February 2009

The Mojito

Summer is a time of carelessness, fun, and relaxation, in other words, the Mojito. Visually, this highball is a refreshing, cool, clear concoction beautifully garnished with mint leaves and lime. It's icy, water like facade can cause anybody to salivate. Don't worry, your not the only one, after a drink like this, anyone would believe in love at first sight. Once you give into the visual temptress, your taste buds will agree with your eyes, screaming “oh yes.” The Mojito derives from the African word “mojo,” which means “little spell.” Dating back to the day's of Sir Frances Drake, the concoction was called the Draque. The Draque was invented by one of Drakes sailors, made with Aquardiente, an earlier ancestor of rum. When the ever famous Bacardi Masso opened his distillery, his rum was born. The Draque then became what we know and love today, “the Mojito.” Originally used for medical purposes, as were many other drinks, this sweet highball goes down easy. This leisurely summertime drink will put you in a great mood, anytime.

Better than Fashion Week

A fun place to go out in Seattle, and one I was just at last night in fact, is Grey Gallery & Lounge (1512 11th Ave on Capitol Hill).  I have been there twice in the past month and I am pleased with it overall.  The atmosphere is great, they usually have a live DJ playing some kind of "down tempo lounge" music.  When I listen to the background music I imagine a person on the radio saying something like, "You are now in the lounge with DJ ________(fill in the blank)." Of course they would have to say it in the most smooth, sexy voice they could muster.  It would probably sound nothing like when they normally talk to their friends or when they are talking to an officer who just pulled them over, but it would work great to set the mood at Grey Gallery & Lounge. In addition to the great background music, the crowd is full of nice people.  Everyone just wants to chill.  Nobody is trying to start fights and nobody wants to play darts.  In fact, there isn't a single dart board in sight.  Not that I

Irish Coffee

The first time I ever had Irish coffee it was what I now think of as faux Irish coffee; it was black coffee with a splash of Bailey's Irish Creme, and a squirt of whipped cream from a can. It was OK; not terrible, but I didn't want a second. The next time was at a hotel bar attached to a Shiloh Inn. That time, it was coffee with a shot of Jameson's, whipped cream from a can, and—I shudder even as I write this—a splash of Crème de Menthe on the cream.

Drinking like a grown-up

I turned up the alley on my way home last Friday night, and encountered a small group of obviously drunk people standing around awkwardly while one of the party leaned up against the wall of the building and threw up. So I started thinking about "good drinking"  . . . versus, you know, the other kind of drinking: out of control, bad-things-happen, sick-as-a-dog-for-three-days-afterwards drinking.