It's summer time and nothing beats the heat and humidity here in the Mid-Atlantic States
then having a Beefeaters Gin and Schweppes Tonic presented with a slice of
lime! No lime, try cucumber. My best girl brings the drink to me at the end of
the day, served on a pewter bar tray. The tray has condensation from the cool drink on the warm tray in this
humid weather.
So I am
passing my time with a new list of books to read. My interest in reading was sparked anew by a
lifestyle change and two books given to me by new friends an old – the subjects
are Frankfurt bars and a botanist who drinks.
What’s
it worth – my renewed entre into reading? That’s a seductive question. I find
that reading is refreshing (OK, that is the GandT). But seriously it’s
refreshing to find the mind energized by the words. I find the mind begins to anticipate,
embellish and “color” the events described in the book. So different then the
visual experience. So not only does it entertain me, expand my horizons and
educate, I find the real value in re-newed reading is expanding the horizons of
my experiences. Much like the recent
trip to Paris.
The
subject of the books differs; In the educational realm is The Drunken
Botanist, DrinkSkool.com & The PDT Cocktail Book serve as
excellent tools. The Drunken Botanist in particular has been a real find
in understanding liquors, origin, ingredients with recommendations on what to
purchase and why! Such as the difference between tequila and 100% agave
tequila.
Entertaining
me I have Drinking With Men, The
Frankfurt Bar Tale is a recent gift from the Frankfurt am Main 22nd Lounge and it along with
Barbarians At the Gate are serving as true real entertainment!
So in conclusion
– reading is a much neglected pursuit that has many health benefits for the
reader and those around him or her.
My current reading list-
Frankfurt Bar Tale, An Intimate Insider’s Guide. Angelika Zinzow, Thorben Leo and Nicole Hoehne . 2006.
The Drunken Botanist – The Plants That Create The World’s Greatest Drinks. Amy Stewart. 2013.
DrinkSkool.com. 2013.
Drinking With Men, A Memoir. Rosie Schaap. 2013.
The PDT Cocktail Book – The Complete Bartenders Guide from the Celebrated Speakeasy. Jim Meehan. 2011.
Barbarians At the Gate – The Fall of RJR Nabisco. Bryan Burrough and John Helyar. 1990.
My current reading list-
Frankfurt Bar Tale, An Intimate Insider’s Guide. Angelika Zinzow, Thorben Leo and Nicole Hoehne . 2006.
The Drunken Botanist – The Plants That Create The World’s Greatest Drinks. Amy Stewart. 2013.
DrinkSkool.com. 2013.
Drinking With Men, A Memoir. Rosie Schaap. 2013.
The PDT Cocktail Book – The Complete Bartenders Guide from the Celebrated Speakeasy. Jim Meehan. 2011.
Barbarians At the Gate – The Fall of RJR Nabisco. Bryan Burrough and John Helyar. 1990.
On the
“Purchase List”
Le
Ritz Paris – Une History de Cocktails.
Colin Peter Field. 2012.
The
cocktail here is dedicated to a committed reader. “JC” thanks for the kick in the pants!
Cocktail
Cocktail
The
Bloody Mary – originated by Fernand Petiot, 1921 at Harry’s New York Bar, Paris.
2
oz. Ketel One Vodka
2
oz. tomato juice
Dash
of lemon juice
Cover
the bottom of the shaker with four large
dashes of salt, two dashes of black pepper, two dashes of cayenne pepper, and a
layer of Worcestershire sauce; add a dash of lemon juice and some cracked ice,
put in two ounces of vodka and two ounces of thick tomato juice, shake and
pour. Credit to Wikipedia.
Garnish
with 2 celery stalks, lime on the side and 3 olives impaled on a pick.
Appetizer
-
Serve
with a small dish of Raclette.
'A bientot -
Constantine
'A bientot -
Constantine
Sorry Dean, It's been a while since I've had time to read your blog. Keep up the good work. I did manage to make a fresh batch of Hot Pepper Catsup which according to KGP is a perfectly acceptable garnish for a Bloody Mary.
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