Chat with bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare about New Year's Eve drinks
Thursday, December 29, 2005
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Welcome to our online chat with bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare about New Year's Eve drinks.
The chat took place on Thursday, December 29, at 2:15 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.
Moderator: Welcome to our chat today with a local bartender, Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare, who has agreed to respond to your questions about New Year's Eve drinks.
I'm Dave Toplikar, World Online editor, and I'll be serving up your questions to our guest.
Kiwi has been a bartender for 10 years and has been at Johnny's Tavern for five of those years.
We've got a lot of questions already, so we'll just go ahead and get started.
Dakota: How do you make a "Mind Eraser"?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: It's vodka, kaluha and soda water. Pour into a rocks glass and serve with five to six straws.
JC, Lawrence: What's the best way to get a stiff drink from a bartender instead of a watered-down drink? I don't want an unreasonable drink but I don't want 90 percent water. Begin with a good tip? Or do you have to be a female?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Try and order a specific drink using a brand of liquor like say Grey Goose and 7 or Jack and Coke.
Johnny's Tavern bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare chats with readers about New Year's.
Photo by Isaac Bell
Johnny's Tavern bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare chats with readers about New Year's.
Steve, Lawrence: While in Mexico I had a great margarita with 1800 added. What is it and how do I re-create or order the drink?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Well 1800 is a tequila by Jose Quervo. Most bars carry Jose.
Bailey Boxer, Lawrence: Kiwi, when you come home after a night of serving up the locals, what do you like to drink after hours?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Grey Goose and O.J. It's smooth and takes the edge off after a long night.
Jerry Collins, Porirua, New Zealand: What should I be drinking if I want to make it through the night? I don't want to be kissing the toilet come New Year's.
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Try and stick to the same drink, either beer or liquor. Don't switch up during the night, it will help with the hangover.
D-Man, Lawrence: What's the perfect drink to serve prior to the New Year's kiss......I don't like bad breath....and I don't want to work too hard for the kiss either..
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Something sweet, it's good for the ladies.
Pablo, Lawrence: How early should we get to Johnny's Saturday night and what's the cover and drink specials.
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: The earlier the better there's nothing that beats a good time. I'm unsure of the specials, but it will be a good time. The theme is P Diddy's White Party, so dress up and look good.
Jen & Matt - Lawrence: Since New Year's Eve is on Saturday, what Sabado Gigante shot would you recommend?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Jagger Bomb, nothing beats it.
Dj Soap: I heard you come from the land down under!! Peace bro.
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: That is true! It's where woman crawl and make thunder. Do you speak my language?
Betty, Lawrence: What is a dirty martini?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: It's vodka, dry vermouth and olive juice, garnished with two to three olives.
Kelly, Denise and Rene from Lawrence: We are hosting a New Year's Eve party and would like to serve a "signature" martini. Any suggestions? We were thinking about something fun and possibly fruity. Our guest list will be mostly 30- 40-year-old couples and singles.
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Try a cosmo. It's easy and sweet, most people will enjoy it. It's vodka, Grand Mariner and cranberry juice, garnished with a twist of lime. Try and use a good vodka, like Sky, Stoli or Goose.
Jennifer from Lawrence: My husband heard about this shot called "The Sponge." When we stop by bookstores, we invariably end up looking to see if it's a REAL shot. Is it real and what on earth is in it?
Thanks!
JG
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Take my advice and don't order it. It's also called a barmat shot, which is what is left in the well off the mat.
Kyle, Lawrence: Hello Kiwi,
I have been making my own hurricanes using Light 7 dark rum, OJ, Passion fruit juice and just enough grenadine to make it red. Is that about right? Could you tell me the ingredients of a Hand Grenade? I think it's rum and pineapple juice, is that right? I found some recipes online but I don't know if they are right.
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: I'm not too sure on the the hand grenade, but the hurricane is about right. Just add some 151 rum for a little kick.
Jeff, Salina: I love your cosmos. Do you have any special ingredient you put into it? I try to replicate it at home, but I can't quite get it right.
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: No, nothing special. Use Grand Mariner instead of Triple Sec.
Matt Williams Lawrence: Hey Kiwi, how do you make your drinks so tasty and good? What's the secret ingredient?
love always
Sandbar Matt
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Nothing special, just a little Kiwi flair. How's my girl doing???
Laura, Perry, KS: What exactly goes into a Samoan Fog-Cutter?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Not too sure on that one; haven't been to the islands in a while.
