Monday 14 January 2008

Another Amber Nectar

Following last week's organisation drive, it seems I'm going to have a busy couple of weeks ahead. At this stage (10pm on a Monday night) it's time for a chilled out evening. I can't quite remember what I was going to Staple this week, it's been troubling me all day in fact - it might have been a CD or a book; maybe even Carluccio's or my new Klingon phone - but then I realised that a recent new favourite is this lovely liqueur. Now Amaretto has a bit of a bad reputation; it's very sweet, and often drunk by grannies. However, just recently, it's become my absolute Staple for a quiet, civilised drink. It's like whisky for the youthful (and untrained) palate, and I suppose my enjoyment of it does come down to my very poorly hidden sweet tooth. One day, I will be a whisky-drinker, but until that day comes, I have Amaretto - it has the same aura of complete relaxedness about it, it's great after a post-dinner coffee, or as an aperitif, with a single icecube. It also dates from as far back as 1525. I think the best thing about it is that, even as I write this, I can't make up my mind if this spirit is a guilty, dirty pleasure that I should be ashamed of, or a real, primal and fulfilling one. In my mind, this conflict represents a true Staple; like listening to a favourite song repeatedly (Roll Deep's 'Shake A Leg' rings a bell) or wearing a £3 Primark tshirt that always gets compliments; something that you're pleased with on several levels. This means it's indispensable. An absolut Staple. Along with other Staples this week:
DiSaronno Amaretto
Greek Mythology
Nokia 7900 Prism with 'The Antiques Roadshow' ringtone
The Cross Kings pub in King's Cross
Making a well thought-out compilation CD
A vintage Zegna cableknit cricket jumper
The Fly magazine

2 comments:

Style Salvage Steve said...

I totally agree that amaretto really is a fantastic drink for all those en who cannot quite enjoy a wee dram. I can at times but not very often. I look forward to the day when i can drink whisky all day long and procure a red nose.
I picked up The Fly for the first tie in over a year. I forgot how good it is.

EJ said...

amaretto also tastes delicious poured over sponge cake or icecream or (preferably) those icecream swiss roll things you used to get at primary school sometimes. yum.