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and the digestif . . .?

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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 12:45 PM
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and the digestif . . .?


is that correctly spelled?

pursuant to a recent thread on the proper apertif in paris (pour un homme). what would be a good digestif pour une femme et un homme?

merci,
melissa
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 12:51 PM
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I like a great Calvados.
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 12:57 PM
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I have a terrible time getting a digestif in France. Either it's my terrible accent or they aren't expecting people to keep drinking after the meal or both.

I have upon occasion managed to get a "cointreau avec glaçon " (cointreau with ice) but not often. In Nantes in December when I tried to order one I ended up switching my desert from something chocolate to sorbet. Oh well, sorbet was better for me...
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 01:59 PM
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I cannot think of the right word for it, it is pear flavored and sort of sweet, like an Asti.
The Yankee and I like Port sometimes also.
But usually I have un cafe~
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 03:40 PM
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Another vote for calva!
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 04:19 PM
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Eau de noix, but it is difficult to find outside the Dordogne.
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 04:29 PM
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mmmmm! eau de noix a nut brandy not to be confused with the creme de noix, a very sweet liquer. This area also sells those wonderful chocolate dusted walnuts.
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 04:32 PM
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I stick to cognac!
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 04:38 PM
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Poire William is a pear liqueur; it is sweet, but I have never discerned any other resemblance to Asti, which I take to be Asti spumante, a sweet Italian vin mousseux.

Most of the good eaux de vie are from the Alsace; in addition to poire William, there is eau de framboise (raspberry) and eau de mirabelle (plum).
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 04:43 PM
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We ask our waiter, wherever we are, for the local apertif or digestif. You learn so much that way.
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 04:48 PM
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After a delicious meal, give me a good Cognac..
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 04:58 PM
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Muscat! I believe is the name of the pear drink we have had a few times and enjoyed as a sweet after dinner drink.
Also, there is a Champagne that is something like Champagne au Poire..
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 05:20 PM
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Other than the Poire Williams(pear) in France, you may want to try Mirabelle (plums) I love this confiture also, and then there's Vielle Prunes, others we have here like Grand Marnier, a favorite orange flavered) and Cointreau.
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 06:28 PM
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While most flavors can be found as liqueurs, when the word <i>eau</i> appears, it normally means a 90 to 100 proof alcohol, especially if it is clear colored. Framboise, poire, kirsch and quetsche (sp?) are the more common types.

Cigalechanta--eau de noix is normally in the 25% to 30% range in alcohol content and would not be as strong as cognac. But the Italian version will reach the ranges of hard liquor.
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 06:43 PM
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Any eaux de vie!
though, I have taken to port at home recently.
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 06:49 PM
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I enjoy a good Limoncello..
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Old Feb 15th, 2004 | 10:29 PM
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Another check in the Cognac column.
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Old Feb 16th, 2004 | 06:14 AM
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Hi melissa,

A digestif should have mint in it:
White Creme de Menthe.

You could also have a creme de menthe mixed with limonade (French lemon soda). I think it is called Diablo Menthe.
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Old Feb 16th, 2004 | 06:17 AM
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Calvados.
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Old Feb 16th, 2004 | 06:24 AM
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chartreuse -- bless those monks anyway
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