetened Lime in my gimlet. I guess I can't fault them since classically it's made with lime cordial. But since's Rose's is crap it's better to have lime juice and simple syrup.

Oh and I'm actually okay with bottled lime juice or lemon juice. I'm not a drink snob after all. :1rotfl:

mightymo 05-14-2024 04:01 PM

You're not a drink snob?? WOW!!

frayedends 05-14-2024 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightymo (Post 2331269)
You're not a drink snob?? WOW!!

LOL I know. During Covid I built a bar in my basement. I had nothing to do but learn about classic cocktails and newer cocktails. I learned too much.

This is in Massachusetts. I certainly won't have it in the Florida house.

https://i.imgur.com/nVn71B2l.jpg

shut the front door 05-14-2024 04:33 PM

Be careful with your wording. Some folks are ashamed to be called bartenders, so they prefer the term "mixologist".

frayedends 05-14-2024 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shut the front door (Post 2331278)
Be careful with your wording. Some folks are ashamed to be called bartenders, so they prefer the term "mixologist".

I prefer my bartenders to be humble. :D

But if they are creating original cocktails I will call them mixologist.

Stu from NYC 05-14-2024 05:25 PM

Like marquaritas at Mexican restaurants but lately finish one and not ready to drive home so having to stop

frayedends 05-14-2024 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2331290)
Like marquaritas at Mexican restaurants but lately finish one and not ready to drive home so having to stop

Another drink so often messed up by bartenders. So simple, 3 ingredients. Tequila, orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or any good curaçao or triple sec, and lime juice. But so many ruin it with sour mix.

Shipping up to Boston 05-14-2024 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2331275)
LOL I know. During Covid I built a bar in my basement. I had nothing to do but learn about classic cocktails and newer cocktails. I learned too much.

This is in Massachusetts. I certainly won't have it in the Florida house.

https://i.imgur.com/nVn71B2l.jpg

Why not?
Dont tell me it's in the deed restrictions! ;)

frayedends 05-14-2024 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston (Post 2331296)
Why not?
Dont tell me it's in the deed restrictions! ;)

More than likely space. But I will have an outdoor bar area eventually.

Kelevision 05-14-2024 07:07 PM

I wish there was a great cocktail place here. They did just open a Speakeasy in downtown Leesburg. They hired the mixologist from Miami. I’m not sure where it is exactly but it’s attached to a pizza place. If you kind of like Blue Fin and Harvest then try Prima across from Harvest too.

Shipping up to Boston 05-14-2024 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2331275)
LOL I know. During Covid I built a bar in my basement. I had nothing to do but learn about classic cocktails and newer cocktails. I learned too much.

This is in Massachusetts. I certainly won't have it in the Florida house.

https://i.imgur.com/nVn71B2l.jpg

Why not?
Dont tell me it's in the deed restrictions! ;)

frayedends 05-14-2024 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston (Post 2331325)
Why not?
Dont tell me it's in the deed restrictions! ;)

I’m having deja vu.

Stu from NYC 05-14-2024 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2331293)
Another drink so often messed up by bartenders. So simple, 3 ingredients. Tequila, orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or any good curaçao or triple sec, and lime juice. But so many ruin it with sour mix.

I do notice that sometimes not enough lime juice

Vickim 05-15-2024 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2331268)
I mean, the best bartenders, and the best ingredients. I mean quality bourbons with demerara syrup, luxardo cherries, and good bitters. I mean they don't stock sour mix at all. I mean places that use lime juice and simple and don't stock Rose's sweetened lime.

I mean a place that if I ask for a classic daiquiri they won't look for strawberries and slush. A place that if I order a gimlet they will ask gin or vodka and what brand I prefer.

Maybe a place that asks if I want my old fashioned muddled or just stirred. A place that knows to never shake a martini unless a spy from Britain enters.

A place the dry shakes a drink with egg whites before the ice is added for shaking.

A place that has real grenadine, not Rose's red high fructose corn syrup.

Now, for the posts about to come... I know not to drink and drive. I know I drink too much. I know all about that stuff. I'm not looking for happy hours. I'm looking for quality. Bartenders that have come up with their own cocktails that make sense based on ingredients.

I want bartenders that measure! I want balanced cocktails.

Okay, so I did get all of the above at Harvest from a couple of bartenders. So far that is my favorite for drinks, but the food, while okay, not my favorite.

