Happy Hour... Celebrating Black History MonthHow you doin’? February is Black History Month and today I want to celebrate Tom Bullock, the first African American author of a cocktail book. Here was a mixologist that captured the mysteries and marvels of an art that borders on magic. In 1913, the former president Theodore Roosevelt was in court trying to save his reputation. It was then that T.R. was accused of being an alcoholic, despite his continual, fervid insistence that he’d never been drunk in his life. Fed up with this libel, he vowed to sue the next publication that claimed it, ultimately taking out his anger on a tiny Michigan newspaper called the Ishpeming Iron Ore. As a witness under cross examination, Roosevelt did acknowledge a fondness for Mint Juleps, and further admitted that he had tasted a Julep once at the St. Louis Country Club, but only drank “a part” of it. As far as the St. Louis Post Dispatch was concerned, this “just a part” business was proof he was lying. It was literally unbelievable. Why? Because the cocktail in question had been prepared by none other than Tom Bullock. “Who was ever known to drink a part of one of Tom’s Juleps?” editorialized the paper on March 28, 1913, “To believe that a red-blooded man and a true Colonel at that, ever stopped with just a part of these refreshments… is to strain credulity too far,” adding of Bullock that “there is no greater mixologist of any race, color, or condition of servitude.” This is most of what we know of Tom Bullock—that he was revered as a bartender for over 25 years serving the best establishments in Louisville and St. Louis. Bullock was the first African American to publish a cocktail book, called The Ideal Bartender, in 1917. His volume is sadly short on personal details. This isn’t much and the mind thirsts for more. Some diligent researchers have been able to unearth the shape of his life, and that of black bartenders more generally from Reconstruction to WWI—particularly Michael Jones the former, and David Wondrich the latter—but this column is about cocktails, and Bullock’s talent, told through his cocktails, was enormous. As noted, he was a wizard with the Mint Julep. He had the good idea of mixing absinthe and Benedictine, the first author I’ve seen do that. He was perhaps the first to publish a Martini-like cocktail with an onion, which would become the Gibson. He also has a flurry of original cocktails, any one of which I’d be proud to serve to you today, but a favorite is the Admiral Schley High Ball, made of Irish Whiskey, lemon juice, pineapple syrup, dessert wine and soda. Schley was a Navy Admiral and a hero of the Spanish-American War. The Admiral Schley’s High Ball is a lovely and disarming drink, the bright fruit of the pineapple teasing out the honeyed brightness of the dessert wine, with the mild oak from the Irish Whiskey providing structure, a kind of a gentle but present backbone. It plays to Irish Whiskey’s core strength, which is that it’s such a soft and approachable spirit that subtle fruit—that which would be bludgeoned by bourbon or even scotch—is allowed to express itself and entice you with its subtleties. It’s an inventive and delicious original from an excellent bartender, the flavors obvious in the way that great ideas always seem obvious in hindsight. We don’t recommend using it as any kind of valid legal defense, but it’s certainly worth your time on its own, or to make as a kind of toast to the noble past, and the mysteries and marvels of an art that borders on magic. Thanks to The Robb Report for today’s history lesson. Ingredients 2 ounces Irish whiskey (I prefer Tullamore D.E.W.) 1/2 ounce Sauternes 3/4 ounce pineapple syrup 3/4 ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice Directions
ChefSecrets: This drink really shines where the whiskey provides soft supple fruit and a faint malty sweetness but mostly gets out of the way, functioning as the structural framework on which the other ingredients rest. For a quick and easy pineapple syrup, you can mix equal parts pineapple juice (Dole cans are fine) and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bullock calls for a dessert wine which could be found all over the place in 1917. That said, I’ve had the best luck with Sauternes. Just understand your proportions of pineapple syrup (for sweetness) and Irish Whiskey (for strength) which might need to be adjusted, depending on which bottles you grab. I like to top it off with soda because it gives the drink bubbles and puts some separation between the flavors. Quip of the Day: A neutron walks into a bar. “How much for a beer?” the neutron asks. “For you?” says the bartender. “No charge.” ------------------------------------------ Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. ------------------------------------------- To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross. #Cocktail #AdmiralSchleyHighBall #TomBullock #BlackHistoryMonth #Cheers #HappyHour #2024 #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024
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...from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour BarHow are you doin’? Valentine’s Day is just 5 days away. Are you tired of waiting patiently for cupid to show up and shoot his love arrow? Maybe you need a little liquid courage? As the lyrics to song Love Potion #9 go: I took my troubles down to Madame Rue You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth She’s got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine Sellin’ little bottles of Love Potion Number Nine I told her that I was a flop with chicks I’ve been this way since 1956 She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign She said “What you need is Love Potion Number Nine” She bent down, turned around and gave me a wink She said “I’m gonna make it up right here in the sink” It smelled like turpentine, it looked like Indian ink I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink I didn’t know if it was day or night I started kissin’ everything in sight But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine He broke my little bottle of Love Potion Number Nine Love Potion #9 was written in 1959, and made famous by The Clovers in 1964, 60 years ago. I am not guaranteeing that this cocktail is a love potion, because it sure didn’t smell like turpentine or look like Indian ink. I can assure you I did not have to hold my nose while I drank it. Nope this is a sweet-tart little drink, which may work on that certain somebody that needs a little nudge or two or three…. or shove. So mix it and serve it up this Valentine’s Day and give it a shot. Get it? A shot—you know like cupid with his arrows (now that’s funny!). Keep me posted on your winning results. Prep time: 5 minutes Yield: 1 cocktail Ingredients 1-1/2 ounces vodka 1/2 ounce peach schnapps 3 ounces pink grapefruit juice 1 strawberry Directions
