Your Candle Burned Out Long Before, Your Legend Ever Will - Elton John

August 31

On July 29, 1981, I sat as a young child watching the royal wedding, mesmerism by the dreams of every girl,  Diana Spencer a girl whose world seemed so similar to those we knew,her parents were divorced, she was a teacher, even a nanny for American families living in Britain at one point, was to marry the would be king. Just like that a twenty year old girl became the Princess of Wales. It was a magical moment in my childhood, I even had the paper doll.

They went on two have two children, Prince William on November 5, 1981 and Prince Harry on September 15, 1984. The princess would prove a devoted mother, a compassionate philanthropist, and the people's Princess, refered to as the Princess of Hearts, and even the Queen of Hearts. Through the 1990's as their marriage dissolved, and amongst much controversy, the Princess stood strong and the world's loyalties never wavered. A model of grace and dignity, and an uncompromising icon of fashion, Lady Di was admired by the world.
It was this very obsession that would end her life too soon. On August 31, 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, died as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident in Paris, along side her companion,Dodi Fayed, and their driver Henri Paul. In a tragic mixture of circumstances that involved a drunk driver and a relentless mob of paparazzi, the dream was gone, our princess had left. The images of the funeral, of the two young princes would brand my memories forever. Just like that the true love affair with the royalties ended.
Tonight I drink for Diana, for the dreams she held and gave, and for a childhood she touched, you are missed.

The Queen of Hearts

The name says it all

Ingredients:

1oz gin

1oz strawberry lemonade or juice

3/4oz Red wine infused simple syrup

(this can be made by taking a small amount of red wine and adding a sugar base, only a small amount is need)

champagne

Directions:

Mix the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice

After shaking strain ingredients into a champagne flute

Top with champagne

Candle in the Wind ( Princess Diana Tribute)

Sir Elton John

Goodbye England's rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed itself
Where lives were torn apart
You called out to our country
And you whispered to those in pain
Now you belong to heaven
And the stars spell out your name

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candles burned out long before
Your legend ever will

Loveliness we've lost
These empty days without your smile
This torch we'll always carry
For our nation's golden child
Even though we try
The truth brings us to tears
All our words cannot express
The joy you've brought us through the years

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candles burned out long before
Your legend ever will

Goodbye England's rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed yourself
Where lives were torn apart

Goodbye England's rose
From the country lost
Without your soul who missed the wings of your compassion
More than you will ever know

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candles burned out long before
Your legend ever will

Your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills

Your candle burned out long before your legend ever will

Well There's Something You Don't See Everyday! -Venkman

August 30 -

National Toasted Marshmallow Day!

Hurry don't fret. there is still time to enjoy this delicious holiday! My apologies to my day drinker friends, I got quite a few nasty messages for not getting this up earlier! I wish I could tell you it was due to a wicked MJ birthday celebration, but alas, it was mere technical difficulties! (Head hung low)

On to the fun stuff...I don't know what mad genius came up with the idea of National Toasted Marshmallow day, but I want to give them a giant hug! As a testament of it's worth, marshmallow was originally used medicinally. Mucilginous extracts, which were used as a sore throat remedy, come from the root of the marshmallow plant. There by in my world making it a health food.

The marshmallow as a sweet dates back to ancient Egypt, where sap from the plant was mixed with nuts and honey (Did you hear that Girl Scouts, I'm expecting a new cookie). It was later a French recipe, pate de guimauve, which included the mixture of an egg white meringue that gave the basis for the modern day marshmallow. Modern day 'mallows no longer contain any marshmallow plant extracts...there goes the health food argument. American, Alex Doumak created the extrusion process in 1948, turning marshmallow manufacturing into a fully automated system, giving them there current shape. Could you imagine a world with boxed shaped marshmallows?!

This toast goes out to my toasty, ooey gooey friend! It goes out to smores, sweet potato casserole, and every one's favorite Easter candy - Peeps! Happy Toasted Marshmallow Day...

Dark and Fluffy

As always, given the choice between dessert or a drink, I'll chose the drink that tastes like dessert every time! This delicious concoction is available thanks to the wonderful people at Smirnoff who brought us Fluffed Marshmallow Vodka! It is a must try. This delicious martini is all the goodness of a smore, minus the mess, Yeah Smirnoff!

