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November 11, 2015
Series | Bar OPENERS Vol. 8: A Night for Cocktails
Series | Bar OPENERS Vol. 8
A Night Suited for Cocktails (1)
Welcome to "Bar OPENERS," a fictional bar that exists only on the web. It's a rare haven where adults can find solace, enjoying spirits, music, and the ambiance of a bar. The proprietor is Hiroyuki Kobayashi, who actually runs his own bar. In this series, he'll share his relaxed, OPENERS-style approach to enjoying bars, along with witty anecdotes about drinks and music that you can use tonight.
Text by KOBAYASHI HiroyukiPhotographs by ITO Yuji (OPENERS)
Welcome, how are you?
Summer has ended as if nothing happened, and just as autumn arrived, Halloween parties have reportedly surpassed Valentine's Day in economic impact. So, what's a chocolatier to do? Is there any chocolate left in Aquarius's water jug?
As the early Christmas illuminations of a premature champion begin to gleam, with her declaring, "The second-place match has nothing to do with me," how are you spending these pre-December days?
This is Kobayashi from Bar OPENERS, whose costume this year was an invisible man.
My apologies for the digression, but as I mentioned before (See Vol. 5 "The Watermelon Seller Didn't Come"), this is a season when we bartenders can finally get some good sleep. The thought of getting into a warm, sun-drenched futon, dried thoroughly on a crisp autumn day, is so comforting that I worry I might get too excited to sleep (laughs).
Now, allow me to introduce a cocktail perfect for those soul-warming autumn nights.
It's the "Between the Sheets."
The recipe is a short cocktail shaken with brandy, rum, white curaçao, and a dash of lemon juice.
This time, I've made a slight adjustment. While the standard recipe uses white rum, I've added dark rum for a deeper, richer flavor. The robust notes of brandy and rum, accented by the citrus of curaçao and lemon, invite a profound, almost blissful sleep.
Cocktail textbooks translate "Between The Sheets" as "Into Bed." It's a fine translation, but it feels a bit lacking in sensuality for a bedside cocktail.
For an adult evening, a subtly sweet melody
Series | Bar OPENERS Vol. 8
A Night Suited for Cocktails (2)
For an adult evening, a subtly sweet melody
Some of you regulars might have already guessed, but as a sophisticated man (and woman, of course), we at Bar OPENERS prefer to call it "A Night Suited for Silk," the wonderful Japanese title for The Isley Brothers' classic "Between the Sheets."
I'd love to pair this sensuous cocktail with the song "Between the Sheets," but the song itself is quite elaborate and perhaps too sweet. Especially during a season when sweets taste even better and we're warned against overindulgence, it might not be the best recommendation for those on a pre-Christmas diet (though I highly recommend it if you haven't heard it – it's a deliciously rich and captivating masterpiece).
Therefore, using the colorful autumn leaves as cover and carried by the chilly autumn wind, I'll betray my soul music fans once again and present Gerry Mulligan.
Born in New York, he began his career arranging for big bands. He then went on to arrange for Stan Kenton's orchestra and gained recognition for his baritone saxophone and compositions on Miles Davis's "Birth of the Cool." Moving to California, he became a central figure in the West Coast jazz and cool jazz movements, following a period of intense collaboration with Chet Baker, a pivotal figure in his life.
A hint of warmth within the autumn wind
I often wish someone would make a movie about Mulligan, Chet, Monk, Parker, and Miles from this era – I'd invest my personal fortune to see it (just kidding!)... it's that fascinating. For those interested, you know what to do.
He later returned to New York and continued his activities. This track is the title song, "Night Lights," from his 1963 album "Night Lights," an album that showcases not only Gerry Mulligan's brilliant compositions and performance but also Jim Hall's masterful playing, creating a powerful synergy.
I could talk about Jim Hall too... please understand my predicament. I'll reluctantly skip it.
In this piece, Gerry Mulligan plays the piano (a version where he later plays the clarinet was included as a bonus track on the CD).
My aesthetic is to betray beautifully and never lie. Please enjoy.
Enjoy a warm, sweet night with a song that, while subtly sweet, overflows with warmth from within – a perfect bedside tune, like a gentle touch of warmth added to the creeping autumn night breeze, or the warmth felt from holding hands on a crisp walk.
Cheers to you, the night, and the music.