Karen’s choice today and she isn’t choosing wine. Something old school is in order for Friday.
Option #1:
Sidecar – invented around the end of World War I supposedly by the Ritz Hotel in Paris.
Option #2:
Ti’punch – François-Paul suggests 3 parts dark rum, 1 part fresh lime juice, 1 part simple syrup, lightly crushed mint leaves. Shake well over ice and pour over ice in a tumbler. Add more mint leaves for decoration (and munching). Drink through a short straw.
- Ever had a Sidecar? No
- How about a Ti’punch? Once
- Has Karen chosen French offerings? Sure seems that way!
Karen’s history with the Ti-punch. If you haven’t figured out from the recipe, this is one stiff cocktail. Twice in my memory Karen has ordered one and come away with a story to tell. But first we need to review the Briand family tree.
François-Paul is our age and was our next door neighbor in Tacoma. His father, François-Luc lived in Paris and we had the chance to meet on several occasions. François-Charles is the youngest of the trio and unlike his father doesn’t seem to have the desire to be a barman.
Story #1
We are in Dinard, France with the Briand clan including François-Luc. It’s cocktail time and Karen orders a Ti’punch. François-Luc’s eyes get large with admiration, a woman ordering such a cocktail and even more one constructed by his son!
Story #2
We are in Nantes, France with Leslie and George Patton looking for dinner and end up in a small restaurant where the chef is from Washington State. Karen orders a Ti’punch and is asked, are you sure? Of course! Seems this cocktail is seldom ordered by Americans.
Karen was not alone in her liking of the Ti’punch. François-Paul’s wife, Delphine, was also a fan. It would be fitting if everyone raised their cocktail tonight in Delphine’s memory.