Erin Lawrence, KS: What is the most common New Year's Eve drink?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Champagne. Start in the morning with mimosas.
Lola, Lawrence: What Lawrence bar/establishment do you recommend 20-somethings spend their New Year's Eve?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Johnny's Tavern of course, as long as you're 21.
Jack, Lawrence: Do you think bartenders should be held responsible if one of their patrons gets involved in a drunk driving accident?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: No as long as they don't over-serve the patron. Should Ford be responsible for someone not wearing their seatbelt?
Semia, Lawrence: How exactly do you make a brandy old-fashioned sweet? Thanks!
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Not to sure on that one. I'll ask my grandma, though.
Moderator: Here's a question one of my co-workers needs to ask: What kind of a shot would you recommend at midnight?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Jagger Bomb. You can't beat it.
Anne and Christine, Lawrence: Will the dance floor at Johnny's be hopping on New Year's? We just gotta dance!!!
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: It will be, as it always is. Have you been there on game day? KU football, way to go!
Mel, Shawnee, KS: What is the best way to make an Amaretto Sour without too much kick from the alcohol? Mine aren't as smooth as I would like.
Thanks! Happy New Year!
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Add just a little touch of cherry juice and a couple of cherries.
Jason, Michigan: Does a shirley temple have liquour in it, and, if so, would tequila make a good substitute? Thank you kiwizzle.
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Depends if you're a sissy. You could live on the edge and make it a dirty shirley.
J - Lawrence: Are you a fan of Car Bombs?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Balaba carbomber, what sort of question is that?
Lauren, Lawrence: You didn't answer the question regarding the cover charge at Johnny's for New Years Eve?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Sorry. No there's not, as long as you're 21 and have a valid ID you can party till you drop.
TBone, Lawrence: What is your best cure for a hangover?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: I think you know the answer, but try and drink a glass of water before you go to bed to help with the dehydration.
JJ, Lansing: Since you are a kiwi, you don't expect tips do you?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: No, I work for the experince of it all. I also work for the lady, ask Kiki.
Anne Lawrence: Is Johnny's going to have a midnight toast??
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Yes we will, as soon as the clock strikes 12.
Gabe, Lawrence: What's the best tasting rum in the world?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Appletons. It's got the most flavour.
Jill, Lawrence: As a bartender, what drink do you hate the most to make?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Sex on the beach, or kamakazies. They are full of juice and no real amount of liquor.
Jerome Porirua: So would you say, "the ladies" are one of the benefits of being a bartender?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: That is correct, but I'm not a playa.
Craig, Lawrence: How many elves live in the tree where you bake the cookies?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: 420. There are a lot of the little fellas.
Nicole Lawrence: Will there be any drink specials Saturday?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: I don't think so, but our prices are pretty competitive.
E, Lawrence: What is the strongest liquor?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: 151 or Rumplemintz.
Mike, whangamata: How do you make a white lion?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Two shots of rum, one shot of pineapple juice, and half fill with Kia Kaha.
Mary, Lawrence: What's up with charging someone for the "rocks" when ordering a drink on ice, no mix?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: You only order on the rocks if you have good taste in liquor.
Matt Williams- Lawrence: Hey Kiwi, I just wanted to know how you got so sexy and charming....
love Sandbar Matt
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Just pure skill and luck I guess.
BEN, FAIRWAY: WHO'S A BETTER BARTENDER, YOU OR SANDBAR MATT?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Sandbar Matt can't even see over the bar, so you answer that.
DJ SOAP: Kiwi, what makes Johnny's the best bar in Lawrence?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: We have one of the best DJ's in town on Friday and Saturday nights.
E, Lawrence: What type of shot do you recommend for someone who doesn't like anything that burns going down?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Try an antifreeze. It tastes good and it's easy.
Moderator: Here's another question from a co-worker: I've been having trouble finding a good margarita. How do you make a great margarita?
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Patron's Grand Mariner, fresh squeezed lime juice, and a drop of sweet and sour.
Moderator: That's all the questions we have today.
I'm sure if anyone has any more they can go see Kiwi on New Year's Eve.
Kiwi, thanks for coming in and sharing your vast knowledge of bartending with our readers.
Bartender Aaron "Kiwi" Hoare: Thanks everyone for being on line. JJ, Matt, Jerry and Tuck, be safe and remember the dog is out there so regulators mount up.