How many times have you had drunk sex? I don’t mean lingered over a bottle of Bordeaux at dinner with your sweetheart before scampering home to make saccharin, chick-flick-style love to your soulmate. I’m talking raw passion, fueled by the heat of the moment and the liquor on your breath. Whether the answer is “too many to remember” or “just once,” and it was either “incredible” or “incredibly stupid,” then you, like me, understand the power of the cocktail.
What we drink can set the mood for what (and who) we do, as anyone who’s tried to seduce a date with a bottle of Champagne (or score with a stranger by buying shots of tequila) can attest. Certain ingredients have an aphrodisiacal quality, be it their texture, flav
ors, or chemical properties. And, of course, alcohol liberates us from inhibitions, so once you place those beer goggles snugly on your face, you might find yourself (that is, if you can remember to think about it) sexin’ it up with someone who might not otherwise, to put it nicely, be your type.
While I’m not suggesting that it’s always a good idea to get bombed before you bang, sometimes the right drink (or two, or seven) can set the perfect tone for the long, sweaty night you’re craving. Whether you’re searching for sweet romance or just a sweet release, there’s always an appropriate cocktail. Consider it foreplay in a glass.
Bubbles are seductive in most situations, especially if you’re pressing Skin-to-skin in a two-person bath or clinking flutes to celebrate a whispered toast. The bubbly stuff has always been the go-to ingredient of choice for brunch cocktails like Mimosas and Bellinis, but these days more and more bars are adding playful Champagne cocktails to their drink lists, with sexy results. For a sophisticated twist on two classic drinks, order up a Champagne Mojito ($14) at RumBa (InterContinental Hotel, 510 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, 617.217.5152), which gives the muddling trend a well-deserved makeover without detracting from the soul of the drink. 10 Cane Rum is topped with Moët & Chandon White Star Champagne and kissed with simple syrup, fresh mint, and lime juice. The first sweet sip tickles your mouth in all the right places, and each one after that is pure pleasure. A few of these and you might find yourself at the front desk asking for last-minute, king-sized accommodations.
One of the sultriest gems in town is Tangierino (83 Main Street, Charlestown, 617.242.6009), nestled in quaint and cobblestoned Charlestown. It’s the perfect third-date locale for those with a confidently naughty streak. The space is split into two entities: the restaurant and the Casbah Lounge, a cozy Moroccan lair strewn with pillows. Puff on a hookah packed with flavored tobacco ($30) with your paramour and disengage yourself from intertwined limbs long enough to enjoy a Pear Passion ($11), a velvety treat made from Moscato d’Asti, sake, and pear juice. Believe it or not, the flavors of the drink can be enhanced by the tobacco you choose for your hookah, so for the best accompaniment to your suck-and-blow session, try the apple flavor. Once you’ve smoked yourself silly, head into the dining room for a succulently spiced meal and, of course, another cocktail. The Marrakech Salon ($13), made with rose syrup, fresh mint, and organic Christiania vodka, is a tempting taste of your own garden of Eden. Lick your lips and let the sinning begin.
If your seduction style is classy with a twist of saucy minx, Sibling Rivalry (525 Tremont Street, Boston, 617.338.5338) should be on your radar. Cozy up to a well-dressed cutie sitting in the chic bar area and order up a Pamplemousse cocktail ($11). Sour bliss with a hint of mint, it’s a delightfully puckering marriage of Svedka vodka, fresh grapefruit juice, pomegranate honey syrup, and fresh mint. The flavors are vivid yet restrained — qualities that also make for an interesting postsip sack session. I’m just saying.
On the other hand, sex doesn’t have to be wrapped in frills and sparkle; it doesn’t have to involve romance or feelings or even last names. Sometimes the best romps are the hazy, boozy, selfish kind, and by God, there’s a drink for them, too. So what to slam befor you wham? Allston is known for being a little bit sleazy and a little bit cheesy, and there’s no better tribute to that urban sentiment than The Avenue (1249 Comm Ave, Allston, 617.782.9508), where the aptly named Jekyll and Hyde shot ($4.50) will help you release the beast. The dueling-personalities shot is made from layers of Jägermeister and berry liqueur. Challenge a hot stranger to a few of these babies and you’ll be ensconced in a messy makeout session in no time, followed, perhaps, by a painfully obvious hand-in-hand skip to the loo. Just don’t sit on the seat, please. It’s for your own good. (And don’t be a dummy: that condom in your wallet is there for a reason. Just because Mr. Hyde is on the loose doesn’t mean you should be careless. Lecture finished.)
There’s something thrilling about soaking your brain in booze before letting your animal instincts take over. Maybe it’s the forbidden nature of the drunken screw, or maybe it’s the get-out-of-jail-free card that we allow ourselves when we’ve had one too many. Either way, you can’t go wrong by using your drink to set the mood for whatever turns you on. Your pickup lines? Well, we can’t help you there.
