Kamikaze with Balalaika

Today’s post has such an intriguing name – Kamikaze with Balalaika…
Just imagine – a Japanese suicide bomber with a Russian folk musical instrument. Great and beautiful picture, of course… (Aha-ha).

:)

These two cocktails have only one difference – juice. Balalaika is older than Kamikaze, and as balalaika has three strings, it has three main ingredients – vodka, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice. Kamikaze should be mixed with fresh lime juice instead of lemon juice, and I have no idea how Balalaika becomes Kamikaze in that way :)

Our goal today’s frosty evening is to compare these two cocktails and explore how different citrus juices work.

kamikaze-with-balalaika.jpg

Balalaika

25 ml vodka
25 ml Cointreau
25 ml fresh lemon juice
Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon slice.

Kamikaze

25 ml vodka
25 ml Cointreau
25 ml fresh lime juice
Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime slice.

Conclusion:

  1. Both drinks are admirable.
  2. Balalaika has deep and smooth citrus taste and flavor without a perceptible spirituosness. The taste and smell of Kamikaze are bright and refreshing. Kamikaze seems to taste stronger, Balalaika – sweeter.
  3. In my opinion, Balalaika is an all-the-year-round aperitif – simple but great, Kamikaze is summer strong refreshing drink.

Some notes:

  1. MUST! Use good premium vodka (not a flavored one, of course!) and Cointreau.
  2. MUST! Use only fresh squeezed juices, not syrup or juice from a carton or can (and use only fresh ripe fruits).
  3. IT IS GOOD! Chill your cocktail glasses in a freezer.
  4. IT IS GOOD! Sip slowly and responsibly.
  5. IT IS GOOD! Take no more three or four for the evening…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.