Drink This Now: the Razberry Beret at Waldo Thai Place
At Waldo Thai Place, bartender Darrell Loo is starting from the baseline belief that most people don’t go to Asian restaurants expecting thoughtful drinks. Part of his mission is to change that perception, at least at Waldo Thai Place. He’s doing an excellent job so far.
New to the menu is the memorable “Razberry Beret,” made with Buffalo Trace bourbon, muddled raspberry, orange juice, lemon juice, Regan’s orange bitters, and a house-made syrup built from galangal (ginger) and Thai chili. That’s all topped with egg white and a sprig of basil. As you can see, it’s visually over-the-top: served in an authentic wooden Thai basket, with streams of thin white smoke emanating from around the cocktail (thank you, dry ice). Gratefully, the drink lives up to its looks: it’s lightly tart and citric, with a hint of sweetness from the raspberry. The egg white lends a little creaminess, and the aromatics of the basil add pepper. It’s intended to pair well with WTP’s rich, spicy food. I tried it with a rich pumpkin curry, and it was near perfect.
♦
Waldo Thai Place. 8431 Wornall.
