President's Day, and don't be so Downton Abbey

One of my favorite quotes from Downton Abbey is where Robert asks Violet, "Can I tempt you to try one of these new cocktails?" followed by Violet's priceless response, "No, no, I don't think so. They look far too exciting for so early in the evening."

Happy President's Day to all. So many of us have the day off my advice to you is not to be so Downton and enjoy this day in all its splendor and explore some interesting and new drinks.

If you're still a bit squimish about sucking them down at 10am, it's ok, I understand...it's a lifestyle choice.  It happens to be my lifestyle choice but I'm open minded.   How 'bout if we make them all delicious coffee drinks....


Ask men.com has an excellent article titled: Coffee And Alcohol: Combine For Great Cocktails
click to read the article and consider the Shaken, Not Stirred by Cora Lambert formerly of RBC.


1 part Kahlua Mocha
1 1/2 parts rye whisky
1/2 part cold brewed coffee
1/2 part simple sugar
1 part whole milk

Slow shake and pour into a Collins glass. Top with seltzer.

Or if you're feeling internationally adventurous, try John Gakuru's Cafe Brasileiro, featured at the cocktail section of ask.com

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Sagatiba Pura Cachaca
1/2 oz dark chocolate liqueur
2 1/2 oz fresh hot coffee
1/2 oz simple syrup
2 oz vanilla heavy cream (*recipe below)
Seeds from one vanilla pod*

To make vanilla cream:
Scrape the seeds from a vanilla pod into a cocktail shaker.
Add heavy cream and shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
Stir all other ingredients together in an Irish coffee glass.
Slowly and gently layer the vanilla cream onto the surface of the drink.

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No matter how you celebrate, I hope you have an enjoyable President's Day!

Props

Drinking Soundtrack of the Week

Sunday is a day that I try, very unsuccessfully, to catch up on what's been happening on social media - but since you can never really do that, I spend a lot of my time just listening to music.

I did however, come across something thoroughly enjoyable from Jennifer Ouellette (@jenlucpiquant on twitter) whom I have mentioned several times on this blog. She writes for Scientific America and her blog there is titled Cocktail Party Physics.  She tweeted a piece of a presentation by Bobby McFerrin that shows just how universal and basic the joining of notes into music truly is.  I hope you enjoy it.  (3 mins)

Btw - The Historical Inebriant is @thi_stamford on twitter, just in case you were wondering.

I can image the scene on Saturday nights in the prehistoric past, where this was great fun for all the cavemen and women to gather around the fire and create new music.

Speaking of history, in searching for a drink for this post I came across this from the blog

cocktailsdrinkrecipes.com which has all sorts of amusing drink ideas and is a go-to place if you're looking for themed drinks.

This one caught my eye due to its historical nature, having been around since the 17th Century.  Known as a "flip" drink (meaning to froth) it was originally heated up with a hot poker prior to drinking.

While the flip drinks still exist, they are served chilled (we no longer poker them) and are made with a variety of spirits including rum, gin, whiskey and brandy.  For more info on the flips, go here.

The Historical Inebriant: The White Note Cocktail

http://www.cocktailsdrinkrecipes.com/cocktail-recipes/white-notes-cocktail-recipe.html

Ingredients:

2 parts BACARDI® Superior Rum
2 parts White Port
3/5 part Honey 1 part Egg
2 part Almond
2/3 part Sugar syrup
Cubed ice
Grated nutmeg to garnish

Pour all the ingredients (except the garnish) into a shaker. Throw in some ice and give it a good long shake. Double strain into a chilled or frozen glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

I hope you enjoy the video and the drink.

To view previous Drinking Soundtrack of the Week posts, click Here.