absolutelyBangkok archive · Culture & Arts
Originally published Feb. 20, 2009
What a hard-to-understand place. First they try to prohibit all sorts of alcohol and related pleasures — even during Thailand’s most sanuk of all sanuk-festivals Songkran the sale of alcohol shall be prohibited -, and then the authorities launch a national cocktail to lure tourists to save the nation from the brink of the world’s indifference toward Siam.
First they try to class Thai national herbs and plants such as lemon grass, ginger, chili and others as hazardous and therefore controlled substances, and then the Tourism Authority of Thailand TAT launches “Siam Sunrays,” Thailand’s signature cocktail — that’s right, something like Siam’s answer to Singapore’s Slings or the Manhattans downed in The Big Apple.
But: main ingredients of the new Thai signature drink are hazardous substances such as chili pepper, ginger and lemon grass. Leading to the question who will be allowed to mix this drink in Thailand given some of the substances are ranked as hazardous along with explosive materials. What a brand experience, a drink ranked along with explosives?
Well, the Thai authorities just want Thailand to become a part of global cosmopolitan culture of alcoholic savoir vivre. Or when Thailand has taken such a terrible beating in the eyes of foreigners and tourists, the only thing left to do is to drown your sorrows in a fancy designer drink? Right, there’s always a light even deep down in the deepest misery:
“Thailand has invented a new national cocktail, which it hopes will help visitors forget the hangover from the disastrous airport shutdowns late last year,” analyzes the Guardian. TAT and the Thai Hotel Association THA rolled out the drink, grandly styling the concoction: “Thailand in a glass: the new punch in Thai tourism.”
“With the country’s export-led economy taking a beating in the global slowdown and the vital tourism sector that once drew 14 million visitors to jungles and pristine beaches still suffering, anything is worth a try”, the Guardian goes on. “The hope is that the heady brew will ease the pain caused by 300,000 stranded foreign travelers (…) when Bangkok’s main airport was closed by anti-government protesters.”
Well, as drinking Siam Sunrays means getting drunk for a good cause, why not give it a try. All you need is:
30-40ml of Smirnoff vodka
30ml of coconut liquor
15ml of syrup
1 Thai chili pepper
3 slices of young ginger
1 Kaffir lime leaf
3 slivers of lemon grass
3 drops of lime juice
Soda water
It’s not a yellow nor a red drink, which is a wise choice for a starter, giving tourists an instant unbiased taste of Thailand’s charms. Shake the whole mixture and then strain it into a glass with ice and soda water. And you got tantalizing Thailand in a glass. Promises the TAT:
Siam Sunrays embodies something of the spirit of Thailand. The refreshing and uplifting qualities of fragrant Kaffir lime leaves and the aromatic tang of lemon grass reflect the fresh, vibrant nature of the destination. A subtle hint of small but super hot Thai chilies (an innovative alternative to peppermint) imparts a tingling sensation yet is ice cool. Young ginger meanwhile warms the spirit. Together, they awaken the senses.
It has never been easier to be a patriot I’d say. Let the whitish brew revitalize body, mind and the nation.
Me just wonders, which bar around the world will have fresh Kaffir leaves, a Thai chili and slivers of lemon grass ready?
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