Shots 2007
Posted: 2007-12-31
So it started with a simple New Year's resolution, fresh off my "Bucket List" (Thank you Justin Zackham for finding a better name than "Things I Want to do Before I Die"): Invent, test, and document 52 different shot recipes in a year, one for each week. Well, since I came up with it in the wee hours of 2007, why not do it then? Now, I'd be lying if I said I managed to pace myself and do the whole process once a week for 52 weeks straight. That's just not true. Sometimes, I'd do as many as six in a night in order to catch up. But I did pour, test, and document 52 different shots in 2007. To say it was a challenge would be THE understatement of the year.Now, before you say "Well so what? I can do 52 shots in one week, bro. I FUCKING RULE. You're a lightweight! blah blah blah" and so forth, just remember that like Optimus Prime, there is more to this challenge than meets the eye.
For starters:
- No shots you've done before. Ever. Every shot has to be a new recipe. Keep track of your shooters and what order you made them.
- Every shot has to have two or more ingredients.
- Unless the recipe specifically calls for it, the ingredients in the shot CAN NOT mix. If you fuck it up, you drink your mistake and start over. Why is this important? Well, because...
- ...All shots must be documented. This means all the ingredients, the method you used to pour it, and a picture of the shot have to accompany it.
- Other recipes can be used. You don't have to invent each recipe you test (although it's encouraged), but you do have to make sure that when you use someone else's recipe, you note where you found it. If through some sheer blind coincidence you manage to invent a shot and discover after the fact that it's already been invented, don't feel bad. There's no shame in coming in second place.
- As a general rule, try not to skimp on liquor brands. For example, if your recipe calls for Green Creme De Menthe, don't buy clear creme de menthe and use food coloring. If it calls for Bailey's Irish Cream, don't use St. Brendan's. Results can be unexpected. Also, pay attention to the order of liquor in recipes you try. If you find your layers mixing or out of order even though you poured them in the correct order, it may be that the brand of liquor you're using has a lower Specific Gravity than the original the inventor used. Try different brands unti you find the right kind.
- Be prepared to spend upwards of $300 on various liqueurs, cordials, and spirits. One of the reasons why this challenge is an otherwise good idea is that it forces you to build up your liquor cabinet with something besides Vodka and Jagermeister. And there's no shame in having Grenadine and Banana Liqueur in there. Sometimes, a sweet, low-proof liquor is necessary to offset the acetonic properties in the more potent stuff.
- The most complex shot you create has to be the last shot you document. Consider it your final exam. For example, I used a double glass to pour a Pousse Café consisting of Grenadine, Creme De Menthe, Blue Curacao, Cointreau, Brandy, and Galliano.
- Rate every shot you do one a scale of one to five with five being the insatiable urge to do as many shots as you can of this one before you pass out and one being somewhere along the lines of finding the inventor of the offending shooter and punching them in the crotch. Half-points count too. Any additional comments are also welcome.