Sorry for the delay folks… I’ve been on the road for the last week or so heading out to what I hope will be my home for the summer (at least), roughly on the other side of the country. I had hoped to close out my final entries to “Mike’s Drinks and Links” before leaving town, but packing and farewells took too much of my time. I say my final entries because as of May 24 the ski resort I was bartending at closed for the season, which of course means that I am not working at the moment, therefore no drink specials (kind of a central theme in case you haven’t been following). I’m not saying that I will stop writing, quite the contrary, I just need to reconsider my topics. But first, permit me a final indulgece of creative libations:
May 22/23: “TR3” was playing on the hill. They’re a local rock ‘n roll cover band, been around forever, super nice guys. TR3… TR… how about a TEQUILA ROSE? 1oz Baja Rosa, 1oz Coconut Rum, blended with ice until smooth and frothy, poured into a small snifter glass, and add a small dot of grenadine in the center (for flower effect).
May 24, final day of the season. Probably somebody’s birthday, but hey… it’s my last day working, my last day snowboarding, it’s time for MIKE’S LAST RIDE: 1oz Amarula, 3/4oz Maple Whiskey, 1/4oz Amaretto. Shake over ice, strain into a martini or small cocktail glass. A few people said it was my best creation of the year, I’d have to put it right up there too. Hey, if it’s gonna have my name on it, she better be good!
One final toast I’ll offer before closing this chapter: Life’s too short to drink cheap booze, so indulge, adventure, excite… and may you never drink alone!
Only a few days left on the hill… it’s 22 degrees (C) out today, less than 500 people come up to ride every day, which gives me roughly NOTHING to do all day behind the bar. Time for a ROAD TRIP!! I’ll keep ya posted…
BC/DC played over the weekend (AC/DC tribute band). I was still getting set up behind the bar when someone asked what my drink special was going to be, so on the spot I tried to come up with something related to the band. THUNDERSTRUCK: 1oz Tequila, 1oz Creme de Banane, shake over ice, pour into a cocktail glass filled with ice, top with soda, two yellow straws. I wasn’t too crazy about it, but a few people ordered it and really liked it, so there ya go!
Now yesterday was the birthday of the man BILL PAXTON. Best known for seriously freaking out better than anyone else in Hollywood. Well, that’s what I like him best for… he’s also a dang fine actor. His signature bit has got to be Pvt. W. Hudson’s “Game over man!” scene from Aliens: “Well that’s great, that’s just fuckin’ great man, now what the fuck are we supposed to do? We’re in some real pretty shit now man… That’s it man, game over man, game over, man! Game over! What the fuck are we gonna do now? What are we gonna do?” So, in honour of this apoplectic thespian I present: the GAME OVER – 1oz Gin (Tanqueray), 1/2oz Peach Schnappes, 1/2oz Amaretto, 2oz cranberry juice, shake over ice, into a snifter (because I think it looks cool). After a few of these, it will be…
Click on “Sunshine Photos” to the right of the site. A bunch of scenery and weather shots, a few pics from James’ house party, one of me going off a jump, and a very happy mikey with a burger and a beer up by the Divide!
So I’m thinking Tonite Is A Wonderful Time to take a Fast Train to the Bad Side Of The Moon, but when I call you to Say Hello you say You Won’t Dance With Me! It’s like The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy!! Now Just Between You And Me I think it’s time to kick back and have a drink under the Sign Of The Gypsy Queen…
My first thought for a Gypsy Queen cocktail was a kind of bubbly, fruity concoction, but it just didn’t seem to suit the song or the band (April Wine in case you didn’t figure it out). So I tried again with more of a classy martini-style drink, but it was just too sweet/strong. I love the flavour and look though, so I decided to make it a shooter. Gypsy Queen: 1/2oz Parfait Amour, 1/2oz Amaretto, dash of marachino cherry syrup. Don’t shake it if you’re making them in quantity, just stir to mix them (maintain the texture).
The season is almost over here… which means that I won’t be working at this particular bar after May 24. I’m not sure what that will mean as far as my little web thingy goes… if I’ll continue putting up funky drinks and celebrity birthdays and stuff like that. If I don’t get to actually try them out, I don’t really want to offer them as my own suggestions, ya know? So do I just look for other people’s recipies? Nah, don’t like that idea. Again, most of these drinks are my own invention, or at least my own modification on existing recipies. What’s the point of just telling you about someone elses idea?
Of course, there is still the matter of my summer employment. Maybe I’ll end up at another bar where I’ll get to continue my little liquid adventures! The plan right now is for my girlfriend and I to head to Toronto for the weekend immediately following the ski hill closure (Lindsay’s been DYING to see “The Last Five Years“, and we’ve got tickets for the closing night performance that Saturday). After that, we’re thinking of subletting a place in Montreal for the summer, or at least until that Korea thing gets going. TONS of cool stuff happens there in the summer: Montreal Jazz Festival, Just For Laughs… I know I might have a bit of trouble getting a job there (my french is kinda… merde), but hey, I can always get something, and besides, I just have to make it through the summer until I go to LAW SCHOOL (pleasepleaseplease!!!)!
So yeah, yesterday was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s birthday. 1812 Overture, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker… nice stuff. I already did a “Nutcracker” cocktail, so this time I went for a “Nutty Russian”: 1oz Frangelico, 1oz Vanilla Vodka, 3oz cream, blended with ice until smooth and frothy. I thought it tasted a little weak, so I added a bit of chocolate syrup. yumyum, like a nutty/chocolatey milkshake. Thanks to Lindsay for remembering… my brain don’t work too good some days!
Anyone out there heard of these guys? My girlfriend and I are thinking of going to South Korea to teach and work at a children’s camp for 4-6 weeks this summer. Deal sounds good, they pay for your flight, meals and accomodations, a tour of the country, as well as a cash bonus at the end of the period. I worry about anything that sounds too good to be true, but I also figure I lead a charmed life and everything will work out for the best. Anyway, I’m sure it’s fine, one of Lindsay’s friends (or friend of a friend) went last year and had a great time!
Happy Kokumin no Kyujitsu! I had a rough time trying to figure out an appropriate drink special for a Japanese holiday when I didn’t have any Japanese (or even remotely Asian) liquors. Well screw it, this drink looked… blue. Samtini: 1oz vodka (Skyy at my bar), 1/2 oz Clear Sambuca, 1/2oz Blue Curacao. Shake over ice, strain into a martini glass, drop a cherry inside for a touch of sweetness. Great looking drink, I thought it was really tasty… nobody else liked it, too much licorice flavour from the sambuca. Maybe cut back a little?
Colin James played on the hill this weekend… dude rocks. Love his big band stuff, REALLY love his bluesy groove. He hit on my girlfriend, but I’ll forgive him. Ahem…
It’s been
Five Long Years
but it feels like you
Just Came Back,
now
I Hope You’re Happy
that I’m
Down In The Bottom
but I’m ready to
Give It Up
so please,
Stay,
and have a…
James Colins: 1oz Jim Beam, 1oz Peach Schnappes, over ice, splash of lime juice, top with soda.
My girlfriend’s watching American Idol… I have nothing more to say about that.
OK, remember when 54*40 was playing where I work, and made a really cool drink that they all loved, and I said that I made a cool little montage thingy on the specials board?
Don’t
Blame Your Parents
when the
Music Man
plays a
Radio Luv Song
that make you and
I Go Blind,
just sit back,
Unbend,
and try an
Ocean Pearl
(I got the track names off of their “Radio Love Songs” collection.)
