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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!
blackberry bramble
Submitted by itanya on Mon, 2012-10-01 10:06.
I love the blackberry bramble flavor in Tazo iced teas so I'll have to try it at Phat Thai.
sounds interesting
Submitted by cmbertelson on Mon, 2012-10-01 09:25.
the blueberry lemonade sounds amazing! I've eaten here a few times, I'll have to try a cocktail next time.
Yum
Submitted by alexxanicole on Mon, 2012-10-01 09:15.
I've heard this place is delish! I'm totally down to try a vinegar drink
Pairings Menu at Phat Thai
Submitted by PrairieElk on Mon, 2012-10-01 09:14.
The "happy ending pairings" menu sounds fabulous!
medicinal?
Not sure if they would still be considered medicinal in cocktail form, but I would still try ;)
creative idea!
I love creative food and drinks! Definitely will have to try!
Something New
Love trying new things. I'll be adding drinking vinegar to the list!
Vinegars?
Can't imagine, might try it. At least there would be no breath-a-lizer!
Vinegar :(
I am just not a fan of vinegar. I love the creativity, but I will pass on this.
Love Phat Thai!
Amazing food and yummy cocktails - looking forward to my next visit.
More flavors!
Drinking vinegars sounds like a great addition to the cocktail bar. I would want a variety of types and flavors (Similar to a versitle bitters selection). Yum!
might have to try!
I've heard of drinking apple cider vinegar to help beautify the skin, but that doesn't taste very good --these drinks sound yummy!
5280 Giveaways
I would have never thought of the vinegar being added with Jim Beam bourbon for a drink! How awesome is that? My husband and I are going through a life change with diet and all...and I think when he has his treat drink I will surprise him and change over. See what he thing! Thanks for the ideas!
Pick me!
I like food
vinegar
sounds interesting, will definitely give it a try the next time I'm at Phat Thai in CCK.
Drinking Vinegars
the blackberry bramble sounds delish.
Very unique
Vinegar certainly brightens up dishes. I had never considered it as a cocktail ingredient. Nice idea.
Sounds great!
Would love to try it.
Yummo
Love the secret menu and code phrase! Will try it next time!
Blackberry anything really...
The blackberry bramble cocktail sounds amazing!
Phat Thai drinks
This sounds like a great twist on my normal, vodka-soda water!! Can't wait to try it!
Interesting article
Sounds great!
Would love to try it.
Interesting!
Never thought of drinking vinegar! I love it in my salads, why not in my drink?! Thanks for this info.
blackberries and vinegar?
The blackberry bramble cocktail sounds great! Can't wait to try...
Blackberry anything really...
The blackberry bramble cocktail sounds amazing!
Hmm... Drinking vingar. I am
Hmm... Drinking vingar. I am definitely not opposed to the idea!
Yumm
Must be lunch time, this is making me hungry!
love you long time - happy endings
Would love to try this place
Sounds delicious! Would love to try it!
tasting vinegars
fantastic!
Don't let the Boca confuse you
I am a man who knows delicious. Would love to try this place.
trust them
They make some exceptional drinks.
Interesting concept- can't
Stress Reduction
Drinking vinegar is a little outside my usual food exploration, but I'm down with stress reduction via interesting drinks!
I like the idea of their
I like the idea of their pairing food and drink combos!
News To Me
Never thought of drinking vinegar but would try it once!
Out: Skinny Ties. 5 minutes ago: Ties with 50 Shades of Grey..
red hot right now" Phat Thai! Sounds killer, will add Phat Thai to my dinning bucket list in the coming months!
Phat Fad!
I have always loved vinegar. Acid in a dish or drink can make or break it. Now, drinking vinegars? I don't know, but I wanna give it a try...
Yay!
Sounds yummy... yes please!
The way I use balsamic
The way I use balsamic vinegar is something I would have never imagined....so I think it is pretty cool new uses are being discovered for these simple things in our lives
Very Interesting!
Drinking vinegar is not something I would think of doing, but given the chance, I would try it.
Just down the road!
I love when I read about places that are so close, I could walk home!
Drinking Vinegars
Sounds like a possible new wave of foodie trends! Vinegar has some great effects on your body, but mixed with alcohol, you probably negate those effects?
have tried it, great...also try the fracsa
great
AWESOME!
What a creative way to spice up a drink! YUM!
Love you long time Phat Thai! Love you long time!
Pretty sure I drooled a bit reading about the pairings. Next stop...Phat Thai
Love the Happy Endings Parings