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Tipples → Mixed Drinks
Slings
Slings are mixed drinks in which alcoholic products are sweetenened, mixed with lesser amounts of water, and usually aromatized.
The elemental nature of Slings can be expressed as: AROMATIC + SWEET + STRONG + WEAK.
The elemental terminus ante quem for Slings is between 200 B.C. and 50 A.D., with the rise of the specific drink, Conditum Paradoxum proving so.
The nominal terminus ante quem for modern Slings is currently in the year 1792 A.D.
Slings are the quintessential Anglophone-American form of mixed drink.
In contrast to the balance needed for the Whiskey Sour (a Punch), the Whiskey Cocktail (a Sling) requires harmony that leaves the whiskey dominant.
TRADITIONAL SLINGS
Traditional Slings are spiced Slings - or those that are unaromatized. The default spice used to accent Traditional Slings is nutmeg. Mace is also recommended.
TODDIES
Toddies are zested Slings. The default zest used to accent Toddies is that of the lemon. Fresh citron (Citrus medica zest is strongly recommended if available. Orange zest, and others are also used.
COCKTAILS
Cocktails are bittered Slings. The default bitters used to accent Cocktails is the gentian bitters sold as Angostura™. Any other bitters, which includes all products called amer, amaro or amari, and kräuter-likör, may also be used.
JULEPS
Juleps are herbed Slings. The default herb used to accent Juleps is spearmint of the lemon. Basil is also recommended, especially with gin.
COBBLERS
Cobblers are cobbled Slings. The default presentation for Cobblers is in metal cups, filled with crushed ice and the drink, the top of which is cobbled with fruit.
CUPS
Cups are fermentate-based Slings.
The default form for Cups is that based on wine, sweetened, watered with a lesser amount of charged water and ice, and aromatized with citrus zest or flowers or cucumber, et cetera.