Enjoyed: Sunday, June 12, 2022.

Listed on the menu: No, but bartender K.D. suggested I try his favorite recipe.

Ingredients:  Old Grand-Dad 100 proof Bottled in Bond bourbon, 3 hearty dashes of angostura bitters, 2 hearty dashes of orange bitters, 1 bar spoon demerara syrup, and an orange twist and cherry for garnish.

The occasion: Daughter moved to Seattle two months ago, and this was our first visit to see her, and to see Washington State. We spent the morning at Pike Place Market (the fish! the flowers!) and the afternoon at the Museum of Pop Culture (the guitars! the sci-fi movie props!). Rest and refreshment were now necessary, so Daughter took us to her favorite bar, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, where she introduced us to her cool friends (like bartender K.D. and the lovely A.E.) and to the drinking scene in Seattle.

My rating: ***** out of 5. The Old Grand-Dad is strong and peppery, and the generous doses of bitters helped accentuate the spiciness. I was pleased to not see muddled fruit or other additions–this drink meant business, and it delivered.

Final thoughts: 1. I carry my vaccine card with me, but this was the first establishment EVER that asked me for proof of vaccination. I had no objection. 2. I can see why Life on Mars is Daughter’s favorite place to hang out. The people are friendly and interesting, the decor is all related to music, and the cocktails are well-crafted. And I left with a David Bowie tune in my head, so it’s all good.

Enjoyed: Monday, May 30, 2022

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Naked & Afraid”.

Ingredients:  Sun King White Whiskey, 18.21 Havana & Hide Bitters, House Simple, Orange Swath, Bourbon Soaked Cherry

The occasion: This was the final night of our Memorial Day weekend in Indiana, and since Niece C currently lives in the Indy area, a visit was in order. She suggested meeting at this brewery/bar in Carmel, the “Roundabout Capital of the World,” and they are not kidding–there are at least 140 roundabouts in this city of 99,757 people.

My rating: ** out of 5. This cocktail is not labeled an Old Fashioned per se, but the list of ingredients sounded like an Old Fashioned, except–and now I know this is key!–for the “naked” white whiskey in place of bourbon or rye. White whiskey, I suspect, is just a fancy name for clear grain alcohol with a similar proof to whiskey, and is likely almost flavorless, so the other ingredients (mainly the simple syrup) become dominant. I missed the nuanced flavors of an aged bourbon or rye.

Final thoughts: Yes, this was the final evening of a long weekend, the bar was definitely under-staffed, and our waiter was brand-new to the job and couldn’t really tell us anything about the drink menu. None of this was a surprise, just a bit of a disappointment, but all was offset by the great company of Niece C.

Enjoyed: Sunday, May 29, 2022

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Black Walnut Old Fashioned”

Ingredients:  Basil Hayden Bourbon, sugar, dash of hazelnut liqueur, black walnut bitters, and orange rind.

The occasion: After a long visit with my mom, I needed some cheering up, so Sister and Brother-in-law took me to his favorite restaurant in the area. We chose to sit near the bar, which had a fun vibe. Our meal was delicious.

My rating: *** out of 5. The recipe sounded daring, so I was curious. The presentation was lovely, but I think the bartender was too heavy-handed with the “dash” of hazelnut liqueur, and well as with the sugar. The cocktail was tasty, but much too sweet, and would have made a great dessert drink. The Basil Hayden, a fine bourbon on its own, was definitely overshadowed by the hazelnut flavor.

Final thoughts: I am an East Coast Snob, and I am distrustful of seafood restaurants that are not near the ocean. (Coincidentally, this establishment, Blue Point, shares its name with my favorite restaurant in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.) I ordered the Fisherman’s Bucket, chock-full of fried goodness like cod planks, shrimp, hush puppies, and tater tots, and my oh my, I was satisfied. (Notice that I did stay away from the oysters and sushi. I remain a snob.)

Enjoyed: Saturday, May 28, 2022

Listed on the menu: No, but the bartender happily told me her preferred recipe, so she must have made many.

Ingredients:  Bulleit bourbon, simple syrup, muddled orange and cherry, orange bitters.

The occasion: On Memorial Day weekend, Husband and other assorted family members attend the Indianapolis 500, “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. Since Husband was driving out, I joined him, but continued 3 hours further north to visit my mom, my sister, and her family. I chose this inn because of its proximity to the Indiana Dunes and because the website listed a speakeasy/bar/restaurant also on the property. I was happy with the location (Sis and I caught a remarkable sunset over Lake Michigan), annoyed that the restaurant was merely a Pizzeria Uno, and disappointed that the speakeasy space was full of windows and families chomping on pizza.

My rating: **** out of 5. A solid recipe, definitely, and very traditional, so I enjoyed it.

Final thoughts: My disappointment in the “speakeasy” experience was compounded by the historic significance of “The Spa,” as told to me by the clerk who checked me into the inn. Notorious gangster Al Capone ran a “barbershop” on the property, which was merely a cover for illegal activity. Bottles of bootleg alcohol were stored here, and floated down the Little Calumet River (only steps away) and into Lake Michigan. The clerk also told me that there are still bullet holes as well as shackles embedded in the basement walls. Now, why couldn’t the speakeasy be down there? THAT would be an attraction and a cool place to drink! Admittedly, the lobby did have cardboard cutouts of Al Capone and even Frank Sinatra, as well a bathtub that Capone allegedly used to make gin, so that placated me a bit.