Ingredients:

2oz. Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow Vodka

2oz. Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur

1oz. half and half

Mini marshmallows for garnish

optional: cocoa powder for garnish

Take it to the next level: Crushed Graham Cracker and a little honey to rim the glass

Directions:

To rim the glass run the top of the martini glass in honey, then dip the glass into the graham cracker crumbs

Mix all the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice

ShAkE iT like a Polaroid picture!

Gently strain into your prepared martini glass

Drop in marshmallows for garnish and sprinkle with cocoa powder

That's how I like to camp!

Toasted Mallow Shot

This is for you fine folks who like to get things done quicker, or who like to double fist...no judgement! 

Ingredients:

1oz. Frangelico

1oz. Coconut Rum

Shaved coconut for garnish, if your feeling awesome

Directions

Prepare your shot glasses with coconut (same method as above)

Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice

Do the Hippie Shake

Gently strain into the shot glass

Speechless, right?!

To err is human,

To forgive is divine...

I won't leave ya hanging again...Promise!

SS

Happy Birthday to the King of Pop!

August 28, 1958

Today would have been Micheal Jackson's 54th birthday. Born in Gary, Indiana as the eighth of ten children, MJ would go on to become a global phenomenon. Recognized by the Guinness Book of World records as the most successful entertainer of all time, Micheal withstood personal crisis, controversy and conspiracy. Sadly, on June 25, 2009, the King left us.
Today we toast the birth of a legend!

Happy Birthday MJ!

Birthday Cake Martini

What other way would you celebrate a birthday?

Ingredients:

2oz Cake Vodka

(UV, Three Olives, and Cupcake all make one)

1oz Amaretto

1oz Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

Splash of half and half

Small amount of Honey

or 

Go all the way with vanilla frosting

Rainbow Jimmies (Sprinkles)

Directions:

Prep your martini glass:

rim the glass in honey or icing by putting either in a plate and then running the top of the glass in it.

In a separate plate filled with sprinkle dunk the top of the glass

After put a pinch of sprinkles in the bottom of the glass

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all liquid ingredients

Shake, Shake, Shake

Gently pour mixture into the martini glass

You can even add a little whipped cream to the center if you like.

Best cake ever!

Birthday Cake Shot

What's a birthday without a shot!

Ingredients:

1oz Cake Vodka

1oz Whipped Cream or Vanilla Vodka

Splash of Half and Half

Honey or Icing

Sprinkles

Whipped Cream

Direction:

Rim the shot glasses in sprinkles in the same fashion as the martini glass.

Mix the vodkas and half & half in a cocktail shaker filled with ice

Shake it, don't break it!

Gently pour into your shot glasses

Top with whipped cream

Cheers!

Before you judge me, Try hard to love me -

Micheal Jackson, Childhood

Don't stop til ya get enough!

Micheal Jackson

Here's to Cherries Everywhere

August 28

National Cherry Turnover Day

Cherry Turnover Day celebrates those delectable portable pies perfect for breakfast or dessert. While celebrating with a turnover may be traditional, I'd much rather toast the turnover. With the variety of high quality cherry beverages, there is truly something for everyone. Beer lovers should try Founders Brewery's Cerise, a brew made only with fresh Michigan tart cherries. Get it quick though, It's only brewed June-August. Wine aficionados can enjoy a wide variety of Michigan cherry wines. A favorite of mine is Cherry Creek Vineyard and winery's Michigan Cherry. Made with 100% Ballaton Tart Cherries, the winery describes it as Michigan in a bottle! I prefer to lift a martini glass when I cheers, and that is exactly what inspired today's drink!

 Perfect Cherritini

Ingredients:

1oz Cherry flavored vodka

1oz Pomegranate liquor or schnapps

1oz. Chilled Brut Champagne

fresh cherry 

Directions:

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice

Shake what this website gave ya!

Pour into a chilled martini glass

Drop in fresh cherry

Now that truly is the cherry on top of a great holiday!

Here's to the girl in the little red shoes
She'll drink your liquor and she'll drink your booze.
She lost her cherry, it's a terrible sin,
But she's still got the box that the cherry came in.

:)

By All These Lovely Tokens September Days are Here, With Summer's Best of Weather And Autumn's Best of Cheer - Helen Hunt Jackson

August 27

Summer Bank Holiday

     Today is Summer Bank Holiday for our friends across the pond. Introduced in the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, it was intended as a day to give bank employees a chance to catch cricket matches. The first 100 years the day was celebrated on the first Monday of August,with the Banking and Financial Dealings Act of 1971, it was moved to the last Monday. Scotland's Bank Holiday schedule is different than the rest of the UK, as SBH is still the first Monday.

