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By: Daliah Singer

Category: Table Talk

Posted: October 1, 2012 8:30 AM

Tags: Steamworks, Phat Thai, Mark Fischer, drinking vinegar, 20 days of giveaways

Sips: Phat Thai's Drinking Vinegars

When trying to decide what to drink, sipping vinegar has never crossed my mind. But in certain Asian countries (particularly China and Japan), the ingredient is thought to carry palate-cleansing qualities as well as medicinal benefits, such as reducing stress, soothing stomachaches, and detoxifing the body. These drinking vinegars, as they're known, are making their way onto menus stateside. Find them locally at Cherry Creek's Phat Thai.

The restaurant originally served the vinegars as nonalcoholic beverages by distilling them with fruit (blueberry) or spices (tamarind) to counter the acidity and impart a mild juice flavor. But chef-owner Mark Fischer has since moved on to cocktails. You'll find three options on the current menu—along with a food pairing for each ($13 per pairing). None carry the traditional sour vinegar taste; rather, the astringency is mellowed by the mix of alcohol and soda water.

Of the trio of options, the blackberry bramble cocktail (pictured left) is the most successful. Jim Beam bourbon is infused with Colorado honey and then stirred with blackberry vinegar and soda water for a sip that's full-bodied without being overpowering. This beverage goes perfectly with the rich short-rib tacos. The other two options are a tamarind-based bangerang (pairing: oysters topped with Thai-cucumber mignonette) and an it-goes-down-too-easy blueberry-lemonade (pairing: bahn mi sliders).

Hush Hush: Phat Thai has a secret "happy ending pairings" menu. Whisper "love you long time" to your server between 4 and 7 p.m. daily, and you'll open the door to three options: Steamworks' Third Eye Pale Ale with a chicken slider; Sauvignon Blanc with a pork belly skewer; and a ginger cosmo with grilled beef in lettuce.

2900 E. Second Ave., 303-388-7428

THIS STORY WAS PART OF 5280's 20 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS!

Comments

Intriguing!

Submitted by maisyboomhobs on Fri, 2012-10-26 13:48.
I'll definitely give these a try! Thanks for sharing such an interesting concept!

I'll try anything

Submitted by Kunks2 on Fri, 2012-10-05 12:40.
Jim beam sounds pretty good

Vinegar drinks

Submitted by mickeyc18 on Thu, 2012-10-04 14:09.
Sounds very intriguing...I would give it a try. Thanks for the story!

Hmmmm

Submitted by Erlenstar on Thu, 2012-10-04 11:49.
Didn't know about the vinegar or secret! Interesting!

Secrets...

Submitted by meganlikespie2 on Mon, 2012-10-01 21:34.

Off the menu ordering is the best...please don't tell.

Hush Hush

Submitted by lrenlow on Mon, 2012-10-01 21:32.

Happy Ending Pairings - sounds sultry and love getting stuff not on the printed menu!

Nope

Submitted by annJ on Mon, 2012-10-01 21:29.

Never had this in Thailand? last year, but I may sample one? nope

Sounds Good

Submitted by ryano on Mon, 2012-10-01 21:17.
I'd give it a try...

Aroy! Delicious 

Submitted by natibarbara on Mon, 2012-10-01 21:05.

Aroy! Delicious

 

No thanks!

Submitted by Hmt17 on Mon, 2012-10-01 20:54.
No thanks!

Delish

Submitted by chelseaolivia on Mon, 2012-10-01 20:51.

Yes, please!

vinegars...

Submitted by jthamer on Mon, 2012-10-01 20:39.

...sound delicious!

blueberry lemonade

Submitted by aburke1 on Mon, 2012-10-01 20:17.

yes, please!

Interesting...

Submitted by smkido on Mon, 2012-10-01 19:50.

They sound very interesting but I would definitely give them a try once.

the pleasures of Thai food

Submitted by LyleSG on Mon, 2012-10-01 19:45.
Drinking anything with Thai food would be just fine--vinegar, bourbon, dishwater, whatever. Any of these would be overwhelmed by the delight of a Thai curry.

dessert

Submitted by jfilogomo on Mon, 2012-10-01 19:31.

Add to ice cream and VIOLA!!!

Not for Me

Submitted by Jayratner on Mon, 2012-10-01 19:02.

I think vinegar smells like feet...not the first thing I think of as appetizing.

Unique

Submitted by ajstan85 on Mon, 2012-10-01 18:08.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Intriguing!

