Stella!

I just learned something interesting: Stella Artois, the beer with the pretentious commercials I have to sit through when I see a foreign movie at one of my local Landmark Cinemas, is nicknamed 'wife beater' in England! That's a different cultural interpretation!

From what I've read, its high-ish alcohol content allegedly makes British men get all 'aggro', though in truth, it's obviously the innate qualities of the louts who drink it that make them act out. However, some of the theories here are rather amusing--some people even think it has 'special chemicals' that turn a normal peace-loving chav fellow into a raging animal:

"I reckon it is true. My Mum used to work in a pub and the effect that stuff had on some of the guys in there was just awful. One in particular found himself with his hands round his girlfriend's neck after a night in it. He hasn't touched it since because he thinks it was because he had been drinking Stella that night. I think maybe it just brings out the very worst in someone, it doesn;t necessarily make them go home and beat seven shades out of the missus. My boyfriend had been drinking it one night when his usual lager was off and we had such a huge row on the way home, I've never seen him so argumentative.

"I think they should be allowed to conduct some kind of study into it, despite what it may do to the sales, because if there really is something in it which makes people behave aggressively, they should either change some of the ingredients or make people fully aware of the risks."

"In my last bar I was forced to change Stella to another lager because everybody who got drunk on it just ended up fighting. When the new lager was introduced there were no longer any problems. So in my experience it is true."

"It really do make some people very aggressive, my local pub will refuse to sell it to some customers."

"A policman told me it is true. It is well known to make men aggresive and abusive."

And my very favorite:

"Good question man, I always get in trouble when drinking that stuff, it couls be from the water they use to make it. Another side effect of Stella, it makes me poop really bad the next day. Anyone else have that problem?"

More information here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-494149/Where-did-wrong-beer-wife-beater.html

I'm Old Fashioned

Took a trip out to the suburbs today and picked up a few things for the apartment. A bamboo clothes hamper (not pictured), four single old fashioned glasses (see photo) from Target, and a new lemon zester (see results in photo). My old zester made only tiny 1/8 inch zests, and I wanted the big, bold kind I see in cocktail lounges. I found a new one with a nice big cutting groove in it et voila!

Th size of the glasses was also important--I was tired of having my Sazeracs and Old Fashioneds (pictured) dwarfed by the large glasses I had. This little set ($8.00) was just the thing.

Half Pint Dimpled Pot/Scarlet Ribbons

Since I was a kid, I've been very been extremely specific in my likes and dislikes. "Specificity" is one of my core traits. My mom has often referred to various "scarlet ribbons" quests she's had to do on my behalf, due to me knowing exactly what I want, even as a child. ("Scarlet Ribbons" was a popular song from the fifties. Description: Written by Jack Segal and Evelyn Danzil in 1949, this song is about a father searching the town for a ribbon for his daughter's hair. In the song, a father hears his daughter praying for a ribbon, searches for one, can't find any, comes home and sees a ribbon laying on her bed.)

One of my current quests is for the elusive British half pint 'dimpled mug (or pot)'. It's a smaller version of the familiar British beer mug, as seen in Irish bars and the occasional micro-pub. I've become fascinated with these from seeing them portrayed in various 60s and 70s TV shows from England that I've watched. The half-pint is typically the beer that women would order (due to a smaller drinking capacity -- at least in theory), or the size you might order if you were just stopping off briefly in the middle of your work day. The latter idea fascinates me, since I think it's still acceptable in the UK, though verboten here in the U.S.

I'm searching for a small set of these, but they're difficult to track down. The typical American beer enthusiast isn't really interested in drinking ' a half', so they've never caught on here, even among fans of 'authenticity'.

Portrait of Mexi-Cokes

Lately, I've grown very fond of the now-ubiquitous Mexi-Cokes. They remind me of having a Coke when I was a kid, which seemed like a treat, even though we drank a lot of them in my house. Once soft drinks (or sodas, depending on where you grew up) started being sold in larger and larger sizes, they lost a lot of their magic, as far as I'm concerned. Opening a heavy glass bottle with a bottle opener has a nice substantial feel, like opening a beer. The fact that they're more expensive makes them feel more special, too--I'm less likely to open one unless I really want it. Once I have one 12-ounce bottle, I'm done.

Also, they're made with cane sugar, rather than high fructose corn syrup. I've read that there really may not be that much difference in terms of causing obesity--the trick is just not to drink sweet drinks all the time--but it seems more real, like using butter instead of margarine.

Holiday Cocktails

Wassail! The holidays are upon us, and it's time to start thinking about specialty cocktails that are in tune with the festive feeling we are all...feeling.

With that in mind, put aside those summer-y egg white-based recipes and start thinking about using the whole egg in your drink of choice. Here are a couple of recipes to get you started:Those drinks sound SOLID!

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Agua Fresca

Whenever I go to my neighborhood Tacos Guaymas, I make sure to order a delicious Agua Fresca as my beverage. My usual choice is Horchata, which is made from rice and cinnamon -- Yum yum!
The last time I went (Saturday), I opted for a tasty and refreshing Hibiscus drink, or Agua de Jamaica. Beebo was with me, and while she ordered her usual Diet Coke, she kept eyeing my drink thirstily and drank about 15% of it. I can't deal with the taste of Diet Coke, so I couldn't return the favor. Next time, I will urge Beebo to order her own Agua Fresca!

Just a few more days...

..'til these guys and gals return.

I actually DO...

Love looking sharp!

I say!

I shall miss the heat! Fetch me another pink gin--I shall be attending to my correspondence on the verandah.

Most-requested Cocktails (Part 2)

Okay, here's that Piscolabis recipe
you were all asking for. ENJOY!

Who knew?

There's still a Trader Vic's in London, and it's been there for 46 Years!

Sadly, by the time I make it there, it will have closed the week before. Must I forever be haunted by the Curse of the Menehunes*?

Maybe I can make up for it by concocting a London Sour.

*I stepped on one by mistake years ago. So sue me!

Cocktail recipe request

"We're here--and perishing for a Piscolabis!"

Most-requested Cocktails (Part 1)

Ingredients:
Brandy, Italian vermouth, Angostura bitters

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today's hottest cocktails!

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