Club Soda vs Tonic Water, & Other Mixer Definitions

CLUB SODA

Club soda is one of many names for water that has been charged with carbon dioxide. It is also referred to as soda water, carbonated water, sparkling water and Seltzer water.

Soda waters usually contain a small amount of sodium bicarbonate, and is sometimes lightly flavored.

You can make your own soda water by using a soda siphon that charge plain water with carbon dioxide.

TONIC WATER

Tonic water is carbonated water flavored with fruit extracts, sugar and quinine. It is also known as Indian Tonic Water or just Tonic.

The flavoring agent quinine is a bitter alkaloid from the bark of the cinchona tree. It is used as the base flavor in most bitters, and is also used in the treatment of malaria.

DEFINITIONS OF OTHER MIXERS

http://www.webtender.com/db/browse?level=2&dir=ingrcat&char=6&nfrm

Gin Fizz

This classic mixed drink is much like a New Orleans Fizz. The Gin Fizz has a very light sour citrus flavor unlike the orange of the New Orleans version.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz gin
• dash of lemon or lime juice
• 1/2 tsp superfine sugar
• 1 oz sour mix
• 1 egg white (optional)
• soda water
  
• maraschino cherry for garnish

PREPARATION:

1. Pour the gin, juice, sugar, sour mix and egg white into a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously. More than usual if using the egg white to ensure it is mixed thoroughly with the other ingredients.
3. Strain into a chilled highball glass with ice cubes.
4. Top off with soda water.
5. Garnish with a cherry.

Glass guide--High ball glass

http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktailrecipes/r/gin_fizz.htm
http://www.foldedspace.org/weblog/2005/06/gin_fizz_illustrated.html (Tips)

Mojito

1.5 oz BACARDI (white) Rum
12 fresh spearmint leaves
1/2 lime
7 oz club soda
2 tbsp. simple syrup (or 4 tsp. sugar)

The official drink of Miami, very hot in clubs during the summer. Traditionally prepared in a collins glass. To make a Mojito, juice from a lime is added to sugar and mint leaves in a tall glass. The mixture is then gently mashed repeatedly with a muddler. Crushed ice is then added, followed by rum and topped off with club soda.

Be sure to avoid using a mint medley like I did, and use spearmint. I also made the mistake of using too little lime and too much sugar...so it tasted basically like carbonated sugar water with an odd mint medley taste. I also happened to make it on a Sunday morning during the winter...haha.

Resources:

• www.bacardi.com (Go to the bacardi website, dance to the muddle song, and watch the tutorial on how to make a mojito.)
  
• http://www.tasteofcuba.com/mojito.html (Alternate recipe, in depth directions/explanation)
• http://www.esquire.com/drinks/mojito-drink-recipe (History and instructions)