Many Baby Boomers are familiar with Irish coffee and espresso martini’s. Adding a kick to coffee is a time-honored tradition. So Boomers will not be surprised to find spiked coffee in a can. Ask for a PBR and you could be handed a Pabst Blue Ribbon Hard Cold Brew. Packing a caffeine and low alcohol-by-volume Buzz, it might just be the ticket for an early-morning tailgate this coming season!
– Jet Cannon
AARP Magazine ran a fun article noting that MTV turned 40. “MTV forced established acts to think visually or risk disappearing; a song was no longer just a song, to be interpreted by a listener’s imagination, but the basis of a micro-movie in which performers would be judged by their hair, dancing, clothes, and shooting locale. No surprise that MTV helped popularize a new wave of image-conscious artists who eagerly embraced this star-making medium.” Let’s review a few. Michael Jackson, of course. Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Robert Palmer, The Police, Madonna, Bruce, Bowie, The Bangles, Devo, A-ha, Wham!, Big Country, Whitney, Salt-N-Pepa, Billy Idol, Van Halen, Eurythmics, Billy Joel, Prince, Pat Benatar, ZZ Top, Huey Lewis, and Janet Jackson.
I would argue that the music suffered a bit compared to music from the 70’s but I’d also have to admit that the visual art created was really quite amazing.
– Jet Cannon
Hard seltzers are growing in popularity in part due to their offering a lower calorie and lower alcohol-by-volume alternative to other alcohol beverages. Earlier this year, Michelob marketed the first national USDA-certified organic seltzer with zero sugar, zero carbs, 80 calories and is filtered six times to remove impurities. A race to healthier is a good thing and beverage makers are pitching real fruit juice, gluten-free, and seltzers with less ingredients. The calorie content of spiked seltzers are comparable to light beer as well as liquor mixed with no-calorie beverages. All good…. Unless you drink too many of them.
– Jet Cannon
Awhile back, Seattle Times food writer Bethany Jean Clement crafted some cocktails from what was in her cupboard because going to the store during the height of Covid was a daunting undertaking. One of the recipes stood out to me because it used grape juice. Purple grape juice. Something I’ve never had in a cocktail, for sure. Also, she says one can use vodka or gin. Really, gin? I like gin. But with grape juice? Anyway, I never got around to trying it at the time but I kept her recipe. A quick trip to the store. Masks no longer required but I’m wearing one so no one recognizes me while I’m buying only a bottle of grape juice. Here’s the recipe:
1 part grape juice
1 part tonic or bubbly water
“Glug” of vodka or gin
Lime wedge
Combine in a tall glass with lots of ice then squeeze the lime over the top then drop it in. Using gin? Add a sprig of rosemary.
What do I think? I tried with gin first. That’s as far as I got. Delicious! I did the tall glass then made another shaker-full for a martini glass. So I’m done experimenting and I’ll make it again. Very refreshing, colorful summertime, or anytime, drink.
Prefer vodka? Vodka goes with anything so if you like grape juice, you’re golden.
– Jet Cannon
Photo courtesy of Pinterest.com
Your favorite music via state-of-the-art headphones is tough to beat. Combine audio excellence with iconic design and you have Jimi Hendrix V-MODA headphones.
“V-MODA is proud to present the first collaboration in our Artist Series, which features guitar icon Jimi Hendrix.
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, Jimi Hendrix rose from humble beginnings to become oneof the most influential and respected musicians of all time. Often called an “electric alchemist,” he launched guitar playing into a new era with his innovative musical style and pioneering use of tone-altering effects like fuzz, wah, phasing, and more.
Featuring powerful 50mm dual‑diaphragm drivers with CCAW voice coils engineered in Japan, Crossfade 2 Wireless produces audio that can please even the most discerning sound engineer, with a clean, deep bass, vivid mids and a wide 3D soundstage. Experience your music as if you were really there for 14 wireless hours on a single charge, and in certified Hi‑Res Audio when wired.
Check them out at v-moda.com
– Jet Cannon
And proud of it! I met John Selby while helping to bottle Nota Bene wines one beautiful morning in Seattle. John was one of many friendly volunteers helping out with bottling 800 cases of excellent Nota Bene wines. At one point, John mentioned that he made the world’s best Old Fashioned. Quite a claim. I was intrigued. Better yet, he was willing to share his recipe which has evolved to perfection over the years. His father gave him a head start years ago as his parents enjoyed having a Happy Hour Old Fashioned before dinner but John continued to tweak and improve his signature cocktail until it was the “world’s best”. His “Call Me Old Fashioned” button is evidence of his achievement.
I wanted to try his recipe as soon as I got home but I had to substitute the cherries and syrup so I still have not tried the world’s best. John assured me that the proper Luxardo cherry was essential. My attempt was delicious and it’s just going to get better when I get my Luxardo’s. Here is his recipe for which I am grateful:
One teaspoon of Luxardo syrup with two Marishino cherries
One half jigger of simple syrup
One jigger of Maker’s Mark whisky
One jigger of cold water
One two-inch long slice of orange peel
Two ice cubes
Five drops of Angostura bitters (more or less to taste)
Enjoy the best Old Fashioned in the world. Thank you John! Cheers!
– Jet Cannon
Perusing the Vitamix blender recipe book, we found this Margarita recipe that uses whole limes, lemons and oranges, rather than just the squeezed juice. Peeled, of course. But the blender chops it all up and you end up with a small-party-suitable quantity. You can buy dedicated (and pricey) margarita blenders but a regular good quality blender will do.