ChefSecret: Love Potion No. 9 is a 1992 American romantic comedy film starring Tate Donovan and Sandra Bullock. The film takes its name from the 1959 hit song, "Love Potion No. 9". The story is about a love potion, which enables a person to make people of the opposite sex become completely infatuated with them by simply talking. Quip of the Day: Q. How do chefs show their love? A. They whisk you off your feet! ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. ------------------------------------------- To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross. #Cocktail #HappyHour #ValentinesDay #LovePotionNo9 #Vodka #PeachSchnapps #GrapefruitJuice #Cupid #Cheers #HappyHour #2024 #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024 …from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour BarHow you doin’? Your team just scored a touchdown. It’s time to celebrate the big game with my touchdown punch. It's the bubbly victory all ‘49er fans are hoping for when we show up to the watch party. It pairs perfectly with all the amazing Super Bowl appetizers! Prep time: 10 minutes Yield: 10 servings Ingredients 1 liter bottle of Sprite 4 cups seltzer water 1 (750-ml.) bottle Prosecco 1 cup vodka 1/4 cup Blue Curaçao 1 fresh lemon, thinly sliced 3 cups clear ice Directions
ChefSecret: If you’re as positive as I am, consider substituting Brute Champagne for the Prosecco. Quip of the Day: Q. What do the San Francisco 49ers and Franklin Graham have in common? A. They both can make 70,000 people stand up and yell "Jesus Christ, Hallelujah!" ------------------------------------------ Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. ------------------------------------------- To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross. #Cocktail #49erTouchdownPunch #BlueCuracao #Prosecco #BigGame #Cheers #HappyHour #2024 #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024 …from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour Bar How you doin’? I promise you’ll be doing just fine with The Ultimate Espresso Martini. Don’t you just love Happy Hour Friday? Even before the Negroni and the Spritz took center stage, the Espresso Martini was the drink of the moment. Most popular with coffee lovers and tired pre-gamers alike, this classic cocktail was born in the 1980s but saw a resurgence in popularity in the last few years. Whether you’re searching for the perfect brunch cocktail, an after-dinner treat or simply need some extra caffeine before your night out, the Espresso Martini is the perfect way to get a little buzzed while also getting a bit perked up. Follow my directions and make it the best it can be. If you can't get a fresh shot of espresso, no need to fear! While a freshly pulled shot really pulls this drink together, we have found we get similar results with 1-ounce cold brew coffee concentrate. No espresso machine but craving that signature taste? Visit your local coffee shop and pick up a couple of shots. Along with the coffee component and simple syrup, you need coffee liqueur and vodka to complete your martini. We recommend Kahlúa—a recurring liquor in many of my coffee cocktails—but you can also use any coffee liqueur on hand. Choose your favorite vodka from any of the popular vodka brands. The key to that signature frothy Espresso Martini is to use a fresh shot of espresso, shaking it along with your other ingredients in a shaker vigorously for long enough to chill it all and create a foamy top. Once strained, you’re going to want to double-strain it into your martini glass. That’s it… now you got it… a chilled, frothy Ultimate Espresso Martini. I like to give this drink a bit of a fancy garnish… it's way easier than it looks. Simply cover half the glass with a napkin or paper towel, then dust the rest with either cocoa or espresso powder. Top the other side with coffee beans, and you’re ready to serve. Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Yield: 1 cocktail Ingredients 1-1/2 ounces vodka 1 ounce coffee liqueur (I prefer Kahlúa) 1 ounce or 1 shot espresso or cold brew concentrate 1/2 ounce simple syrup Espresso powder or cocoa powder and coffee beans, for garnish Directions
ChefSecret: While this classic recipe deserves all the hype, you can experiment to make this Espresso Martini especially yours. If you like your coffee sans the sugar, remove that simple syrup! If you like cream in your coffee add a 1/2 ounce Baileys and make it creamy. Heck, you’re now ready for a job at Starbucks as a barista! Quip of the Day: I am prepared to believe that an Espresso Martini slightly impairs the palate but think what it does for the soul. ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. ------------------------------------------- To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross. #Cocktail #EspressoMartini #Vodka #Espresso #Kahlua #Cheers #HappyHour #2024 #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024 …from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour BarHow you doin’? Before the pandemic we were eating in one of the fine, old restaurants in San Francisco when my guest asked the waiter, what is the best house cocktail? Being an older union waiter with an attitude he replied, gin on the rocks. I guess if we were looking for a creative mixologist we would be in the wrong place. He wasn’t kidding… the establishment was a no-frills bottle bar. No blenders or any kind of fancy contemporary equipment. So, it was gin and tonic. Today, barkeeps in almost every city hire creative mixologists that come up with some of the most inventive drinks ever using all sorts of unconventional ingredients. It’s a challenge I’m up for. With this recipe, I’m showing off my creative side with a hot charred chile, orange and prosecco which gives this spritz the fizz. The chile peppers give a bit of kick, but you can leave them out if you prefer. Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Yield: 6 cocktails Ingredients 1 large thinly sliced orange (6-slices) 6 long fresh red chile peppers 12 ounces Aperol 20 ounces Prosecco 6 ounces soda water Directions
ChefSecret: Aperol is an Italian aperitif made of bitter orange and, among other things, rhubarb. It's available at large bottle shops or online. Quip of the Day: People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable. ------------------------------------------- Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. ------------------------------------------- To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross. #Cocktail #AperolSpritze #Prosecco #CharredHotChile #Cheers #HappyHour #2024 #T2T #URM #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024 |
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