The Pegu: Cocktail with Culinary Characteristics

you met Steven Long and learned a little about our history, this week it's time for something new. As with so many of the most talented chefs out there, Steven has excelled in other fields before starting to cook.

"When you stop learning as a chef, you're dead," Long said. "You should quit."

This constant quest for knowledge is what sets the good chefs apart from the pack and Chef Long is no exception to the rule.

After leaving Star's in Palo Alto, our first gig together, Steven delved into a number of pursuits including the art of mixology and becoming a Master Taster of Spirits. In addition, he was an instructor at the California Culinary Academy's Polk Street campus. The instructors loved to exchange the lore and traditions of our art and classic recipes were treasured. It was and is a great source of pride to a Chef to be able to share the history and traditions of our craft.

Focusing on cocktails this week as part of Culinary Currents holiday and seasonal series, Steven brings us one of his legendary "throwback" cocktails. The golden era of cocktails just before and after prohibition, go figure, spawned a number of classic concoctions. Balance and depth of flavor took precedence over everything in those days.

One can even determine some details about a cocktails origins by which spirits are featured most prominently. Gin, Cognac, Vodka, you name it, the spirit which dominates the drink will bely it's origins. (see video)

The recipe for this weeks Culinary Currents is from a British outpost in Burma and a tavern known as Pegu Club. When made correctly, the Pegu is a perfect balance of the aromatic, the sweet, the tart and the bitter. Much the way an exceptional grapefruit walks this same tightrope.

Shaken and served up, this delightful cocktail is sure to be a hit at your holiday Soiree.

The Pegu

 -1 1/2 ounces of an aromatic Gin (we used Hendrick's here but there are many good ones.) 

- 1 ounce Cointreau

-3/4 fresh lime juice, not Rose's

-two long dashes of Angustora bitters

Combine in a shaker and top with just enough ice to solidly chill when shaken. Pour into your favorite cocktail glass and serve up with a twist of lime. You will be astonished at the refreshing qualities of this cocktail and how reminiscent it is of grapefruit.

Next week a local produce icon the Artichoke gets the full treatment and watch for more holiday and entertaining tips coming soon.

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