My 7 experiments with Old Monk, the rum for all seasons
My introduction to Old Monk is as old as my drinking habit itself. This rum was part of my very early attempts to consume and understand alcohol. Despite brands like Black Dog and Vat 69, made popular by Indian and Hollywood films back in the day, Old Monk was my obvious choice.
The primary reason was it didn't burn a hole in your pocket. Indian rums are far less expensive than whiskey. And as a student, all I needed was a better nasha, a better high without spending a lot. But soon, my friends and I realised that Old Monk was better than the other tipples.
From the tables of the Press Club to the parties at India International Centre where, on one occasion, I forced the managers to serve Old Monk, to the late night debates at JNU's Ganga Dhaba, to the narrow lanes of Munirka and Ber Sarai, the tipple was a habit.
And Old Monk remains so. One might think this is a clear sign of addiction, but many of us Old Monk wallahs believe this is all about being progressively religious.
This bulb-shaped bottle is a symbol, the rum inside an ideology and having Old Monk is having faith in God. Yes, humans created God and Old Monk is the proof.
So, as the tribute to its founder Mr Mohan, who died at 88, I share my experiments with the rum:
1. Old Monk goes well with Coke and water: 60ml of Old Monk with 100ml water and 100ml Coke is the best combination. The beauty of this blend is that it doesn't dehydrate your body and tastes really good. Believe me, this is an all-season beauty. The four seasons don’t affect this most-enjoyed combination.
2. No one wants a bad hangover. However, we do experience it. So, if you don’t have office the next day, mix 45ml of Old Monk with 60ml of dark filter coffee decoction. Add some warm water to the blend, if it is too strong for you. This is a tested formula, better try it.
3. Old Monk can shatter myths related to summer drinking. Many think rum is not for summer. They are wrong. As wrong as the sun rising in the West. All you need to do is fix yourself the right drink. Take 60ml Old Monk, add one tablespoon of honey to it, and another of lemon juice. Throw in four-five mint leaves. Mix them properly. Fill a glass with crushed ice, pour the rich mix into the glass. Your drink is ready.
4. Old Monk is good news for those nursing cold or cough. Take 500ml water, and add into it one stick of cinnamon, six cloves, one square inch ginger and 10 black peppers. Now bring this mix to a boil, and let it reduce to 400ml. Pour this brown-toned concoction into a flask and add 90ml Old Monk into it. Soak in the warmth of this drink.
5. Buy an Old Monk bottle. Open it, but don’t start making your drinks yet. Add a two-inch long Cinnamon stick and some cloves into the bottle. Keep it in a dark, cold place for the next three weeks. After 21 days of wait, a nice, heady aroma takes your rum to another level. Enjoy it.
6. Take a half-filled glass of water. Pour Old Monk into it from the edges, slowly and smoothly so it doesn’t dissolve into the water. After pouring about 60-75ml Old Monk into it, you will find two separate layers in your glass.
Part water and, up above, part rum. Just like the sun rising in the East. This is the perfect drink to get a sure high in the first attempt. Don’t shake the glass. Don’t mix it. Just have it pure. The first strong gulp of rum must be followed by water to take it easy.
7. If you're baking a plum cake or cupcakes with raisins and nuts, or even brownies and muffins, Old Monk is the best punch to tickle your tastebuds. The same goes for marinating mutton ribs for charcoal cooking. Or even lamb curry: to one kilo of lamb, add 60ml rum and 120ml red wine. Do add garlic leaves and rum-soaked red chillies to the curry for better taste.