I've had good luck and bad luck at Bluefin. Once they used Rose's Sweetened Lime in my gimlet. I guess I can't fault them since classically it's made with lime cordial. But since's Rose's is crap it's better to have lime juice and simple syrup.

Oh and I'm actually okay with bottled lime juice or lemon juice. I'm not a drink snob after all. :1rotfl:

Your looking for hand crafted cocktails don’t think you will find anything handcrafted in The Villages , unfortunately. Well, maybe Anglers club!
Which proves the folks that run Havana, Lopez and a few other restaurants ,ran by same folks, are capable but lacking the desire for quality.

crash 05-15-2024 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2331268)
I mean, the best bartenders, and the best ingredients. I mean quality bourbons with demerara syrup, luxardo cherries, and good bitters. I mean they don't stock sour mix at all. I mean places that use lime juice and simple and don't stock Rose's sweetened lime.

I mean a place that if I ask for a classic daiquiri they won't look for strawberries and slush. A place that if I order a gimlet they will ask gin or vodka and what brand I prefer.

Maybe a place that asks if I want my old fashioned muddled or just stirred. A place that knows to never shake a martini unless a spy from Britain enters.

A place the dry shakes a drink with egg whites before the ice is added for shaking.

A place that has real grenadine, not Rose's red high fructose corn syrup.

Now, for the posts about to come... I know not to drink and drive. I know I drink too much. I know all about that stuff. I'm not looking for happy hours. I'm looking for quality. Bartenders that have come up with their own cocktails that make sense based on ingredients.

I want bartenders that measure! I want balanced cocktails.

Okay, so I did get all of the above at Harvest from a couple of bartenders. So far that is my favorite for drinks, but the food, while okay, not my favorite.

I've had good luck and bad luck at Bluefin. Once they used Rose's Sweetened Lime in my gimlet. I guess I can't fault them since classically it's made with lime cordial. But since's Rose's is crap it's better to have lime juice and simple syrup.

Oh and I'm actually okay with bottled lime juice or lemon juice. I'm not a drink snob after all. :1rotfl:

You left off you want it for $5 and only drink during happy hour. Most bars can give you what you want just ask and pay. Places that charge $11 to $15 in the Villages are closed.

MandoMan 05-15-2024 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2331268)
I mean, the best bartenders, and the best ingredients. I mean quality bourbons with demerara syrup, luxardo cherries, and good bitters. I mean they don't stock sour mix at all. I mean places that use lime juice and simple and don't stock Rose's sweetened lime.

I mean a place that if I ask for a classic daiquiri they won't look for strawberries and slush. A place that if I order a gimlet they will ask gin or vodka and what brand I prefer.

Maybe a place that asks if I want my old fashioned muddled or just stirred. A place that knows to never shake a martini unless a spy from Britain enters.

A place the dry shakes a drink with egg whites before the ice is added for shaking.

A place that has real grenadine, not Rose's red high fructose corn syrup.

Now, for the posts about to come... I know not to drink and drive. I know I drink too much. I know all about that stuff. I'm not looking for happy hours. I'm looking for quality. Bartenders that have come up with their own cocktails that make sense based on ingredients.

I want bartenders that measure! I want balanced cocktails.

Okay, so I did get all of the above at Harvest from a couple of bartenders. So far that is my favorite for drinks, but the food, while okay, not my favorite.

I've had good luck and bad luck at Bluefin. Once they used Rose's Sweetened Lime in my gimlet. I guess I can't fault them since classically it's made with lime cordial. But since's Rose's is crap it's better to have lime juice and simple syrup.

Oh and I'm actually okay with bottled lime juice or lemon juice. I'm not a drink snob after all. :1rotfl:

Over a decade ago I dated a woman who, like me, appreciated properly mixed drinks. I read books on well made cocktails, and every weekend I would make us each one, using only fresh ingredients and the best liquors and following the recipe carefully. Then we rated the results. We each gave five stars to several cocktails. Those were added to the list. Some got four stars, or one four and one five. In that case we would discuss where the cocktail fell short and try to improve it. It might need another 1/4 oz. of this or that. Sometimes we developed a five star recipe. Sometimes we failed. Our favorites included the Last Word, the Widow’s Kiss, and a good Negroni. I like cocktails with very complex herbal liquors, like green chartreuse (not yellow) and Benedictine. A good cocktail should always be sipped slowly and savored. Never a mouthful. The only vermouth allowed in the house should be Carpano Antica. No other will do.

