Monday is a good time to start drinking

So, It’s the beginning of the week of a month that started on a weekend. For all intents and purposes, It’s the beginning of the month. As we see it, Monday is a good time to start drinking. And, the calendar agrees. Today is Irish Whisky day and mulled wine day. Tomorrow is Mardi Gras. Then Wednesday is Absinthe day and Ash Wednesday. This is no time to give up drinking, despite what the Church says. Instead, how about we give up letting the wealthiest among us dismantle the government? Just sayin’. In the meantime, self medication is the order of the day and the month. Don’t forget, St Patrick’s day is only a couple weeks away. This week provides some good practice.

All this drinking ties in with the other holiday occurring today. It’s also “I want you to be happy day“. And, what do people do when they’re happy or want to be? Drink. Usually, we pick one drink and stick with it. But, there are far too many options this week. So, we’ll have to bring a smile to your face in more ways than one. Perhaps, it may make one feel like a dilettante. But, what’s really wrong with that? While we may not be committed to one drink, we are committed to the art of drinking. That being said, let’s explore this week with gusto (and booze).

We can jump like a grasshopper from drink to drink. Maybe we could even make a grasshopper cocktail. Although, none of the ingredients are on our list for this week. Although, since we’re just experimenting, why not drop one in in between? For the record, it’s creme de menthe, creme de cacao, and cream.

Why wait for the weekend? Monday is a good time to start drinking.

Everybody’s working for the weekend was a silly anthem from Lover Boy in the 80’s. The song and video look even sillier today. In those days, the 9 to 5 world ruled. But, today, people are more open to alternative schedules. So, the weekend may be any day of the week. But, if you’re still in that world, Monday is a day full of to do lists. For us, that list begins with Whiskey and continues for the rest of the week. Because the Ramones had a much better song in the 80’s: It’s not my place in the 9 to 5 world.

But, just like the people in the 9 to 5 world, we have a lot to get to this week. Unlike them, this is good work. And, it’s time to dive in. Think of it like Supersize me with whiskey. But, maybe not quite like that. We do want to keep our wits about us. So, let’s start drinking.

Day 1: A shot of Irish whisky

Multiple countries have their own version of Whisk(e)y. In America, we think of Bourbon. And, Scotch is so famous, you don’t even need the word Whisky when you say it. But, Irish whisky is actually smoother and more refined than Scotch Whisky. For an in depth discussion see our post from last year. While Scotch and Irish Whisky use barley as the main ingredient, Scotch is noted for it’s peaty affect. Meanwhile Irish Whisky undergoes a triple distillation compared to a 2 step process for Scotch. Meanwhile, in America, we use corn, rye, and other grains besides (or in addition to) barley to create a sweeter whiskey, especially Bourbon. But, the Irish take their drinking serious. So, it’s a work of art.

They use a series of copper kettles to do their distilling. And, that three step process really brings out the characteristics of the beverage. It bursts with the flavors of the barley with wine like undertones and accents. Vanilla, Fruit, caramel, honey, cut grass, and Leather. I know, you kind of lost me at cut grass and leather. But, that’s how professional tasters describe it. Suffice to say, it has floral notes and some lovely sweetness. Think of it like dessert with a kick. Of course, coming in at a minimum of 80 proof, with many at or above 100, The alcohol is out front. So, it may take some getting used to. If you are a seasoned drinker, though, you’ll relish this drink that George Bernard Shaw named “liquid Sunshine”. If you still think it’s strong, you can use it in mixed drinks. Try it both ways.

Mulled Wine

Unlike Martin Mull, Mulled wine is a time tested beverage. Although, Martin was far funnier, He is no longer amongst us. Mulled wine is. Perhaps, it was and remains to be less popular than the beloved comedian. But, it still shows up from time to time. And, it still raises eyebrows from the guests it’s hoisted upon. We had a Yankee swap at Christmas amongst family and friends a few years ago. And, someone gifted a bottle of mulled wine. It came back the following year for someone else. For about a decade, every year, it came back as an annual joke. No one wanted it. Until one year, someone decided they would actually drink it. I hope they are alright (god rest their soul).

But, it doesn’t have to be a head scratcher. It actually makes sense to enjoy a warm glass of spiced wine on a cold winter day. Of course, you don’t want to use a good bottle of wine. It actually improves lesser quality wine by infusing with honey or brown sugar and winter spices. Sipped warm by the fireplace, it’s actually quite comforting. And, it makes that cheap bottle of wine something to look forward to. You’re most likely to see it in ski lodges, but it makes for a welcome beverage in your own home. And, the aroma of mulling wine makes more sense than a basket of potpourri. At least you can get drunk and enjoy the smell instead of saying what the hell is that. And, warm alcohol gets you drunker quicker. Bonus!

