I’m saddened that PittGirl has closed up the Burgh Blog for several reasons, but the one that will linger longest is an unresolved issue: the creation of a Zima replacement.
As her readers know, PittGirl is/was a big-time fan of Zima, and Zima has recently been discontinued. Friendly mixologist that I am, I offered to create a replacement cocktail.
The project was made challenging in that I can’t locate any Zima for taste comparison, and we were forced to use as a target my memory of the last Zima I drank (in 1995, I believe).
Before starting, I asked PittGirl via Twitter DM what Zima tastes like.
"It tastes like heaven. With a hint of lime. Does that help?"
It didn’t, so I decided to guess.
Re-Zima
1.5 oz vodka
1.5 oz sour mix
1.0 oz lime juice plus half teaspoon sugar OR 1.0 oz Rose’s Lime Juice
Chilled Sprite to fill
Combine vodka, sour mix, lime juice, and sugar in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly to combine (at least 30 seconds). Strain into tall glass. Add Sprite in equal volume to mixture. Drink and enjoy.
I assume that one drinks Zima straight from the bottle, not over ice, so I created the recipe with that in mind. Serve over ice if you prefer.
The lime juice/sugar combo requires extra shaking to blend, so if you’re looking for a low-stress alternative use Rose’s Lime Juice (a pre-sweetened lime mixer) instead.
I think that rum makes a better base spirit for this drink, because it comes across as sweet be definition and works with the other ingredients. But vodka works well too and manages to disappear into the background altogether — might be more suitable.
And but so: I sent the recipe along to PittGirl. She posted it on the site and said she would try it. No word on the outcome.
So it will remain a mystery — until whoever has the last remaining Zima can compare and let me know.
In the meantime, if you’re feeling low about the end of the Burgh Blog, or if you want to raise a toast to PittGirl and wish her well, you might give this concoction a taste.
Best of luck, PittGirl. We’ll miss you.