Submitted by phagar on Mon, 2012-10-01 17:45.

Wouldn't have thought to drink vinegar, but I've yet to meet a vinegar I haven't liked.  Would love to do the food pairings with this.

Interesting...

Submitted by jcammie75 on Mon, 2012-10-01 17:37.

Sounds interestng and differnt.  I figure its worth a try.  Not your typical drink!

yum

Submitted by Bean2343 on Mon, 2012-10-01 17:10.

Yum!

Vinegar

Submitted by jamsie on Mon, 2012-10-01 17:02.

I'm ready for a drink

Seems Intriguing

Submitted by tlynne01 on Mon, 2012-10-01 17:01.

Never thought about drinking vinegar but I would probably at least try them. It would be good to have a tasting of each.

Seems Intriguing

Submitted by tlynne01 on Mon, 2012-10-01 17:01.

Never thought about drinking vinegar but I would probably at least try them. It would be good to have a tasting of each.

Phat Thai's drinking vinegars

Submitted by milehicolorado on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:56.

sounds like Absinthe to me - - an acquired taste

Vinegar Drinks

Submitted by Maggie123 on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:56.

Different!

 

If I wasn't pregnant...

Submitted by Lilypad on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:47.

I would definitely give these a go!

Vinegar...a new twist

Submitted by Claudia Ingram on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:47.

You've given me an appealing idea and I look forward to trying it!

 

Alcohol cures all with vinegar?

Submitted by purpleline5280 on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:42.
Hope this cocktail will cure my stomach problems!

Loving it

Submitted by ligoldman on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:29.

Okay - I am DEFINITELY trying the happy ending pairings next time I go. Great menu overall - especially for vegans.

Hmmmmmmm

Submitted by rab123lf on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:26.

I'm honestly not sure I could drink it just because it would get in my head that it is "vinegar" so as someone above said-I'll stick with what I know and do wine or beer!

Loved Phat Thai

Submitted by colvins on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:17.

We went to Phat Thai for the first time a couple of months ago and loved it; we ordered 3 appetizers and a beer each, and it was perfect for the two of us. Can't wait to try the drinking vinegars. 

vinegar tasting

Submitted by kerryjo25 on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:15.

If mixed right, it probably  good.  I would definitely try it

Vinegar

Submitted by 5280356 on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:13.

Let's try one at "happy hour".

Thai Giveaway

Submitted by cdjamac on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:09.

Interesting...

The Art of Mixology

Submitted by eschwartz006 on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:06.

Sounds like a great place for an after work drink/ food!  Seems like a hidden gem..

Cool times 2

Submitted by Liezlravelo on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:06.
Cool River, Cool atmosphere

Yum

Submitted by toimarie on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:02.

sounds pretty tastey!!!

Yum

Submitted by toimarie on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:02.

sounds pretty tastey!!!

Yum!

Submitted by beingintentional on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:02.

Sounds fabulous!

:)

Submitted by thirdharvest on Mon, 2012-10-01 16:00.

Pick me!

 

vinegar drinks

Submitted by IHeartDenver99 on Mon, 2012-10-01 15:59.

Blackberry vinegar sounds good on  a salad. Not sure about drink, but I'd try it.

Drinking Vinegars?

Submitted by Lenny in Centennial on Mon, 2012-10-01 15:42.

Why not?  Am always up for new tastes - bravo!

Bluberry Bramble

Submitted by breezinby on Mon, 2012-10-01 15:41.
I would love to try one!

Bluberry Bramble

Submitted by breezinby on Mon, 2012-10-01 15:41.
I would love to try one!

Entry please!

Submitted by joyce2dogs2cats on Mon, 2012-10-01 15:41.

I never heard about drinking vinegar, but look forward to trying it!

Bluberry Bramble

Submitted by breezinby on Mon, 2012-10-01 15:40.
I would love to try one!

Less Salt

Submitted by Jen Wolpoff on Mon, 2012-10-01 15:27.

A new alternative to pickle juice I suppose...

YUM!

Submitted by kelindsay on Mon, 2012-10-01 15:24.

I think I'll try one of each! why not, right?

Truly clean your palate

Submitted by Jsubiadur on Mon, 2012-10-01 15:21.
Who knew we'd be adding special vinegars to mixed drinks? I felt the same way about green teas way back when, and now green tea is everywhere! The food does sound good, and the drinks sound yummy and refreshing.

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