Monday is a good time to start drinking to prep for Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras is a world famous drinking holiday. The French Quarter of New Orleans is one big drunkfest on this day. And, the celebration flows all across the country and internationally in the form of Carnival and other names. It’s the last Tuesday before Lent. It’s aim is to indulge in drink and depravity before giving up pleasures of the corporeal body for lent. But, it attracts people from all religious walks despite being a Christian celebration.

While any booze will do, some of the most famous drinks for Mardi Gras include:

• Sazerac: 2 oz Whiskey or bourbon, 1/2 oz Absinthe or pernod, 1/2 oz simple syrup, a few dashes of bitters, and lemon garnish.
• Hurricane: 2 oz light rum, 2 oz Dark Rum, 2 oz Passion Fruit Juice, 1 oz orange juice, 1 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz lime juice, 1/2 oz grenadine, orange and cherry garnishes
• Vieux Carré: 3/4 oz Rye whiskey, 3/4 oz cognac, 3/4 oz sweet vermouth, 1/4 oz Benedictine, 1 tsp Peychaud’s bitters, 1 tsp Angostura Bitters, garnished with a lemon twist
• Terror from the deep: 2 oz aged rum, 3/4 oz Blue curacao, 1 Tbsp macadamia liqueur, 1 oz Apple Syrup, 1 oz lemon juice

Wednesday brings Absinthe day and Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent: representative of Jesus last 40 days before Easter. Most Christians consider it a day of atonement where they pledge to give up something dear to them. For many, that is alcohol. But, Jesus drank wine. Heck, he offered it up as his blood at the Last Supper. So, why the aversion? It mostly stems from temperance movements throughout history. People act differently when imbibing. And, the disease of alcoholism is a real thing. But, not everyone is an alcoholic. In moderation, it’s fine, and possibly beneficial. Studies have shown that light drinking: 1 to 2 glasses of wine or beer a day may actually be beneficial to heart health, kidney function, cholesterol levels, brain function, and blood sugar. But, beware, excessive drinking creates harm in all these areas and more.

Monday is a good time to start drinking, if you plan to give it up on Wednesday. But, the world conspires against that plan. Since Wednesday also brings us Absinthe day. This storied liqueur goes by many names, not the least of which is the green fairy. It’s rumored to have hallucinogenic properties. Wormwood is a botanical used in absinthe. It contains a chemical: thujone with hallucinogenic properties But, absinthe doesn’t contain enough to do that. Still, the legend lives on. It was banned in 1912. And, returned to the market in 2007. Since it was literally an outlaw liquor, people seek it out, just to be bad. In reality, it’s just a high alcohol anise flavored liqueur with a touch of bitterness from the wormwood and floral flavors. The classic way to serve it is poured over a sugar cube to counter the bitterness.

Monday is a good time to start drinking. So, here are some ideas.

We already gave you a few Mardi Gras recipes. But, it’s a long week. Just because it’s 3 days in a row, doesn’t mean you have to stop Wednesday. Extending the drinking through the week is recommended, especially given the health benefits of light consumption. So, do your heart, kidneys, and brain a favor and spread your drinking out. Experiment everyday like it’s a holiday. To that end, here are a few more recipes to start you on your way. But, feel free to experiment and figure out what works best for you.

Recipes:

• McGlashan: 1 1/2 oz Irish Whisky, 3/4 oz Sherry, 3/4 oz lemon juice, 3/4 oz Ginger simple syrup, 1 tsp orange marmalade, 3 dashes bitter, garnish with nutmeg
• Irish Coffee: 1 cup coffee, 2 oz Irish Whisky, 1 oz simple syrup, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings
• Classic Mulled Wine: 1 Bottle Red wine, 1 cup brandy, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 cloves, 6 cardamom pod, lightly crushed, 2 whole oranges cut in wedges. Bring all ingredients to a simmer on the stove, stirring to incorporate flavors. Don’t boil. Allow the flavors to develop for about 30 minutes. Serve warm to hot.
• Absinthe Spider: 1 1/2 oz Absinthe, 1 cup Ginger ale, 2 dashes bitter
• Death in the Afternoon: 2 oz Absinthe, 6 oz champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with mint
• Green Beast: Muddle 3 cucumber slices with 1 oz simple syrup, add 1 oz absinthe, 1 oz lemon juice, 4 oz ice water. Garnish with cucumbers.
• La Tour Eiffel: 3 oz Cognac, 1/2 oz absinthe, 1/2 oz Cointreau, 1/2 oz Suze liqueur or aperol, garnish with lemon twist
• Ash Wednesday Cocktail: Muddle 3 or 4 blackberries with 2 oz gin. Add 3/4 oz heavy cream and 3/4 oz honey syrup. Shake with ice, strain into a martini or other glass and garnish with grated nutmeg and/or bitters

Cheers!