Why I love/hate Blenheim Ginger Ale
You've never had Blenheim Ginger Ale?, my friend Will asked me.
Nope, I said. Never.
You've got to try some. I've got a whole case!
Of ginger ale?
Yeah. It's that good.
That's how we ended up at Idle Hour the other night, with a cardboard box full of bottles of Blenheim Old No. 3 Hot Ginger Ale.
Will popped the top on one, and I took a swig and rolled it around in my mouth for a second. I've never had a more full-bodied ginger ale.
Then I swallowed it. That's when the fire started in my throat.
The "Hot" part of Old No. 3 Hot Ginger Ale sets in as the ginger ale hits the back of your throat. For a second, I thought I'd developed acid reflux. Then I realized it was the ginger ale. It flamed up like a lit matchstick ...
The best way to drink Blenheim Old No. 3 Hot Ginger Ale is in a mixed drink, Will told me. That makes sense. After all, you need something to take the edge off.
I tried it two ways -- mixed with whiskey, and in a Dark 'n' Stormy, with some dark rum. I liked it best in the Dark 'N' Stormy. The back-throat burn was still there, just not quite as biting. I can't remember the last time I had a better Dark 'N' Stormy.
You can't buy Blenheim through the company Web site or in Maryland stores yet, but I believe you can get it at amazon.com. I highly suggest you try some of this stuff. Just be careful you don't catch fire.
(Photo courtesy of Blenheim's Flickr site.)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
Is that your normal tasting procedure for new/unknown drinks?
Hey, somebody go find this chap some moonshine........ >:-D
Posted by: Alexander D. Mitchell IV | January 11, 2010 2:51 PM
The owner of the company that makes Blenheim now is also the owner of the company that owns South of the Border just across the NC line in SC on I-95.
I haven't had any Blenheim in a while - they used to be available in most of SC in convenience stores or grocery stores.
Posted by: Jeff Q. | January 11, 2010 4:09 PM
Alexander D. Mitchell IV, this was a scientific sampling in accordance with the Midnight Sun Product Verification, Annotation and Critiquing Handbook.
Perhaps you misplaced your copy?
Posted by: Sam Sessa | January 12, 2010 11:30 AM
Since you included "Hot" in the description, I assume these were the pink-capped bottles? Try some with the light-colored caps, they're much more drinkable!
...and yes, Blenheim Ginger Ale is the only reason to stop at South of the Border.
Sandra Pinckney featured Blenheim once on Food Finds. If you're lucky, you might catch the episode in the wee hours of the morning.
Posted by: consume in moderation | January 15, 2010 11:40 AM
As a SC resident, I find the stuff overrated. Why put up with this "acid reflux" effect when you could rock Canada Dry or Vernor's? And I always thought the soda is what "takes the edge off" of a mixed drink, not vice versa. Mixing one burning substance with another seems hopeful at best.
For the record, Canada Dry + Cruzan Single Barrell Estate Rum = beverage bliss.
Posted by: Brade | January 27, 2010 2:44 PM