     Similar to Labor Day, the holiday signifies the end of the summer for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. With most businesses closed on Summer Bank, many take advantage of the long weekend by going on the last trip of the summer. In London, the Notting Hill Carnival is held annually. The second largest carnival in the world, it is a multicultural celebration with Caribbean flair. Organized by immigrants from Trinidad and surrounding islands, brightly colored costumes, dancing and steel drums fill the streets!

    Today we toast a gracious summer that has left us with many memories - Till we meet again. If you have children, we toast to that joyous moment of silence you are gifted with right after they leave for school!

Black Velvet

A London original, the drink was created in 1861 by a bartender at the prestigious Brooks's Club. The drink was dedicated to honoring the death of Prince Albert, as its beautiful layers resembled the black or purple armbands worn by mourners. Porter beer originated in London in the 18th century. This is also the birth of the modern Stout, as they were originally called Stout Porters, differentiating being a standard porter and a strong porter. Eventually the beer would come to be known only as a Stout. Guinness Extra Superior Porter shortened it's name in 1840, becoming Guinness Extra Stout.

Ingredients:

Chilled Stout beer

(Quantity and source depends on your mood and location)

1 Bottle of chilled Champagne

(Any sparkling wine will do, champagne is just common)

Spoon

Champagne glass

Directions:

Fill a champagne glass half full with Stout of your choice. Carefully pour the champagne over the spoon into the glass. This keeps the two liquids from mixing. Trick of the Trade: This will work for any two liquids with different densities, as it allows the liquid to gently run in as opposed to splashing down and mixing.

While Guinness is used more commonly, there are several delicious English Stouts. The BeerAdvocate has a great page giving descriptions and examples of outstanding English Stouts.

With Fall moving in quickly, a different version of this recipe calls for mixing a hard cider with the stout. When the two ingredients were just mixed together it was referred to as a Poor Man's Black Velvet. Since the densities of the cider and the champagne are different, you must pour the cider first in order to layer this type of cocktail. Fill your favorite pint glass half way with delicious cider, then pour the stout over the spoon to again create the mysterious layer. Once the layer is present the drink is called a Black Adder, although many in the states still refer to this as a Black and Velvet.

The Problem With Some People is That When They Aren't Drunk They're Sober. --William Butler Yeats

“Whether women are better than men I cannot say - but I can say they are certainly no worse,” Golda Meir.

August 26

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them. -Sojourner Truth 

On August 26, 1920 the 19th Amendment went into effect, giving women the right to vote...#girlsruleboysdrool. In 1776, Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her husband, John, while he attended the Continental Congress. In this letter Abigail asked her husband and the other men working on the Declaration of Independence to  "Remember the Ladies." The oh so clever John jokingly responded, "The Declaration's wording specifies that 'all men are created equal.'" Oh...No..You...Didn't! We all know exactly what those types of answers mean to a women, (insert cavalry call) WAR! With the blood sweat and tears of Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Sojourner Truth, and many more courageous women. We got our "Told you" moment 92 years ago!
Hold up ladies, I'm not done with you yet! Did you know that in the last presidential election only 73% of women were registered to vote. Of the registered women voters, only 66% voted! Our foremothers worked too hard, too hard for us, now. Ladies spread the word, get registered and get out there. It's no secret we like to voice our opinions, why are we getting shy now?
So...we toast all the women who fought for this privilege and we toast all the women who are going to get to the polls on November 6.

She Rocks The Vote

http://www.votolatino.org/

http://www.rockthevote.com/

Now to the good stuff...



The Roaring Twenties are famous for flappers, jazz, Art Deco, and pretty much all in all partying! Ironically this all went on during Prohibition, which went from 1920-1933. (OK, so maybe our foremothers weren't perfect) Even more ironic is the fact that an era where drinking was banned actually shaped the way we drink today. Fun Fact: The American lager which is so popular today actually came from prohibition home brewers. They would brew an extremely strong beer, then water it down to last longer.

The Bronx Martini

(A bit funkier than Manhattan)

It was important for drinks in this era to easily pass as non alcoholic beverages, whiskey was popular as it could pass for ice tea in a highball glass. Perhaps the hottest liquor of the era was bathtub gin, named for where it was distilled. (Hope they were a little better than me at cleaning)

The drinks inventor supposedly named the drink after a day at the Bronx Zoo. The numerous strange animals at the zoo, reminded him of the strange creatures (pink elephants?) people saw after enjoying the cocktail. I wanna hang out with this guy!

