November 2008
"Local" Drinks across the World
This month from Japan ...
Awamori is an alcoholic beverage indigenous to Okinawa in Japan. It's a lot stronger and a tad smoother than the Japanese sake, but still has a nice taste mainly due to the careful distillation techniques used to make it.

Awamori is thought to get its name from the bubbles (awa) that rise and swell (mori) during its distillation. The more bubbles, the higher the alcohol concentration in the final product.

Awamori starts as crushed rice that is carefully washed to remove the outer surface, then soaked in water. After soaking, the water is drained and the rice is steamed for about an hour. The temperature is lowered to about 40 degrees Celsius and black yeast, called koji, is added to the rice and left overnight in the steamer.


The next day this mixture is spread over triangle-shaped shelves to let the black yeast breed for another two days. This turns the starch in the rice into sugar, an important part of the liquor- making process.

Black yeast water is added to the mixture , then is left to ferment for about two weeks. This is called unrefined sake and is moved to a distiller container for two and half hours. The result is mellow Awamori, but it still has to mature before being bottled for sale to the public. So, it is stored in tanks for at least three years. Some awamori distilleries like to add a little something extra to certain batches, such as ginseng or a habu snake (this type is usually used as a dare to see who is brave enough to drink the habu awamori).

Awamori is typically 60 proof. It is aged to improve its flavor and mellowness. Some brands of awamori (notably hanazake) are 120 proof and will catch fire.

The most popular way to drink awamori is with water and ice. When served in a restaurant in Okinawa, it will nearly always be accompanied by a container of ice and carafe of water. Awamori can also be drunk straight, on the rocks, and in cocktails.

Today awamori is offered when guests come to visit, during celebrations, festivals, and other events throughout the year. When it comes to buying awamori, there are many kinds to choose from. If that doesn't make it hard enough to choose, they also come in variety of containers, from clay jars that sit in woven baskets to beautiful bottles that can be used afterwards as vases, and others are typical liquor bottles.
 
         
     In the News...
 
Liquor industry raising a toast to slowdown

MUMBAI - Here’s one industry that’s on a high even in the times of slowdown. The liquor industry has not only bucked the financial crisis....

20 Nov 2008, 1410 hrs IST
Click here

 
 
 
 
   

Buzzing Nightlife

Fuga
No.1/1,Nagarjuna Castle,
Wood St, Castle Street,
Richmond Town
Bangalore - 560025

Tel: +(9180)-41511880,41478624,41478626,41478627
Mob: +(91)-9980062226

Timings: 07:30 - 11:30 pm

This chic and upmarket lounge has a lot of space (a two-storey dance floor!) to dance the night away.
   
 
Bangalore has a number of spots that cater to different genres of music. Fuga, is no different. The music played here revolves solely around house and its various styles. The club is trendy and split into three areas. Outer lounge with an aura and music independent of the goings-on inside. The inside has an upper and mezzanine floor, with 2 well-stocked bars (up and down) and probably the best sound system in Bangalore. Great music and great interiors, that includes an indoor fountain and the entry walkway is glass-lit with red lights. Its transparent and due to the black walls its like walking on air.

With an ambiance like that, drinks and food evidently is a bit on the expensive side. But it's all worth a good time. Call before you go to find out which DJ is playing (our all-time favorites, Nikhil Chinappa and his Submerge team). It's a great place to hang out, especially on a Friday night. Cheers!

  
     
 
Cocktail Recipes

RUM SQUIRT
    2.5 fl.oz Aged Rum (Cuban Type)
    1 splash Orgeat/ Almond Syrup
    Soda Water
    Pineapple slice

Fill a highball glass to the rim with ice cubes.
Pour rum over the ice. Top up with soda water.
Garnish with a pineapple slice.

  
     
 


Dining Destinations

Koshys Jewel Box And Restaurant
No. 39 Saint Marks Road,
Bangalore 560 001


Tel: 9180 22213793

email: feedback@koshys.com

Website: http://www.koshys.com

Timings: 9.00 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.


Koshy’s is more than just a restaurant in Bangalore- it is a destination for people who want to savor the taste of old Bangalore!

Founded in 1940, it retains an old-world charm with huge pillars and large fans. The main building has Parade Cafe, which is simply referred to as Koshy’s, Jewel Box restaurant and a bakery. It is said that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Nikita Khrushchev, Queen Elizabeth II, are some of the celebrities to have dined there. It has also won MTV’s award for the Most Stylish Place in Bangalore.

While Koshy’s has a separate dining area, which is new and pricey, the old Café also serves fantastic food! The fish curry and rice, Biryani and Murg massalam are delicious. All the flavors of Kerala come alive in the signature Aapam and stew. And of course, the ‘French Toast’ on the menu, reminds you of the time when Bangalore was still ruled by the English. The restaurant itself has been around from British days and has preserved its quirkiness and unique identity.

Koshy’s attracts an interesting crowd – from intellectuals, theatre personalities, young artists, tourists to the good ol’ Koshy regulars, who start their day with breakfast at Koshy’s!
 
     
 
Drunken Humor

It was the morning after, and he sat groaning and holding his head.

"Well, if you hadn't drunk so much last night you wouldn't feel so bad now," the wife said tartly.

"My drinking had nothing to do with it," he answered. "I went to bed feeling wonderful and woke up feeling awful. It was the sleep that did it!"
     
 
Trivia

The Manhattan cocktail (whiskey and sweet vermouth) was invented by Winston Churchill's mother.

Random quote of the month

Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.
~Ernest Hemingway
 
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