RTDs - Not just rotting our minds
RTDs, or ready-to-drink drinks, are the scourge of quality New Zealand bars and restaurants. These little beasties have infiltrated the market to the point that young girls no longer have a favourite mixer to add with their vodka. RTDs have negatively impacted the professional bartender and even our beloved drinker. Surely some sanity must prevail…
Bars must love RTDs because they're so quick to prepare; the bartender just whips the top off, hands it to the customer and takes their cash. Easy money. But do you visit bars because the bartender can pop the bottle top off at record pace? Never! Speed and efficiency are important but it should not be to the detriment of quality all-round service. For instance, an integral part of bar tending is introducing the punter to new vodkas, gins and liqueurs. How are you supposed to do that with a bag of Fruit Bursts?!
I also question the quality of a spirit that needs to be disguised behind a flashy label and huge doses of colouring and flavouring. The majority of quality spirits have nothing to do with RTDs. Have you seen a Grey Goose Breezer?! A Makers and coke in a can?! No way. This is because premium spirits are just that - premium. Most spirit makers take immense pride in their product — a product they believe shouldn't be disguised in candy coloured bottles, packed with sugar to hide their flavour.
Perhaps I am being a little rash but only good things can come from abandoning RTDs; they're not a healthy option. Alcohol is already high in sugar - especially bourbons and rums. Why triple your dosage by mixing it with a questionable split? The amount of sugar in your regular can of coke is about 40 grams, yet this is Coca Cola - the 'real thing' - not some sugar packed imitation. Anybody who has ever purchased a 'coke-like' drink knows they're downing a spoonful of sugar with every sip. RTDs don't label their sugar content and that can't be good with a drink that's coloured blue. It's a simple equation: less sugar content, less fat, less dehydration when drinking, the less toxic the hang over.
So, what are your alternatives to drinking garish coloured alco-pops? Funny you should ask… below is a brief list of suitable drinks that will reflect your newfound sophistication. Enjoy.
Jack Daniels and Water
This simple drink was the mainstay of Frank, Dean and Sammy and is a classically simple drink. Equal parts water and Jack over ice or neat - whatever your preference. Jack Daniels is charcoal filtered and that charred bite is perfectly complemented by the mellowing qualities of water. If Jack's not your drink of choice, try it with another bourbon or venture out and throw a few extra dollars down on single malt.
Vodka Tonic
This seems to be the 'it' drink of the day. Vodka, being traditionally a tasteless spirit, is better complemented by stronger mixers; hence the popularity of vodka orange, vodka coke and the like. But tonic and soda water are the greatest compliment to vodka as they highlight the qualities rather than disguising them. If you have the opportunity, try Polish or French vodka with tonic or soda water. These are often described as having a lot of individual characteristics unique to their regions. If the swell of patriotism takes you, try some Kiwi vodkas: 42 Below or 26000. 26000 is made in the traditional Eastern European method, while 42 could be compared to more Western vodkas. Sit down with the two of them and compare.
Cuba Libre
A rum based drink, the Cuba Libre is the perfect sweet and sour combination. Some poorly informed bar staff might just pour you a rum and coke, but this drink should be a mix of muddled lime, shaken over ice with healthy lining of rum topped with a dash of coke. Rum is sweet; coke is sweet, so just go easy there with your sweeteners barstaff… A Cuba Libre is a wonderfully refreshing drink and if made right might become one of your favourite drinks. Try it.
These are just a few alternatives. Obviously there is a huge number of drinks out there with a great variety of mixers. I hope I've helped to open your eyes to the possibilities available. There's a lot more to alcohol than just drinking the easiest, prettiest bottle off the shelf.
I'll assume that when you purchase a good or service outside the bar environment, you're going to choose to spend your money on quality. Maybe you should be adopting the same philosophy when you purchase a drink.