The Potemkin Armored Train cocktail is beyond the power of even the most experienced “poytsy”, not to mention beginners. It requires resistance to alcohol, willpower and the right technique. The whole bar gathers to look at the daredevil who decided to challenge the Armored Train. Some support, others sympathize, because even in case of victory, it will take a long time to heal hangover wounds …
The author of the recipe and the place of appearance of the cocktail are unknown, but there is no mention of similar drinks in foreign sources, so it can be assumed that the Potemkin Armored Train was invented in Russia in the early 2000s.
cooking theory
Each stack (shot) means one “car”. In turn, trains are formed from the “cars” – 6 pieces with different drinks in each. The minimum length of the “train” is one train (6 stacks of cars), the maximum is 4 trains (24 stacks). At the same time, the role of the “locomotive” is played by a half-liter glass of beer, it is placed at the “head of the train”.
The formation of a “composition” with drinks can be anything, the rule is often observed: an alcoholic drink alternates with a non-alcoholic one, while alcohol and juice (or soda) should at least slightly combine in taste. Sometimes they do the opposite, when you have to drink sweet alcohol with sour juice, then switch to something spicy or bitter.
In the classic version of the Potemkin armored train, they use: dry vermouth, vodka, absinthe, orange juice, tomato juice or pomegranate syrup (grenadine), as well as Sprite soda. If there is a wide range in the bar, each “train” can be formed from different alcohol. In some variations of the Armored Train, white and red wine, vermouth, vodka, Becherovka, Jägermeister, absinthe, cognac, tequila, whiskey, Baileys and other liquors are found at the same time. At the same time, sambuca is served in the last alcoholic “car” and set on fire.
Since the “Armored train” cocktail is drunk on a bet and for a limited time, the wagons in the composition and their sequence are agreed in advance. The more different drinks are presented, the more difficult it is to drink them and the stronger the hangover in the morning. Sodas only increase the negative effect. The maximum volume of liquid (24 “cars” with beer) is 1,460 liters. In 5 minutes, not everyone will be able to drink so much even plain water.
Composition and proportions:
- dry vermouth – 160 ml;
- vodka – 160 ml;
- absinthe – 160 ml;
- beer – 0,5 liters;
- orange juice – 160 ml;
- tomato juice or grenadine – 160 ml;
- soda Sprite – 160 ml.
Cocktail recipe Armored train Potemkin
1. Chill the desired number of 50 ml shots.
2. Put all the piles in a row on a table or bar counter at a small distance from each other (it should be convenient for the drinker to quickly take one pile in his hand without touching the neighboring ones). In the “head of the train” put a glass of cold beer.
3. Starting from the “tail of the train”, pour 40 ml of the following drinks into each pile:
- 1 – vermouth;
- 2 – orange juice;
- 3 – vodka;
- 4 – tomato juice;
- 5 – absinthe;
- 6 – sprite;
- 7 – vermouth;
- 8 – orange juice;
- 9 – vodka;
- 10 – tomato juice;
- 11 – absinthe;
- 12 – sprite;
- 13 – vermouth;
- 14 – orange juice;
- 15 – vodka;
- 16 – tomato juice;
- 17 – absinthe;
- 18 – sprite;
- 19 – vermouth;
- 20 – orange juice;
- 21 – vodka;
- 22 – tomato juice;
- 23 – absinthe;
- 24 – sprite;
- 25 – beer.
4. The drinker begins his movement from the “tail of the train”, drinking each glass in turn to the bottom. Leaving part of the drink in the stack or changing the order is not allowed. It is advisable to have several napkins with you to periodically wipe your lips, leveling the taste of the previous drink.
They agree in advance on the time allotted for the whole cocktail. Usually, 25 minutes are allotted for an “Armored train” of 5 cars. You can not drink a glass of beer to the bottom, but only take a sip, and this is considered a victory.
By tradition, if the drinker coped with the allotted time, the cost of the cocktail is paid by his friends or the administration of the institution.
PS The secret of victory is not only in resistance to alcohol. It is necessary periodically, for example, after every 3-6 glasses, to take deep breaths and exhalations so as not to lose consciousness due to oxygen starvation.