I am not a savvy shopper. I’ll spend $100 on a dozen crappy items instead of one or two quality pieces. Most of these purchases are promptly forgotten the instant I get home. Others I decide I hate upon at-home review but am too lazy to return. So I’m left with one pair of kinda cute, clearance Target shoes that I wear only twice because they pinch.
Until recently, I didn’t realize that my poor purchasing habits extended to my night life as well. I will clap with glee when I see a $5 glass of wine on the menu. Is it good? Bah, probably not. But it’s $5! Four glasses later (don’t judge me, reader) and I’ve spent, with tax and tip, $30 swilling rotgut wine and giving myself a lousy hangover to boot.
The other night, I found myself at Taste (4854 Laclede, 314-361-1200) in the Central West End. And when I glanced at the menu, I almost fell out of my chair exclaiming, “Ten dollars for a drink!? I could get a pair of clearance shoes at Target for that price!” but I composed myself.
Deciphering the menu was a challenge. I had to ask our server a lot of questions. (I’ll be honest: I was that guy.) But, armed with my newfound liqueur knowledge, I smartly settled on a the Rye Not?, a concoction of Rittenhouse Rye, Big O ginger liqueur, Donn’s Mix, and lemon.
My little libation arrived in a glass so petite a primordial dwarf could have elegantly toasted with it. With a resigned sigh, I took a sip. And what a glorious sip it was! The elixir revealed itself with what I can only describe in rather plebeian terms as a one-two-three punch of autumn-Christmas-summer! It was cozy, warm and nostalgic, but spicy, crisp and refreshing.
Surprisingly, it took me nearly an hour to finish my diminutive digestif and I relished it right down to the last sip, which was just as respectable as the first. For half of what I normally spend on trash wine, I had a delightful drinking experience and a decent buzz.