Try the Caipirinha, the national cocktail of Brazil. It MUST be made with Cachaça, not rum. (2 oz. of Cachaça, 1 tsp sugar, one lime, quartered, with sugar and lime muddled.)

Martini? 2 1/2 oz of Tanqueray #10 (not the regular Tanqueray), 1/2 oz of Carpano Antica. Thoroughly stirred or shaken.

But the original Martini was sweeter and also delicious. 2 1/4 oz of gin. 3/4 oz of sweet vermouth. Dash of orange bitters. Try it!

Mojito? 2 oz of light rum, 1 oz of lime juice, fresh-squeezed only, 2 tsp sugar, 4-6 sprigs of long-leaf mint. Muddle the sugar and mint with 1/2 oz of soda. Add lime and rum. Top with another 1/2 oz of soda. (Most mojitos are ruined with too much soda.)

Some drinks were never five star, and we weren’t able to ever make them worth drinking. Top of the list for drinks not worth drinking? The Cosmopolitan. Sex on the Beach. I’ve never had a good one.

Best fast drink for guzzling? Sobieski Vodka (better than Tito’s and much cheaper) and San Pellegrino Pompelmo (grapefruit) soda. A can of the latter and three or four ounces of the former. That is the only soda worth mixing with vodka. I have to order cases of it from Amazon, as it is hard to find here. That is the ONLY San Pellegrino worth tasting, and I mean the soda, not the flavored waters. It has the bitter taste of real grapefruit membranes.

I don’t know of any great bars around here that mix drinks accurately and use only fresh ingredients. Make your own!

frayedends 05-15-2024 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash (Post 2331375)
You left off you want it for $5 and only drink during happy hour. Most bars can give you what you want just ask and pay. Places that charge $11 to $15 in the Villages are closed.

I did specify I’m not looking for happy hour. I expect to pay for quality.

golfing eagles 05-15-2024 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandoMan (Post 2331381)
Over a decade ago I dated a woman who, like me, appreciated properly mixed drinks. I read books on well made cocktails, and every weekend I would make us each one, using only fresh ingredients and the best liquors and following the recipe carefully. Then we rated the results. We each gave five stars to several cocktails. Those were added to the list. Some got four stars, or one four and one five. In that case we would discuss where the cocktail fell short and try to improve it. It might need another 1/4 oz. of this or that. Sometimes we developed a five star recipe. Sometimes we failed. Our favorites included the Last Word, the Widow’s Kiss, and a good Negroni. I like cocktails with very complex herbal liquors, like green chartreuse (not yellow) and Benedictine. A good cocktail should always be sipped slowly and savored. Never a mouthful. The only vermouth allowed in the house should be Carpano Antica. No other will do.

Try the Caipirinha, the national cocktail of Brazil. It MUST be made with Cachaça, not rum. (2 oz. of Cachaça, 1 tsp sugar, one lime, quartered, with sugar and lime muddled.)

Martini? 2 1/2 oz of Tanqueray #10 (not the regular Tanqueray), 1/2 oz of Carpano Antica. Thoroughly stirred or shaken.

But the original Martini was sweeter and also delicious. 2 1/4 oz of gin. 3/4 oz of sweet vermouth. Dash of orange bitters. Try it!

Mojito? 2 oz of light rum, 1 oz of lime juice, fresh-squeezed only, 2 tsp sugar, 4-6 sprigs of long-leaf mint. Muddle the sugar and mint with 1/2 oz of soda. Add lime and rum. Top with another 1/2 oz of soda. (Most mojitos are ruined with too much soda.)

Some drinks were never five star, and we weren’t able to ever make them worth drinking. Top of the list for drinks not worth drinking? The Cosmopolitan. Sex on the Beach. I’ve never had a good one.

Best fast drink for guzzling? Sobieski Vodka (better than Tito’s and much cheaper) and San Pellegrino Pompelmo (grapefruit) soda. A can of the latter and three or four ounces of the former. That is the only soda worth mixing with vodka. I have to order cases of it from Amazon, as it is hard to find here. That is the ONLY San Pellegrino worth tasting, and I mean the soda, not the flavored waters. It has the bitter taste of real grapefruit membranes.

I don’t know of any great bars around here that mix drinks accurately and use only fresh ingredients. Make your own!

