Our International drinks this week will feature East Europe which, indeed, has been difficult with that hardy stock usually drinking straight from the bottle. We’ve been told that Eastern Europe includes the countries of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia, and Slovakia, as well as the republics of Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine.
Like in the US, game time in East Europe consists of breaking out your favorite jersey and inviting friends over to watch the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Paris. Or perhaps the Men’s FIFA World Cup that is now scheduled for 2019 in Poland.
Would you be surprised to learn that there are those who really think they could predict the winners of the FIFA World Cup? In 2010 Paul the Octopus successfully predicted Spain would win the World Cup and they did. In 2018, all eyes were on Achilles the Cat. He made his prediction between two bowls of food, each bearing a team flag and correctly chose France.
This year we have selected “Sunny,” the French Poodle (our mascot) to make the prediction. He will be wearing his spiffy tux, sipping a French cognac and using his psychic powers to master the logistics of gaming.
Bulgaria – Mastika and Menta – Absinthe with spearmint and when combined with ice turns into a cloudy white color with small crystals forming. Its close in taste to Ouzo since it uses the same main ingredient of anise.
Croatia – Crocktail – Maraska cherry liqueur, tart cherry juice, lemon juice, and candied orange peels. Marin Nekic, award-winning Croatian barman set out to create the first ever official national Croatian cocktail and named it the Crocktail.
Hungary – Bordij- Cognac, crème de cassis, and red wine – a tarter version of our Sangria.
Poland – Sliwowica –A kosher brandy hot on the nose and palate but with an aroma unmistakably plummy, the jammy sweetness of stone fruit tempered by strong notes of almond and oak, yielding a heady, fruity feisty flavor.
Ukraine – Russian Tulip – Brandy, grenadine, orange bitters