Saturday, March 21, 2020

Orange juice, splash of vodka, splash of amaretto.

I made my drink a little weaker today, since the liver needs a bit of rest even though my–and the world’s– anxiety is growing.  T

The classic Screwdriver cocktail calls for 2 ingredients, orange juice and an undetermined amount of vodka, served over ice.  So easy!  I like to add some amaretto to give it a deeper flavor.

Whenever I think of a Screwdriver, I think of all those big Polish weddings I attended in my younger days.  There was always an open bar, and drinks served in flimsy semi-opaque plastic glasses.  The bartender would happily make screwdrivers by the pitcher, and happily serve them to any teenager bold enough to order one.  And when the parents asked us what we were drinking, we would reply, “Just orange juice.”

Friday, March 20, 2020

Rosé wine with raspberries. Buy local! Support small businesses! This particular bottle is from Barboursville Vineyards in Barboursville, Virginia.

I chose this blush-colored wine today since I was in the mood for pink.  Spring is coming!

My family teases me about my rosy cheeks, which show up whenever I drink a bit too much. I argue that it’s merely a feminine blush. During these scary quarantine days, I welcome the blush and dread the flush that comes with fever and illness.  Stay healthy out there!  Stay home!

Thursday, March 19, 2020

The classic Gin and IT cocktail (I do believe the IT stands for Italy, home of sweet vermouth) calls for 1 1/2 ounces of gin, 1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth, and a dash of citrus bitters.  (I actually made it with grapefruit bitters.) Stir with ice, and strain into a glass with fresh ice.  This cocktail was popular as early as the 1880s, and was called a Sweet Martini.

Cheers to my Italian and Polish friends, celebrating tonight at home.  St. Joseph is a favorite of both cultures, and many communities celebrate with parades and parties, and by “the wearing of the red,” since red is found in both the Italian and the Polish flag.  My salute comes in the form of a red swizzle stick and a red sweatshirt that I wore while “working” at home.  The cocktail looked good next to my laptop.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Frozen banana, almond milk, splash of vanilla vodka, teaspoon of Stevia, and nutmeg.

I consider myself to be frugal, and I hate the idea of throwing out over-ripe bananas.  As a result, there are always frozen bananas to be found in our spare freezer.  When I remember, I pop one into a breakfast smoothie, but today, I needed a creamy treat a bit later in the afternoon, so this spiked smoothie was born.

I think the vanilla vodka added an extra layer of flavor, as did the nutmeg.  Since the almond milk was unsweetened, I added a spoon of Stevia, but sugar may have worked better.  This drink went down very easily on a day when I felt everything around me was off-kilter and everyone was going bananas.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Because it’s St. Patrick’s Day!

Matcha-Gotcha is lightly-sweetened matcha iced tea with Jim Beam American Honey whiskey.   I mixed 1 part whisky to 2 parts tea, and I rimmed the glass with green sugar crystals.   If using regular whisky, I would add a spoonful of honey syrup–just dissolve a spoon of honey into hot water.

The drink in the middle is a cheater’s version of the mint julep.  We had some mint julep syrup in the refrigerator, so Husband mixed that with some Maker’s Mark bourbon and popped it into an ice-filled green metal glass.

And finally, Son chose to have a Guinness, in memory of a St. Patrick’s Day that he celebrated in Dublin, Ireland.

And may the strength of three be in your journey. Sláinte’.

Monday, March 16, 2020

Less than 10 ounces of Helles in the Tropics by Sierra Nevada. And I know it’s beer, but I wanted to change things up.  Today Mr. Trump asked Americans to gather in groups of no more than 10, so we can slow the spread of the virus.  I am skeptical that this will work, and wondering how this will be enforced.  I am content to be a group of 3 here at home–Husband, Youngest Son, and me.

I picked the Helles out of the basement refrigerator because the first thing that caught my eye was the H-E-L-L on the label.  Sigh.  And we have only just started battling this pandemic.

Regardless of the name, the beer was indeed tasty, and brought back a pleasant memory of our spring break 2018 tour of the fancy Sierra Nevada brewery and factory outside of Ashville, North Carolina.  I strongly suspect that this year’s spring break ain’t happening.  Yikes, I had better cancel the hotel reservations.

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Blue Bee Cider Hopsap Shandy with a splash of grenadine.   I filled a tall flute with the cider and drizzled several drops of grenadine into it.  I was hoping the grenadine would float to the bottom and make a pretty progression of colors, but the fizzy cider wasn’t cooperating, and the colors blended too quickly.  Since my daughter works for Blue Bee Cider in Richmond, Virginia, I always have a few bottles on hand.  The Hopsap Shandy is dry, and no, the hops do not make it taste like beer.

Since today is the Ides of March (Beware!  Will CoVid bring our doom?), I made this drink in honor of Caesar.  The orange do-hickey on top is the closest thing to a dagger I could find in the house.  Do you like the little drops of grenadine that (may) look like blood?

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Swedish glog with Polish vodka.  About 1 ounce vodka to 2 ounces of glog, and garnished with an orange slice.  Only Polish-made vodka is allowed to enter our house.  The glog is left over from a bottle I purchased at IKEA, so that was super-convenient.  I shook this over ice cubes and strained it, because I wanted it cold but not watered down.

Yes, alcohol will be serving as a physical balm for me in the weeks ahead.  And since both Poland and Sweden border the Baltic, I had to name this the Baltic Balm.

Friday, March 13, 2020

Coffee liqueur and unsweetened almond milk as an after-dinner drink.   One to one ratio, over ice if you like it colder.  I have become intolerant of the lactose in milk, so unsweetened almond milk is my chosen substitute.  We purchased this coffee liqueur on our “Bourbon Trail” jaunt through central Kentucky.

And yes, I feel our national leaders are not understanding the magnitude of this pandemic, and that they are trying to reassure us–and the business world–with their SILKY LIES.

And it has not escaped my notice that today is Friday the Thirteenth.  So fitting.