Summer Mocktails (p 20) - Healthful Elements

SPIRITED ADVISORPeach PalmerThe warmth and humidity of late spring brings us into a long anticipatedseason of grilling and patio lifestyles. With parched afternoons andthick cool evenings perfect for a crisp refreshing beverages. One ofmy favorite ways to quench a hot afternoon or a long day of perspiring, yetfulfilling yard work is with an afternoon delight we now referred to as the PeachPalmer. A classic cocktail called many names over the course of history butalways renown for its relaxing refreshment.Once the preferred beverages of rice farmers and other families acrossfeudal Japan was a similar drink commonly called a How Ji however, it wasknown by a variety of different names and originated as a hot cocktail. Thesecocktails consisted of soju, a derivative of vodka made from sweet potatoes,fresh lemon juice, fresh mint, varieties of hot tea, and honey to smooth outthe edge and sweeten things up a bit. dried fruit and citrus rinds were oftenused for added flavors.Our modern adaptation of the this timeless beverage the Peach Palmerconsists of a balance of calming fresh brewed tea with a blast vitamin C providedby the lemon juice. The Palmer then receives a small serving of peach vodkato ensure relaxation complimented by mint for a chilling crispness and a smallamount of simple syrup to sweeten things up a bit.This particular cocktail was a favorite method of refreshment for AlbertEinstein, who quenched his thirst while working through the special, general,and complete revised theories of relativity. In fact, his family and friendsreferred to it as “Einstein’s Wine.”Some would say that a name is everything, and the name of our favoredsummer cocktail comes from famed golfer and thirsty individual, ArnoldPalmer. Palmer is famed for creating the non-alcoholic version of this drink.He began to leave out the mint, as to not over cloud the structure of his drinkPeach Palmer¾ oz fresh lemon juice1 ½ ozs peach vodka8 to 10 springs of mint(depending on variety & size)¾ oz simple syrupFresh brewed teaAdd all ingredients to a pintglass filled with ice, shakevigorously and pour intoserving glass. Optional toadd some fresh fruit pureeif available.with the lack sharpness the alcohol adds.From a time when civilization’s conquest pended on ruthlessness, to aninstrument used in the creation of modern laws of physics we find the spanof a true “classic cocktail” which has outlived the “patio lifestyles” of manygenerations and surely many more to come.The M&S Grill is now offering a timeless History of the American cocktail menu.Joe Spoon is creating the classics and slinging the drinks behind the bar at the M&SGrill on the Plaza. If he doesn’t know it, he’ll create it. The M&S Grill is theonly classic American grill on the Plaza, offering contemporary twists on an evolvedand expanded menu with nearly 50 items from hearty to healthy and serving localL&C Meats. Drop in for a drink at 47th and J.C. Nichols Parkway, across fromthe JC Nichols fountain. Questions and reservations: 816-531-7799 or www.MandSGrill.comJuly, 2008 23