Diamond free drinks

[John&LaLa]

Just now, Merion_Mom said:

I have given up on the Diamond list drinks since I turned Prime in the casino.  I can get just about anything I want there.  😄 

 

And what you can't find, you can ask for.

 

Laura has a penchant for B&B in her tea. If casino doesn't have it, I ask the host to acquire it.

 

FWIW, I turned Prime in December, and have seriously only had free drinks a handful of times in the last 3 sailings.  Casino bar hours are to restrictive.

 

[Goodtime Cruizin]

29 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I'm honestly fine with NA

 

BTW, since Tito's is Texan, do they serve it on Liberty upon boarding?

 

I honestly don't know. Meaning, I only drink vodka w/ Bloody's and that would be in the AM. 

[CntPAcruiser]

5 hours ago, gingercruiselover said:

Hi next cruise I will be Diamond so was wondering what kind of cocktails i could get with my free drinks vouchers .Thanks for your help

 

In addition to the list of spirits, the bar setup in the Diamond lounge will have basic mixers like club soda and tonic, OJ, cranberry juice, but not fresh lemon or lime juice. They might have sour mix and can make a "sort of" margarita (shaken, not frozen), and a lemon drop "martini" is a popular order. Gin or vodka martinis, Manhattans (no bourbon, so just Tennessee whiskey, but nearly passable) and the Irish Whiskey and Scotch variants are also possible. They may also have Rose's lime juice for making gimlets. Most bartenders will make up a rum punch on request, and lastly, with Campari included on the list of spirits, you can have an Americano, Negroni, Campari and orange, or Campari and soda. With some creativity and research, there are quite a few interesting cocktails that can be made from the list.

[Driveshaft]

23 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

 

 

 

I am much more charming than John, but I can only get "diamond list" alcohol at bars.  😉 

 

Twangster posted an outdated list.  Here is the current list.  

 

Dang it, No Bourbon. And yes JD is not sold as a bourbon even though it is technically one but filtered.

[CntPAcruiser]

40 minutes ago, Driveshaft said:

Dang it, No Bourbon. And yes JD is not sold as a bourbon even though it is technically one but filtered.

 

That is the greatest omission on the list, and I'd even settle for one of the lesser bourbon bottlings. You can't really make a Manhattan with Tennessee whiskey.

[godawgs227]

Can you imagine JR ordering a bourbon and branch in the DL and being served sour mash whiskey(JD)? It wouldn't be a pretty sight.

[Driveshaft]

Actually a Manhattan is made with a Rye or typically a Canadian, which is also conspicuously absent. It's a Boulevardier when made with a Bourbon. How do you make a seven and seven with no Seven? Or that Bourbon and Branch.

 

All Bourbon is Sour Mash per se. The wort is fermented from a mash of grains, water and yeast

 

1. It must be made in the United States. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to be made in Kentucky, although 95 percent of the world’s supply is.

2. Aging must take place in a new, charred, oak barrel.  Whiskey can be aged in used barrels and often is (Scotch). The bourbon must be aged for at least two years to be considered a straight bourbon.

3. The mash must be at least 51 percent corn. Rye, wheat and barley are typically the other grains

4. The whiskey cannot enter the barrel at higher than 125 proof. It cannot enter the bottle at a proof less than 80.

5. Nothing can be added but water and only to lessen the proof when necessary. Other whiskeys can add color and flavor. Not bourbon, it must be au-naturel.

 

Note: Once the original aging is done it can be additionally aged in other new or used barrels e.g. Angel's Envy (Port) or Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

[CntPAcruiser]

9 hours ago, Driveshaft said:

Actually a Manhattan is made with a Rye or typically a Canadian, which is also conspicuously absent. It's a Boulevardier when made with a Bourbon. How do you make a seven and seven with no Seven? Or that Bourbon and Branch.

 

As much of a comeback as straight rye is now making, most places are still making Manhattans with bourbon, and both Ted Haigh (the "Cocktail Doctor") and Gary Regan provide for "rye or bourbon" in making a Manhattan. When using bourbon, it's a matter of balancing the drink by using less sweet vermouth; bourbon doesn't take as much. It would be a dream to have a real bourbon and a straight rye on the Diamond list, of course, but that is some heavy dreaming!

 

You would probably be shocked to learn (or maybe not—I see now that you are a Michigander) that in Wisconsin, both Manhattans and Old Fashioned were often made with brandy! It wasn't until I moved away from that area and began learning about cocktails that I realized the originals were whiskey cocktails.

[Tulsacoker]

On 2/18/2020 at 8:10 PM, John&LaLa said:

 

I'm honestly fine with NA

 

BTW, since Tito's is Texan, do they serve it on Liberty upon boarding?

Do not recall seeing Tito's to tell the truth  ... but since I'm a transplant Texan Tito's is the first word on Vodka 

[John&LaLa]

7 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

Do not recall seeing Tito's to tell the truth  ... but since I'm a transplant Texan Tito's is the first word on Vodka 

 

But it's all a lie. PT Barnum would be proud.

@Milwaukee Eight

 

Nothing about Tito's is 'handmade'

It's just a marketing scam, and it's only filtered, watered down, and bottled in Texas

 

Vodka drinkers, of course, are accustomed to fantasy. Vodka is, by definition; colorless, odorless and tasteless. Virtually all of the vodka made in the U.S., including Tito's and Smirnoff, starts as grain neutral spirit (GNS) manufactured by one of the major producers: Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Midwest Grain Products (MGP), or Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), whose headquarters and principal distilleries are in Illinois, Kansas and Iowa respectively. (i.e., where most grain is farmed.)

