Spring is here and it’s time for a refreshing cocktail that’s lower on the calorie count scale. Prepping the beach bod. So pour us a Ranch Water! An exciting blend of tequila, mineral water, and lime juice. Did we mention it’s lower in calories than most cocktails. That’s exciting even if the drink isn’t. Hence the name Ranch Water.
It also comes in a can. Just trying to help.
– Jet Cannon
Photo: Texas Highways
Trivia question. What year was “Margaritaville” released by Jimmy Buffett? Doesn’t really matter. What matters is that February 22, smack-dab in the middle of winter, is National Margarita Day. A lot of the country is due for a heat wave so… perfect!
-Hey Dad, why is my sister called Margarita?
-Because your mom likes that drink.
-Oh. Thanks dad.
-You’re welcome Bud.
– Jet Cannon
Depends on who you ask. We were hoping it would be a Rat Pack Martini, a Marilyn Margarita, or a Dean Martin Old Fashioned. Something like that. The InterWeb suggests it’s a date shake. They are pretty good.
The Reef Bar & Grill says it’s a Palm Springs Punch. We asked our bartender if that is the Palm Springs Official Cocktail, as stated on their drink menu, or did they just make that up. “We just made that up.” Whatever. Their primary ingredients are Blackheart Spiced Rum, Triple Sec, Creme De Moyaux (???), and pineapple juice. We’ve seen other recipes use bourbon and ginger ale so it seems you can make it anyway you want. We wish we could ask Frank.
– Jet Cannon
PV Magazine reports that Austrailia’s iconic XXXX brand beer will be produced using 100% solar energy. They’re asking Austrailians to “give a XXXX” about the world and the environment.
– Jet Cannon
Photo: Ad News
As a follow-on to Dry January, being mindful of alcohol consumption can extend the health benefits of going completely dry. Avoiding random drinking and staying within self-established boundaries is the key.
The son went to his dad and asked him, “Dad, what’s an alcoholic?”
The dad replied, “Do you see those four trees? Well, an alcoholic would see eight.”
The son replied, “But Dad, I only see two.”
– Jet Cannon
How do you fix a broken pizza? With tomato paste.
February 9th is National Pizza Day AND National Bagel and Lox Day. In case you forgot.
Pass the carbs, please.
One more day until Wet February! Here is what Vine Pair thinks are the best whiskeys IN THE WORLD! Click here. We’re hoping to get hired as a taste tester.
– Jet Cannon
While we learn more about the detrimental effects of alcohol on our bodies, consumption in the US is on the rise. Hubris? Killing Covid with alcohol? Dimwittedness? Can’t read? Hard to say. But we’re approaching 8 billion gallons a year!
– Jet Cannon
Photo. Flasks.com
NPR reports that the business of nonalcoholic beer, wine and spirits is booming.
NielsenIQ’s data shows the market for nonalcoholic beer, wine and spirits grew more than 20% last year — and more than 120% over the last three years. The market now sees almost $400 million in annual sales. Compared to the roughly $200 billion market for stuff that can get you drunk.
So where’s the Buzz? The data shows that 82% of people who buy nonalcoholic beers, wine and spirits also buy traditional alcoholic drinks. So it seems a lot of folks are just cutting back and not giving up the real stuff.
– Jet Cannon
From the BBC News, excessive outbreaks of seaweed and micro algae are clogging up waters from the Caribbean to the Baltic. Now both are being harvested alongside farmed crops to create ingredients for cosmetic and food products. Across in Sweden, a business called Nordic Seafarm is showing just how versatile seaweed can be. “We make algae-based gin and beer both locally produced,” says director Fredrik Grondahl.
Let Mikey try it. He’ll drink anything.
– Jet Cannon
We enjoy watering holes that are older than us Baby Boomers. Heinold’s Saloon in Oakland’s Jack London Square is one of them. By a margin. The structure was built between 1871 and 1875 from the timbers of the Umatilla, an abandoned stern-wheel paddle steamer. It became a saloon in 1884. Welcoming comers and goers to the Oakland waterfront, Jack London’s wife wrote that First & Last Chance was adopted by Johnny Heinold and became part of the saloon’s name.
Jack London first entered the saloon when he was about ten years old. The Sea Wolf was inspired by the many sea captains who frequented the saloon.
The saloon still uses gas lighting and the pot bellied stove is original. Thankfully we can still soak in some in some suds and history at Heinold’s.
– Jet Cannon
Photo: NPR
Dry January is the longest month of the year. Nearly double that of other months. To pass the time, we just tried a Curious Elixir booze-free craft cocktail. We tried No. 1 which is their take on a Negroni. While it didn’t taste like any Negroni we’ve ever had it was definitely complex and interesting. We couldn’t quite pin down the flavor other that to imagine it tasted like super-premium canned orange juice, if such a thing existed. That is not to say we won’t try more of their concoctions. We will. It’s a fun happy hour activity.
Counting down the days.
– Jet Cannon
Doing Dry January but missing the color and pageantry of carefully crafted cocktails? Town and Country Magazine to the rescue. Read here for 28 mocktail recipes. How about a Virgin Cucumber Gimlet or a Spicy Watermelon Mint Agua Fresca? Yum. And by the time we gather the ingredients, measure, shake, and garnish a few of these, it will be February!
– Jet Cannon
Tea is supposed to be good for us and this Laura Bode article in Costco Magazine describes some interesting ways to incorporate tea into food. Think smoothies, sangria, marinades for meat and fish, replacement for broth, salad vinaigrette, and even cocktails.
– Jet Cannon