[MrWookie]

Least surprising update in the world:

It's time to start drinking.


I'm going to be drinking thematically tonight, and I'm going to go in chronological order. First was Neteller, so I'll toast to it first. There's a clear thematic cocktail for this: the Scofflaw. It was invented during Prohibition, and was named for the drinkers of the day who scoffed at the Noble Experiment. The parallels with today are obvious. For those who are interested in toasting with me, the drink is made with:

1.5 oz Canadian Whiskey
1.5 oz dry vermouth
0.5 oz lemon juice
1 dash grenadine
1 dash bitters

Stir these ingredients with ice, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

This is a pretty apt drink for Prohibition drinking, actually. It calls for Canadian whiskey, since our Canadian brethren were the typical source for whiskey during Prohibition. If you don't stock Canadian whiskey, I'm sure bourbon will work fine. Actually, since FTP is based in Ireland now, I'll use Irish whiskey instead. In addition to the apt whiskey choice, we've got a little bit of bitterness at the law, but a little bit of sweetness since we're getting around it.

For my second drink, when ever I wind up in a really bitter mood, I often turn to my friend Chartreuse. It's a green, bitter, herbal liqueur that weighs in at a nice 101 proof. It's a little intense to drink on its own, though, but it's a welcome kick when mixed. I would do a B, B, or V poll, but really, this is only a beat or variance. There's no brag about it. I'll be drinking my Chartreuse in one of two ways:

Brandy (Beat) - the Champs Elysees
1.5 oz brandy
1/4 oz Chartreuse
1 oz lemon juice
2 dashes bitters

Shake, strain, garnish w/ a twist of lemon.

I tried out this drink the other night, and I was surprised at how good the bitters and the Chartreuse worked together. Also, this drink gets bonus points for containing bitters.

Vodka (Variance) - The Drink Without a Name
2 oz vodka
1/4 oz Cointreau
1/8 oz Chartreuse

Stir, strain, garnish w/ a twist of orange

This has been my go-to bitter drink. There's not a whole lot to it other than bitterness, alcohol, and a hint of orange, which, for when I go for this drink, has been just the right mix.

What'll it be, folk? You guys decide my second drink for the night.