 

[cruisegirl1]

16 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

Do not recall seeing Tito's to tell the truth  ... but since I'm a transplant Texan Tito's is the first word on Vodka 

I know this is off topic, but I do not like Tito's. I know it is insanely popular.   It is all over the ship and often poured when I order a drink at  random bars.   I often drink vodka martinis, or even just vodka over ice and think Tito's tastes like  what I image kerosene to taste like.   Forget the free New Amsterdam.  I need something  like a lemon drop or tonic to balance the off the  taste of NA  so  now I started to  just order the tonic without the vodka.  RCCL does not lose any diamond drink money  on me.  I don't drink most of the of the free wines offered, and now the vodka is almost off my list.   So far, I still like the Jamison.  

 

BTW - I prefer Ciroc (unflavored) vodka. Ciroc is made from grapes, not grains and is often available onboard  

 

M

 

 

Edited February 20, 2020 by cruisegirl1

[twangster]

Not a huge Tito's fan although it's a huge step up from NA.  It's fine in a mule but as a straight vodka martini I prefer to be goosed.

[cruisegirl1]

3 minutes ago, twangster said:

Not a huge Tito's fan although it's a huge step up from NA.  It's fine in a mule but as a straight vodka martini I prefer to be goosed.

When I order  a drink ( not a free D drink) my line is, "anything but Tito's".  They usually  pour Grey Goose. 

Cheers!

M

[Tulsacoker]

On 2/18/2020 at 8:16 PM, John&LaLa said:

Casino bar hours are to restrictive

I know .... why are they closed at 6 am

[John&LaLa]

27 minutes ago, twangster said:

Not a huge Tito's fan although it's a huge step up from NA.  It's fine in a mule but as a straight vodka martini I prefer to be goosed.

 

I pretty much drink Cape Codders or Beer.

NA is fine, Tito's is fine, Absolut is fine, GG is fine. Just don't overpour it. I don't want it pink.

 

I have been told to stick to Stoli Elite if its included. 

 

Edited February 20, 2020 by John&LaLa

[Ocean Boy]

There are people around here who know a lot more about alcohol than I do.

[Driveshaft]

Why I like Bourbon:

[Ocean Boy]

29 minutes ago, Driveshaft said:

Why I like Bourbon:

 

Do your guests spend more time looking at the fish tanks or the case case in the middle?

[Milwaukee Eight]

6 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

But it's all a lie. PT Barnum would be proud.

@Milwaukee Eight

 

Nothing about Tito's is 'handmade'

It's just a marketing scam, and it's only filtered, watered down, and bottled in Texas

 

Vodka drinkers, of course, are accustomed to fantasy. Vodka is, by definition; colorless, odorless and tasteless. Virtually all of the vodka made in the U.S., including Tito's and Smirnoff, starts as grain neutral spirit (GNS) manufactured by one of the major producers: Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Midwest Grain Products (MGP), or Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), whose headquarters and principal distilleries are in Illinois, Kansas and Iowa respectively. (i.e., where most grain is farmed.)

 

I’ll say this....

 

if you can’t smell and taste a difference between Tito’s and NA, something is just wrong. 
 

In my opinion 
 

 

[mrsdiznee]

Can someone list some examples of the virgin frozen drinks offered. Does it include the “drink of the day? Thanks 

[brillohead]

1 hour ago, mrsdiznee said:

Can someone list some examples of the virgin frozen drinks offered. Does it include the “drink of the day? Thanks 

Frozen drinks that I've seen the mixers for on board are margarita, peach or mango or strawberry daiquiri, and pina colada.  

You can also mix them, such as a peach mango blend.

 

[John&LaLa]

17 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

I’ll say this....

 

if you can’t smell and taste a difference between Tito’s and NA, something is just wrong. 
 

In my opinion 

 

There's a slight difference, but I mix it with Ocean Spray and don't notice it.

[alphawave1]

On 2/18/2020 at 7:23 PM, gliles said:

Unlimited while in the DL plus then three on your card so you could drink several in the DL then head out and get three more. And yes, all within whatever the happy hour time is. 

Correct. Also we tend to use our 3 free drinks for small bottles of Pellegrinos. Some shops won’t allow it, but most do allow.

[3CatsInMA]

19 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

I’ll say this....

 

if you can’t smell and taste a difference between Tito’s and NA, something is just wrong. 
 

In my opinion 
 

 

NA is fine in a mixed drink.  If it's on the rocks, with a twist, it's gotta be GG or Tito's for me.

[RCLDIAMONDIAM]

On 2/18/2020 at 4:05 PM, gingercruiselover said:

Hi next cruise I will be Diamond so was wondering what kind of cocktails i could get with my free drinks vouchers .Thanks for your help

 

as others have said, it's limited. only very basic mixed drinks included and not top-shelf brands.  but we skipped those. know what we did? We loaded up on the mixed drinks we wanted in the lounge, then before the Diamond 3-drink bennies ended at 7 pm, we went up to the schooner bar, took 3 beers each unopened (Stella or Heineken), tipped the bar tender in cash, and brought them to our room. we drank some of them during the daytime, but ended up bringing  2 six packs home with us.  worked real well.  the bartender by day 3 recognized us and already knew what we wanted

Edited February 21, 2020 by RCLDIAMONDIAM