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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!
Would give it a try, but am a
Submitted by drdolly27 on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:58.
Would give it a try, but am a little concerned it would taste too much like bad wine.
Secret deals
Submitted by kursten on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:52.
That is a great idea to have a secret phrase to unlock deals!
Not sold on the idea
Submitted by kautumnjones on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:51.
While these sound interesting, I'm not sure I would jump at the chance to try them.
I love vinegary food so this
Submitted by jtovrog on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:50.
I love vinegary food so this might be worth a shot!
I'm in for the vinegar
Submitted by Meagan Griesel on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:48.
I'd love to try this...
vinegars
Submitted by Barb Ormsby on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:48.
Love vinegars and marinated foods, vinagrettes, etc. This sounds interesting.
Hardwoods vs. Cocktails
Submitted by 5280 Mile Higher on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:48.
Most of my vinegar use has been to clean my Hardwoods. Not sure about adding it to my cocktails! But I guess you have to try it to rule it out, right? I'd give it a shot!
Never been, but would love to try it
Submitted by nhorstman on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:46.
Sounds delicious. I'd love to give it a try.
Vinegar?
Submitted by chadcmartin on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:44.
We are definitely fans of olive oil tastings, but have never tried vinegar. May have to give this a shot!
drinking vinegars
Submitted by mykitten5683 on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:43.
there are so many great spots to try various vinegars and oils in denver and outside of denver. The olive tap down in manitous springs as well as EVOO in downtown denver. might be a great place to start diving in for first timers and seeing whats out there also! Cant wait to try them at Phat Thai!
Love it LONG time
Submitted by keanod33 on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:43.
Sounds like my kind of place!
Submitted by reed6488 on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:40.
I already put vinegar on/in just about everything... Recent trips to EVOO have encouraged all kinds of exploration on that front. Why not try it in a drink? Also, the secret pairings sound like a lot of fun to me!
I wonder what that secret
Submitted by collinsd07 on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:39.
I wonder what that secret phrase will get you at other restaurants??
love u long time...Phat Thai
Submitted by mollyj15150 on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:39.
love u long time...Phat Thai has the best desserts
Drinking Vinegars
Submitted by CamColorado on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:36.
I'd pass on drinking straight vinegar, but the write up has me curious!
Drinking vinegar...
Submitted by kathy on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:36.
I'd try it! Sounds better with alcohol...
Is it 5:00 yet!
Submitted by tasharaedesigns on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:36.
I could use a blackberry bramble cocktail right now. It's 5:00 somewhere!
Who knows? I might become a
Submitted by bear on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:36.
Who knows? I might become a vinegarholic!
Tamarind deliciousness.
Submitted by KelseyWittenberg on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:35.
Love the secret dishes and I'm down for the tamarind option!
Never would have thought
Submitted by Loki_Ally on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:34.
I don't make it to Cherry Creek to eat much but might have to venture over there to try that. Sounds like it would be fun!
Just another good option with vinegar
Submitted by antonio.d.flori on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:34.
Vinegar continues to be a diverse ingredient for a variety of flavors.
New Healthy Alternatives
Submitted by mila0408 on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:34.
I've heard of drinking vinegar to cleanse your body, but I've never tried it. I guess this is my chance to see what happens!
Interesting Flavors, free
Submitted by GrimMoose on Mon, 2012-10-01 12:33.
Interesting Flavors, free giveaways - Okay, twist my arm.
Fun with vinegar
Can't wait… I hear it's great for cleaning windows when used with pages from the Bangkok Post
Lemongrass
Definitely will give it a try!
Love cultures, their customs and traditions, will definitely give a try!
Try anything once
This sounds pretty good, I'll try it sometime.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an "ancient Asian Secret" cure-all for whatever ails your body, soul, or surroundings!
mmmmm...Vinegar
It's what's for dinner!
Interesting
Seems like a much easier way to get a dose of vinegar vs the apple cider vinegar, would make for more interesting mornings!
makes sense
I've experimented a bit in the kitchen and a lot lately with some vinegars - nothing too fancy - and could really see vinegar and liquor complimenting each other nicely.... Maybe I'll go mix some Skol with a bit of vinegar right now??? But prolly not.
Sweet!
WOW, I had no idea... I've wanted to try this place out for months now. It seems like every time I'm in the area I have to be somewhere else. Looking forward to trying a little of everything real soon!
Must try these
Most definitely have to try these for the health benfits!
Vinegar
Vinegar is good for so many things...cleaning the kitchen, base for a salad dressing, and adding a kick in sauces!
blackberry bramble
Sounds tasty with the short-rib tacos...can't wait to go :-)
Love vinegar
Sounds fun!
Love the Happy Ending Pairings