Ingredients:

2oz Gin

1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth

1/2oz Dry Vermouth

1oz Fresh orange juice

Directions:

Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice

Shake, Shake, Shake senora, shake your cocktail right!

Strain into a chilled martini glass

Garnish with an orange slice

Drink - Repeat

Here's to the men we love 

Here's to the men that love us 

And if the men we love don't love us 

F'em, and here's to us...

unknown

Feliz Dia de Independencia de Uruguay

August 25

Happy Independence Day Uruguay! In 1825 the South American country declared independence from Brazil. As a national holiday, Uruguayans get to enjoy a day off celebrating with festivals, parades, and fireworks! I can dig it...and with approximately 56,884 Uruguayan Americans here in the States, it would be rude not to celebrate with them! If there is one thing that Getting Sauced with Style is not, it's rude.

Salud! 

(SAH-lood - Health)

Clerico

(klay-ree-KOH)

With 90% of Uruguayans being of European/Spaniard decent, this popular drink bares a striking resemblance to sangria. A traditional sangria is made with red wine and fruits, while this delicious sangria blanca is made with white wine. The drink is made (and consumed) in mass quantities.

Ingredients:

2 Liters of your favorite white wine

(don't be afraid to go cheap, once everything is added you won't know the difference)

  

3 Bananas

1 Apple

  

  1 Orange

6 Strawberries

  

1/2  lb Grapes

1/2 lb sugar

Directions:

Remove the skin from all the fruits and cut into small pieces

In a large bowl mix all the fruit with the sugar

Cover with just enough wine to cover the fruit

Place bowl in fridge and let sit for a minimum of 2 hours

Add the rest of the wine

Each drink should be served with fruit in the glass

"Orientales, la Patria o la Tumba"

Libertad, libertad Orientales!

Este grito a la Patria salvó.

Que a sus bravos en fieras batallas

De entusiasmo sublime inflamó.

De este don sacrosanto, la gloria

merecimos: tiranos temblad!

Libertad  en la lid clamaremos,

Y muriendo, también libertad!

Himno Nacional de Uruguay

Francisco Acuna de Figueroa

Freedom, Freedom, Orientals!

This cry saved the fatherland.

That his bravery in fierce battles

Of sublime enthusiasm enflamed.

This sacred gift, of glory

we've deserved: tyrants tremble!

Freedom in battle we'll cry,

And in dying, freedom we'll shout!

National Anthem of Uruguay

Francisco Acuna de Figueroa

After Rain There's a Rainbow, After a Storm There's Calm, After the Night There's a Morning, and After an Ending There's a New Beginning. - Unknown

August 24, 1992

Twenty years ago one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the United States barreled through southern Florida.Hurricane Andrew, a category 5 hurricane, devastated Homestead, Florida City, and parts of Miami. 15 people were killed during the storm, and another 25 ended up dying from injuries sustained in the hurricane after the fact. 250,000 people were left homeless.

Andrew not only changed the landscape, it changed the community, giving strength and building unity. Neighbors came together to help each other, putting aside differences and prejudice. These cities rebuilt out of the wreckage, building stronger sturdier homes. Building codes have been changed, and warning systems improved.
We drink tonight to remember those loved ones who lost there lives, and to honor the courage and strength shown by the survivors.

Before  we commence drinking I would like to take a moment to let all of our friends and family in Puerto Rico and Florida know they and the rest of the Caribbean, are in our thoughts as Tropical Storm Issac grows into a hurricane and heads your way. Please be safe, and please be alert. Isaac Tracker

Hurricane

This popular drink was invented in the 1940's at the popular New Orleans bar, Pat O'Briens. During WWII whiskey was all the rage, but in short supply. Liquor distributors would require customers by 50 cases less popular rum, in order to receive one case of whiskey. O'Brien came up with the tasty rum heavy drink as a way to move the extra stock. Named for the hurricane lamp shaped glass it is served in, the Hurricane has become the signature drink of Mardi Gras.

Ingredients:

1 oz Light rum

1 oz Dark rum

 1 oz. 151 rum

3 oz. of Orange Juice

3 oz Pineapple Juice 

or Passion Fruit Juice

 1/2 oz Grenadine syrup

 Orange Slice and Cherry to garnish

Directions:

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker...ShAkE sHaKe ShAkE!

