From Honey Lemon Tea to Honey flavoured Scotch Whiskey

They say a son's first drink should be with his father. I do not know if my brother's first drink was with my father, but my first drink definitely was with my father. The very first forbidden sip of Rémy Martin stolen from my father's glass as my mother frowned disapprovingly at him went down my throat like a shot of fire. Not sure if I liked that burning sensation I stayed away from liqueurs for a long time after that...

Years later, awake at an unearthly hour of 4 am to study for some exams, despite a sore throat, I found myself presented with a mug of a warm honey golden liquid. I stared at it suspiciously. "Drink up, it will soothe your throat," said Papa. The liquid flowed down my throat soothing my throat as Papa had said and spreading a delicious warmth through my system. I was hooked. For years after that, if my father and I were both awake at the break of dawn, who ever woke up second, brewed and served the other some steaming honey lemon tea.

As time passed, my childhood dislike for alcohol slowly faded and I took my first timorous step towards appreciating liqueurs and wines. It was a winter evening and I had been coughing and wondering how I'd study the next morning, when Papa placed a goblet of a warm honey golden liquid in front of me. "Drink up, it will soothe your throat." My mind raced back to that morning years ago and without a moment's hesitation I picked up the goblet and took a large swallow. The most delicious warm liquid raced down my throat leaving behind a fiery trail and my mind took a leap back several years down the line to my first sip of Rémy Martin. Years later, Rémy Martin remains a favourite (even if last resort) home remedy for a sore throat, even if my companion is no more.

Last year, chatting late into the night with a friend and reminiscing about how I developped a taste for liqueurs like Tia Maria, I remembered a bottle of Drambuie lying forgotten at the back of our bar. Dropping the conversation mid-way I raced to retrieve the bottle which was covered with a fine film of dust, so long had it been lying ignored. Uncorking the bottle, we poured ourselves a glass each of the finest scotch whiskey liqueur made with malt whiskey, heather honey and a secret blend of herbs. I closed my eyes as a shot of molten fire slid down my throat, the hints of honey, anise and nutmeg mingling with the stronger taste of fine scotch whiskey filled my senses. Undoubtedly the best liqueur I'd had till date. As I took my second sip, I mentally toasted Papa and wondered what he would have said if it had been with him that I had my first sip of Drambuie.

From Honey Lemon Tea to Honey Flavoured Scotch Whiskey...this one is for you Papa!