Yep. Definitely not a "drink snob" :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Priebehouse 05-15-2024 06:18 AM

Sooooo..
 
Mixing Popov and Tang ain't your thang?

seecapecod 05-15-2024 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayedends (Post 2331268)
I mean, the best bartenders, and the best ingredients. I mean quality bourbons with demerara syrup, luxardo cherries, and good bitters. I mean they don't stock sour mix at all. I mean places that use lime juice and simple and don't stock Rose's sweetened lime.

I mean a place that if I ask for a classic daiquiri they won't look for strawberries and slush. A place that if I order a gimlet they will ask gin or vodka and what brand I prefer.

Maybe a place that asks if I want my old fashioned muddled or just stirred. A place that knows to never shake a martini unless a spy from Britain enters.

A place the dry shakes a drink with egg whites before the ice is added for shaking.

A place that has real grenadine, not Rose's red high fructose corn syrup.

Now, for the posts about to come... I know not to drink and drive. I know I drink too much. I know all about that stuff. I'm not looking for happy hours. I'm looking for quality. Bartenders that have come up with their own cocktails that make sense based on ingredients.

I want bartenders that measure! I want balanced cocktails.

Okay, so I did get all of the above at Harvest from a couple of bartenders. So far that is my favorite for drinks, but the food, while okay, not my favorite.

I've had good luck and bad luck at Bluefin. Once they used Rose's Sweetened Lime in my gimlet. I guess I can't fault them since classically it's made with lime cordial. But since's Rose's is crap it's better to have lime juice and simple syrup.

Oh and I'm actually okay with bottled lime juice or lemon juice. I'm not a drink snob after all. :1rotfl:

There was an amazing bar and bartender in San Francisco where we experienced this- Bluefin? Harvest? The Villages? Nope.

Shipping up to Boston 05-15-2024 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Priebehouse (Post 2331393)
Mixing Popov and Tang ain't your thang?

First Tang reference of 2024! America’s original ‘energy’ drink! ;)

msilagy 05-15-2024 07:27 AM

It's sad to say TV is not the place to find the cocktails you desire. Big cities with really fine dining (not in TV although they may pretend they are) Sorry!

airstreamingypsy 05-15-2024 07:42 AM

I've never understood the thirst for mixed cocktails..... this gal likes Stella beer, some wines and Tito's vodka neat.

Ptmcbriz 05-15-2024 08:03 AM

You should start a refined drink club and we meet one evening a week with members alternating hosting at their homes. Each week is a different targeted drink.

Stu from NYC 05-15-2024 08:09 AM

Considering what mixed drinks cost these days one would have hoped better quality and consistency

bruce213 05-15-2024 08:14 AM

Try the 1960s. Look for Don Draper.

Robojo 05-15-2024 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickim (Post 2331361)
Your looking for hand crafted cocktails don’t think you will find anything handcrafted in The Villages , unfortunately. Well, maybe Anglers club!
Which proves the folks that run Havana, Lopez and a few other restaurants ,ran by same folks, are capable but lacking the desire for quality.

This highlights what I have been trying to point out to people at the pool. There is no real luxury in the villages. There is no real service in the villages. Heck there ain't even a towel service at the pool. Even the Marriott has that.

You're looking for quality. And you're not going to find it here.

frayedends 05-15-2024 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ptmcbriz (Post 2331455)
You should start a refined drink club and we meet one evening a week with members alternating hosting at their homes. Each week is a different targeted drink.

That is a great idea. When I’m full time I will do that.

NotGolfer 05-15-2024 08:38 AM

Funny how folks come from Big Cities and look for high-end everything. Food (restaurants) shopping, now alcoholic beverages. I bet most were like us when they came looking and those things weren't on "the list" of must haves. IF cost isn't a factor then maybe drive to one of Florida's big cities.

Ecuadog 05-15-2024 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandoMan (Post 2331381)
... Our favorites included the Last Word, the Widow’s Kiss, and a good Negroni. ...

Try the Caipirinha, the national cocktail of Brazil. It MUST be made with Cachaça, not rum. ...

I like cocktails too. I hope you don't mind me asking...

