Monday, April 20, 2020

It is Monday, right?  I pulled our muddler out of a drawer in the bar, and I used some pent up energy to smash up those cucumber slices.

The only novel thing about today was a leaking washing machine.  This refreshing drink is going to help me take my mind off that mess.

But wait.. the Tabasco hits me at the end of my first sip.  Is it the capsaicin, the compound that makes hot peppers hot, making my brain release endorphins?  Maybe!  (And that’s as close as I get to being high on 4/20.)

In a cocktail shaker, muddle three slices of cucumber with 3 dashes of hot sauce (I prefer Tabasco).  Add 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of lime juice, and 3/4 ounce real maple syrup.  Add ice, shake, and strain.  Pour into glass. Fill remainder of glass with club soda, and garnish with a cucumber slice. 

Sunday, April 19, 2020

American pop culture meets Russian literature meets quarantine is my theme for the day.

Has your family dug out the old jigsaw puzzles yet?  Oh, we have.  The one in the photo is from the stash left at home by Oldest Son. It’s a classic.

I researched Tolstoy a bit today, and learned that he viewed alcohol as a danger to the body and to society. In 1890 he even penned an essay entitled, “Why Do Men Stupefy Themselves?”  (He apparently was never quarantined for 38 days and counting.)

All things in moderation, I believe. Alcohol is not a panacea.  But I am finding joy in creating cocktails! For today’s drink, in Leo’s honor,  I have selected a Black Russian.

Saturday, April 18, 2020

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that aircraft take off against the wind, not with it.”– Henry Ford

Since so much in today’s news (and in the Twitterverse) is making me upset and angry, I have chosen to instead focus on the sweet and inspirational. Ready? Here goes: I encourage you to fly into the winds of change that surround us.  Use these metaphorical winds to uplift you (pun intended), and to raise your spirits above the dark clouds of grim news and uncertainty.

This cocktail is actually called “Aviation” (hence the quote about flying) and dates back to the early 1900’s.  The ingredients are once again easy to find in liquor stores, probably because craft cocktails are popular, and I will admit that this is the first time in my life that I have had Crème de Violette and Luxardo Maraschino bottles in my bar.

Combine 2 ounces gin, 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur, 1/4 ounce Crème de Violette, and 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice in a shaker with ice.   Shake and strain, and garnish with a brandied cherry or a twist of lemon peel.

Up, up, and away!  (Extra credit to anyone who can identify the aircraft model that I borrowed from Husband’s collection.)

Friday, April 17, 2020

I am hoping that the ingredients in this cocktail, more commonly known as the Pimm’s Cup, will replenish my weary being.  I don’t mean the alcohol, Silly!  I mean the fruits and vegetables, of course.  (Insert wink emoji here.)

I had my first Pimm’s Cup in Brighton, England.  An afternoon storm brought a heavy downpour which totally drenched us and ruined our plans to enjoy the seashore.  We ducked inside a museum where they happened to be selling cocktails, and by the time we were done, the sun came out to save the day.  We were re-invigorated!  And I cannot wait to feel optimistic again!  Cheers!

Stir together 1 1/2 ounce Pimm’s Cup No. 1, 1/2 ounce simple syrup, and 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice.  Add to tall glass filled with ice cubes and garnishes (cucumber slices, orange wheels, strawberry halves) and top off with club soda.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

One ounce dark rum, one ounce apricot brandy, 1/2 ounce lime juice, 1/4 ounce orange liqueur, egg white from a fresh egg.  Combine all ingredients and mix vigorously in a shaker, then add 3-4 ice cubes and shake again.  Strain into a coupe glass.  This is a variation of a cocktail called the Apricot Lady.

There is no yolk in this cocktail!

But puns and joking aside–friends, stay home!  Hey, and US governors?  Stay smart!  Saving lives is not a laughing matter.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

The “Income Tax Cocktail” –yes, it’s a real thing, look it up!– is far less complicated than a 1040 form!

Combine, in a shaker of ice, 1 1/2 ounces gin, 3/4 ounce dry vermouth, 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth, 3/4 ounce orange juice, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Shake and strain into a coupe or martini glass.  Garnish with orange peel and/or wheel.

Due to the CoVid 19 shutdown, the deadline for filing your 2019 US federal income taxes is July 15.  You all now have plenty of time.  Just do it!  (I finished mine weeks ago, BTW, but I didn’t enjoy the process.)  And speaking of money—has your stimulus check arrived?  But don’t bother checking  the government website for its status–I hear it’s not working, just like 13%+ of Americans.  Sigh.  Heavy sigh.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

This cocktail is more commonly known as the Godfather.  Pour 2 ounces scotch and 2/3 ounces amaretto over ice and stir.  Strain, and add to a glass filled with fresh ice.  Garnish with orange slice and/or peel.

I used a “lesser” scotch, since Husband did not want to corrupt his finest scotch with anything besides a few drops of water or at most, a single ice cube.

I chose The Godfather for 2 reasons: 1. The amaretto is a salute to Dr. Fauci’s Italian heritage. 2.  I am hoping the good doctor is our fairy godfather and will not abandon us in our time of need, because, you know, he is making us an offer we can’t refuse.

Monday, April 13, 2020

One shot of Polish vodka, one shot of Polish Bison Grass vodka, one shot of Krupnik (or Krupnikas in Lithuanian–this bottle of honey-spiced liqueur was made in Durham, NC).  And as Poles know, shots should be followed by a chaser of meat!

Easter Monday in Poland is known as Śmigus-Dyngus or Wet Monday.  The Polish-American community refers to it as Dyngus Day.  In honor of the day, and in honor of my parents and grandparents, today I have selected three of the most-loved Polish libations.

Śmigus-Dyngus likely began back in 14th century as a form of courtship.  Boys of the village would drench the single girls with buckets of water and smack their legs with pussy willow branches.  Others say that Śmigus-Dyngus is a more pagan rite of spring, a washing away of dirt and disease.  I have also heard that Śmigus-Dyngus is a form of baptism, a cleansing from sin and a renewal of life.

In modern Poland, the day is an excuse for a national water fight.  Passers-by may be apprehended with water from squirt-guns, water balloons, and garden hoses.  When I was growing up, my parents would sneak up on each other with squirt bottles and even perfume atomizers.

On this Dyngus Day, I wish to (virtually) sprinkle all of you with healing waters that wash away viruses.  NA ZDROWIE!

Sunday, April 12, 2020

In a shaker over ice, combine 2 ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream, 1 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce butterscotch schnapps. Shake 40 times, since it’s Easter and all.  Strain and pour into a martini glass which has been drizzled with Hershey’s chocolate syrup.

To me, this tastes like my absolute favorite Easter candy, Cadbury Caramel Eggs.

And let’s hope the Easter Bunny was wearing a mask (and maybe even gloves) when he delivered all of our treats this morning.

Saturday, April 11, 2020

1 ounce Luxardo cherry liqueur, 1 ounce Amaretto, 2 ounces chilled almond milk, 1 teaspoon grenadine (or more, if you want the color to be deeper), mixed together with a milk frother.   I cut a slit in the bottom of each Peep so each one could stay on the rim of the glass.

The Luxardo is actually a maraschino liqueur, and is sweeter and thicker than a cherry brandy.  I use almond milk because my tummy isn’t liking milk much lately.  The milk frother was a whim–I wanted to make the drink look more like a pink marshmallow.  The froth didn’t last long.  I suspect I would have had better luck if I used actual cream or half-and-half, but alas, my tummy.

Liberate the Peeps!  They are altogether too close together when they stay in their boxes.