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.

Friday, April 10, 2020

Charlottesville tap water, ice cubes. It’s Good Friday, so I’m abstaining. #livingwater

Thursday, April 9, 2020

If red wine was good enough for the Last Supper, it’s more than good enough for me. Cabernet Franc 2012, DuCard Vineyards, Virginia. #buylocal

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Combine, over ice, one ounce Maker’s Mark bourbon and one ounce peach brandy.  Fill glass to the top with chilled Honest Tea Peach Oo-la-long.

Stir with those coffee spoons with which you measure your life.

Inspired by this charming parody:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the-covid-19-song-of-j-alfred-prufrock?fbclid=IwAR0KfS4uDpfZuQkPGyutdS5-q3Mbk2evIzqrYmfT1Vj-QJ9IPV6TMQfUnx0

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Combine, in a shaker, 3 ounces Hefeweizen, 1 ounce tequila, 1/2 ounce triple sec, 1/2 ounce lime juice, and a few dashes of bitters, if available.  I used hibiscus-lavender-oak bitters.

BECAUSE IT’S NATIONAL BEER DAY!  We usually prefer our beer without the added tequila, but I felt like trying something new.

#buylocal  This afternoon, we supported one of our many lovely local breweries (Decipher Brewing).  I ordered several crowlers over the phone, and after a leisurely drive through the blooming streets of Charlottesville, we arrived at the brewery.  After I placed a quick phone call to announce our arrival, the friendly server placed the beer in our open trunk and thanked us sincerely for our business.  I cannot wait to actually SIT in a brewery again, but until then, we are trying to buy from local businesses at least once a week!   We acknowledge that the small businesses of our area–of the entire world, really–have a heavy burden on their shoulders in this time of economic uncertainty.

Monday, April 6, 2020

Or, words that daily grow more relevant as a description of my temper and my body.

The “short” is a shot of Virginia whisky (from Virginia Distillery Company in Lovingston) chased by a Charlottesville-made bourbon-barrel-aged stout (from Random Row Brewing). BUY LOCAL!

If I stop watching the news, will my temper improve?  And if my temper improves, will I stop stress-eating?  And stress-drinking?  At this point in the pandemic, is my weight more important than my mental health?  Stay tuned.

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Combine, over ice,  2 ounces passion fruit juice, one ounce pear liqueur, and one tablespoon mint simple syrup. Shake and strain.  Add a fresh fruit garnish.

I chose red strawberries and a red tray because red is the color of Palm (or Passion) Sunday.

Also note the dogwood blossom from my backyard— people say the shape and red tinges at the bottom of the pedals are evocative of the Cross.

This year, especially, aren’t we all carrying a heavy cross?  If a cocktail can soothe your mood, at least temporarily, then it’s a good thing.