I saw the Rangpur for the first time at my local SuperMegaMarket today. In a hurry, I was shortcutting my way through the liquor aisle when out of the corner of my eye and recognized a different but familiar bottle shape and color. I stopped. Is this Tanqueray? It had the distinctive Tanqueray bottle shape and color…

A smile crept to my face as I remembered a shopping trip in 1982 at a similar MegaMarket chain that was going out of business in two days. Prices had been marked down 50-80% to get rid of all inventory. Located in a predominately Latino neighborhood, the only booze left on the shelves in any quantity was Tanqueray. A fraternity brother said he would get us an additional “discount” so a bunch of us loaded up shopping carts, and left with over 100 bottles. The big ones. With handles. GrandDads we called ‘em. I learned all about Martini’s from my GranDad, when I was 21!

Since then, my loyalty and default cocktail has been has always been Tanqueray.

Since I’m always on the lookout for a different martini, I buy a bottle and decide tonight is a good night to make a Rangpur Twisted Martini.

Unscrewing that all too familiar top, the first sniff of this gin gives a blast of lime, stronger than I would have imagined. The first taste (Shaken, two olives, up) was quite a surprise! I expected more botanicals to show, maybe not as much as Hendricks, or Junipero, but this gin is all about the lime! Its got a clean citrus/lime flavor on the tongue, and the more traditional botanicals make their appearance right on time coming in to create an excellent finish. Clean, refreshing and filled with juniper berries and coriander, you’ll enjoy the finish as much as I do!

The only thing I didn’t like was the garnish selection. I’ll always be the traditionalist and start with olives, but I’m flexible. I can go where ever it makes the most sense. After my first olive, I decided I was going to have a second Rangpur martini and this time it would be with a twist!

And the second one was even tastier!

Rangpur Gin will make an excellent Twisted Martini (Remember it’s better with a twist!) during the warm summer months to come, when that citrus lime blast will be extra refreshing!

I’m going to get a small bottle of Tonic to finish this bottle of Rangpur! I’m sure a glass of TNT (Tanqueray ‘N Tonic) will be equally delicious!

Thanks Tanqueray, you’ve kept this customer happy for 26 years!

JayKen Knotstirred

This post powered By: Tanqueray Rangpur

Tired of freezing your ass off, huddled outside a local tavern in the dead of winter puffing on a Marlboro? Fear not, the Nicotini is here!

Rashed Islam has found a way to pacify smokers struggling with the city’s recent ban on lighting up. It doesn’t entail huddling outside in the cold, wearing Nicoderm patches or sneaking puffs in the bathroom. His solution is perfectly legal, elegant and downright tasty — the nicotini.

Last month, the bartender for Viet Bistro (1346 W. Devon Ave., Chicago, IL 773-465-5720) unveiled a line of nicotine-infused cocktails, enabling Marlboro men and women to stay inside and drink their fix.

I’ve traveled a bit. Not a lot, more than most.
Asia, Central America, Europe, Africa, Caribbean, South Pacific Island hopping. I’ve seen my fair share of Happy Hours. Some of them spent in Martini bars, Cocktail bars, 5 star restaurants, Vegas VIP lounges, clubs, and casinos.

I’ve also seen my share of “Cocktail Lounges”, dive bars, honky-tonks, fraternity parties, tailgates, class reunions, even a Nepali village festival,…to know this fundamental truth.

The Martini and Cocktail image is everywhere. If you saw a sign that looked like this, do you know what it means? Would you stop?

(h/t  after five catalog)

Good! Welcome to the Twisted Martini!

This is the first of what no doubt will be many posts, to share pictures of Martini and Cocktail images from around the world. Or take a picture of your favorite bartender making you a Twisted Martini. Like this:

When you see a martini sign, icon, rock formation or anything that looks like a classic cocktail glass, take a picture and send it along to us.

I’ll buy you a drink when we post your image!

Cheers!

JayKen Knotstirred

This post powered by Hendricks Gin

What better way to kick off a blog named the Twisted Martini than to send some love to our cocktail brethren in Jacksonville, Fla.-The Twisted Martini.

Looks like an amazing place to get a well chilled martini. Haven’t been to Jacksonville in forever, but I think we might have to make a roadie. Skaal!

Twisted Martini . . . 10.00
Three Olives Vodka
Malibu Rum, Midori
Pineapple Juice, Cranberry Juice