Fill hurricane glass with crushed ice (cubed ice is fine), and strain the drink into glass.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

(Let the good times roll)

Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them?

Rose Kennedy

Here's to love: A little sighing, a little crying, a little dy­ing-and a touch of white lying

August 23...Love is in the air!

Today is Double Seventh Day in China...Qixi Festival...or Chinese Valentines Day! Today we drink to love. Double-Seventh Day refers to the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar, while not as popular in the states, the story is well known in China. The festival originates from the love between Niulang a cow herd and Zhinv a weaving girl.
Niulang an orphan was raised by his older brother; after being treated badly, and given barely enough to eat, he was kicked out into the street with only the clothes on his back and an ox. It was said that the ox was once a Taurus, a beautiful, proud night star, until it was banished from the heavens. The old ox talked to Niulang, and told him that not far from where they made a home, several young goddesses came to bathe in the sacred pond, one was Zhinu "the girl weaver", granddaughter of the King of the Heavenly Kingdom. Virtuous and kind, she was considered the most beautiful being in the whole universe.The ox told the boy that if he could take her clothes away while she was in the sacred pond, she would stay with him forever as his wife. The next day as the young goddesses undressed and jumped into the waters, Niulang jumped out and stole the beautiful girls clothing. As the other ladies ran and dressed in fear, the eventual lovers were left alone. As he returned her clothing the young man knew he would adore her for the rest of his life, and when their eyes met, she knew the same. As the young goddess retrieved her clothes she knew she would love the cowherd for eternity and pledged to be his wife. After they were married and had children, the King and Queen of Heaven caught wind of who their daughter had married. Enraged, they swept down to earth and took her back into the night sky to live amongst them.
As the young lover returned home to find his children crying, he tried to catch the King. As the King and Queen sat listening to the cries of the young man and his children, they agreed to let the young lovers meet every seventh day of the seventh month. They would eventually become stars, Niulang is Altair and Zhinu is Vega. Every year, the two stars are closest together on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar year...and to that we drink.

Ah,, but wait! That reminds me of another love story that would begin on this day. Many moons ago, in the year 1974 a young man, perhaps not a cowherd, but for sure a young man from the opposite side of the tracks, was told of the beautiful goddesses that swarmed to the not so sacred pond down the street called Bourbon Street. While it may not have been an ox that told this young man of their beauty, I'm sure it involved an ass :)  The young men approached the pond and his eyes met a certain young woman he knew he would love her forever, and she would pledge him eternity.
On August 23, 1975 these young lovers would join their lives, and go on to produce to grateful children. I love you mom and dad!

Tonight we toast my amazing parents with a drink from the groovy 70's, one I'm sure they both enjoyed that night at the pond!

Harvey Walbanger

Invented in 1952 by three time world champion mixologist ( we're not worthy, we're not worthy) Donato 'Duke' Antone (Paolantonio),  Harvey would become an icon who shaped the seventies!

Ingredients:

1 oz of your favorite vodka

1/2 oz Galliano

approx. 2 oz Orange juice

Orange Slice for garnish

Maraschino cherry for garnish

Directions:

Pour the vodka and the orange juice into your favorite groovy seventies glass.

Add ice

Float (pour slowly on top) Galiano on top.

Garnish with orange and cherry or what ever shagadelic fruit you wish!

Grass is cheap and Sex is free

Here's a toast to you and me!

author unknown

Tonight I drink for my parents! I love you, and hope my own life can mirror yours. Thank you!

My parents wedding song, I hope you continue to dance!

"Nights In White Satin"

"Nights in White Satin"Moody Blues

Nights in white satin,
Never reaching the end,
Letters I've written,
Never meaning to send.

Beauty I'd always missed
With these eyes before,
Just what the truth is
I can't say anymore.

'Cause I love you,
Yes, I love you,
Oh, how, I love you.

Gazing at people,
Some hand in hand,
Just what I'm going thru
They can understand.

Some try to tell me
Thoughts they cannot defend,
Just what you want to be
You will be in the end,

And I love you,
Yes, I love you,
Oh, how, I love you.
Oh, how, I love you.

Nights in white satin,
Never reaching the end,
Letters I've written,
Never meaning to send.

Beauty I'd always missed
With these eyes before,
Just what the truth is
I can't say anymore.

'Cause I love you,
Yes, I love you,
Oh, how, I love you.
Oh, how, I love you.

'Cause I love you,
Yes, I love you,
Oh, how, I love you.
Oh, how, I love you.

