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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!
Medicinal Benefits with a twist
Submitted by jjauker on Mon, 2012-10-01 13:21.
When I was a kid, my mom would have me drink a little warm vinegar and honey. It always to seemed to help, even it did taste not-so-good. I'm definitely going to try these flavored vinegars. It looks like a great drink with benefits and with it missing the "not-so-good" taste which is even better!
How available/prevalent are these types of vinegars?
Submitted by hthrroth on Mon, 2012-10-01 13:20.
Hmm, maybe a new idea for some holiday cooking... How available are flavored vinegars online?
Yum!
Submitted by perfectk4y4king on Mon, 2012-10-01 13:16.
I like white vinegar so I'm thinking these would be amazing!
Learned something new today....
Submitted by christiantwalter on Mon, 2012-10-01 13:14.
Interesting enough to try it...wonder if the drink glasses are really clean afterwards?
drinking vinegar
I put so many pickled vegetables in my bloody marys, they could be considered a vinegar cocktail too!
Phat Thai's Drinking Vinegars
The blackberry bramble cocktail with short rib tacos sounds yummy!
Sounds Different
I think I'll pass and stick with wine.
Drinking Vinegars
Vinegar...hmmmm
Anything tastes better with alcohol
These cocktails sound amazing! I'm a huge fan of sour beers, which have a vinegar-y after taste - so why not swap out the beer for some vodka & soda? Can't wait to try! (And to whisper sweet nothings into a strangers ear)
Whisper troll
Good one, Daliah. Now I'll be whispering sweet nothings to all the waiting staff to ensure a very happy ending.
Drinking vinegar
I've been known to drink weirder things in my 20s.
Vin, Vin, Vinegar
Its all about the vin-vin-vin-vinegar!!!
maybe...
It might be fun to say I've tried these.
Ummmm...
I really don't think I could handle this, but kudous to those who are braver than me!
Blackberry and Short Ribs!
Vinegar is not usually my favorite ingredient but I will try most anything infused with Blackberry flavor! And, short rib tacos sound delicious!
love you...long time?
The flavor pairings sound incredible, but I don't know if I can say "love you long time" to my server. :)
Strange...
kind of like windex for a cut! try anything once
Why Not?
When it's described as, it-goes-down-too-easy blueberry-lemonade, I'll give it a try!
Vinegar?
Interesting
Hesitant at first, but I do like sea salt and vinegar chips so I'd be willing to try this
Drinking Vinegars
Interesting, worth a try. Thanks for the tip about the secret phrase!
Happy Ending Pairings
a ginger cosmo with grilled chicken in lettuce would be worth a try
yum
sounds wonderful
Sounds good
Sounds like a place to try out!
Vinegar,vinegar,vinegar
There is always time to try something different. Keeps us young and energetic!!!
Love you Long Time
I've been wanting to try this place, now I have another excuse to go check it out VERY SOON!
Interesting!
Hmmm!
Sounds interesting! Use different vinegars all the time from putting it on food to cleaning with it but never drank it. I'd try it!!
Vinegar? WOW
I never would have put those two together. Worth a try.
love trying new things...
I love exploring and trying new ways to enjoy something fantastic...
Cool River
Not sure about those vinegars but CR's Prime Rib Sandwich is fantastic! Hope I win!
Not sure
While I enjoy trying new cocktails on occasion, this perhaps sounds a bit out there. I guess you have to try everything at least once though...
Interesting
Never thought about drinking vinegars. Interesting idea
Can't wait...
to whisper, "love you long time" !!!
Happy endings with vinegar
I love when chefs are creative and add new demensions to food and drink; and the use of vinegar does both. I'll take 2 of anything with tamarind; and the healthy element the vinegar adds makes these cocktails even more appealing.
Would love to try something new!
Count me in!
Vinegar--It's not your ma ma's vinegar anymore
Just goes to show you that today's vinegar is not your ma ma's vinegar of the past!
Vinegar--It's not your ma ma's vinegar anymore
Just goes to show you that today's vinegar is not your ma ma's vinegar of the past!
Love you long time
I can't wait to say that to the server!
Sounds wonderful
Sounds wonderful
Count me in!
I am always to open to trying new taste treats. This sounds very intriguing. Sounds like kombucha has evolved to the next level!
I'm in! We put so many other
I'm in! We put so many other things in cocktails, why not vinegar.
Sounds delish!
Can't wait to try the "happy ending pairings" menu. I want to try all three!
Vinegar Mixed Drinks
I have never had a vinegar based drink, but seems the flavor comnination seems compelling.
Worth a shot?
Sounds like it would be good - worth a shot, especially in a cocktail!
Sounds...interesting
But I just might have to try it!
Vinegar cocktails?