Drink of the summer: Wondercumber

Summer time and the sippin' is easy. Call for a cocktail, which goes smoothly - temps climbing, and nothing is quite as refreshing as cucumber. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

It may not be the first ingredient present in the bar (maybe the salad bar). But cucumber is good - very good - in a cold drink during a scorching August. In addition to lime and gin, cucumber can just your new warm air-go-to become. It is unexpectedly sharp and even rejuvenating, (cucumber is packed with all sorts of "good for you" things so Gin makes up for all).

The hit cocktail over the year's food & wine of classic in Aspen, the Wondercumber became Matthew Howard by Royal Caribbean International mixologist, signature party drink of their Wonderland dreamed. Mix it with the pitcher and have the perfect conversation starter for your next garden or on the pool-Soirée.

2 ounces of Hendrick's Gin
1 oz watermelon juice
¼ of Oz. fresh lime juice
¼ Oz elderflower cordial
2 drops of essence of cucumber (or slice and add fresh cucumber)
Sour watermelon sugar and cucumber pieces for RIM brakes

Welcome mix gin, juices, and essence. Dip rim of glass in watermelon sugar. Pour the mixture into the glass and garnish with a cucumber slice.

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Serving Caviar With Food And Drink

Caviar, marketed all over the globe as a delicacy, is chiefly consumed as a garnish or as a spread. Since historical times, caviar has been playing the role of a premier delicacy of kings, emperors and such other heads of state. This is not easily obtainable and comes for a high price. It is also not very easy to ready it for serving as a treat.

Usage of fresh caviar

There is a limited time within which the caviar obtained is to be made use of (till its freshness is retained). Fresh caviar obtained remains fit for usage/consumption for up to four weeks. There are also pasteurized varieties of the product available that can stay suitable enough for longer time. Upon opening up of the caviar container the product is to be used up soon (in a few days' time).

Proceeding with serving of caviar

Caviar is indeed a very special food as far as its taste is concerned. It tickles the taste buds of all the various areas of the tongue that are sensitive to different kinds of taste. Thus, it promises a unique and exceptional experience in taste.

It is best to serve caviar by leaving it in the tin (container) in which it comes and surround it with ice. In an effort to take it out of the container and serve it in a more decorative manner there stands the risk of breaking the grain and losing the special flavors prior to consumption. Besides, caviar is a tricky item that can combine with a variety of food items to produce either a delectable or a disapproving taste. So, it is better to serve it separately so as to obviate the risk of the flavors getting offset.

Serving caviar with food items and drinks

A best way of serving caviar is to serve it on lightly toasted bread or crackers together with butter as a hors d'oeuvre. This can be quite a treat provided the bread or cracker has not been made too hard by toasting.

Contrary to the prevalent misconception it is certainly not suitable to serve caviar with eggs and other items having a strong taste like sour cream or yogurt. The special taste of caviar gets downed as a result.

Caviar can be served alongside beverages in a suitable manner. Champagne with caviar is a classical combination though some may find this to be tilted towards excess of sweetness. Caviar served with vodka is also a traditionally acclaimed treat combination.

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Tania Penwell provides information on caviar and other gourmet food and drinks for A1 Gourmet - your guide to the best gourmet food around the world.