Drinking in the D!

On August 22, 1902 the Cadillac Motor Company was founded in Detroit, Michigan. 

So today I am showing my Detroit pride with some hometown specialties.

The Last Word

The delicious gin based cocktail originated in the 1920's during prohibition. It is said to have been created by bartender Frank Fogarty at the Detroit Athletic Club. While Fogarty, nicknamed the "Dublin minstrel", went on to become one the best know vaudevillian monologist of his time, the drink slipped out of existence after WWII. Fast forward nearly 60 years... the drink is  rediscovered in a 1952 copy of Ted Saucier's Bottoms Up! in 2004 by Murrary Stenson of the Zig Zag Cafe in Seattle. The drink,much like we hope for the "D", went on to establish a cult following throughout the Seattle and Portland areas, and can now be found in cocktail bars across the country!

Ingredients:

3/4 oz gin

(The DAC currently uses Tanqueray No. 10)

3/4 oz maraschino liqueur

(look for Luxardo)

3/4 oz Chartreuse

3/4 oz fresh lime juice

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake, Shake, Shake...

Then strain into your favorite cocktail glass.

enjoy!

Michigan is considered by many to be one of the top ten craft beer states in the country, several of these breweries are right here in the D! One of my personal favorites, and fitting to today's theme, is Motor City Brewing Works. Located in  the heart of the Detroit Cultural Center, the company has been offering an amazing assortment of beer, cider, wine, elixirs,and first rate soda since 1994. One of personal favorite beers is the Ghettoblaster one of many flagship products at the brewery. If you get a chance to visit Detroit, don't miss this gem.

470 West Canfield
Detroit, Michigan 48201
313-832-2700

http://www.motorcitybeer.com/

Woman first tempted man to eat; he took to drinking of his own accord.  ~Four Hundred Laughs: Or, Fun Without Vulgarity, compiled and edited by John R. Kemble, 1902

Drinking with Purpose!

Today, August 21 is a national holiday in the Philippines. It is Ninoy Aquino Day, commemorating the 1983 assassination of former Philippine Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. The husband of Corazon Aquino who was to become the eleventh president and first female president of the Philippines. The two are considered heroes of democracy in the country. His assassination led to the downfall of Ferdinand Marcos on February 25, 1986; seen by many as a victory of the people over-coming a twenty year running authoritarian repressive regime.

Today we will give honor to the Philippines with our drink of the day!

Mahbuhay!

Boracay

The Filipino version of an Irish Cream Liquor, it was named after the Philippine island Boracay, as that is where it was invented. If you can get your hands on a bottle of Tanduay Rhum,  a Philippine specialty you will really be in for a treat!

Ingredients :

(Makes a full pitcher)
   

1 750 ml Dark Rum

2 Sachets of instant coffee

(equivalent to 4-6 tablespoons)

1 Can of condensed milk

1 Sachet of cocoa mix
(Use Milo Choco to keep it authentic)

1-2 cups of hot water

Directions:

In a large pitcher mix coffee and cocoa mix, add enough hot water to dissolve the two. Mix in the condensed milk, followed by the rum.

Drink is best served after chilling over night, but we are drinking tonight so... let chill for one hour and serve over ice. Enjoy!! Some recipes use brandy in place of the rum so experiment to your pleasure.

Mahbuhay, pronounced Mah-Boo-High, is a Tagalog word used to exclaim "long live". It is used in the Philippines the same way as "Cheers!"

Tuesday's Drink is Full of Grace...

Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday...one more day closer to the weekend. It is not yet time for the crazy shots, nothing too complicated, and definitely not anything with a flame. Tuesday calls for a classic cocktail, a true grown up concoction. 

Classic Old Fashioned

Getting Started:

2 oz. Bourbon 

(Suggestion: Bulliet Rye or Knob Creek)

2 dashes of Bitters

Sugar cube

Splash of water

2 Cherries

(Take it up a notch and use brandied cherries!)

Orange twist

In the bottom of glass, preferably an old fashioned glass or a rocks glass, place your sugar cube, water and bitters, then add your cherries and orange twist, commence muddling. (Definition: To muddle is to combine ingredients, usually in the bottom of a mixing glass, by pressing them with a muddle before adding the majority of the liquid ingredients.) No muddle, no biggie...use a wooden spoon, the back of a regular spoon, the handle of a spatula, a chopstick, get creative! We are so close...fill the glass with ice, and top with the bourbon of your choice. Enjoy