1. Which Gin do you use for a Negroni (with the Campari and the Carpano Antica) and do you keep it at equal parts each?

2. Which Cachaça do you prefer?

3. Did you ever come up with a five star Manhattan?

Thanks.

windjamer 05-15-2024 09:03 AM

Buyer Beware
 
Made the mistake of ordering a shot of Crown on the rocks at Glenview CC. Sticker shock...$15..whole bottle cost $23...should have asked first.
Dinner was great so OH WELL

frayedends 05-15-2024 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2331478)
Funny how folks come from Big Cities and look for high-end everything. Food (restaurants) shopping, now alcoholic beverages. I bet most were like us when they came looking and those things weren't on "the list" of must haves. IF cost isn't a factor then maybe drive to one of Florida's big cities.

I’ll let all the folks here in Westminster, MA (population 8000) that we are a big city. I’ll also let the great bartenders I had at Harvest and Bluefin that they are doing too great of a job and they should leave the Villages if they want to make good drinks like that.

Good grief there’s always someone chiming in on threads to tell you how everything sucks in the Villages. I know I can get what I’m looking for in the Villages and simply posted a fun thread for more recommendations. Oh and I forgot that Chop House also meets my criteria.

golfing eagles 05-15-2024 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robojo (Post 2331468)
This highlights what I have been trying to point out to people at the pool. There is no real luxury in the villages. There is no real service in the villages. Heck there ain't even a towel service at the pool. Even the Marriott has that.

You're looking for quality. And you're not going to find it here.

Depends where you look. But as far as a "towel service goes", imagine running such a service for 120 pools. I would estimate the theft of about 1000 towels/day, maybe more. Then add the laundry cost, the cost of storage for what? maybe 30,000+ towels, the replacement costs, and the lawsuits from anyone who gets a minor rash and blames the towel detergent. Rotsa ruck

Shipping up to Boston 05-15-2024 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2331478)
Funny how folks come from Big Cities and look for high-end everything. Food (restaurants) shopping, now alcoholic beverages. I bet most were like us when they came looking and those things weren't on "the list" of must haves. IF cost isn't a factor then maybe drive to one of Florida's big cities.

I don’t think it’s ‘high end’ to expect something more than Moose Lodge offerings in a development that crosses all socio economic demos. You may like PBR and Highballs....others come from different generations and want more expanded options. The developer will figure it out as will prospective commercial tenants. There’s a lot of money on the table here and residents/guests shouldn’t have to drive to ‘big cities’ to enjoy drinking/dining options that are limited to a what is served at a chicken bog festival!

Stu from NYC 05-15-2024 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robojo (Post 2331468)
This highlights what I have been trying to point out to people at the pool. There is no real luxury in the villages. There is no real service in the villages. Heck there ain't even a towel service at the pool. Even the Marriott has that.

You're looking for quality. And you're not going to find it here.

If you are at a high end resort yes you can expect luxury but did you not have any idea what this place is when moving here?

Your expectations do not meet reality at all.

asianthree 05-15-2024 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robojo (Post 2331468)
This highlights what I have been trying to point out to people at the pool. There is no real luxury in the villages. There is no real service in the villages. Heck there ain't even a towel service at the pool. Even the Marriott has that.

You're looking for quality. And you're not going to find it here.

I just have to ask where did you live prior to the villages that someone came out, gave you pool towels and service?
Did you live in a high-end luxury apartment building where there was staff or in-home staff?

How exactly does a residential retirement community provide service like a Marriott hotel.
Unless you are a renter, and your contract in paragraph 11a states

staff would be available to bring you a towel :1rotfl:

Confusing a hotel with a private home is just comical or total confusion.

Crap maybe this is supposed to be a Sheldon post

Shipping up to Boston 05-15-2024 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2331495)
Depends where you look. But as far as a "towel service goes", imagine running such a service for 120 pools. I would estimate the theft of about 1000 towels/day, maybe more. Then add the laundry cost, the cost of storage for what? maybe 30,000+ towels, the replacement costs, and the lawsuits from anyone who gets a minor rash and blames the towel detergent. Rotsa ruck

People steal towels?!

golfing eagles 05-15-2024 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston (Post 2331537)
People steal towels?!

Judging by TOTV, people steal EVERYTHING!

Alarmed 05-15-2024 10:50 AM

Best drinks and food in the Area
 
Not in TV. Go to Mark's Prime on the square in Ocala.

Shipping up to Boston 05-15-2024 10:52 AM

:1rotfl:
Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2331547)
Judging by TOTV, people steal EVERYTHING!



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