Ingredients
1/4 cup water
6 oz tequila
2 oz orange liqueur like triple sec or Grand Marnier
1 medium orange peeled and halved
1 lime peeled and halved
1 lemon peeled and halved
6 tablespoons of sugar
6 cups of ice cubes
Blend on high for about 45 seconds and serve in salt or sugar-rimmed Margarita glasses with a slice of lime for garnish.
– Jet Cannon
Photo courtesy of bigoven.com
My apologies to Farmer Earl. Awhile back in an earlier post, I complained about not having ingredients for many of the cocktails I read about and would like to make. The Paper Plane was one. I didn’t have amaro. Farmer Earl read me the riot act and told me to quit being so cheap and buy ingredients that, yes, I might not use too often but for the most part they will keep. Now I do have the ingredients. Farmer Earl made me a proper Paper Plane recently and they are delicious. Here’s a recipe courtesy of Bon Appetit:
Ingredients
MAKES 2 SERVINGS
1½ ounces amaro (preferably Nonino)
1½ ounces Aperol
1½ ounces bourbon
1½ ounces fresh lemon juice, strained
Preparation
Step 1
Combine amaro, Aperol, bourbon, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously until outside of shaker is frosty, about 20 seconds. Strain into 2 coupe glasses.
Then make a tiny paper airplane and skewer it to properly present the Paper Plane.
– Jet Cannon
Photo courtesy of masterclass.com
Once again the Buzzed Boomer Research Department missed an important day. Apparently the team thinks that Saturdays are holidays and for leisure rather than work. Sad.
Anyway, Saturday, June 12th was World Gin Day. One company took this world-thing to heart. If you go to Worldgin.com https://worldginday.com/world-gin-day-gin/ you can procure gin with ingredients from all seven continents! I’m not sure my gin needs those ingredients but the concept is fairly intriguing. Here they are:
Order now and enjoy your internationally-sourced gin on World Gin Day 2022.
– Jet Cannon
Older adults naturally have a lower volume of water in their bodies, and may have conditions or take medications that increase the risk of dehydration. Dehydration occurs daily in three out of four people. So when I saw a promotion in Costco’s magazine for Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, I bit. For performance, heat/sun, travel and wellness, yes, that’s me! We’re told that an optimal ratio of nutrients like sodium, potassium, glucose, and water will result in 2-3 times more hydration than water alone. Liquid I.V. has 3 times the electrolytes in typical sport drinks.
Signs of dehydration can include dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, confusion, muscle cramps, increased heart rate, thirst, bad breath, muscle fatigue, dark urine, brain fog, and dry skin. I have all except one of those. GIVE ME SOME LIQUID I.V. STAT!
I’m always skeptical about this kind of stuff but I’m giving it a whirl. It tastes okay. Only 45 calories. Now just waiting for those symptoms to fade away.
– Jet Cannon
Nationaltoday.com provides some history. In the mid-1700s, Scots-Irish settlers in the area that is now Virginia and Kentucky began distilling corn — the only grain native to the area, but one which made for excellent whiskey owing to its sweetness. Another geographical factor was also beneficial to the birth of bourbon.The Limestone Shelf region, where all major American whiskeys are still made today, imbued the local water with calcium while filtering out iron. Turns out that high-calcium, low-iron water is excellent when it comes to makin’ moonshine. We have a clergyman-cum-distiller named Elijah Craig to thank for the third major piece of the bourbon puzzle. In the late 1780s, Craig was using old fish barrels to store his spirits.Not surprisingly, fish-flavored wood did not enhance the whiskey’s taste, so Craig started purifying the white-oak barrels by charring the inside. Then he stamped the barrels with their county of origin (Bourbon County, in his case) and sent them on a 90-day trip down to New Orleans. The charred oak and three-month travel time combined to mellow the whiskey and give it a smooth, smoky, oaky flavor. WhenNew Orleanians requested more of “that whiskey from Bourbon,” the name and the spirit were born.
– Jet Cannon
Ah, a good night’s sleep. We’ve tried this Yogi Soothing Caramel Bedtime herbal supplement tea and it seems to work. I don’t care if it’s the placebo effect as long as it works. It’s got Chamomile Flower, which has a reputation for providing relaxation, plus other ingredients like Skullcap so you know it has to be good. Sweet dreams!
– Jet Cannon
Per Guitar World magazine, https://www.guitarworld.com/news/jimi-hendrix-bobblehead, Jimi Hendrix fans will be happy to learn about some new Jimi paraphenalia.
As the greatest electric guitar player who has ever lived, there exists a wealth of merchandise associated with Jimi Hendrix. And now, his estate has made that merch pool even bigger by partnering with Kollectico for a brand-new bobblehead figure.
Commemorating Hendrix’s 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival – which he concluded by dousing his Fender Stratocaster in lighter fluid and setting it on fire – the “Live at Monterey” bobbleheads are officially licensed, hand-sculpted and painted and come in collector’s boxes.
The bobblehead’s pose appears to be modeled on an iconic photograph taken by then 17-year-old Ed Caraeff.
The “Live at Monterey” bobblehead – of which only 1,967 will be made – is set to ship in August 2021. For more information, head to Kollectico.com. We found the opportunity to order at bobbleheadboss.com. $49.95. We’re not bobblehead collectors so we have no idea if the limited production will add to the value over time. Regardless, it’s kind of fun.
– Jet Cannon
Was it the drugs? Something in the water?
1970’s Best Rock Albums
1971’s Best Rock Albums
1972’s Best Rock Albums
1973’s Best Rock Albums
