TODAY'S WEATHER IS PERFECT FOR A MISTER TACOMA >>>
Mint is a year-round phenomenon these days, thanks to the mojito madness that has swept bars both swank and modest the last four years. Mint's sweet, earthy flavor is also the perfect addition to cocktails enjoyed during warm weather.
Last night Villa Caffe & Imbibery bartender Jason Alexander slowly muddled mint leaves in the bottom of a pint glass for a drink called "Mister Tacoma." It was as if Alexander was moving in slow motion: grind ... grind ... grind ... for an entire commercial break on the television behind him.
To the mint he added Bombay Sapphire gin, splash of freshly squeezed lime juice, splash of Cointreau, shook and strained it into a martini glass, then crowned it with - what else? - mint ... and a slice of lime. He carefully placed the full $5 drink before me. The variation of the Southern standard Mint Julep was a perfect union of flavors: the gin, the mint, orange and the lime - they were all present without trying to outdo one another.
"Why do you call it Mister Tacoma?" I asked Alexander.
"It's Erik Bjornson's favorite drink," he replied.
"The Tacoma Urbanist?" I shot back.
Alexander looked puzzled.
I explained that Bjornson tackles Tacoma civic issues, as well as critiques coffee, on his Tacoma Urbanist blog. I also explained that he is a friend of the Weekly Volcano and this blog, although back in the day he had called us a good-for-nothing hipster rag - but not in so many words.
"I thought it was only a matter of time before you tracked my drink down," Bjornson wrote me via email.
"Yes, I did introduce the Villa folks to the Gin Julep which was introduced to me a few years ago at Primo Grill (but was never on their menu). My sister and I have perfected the drink over the last 5 years.
"It is fairly challenging to make right. Bartenders generally like the drink but it has gained a cult following at the Villa. One of the reasons is that the owners have both fresh limes AND mint which is difficult to find in Tacoma. Most places want to pour Rose's in it or some other gooey syrup," Bjornson added.
Bjornson has sipped his cocktail at several Tacoma bars. Here is the proof:
Primo Grill, January 2008
El Gaucho, June 2008
Villa Caffee, April 2010
I tip my hat to the Urbanist on his signature cocktail. It's tasty.
I asked Alexander - who actually co-owns the Villa Caffe & Imbibery on Market Street with Robyn Murphy - what the dinner special was for the night. He replied spaghetti, which was thrilling news. After he submitted the order to Murphy in the back kitchen, he reappeared to explain he was in big trouble. Apparently, earlier in the day when Alexander asked her what was for dinner, "spaghetti" was actually THEIR dinner they would eventually enjoy upstairs in their residence. "Oh, I'm in big trouble. She's quickly making you spaghetti. It will be out a few minutes," he explained.
Murphy actually made the dish, which was amazing with a spicy - and I mean spicy - red sauce over penne pasta. Hopefully, it will be added to the menu soon.
[Villa Caffe & Imbibery, 1328 Market St., Tacoma, 253.222.4184]