Thank God and Greyhounds They Are Gone...

Unfortunately, I missed House Resolution 101 of the Texas Legislature's 84th session. But, it is not too late to join the distinguished Representatives in celebrating Tito's Vodka with Red Grapefruit Juice as the "official mixed drink of the 84th Legislative Session." The resolution provides a good history of the classic Greyhound Cocktail. With the close of the Regular Session, we can sing quietly to ourselves, "Thank God and Greyhounds, they are gone."

A Toast to Dwiggins

Dwiggins, 1905 Toast

I only recently discovered the illustrator Clare Victor Dwiggins, better know as "Dwig."  At the Friends of the Waco Library Book Sale, one of the largest such book sales in the South, my mother-in-law purchased a 1905 book of toasts by Dwiggins.  Being a collector of vintage barware and old cocktail books, books of toasts intrigue me. Quips, quotes, and trite toasts seem to be relics of the past... at least at the parties I attend.

"Here is to love, the only fire against which there is no insurance." 

 Great toast, but no longer true.  You and your love of your life can buy "marriage insurance." (try the divorce probability calculator)  

But better than the bons mots are the illustrations.  The postcards by Dwig capture an age of innocent romanticism, with decked out dames blowing kisses and riding bratwursts.  The illustrations often include timeless words of wisdom, for example, "Never do anybody unless you do 'em good."

Cool Off on Labor Day with a Moscow Mule

As with the most noble drinks (martini, mint julep, and the flaming volcano) the Moscow Mule has its own serving glass, the copper cup.  Despite the name, the Moscow Mule is a West Coast creation, just like Labor day itself.  Oregon, on February 21,1887, passed the first legislation honoring the hard work of American laborers.  Fifth-four years later, John Martin and Jack Morgan claimed that they invented the drink at their bar in Hollywood.  That may be Cock-n-Bull -- the bartender at the Cock-n-Bull Wes Price claimed that he was the true inventor of the drink.

   Here is the Recipe:

   1 part Vodka

   3 parts ginger beer

   1 tsp. sugar

   Squeeze of a lime wedge

   Garnish with mint and lime slice

Happy Birthday "Texas" Guinan

Mary "Texas" Guinan"

Mary Louise Cecilia Guinan was born January 12, 1884 in Waco, Texas.  She became an actress and, later, the proprietor of the "300 Club" in New York City.  The prohibition era speakeasy was the hot spot for socialites and actors.   Entertainment included fan dancers and impromptu performances by George Gershwin.  Texas Guinan, as she was known, died in 1933 while traveling in Vancouver, Canada.  Learn more about Texas at Jazzbabies.  Texas scandals.  Raid on the 300 Club.

New Year's Eve Cocktail

The Champagne Cocktail is the classic mixed beverage for ringing in the New Year.  Here are a couple of recipes worth trying.

Champagne Cocktail (classic version)

• 1 sugar cube
• 1 dash of Angostura bitters
• twist of lemon of lemon peel
• 3 oz champagne
• Place the sugar cube in the bottom of the glass and drop one dash of Angostura bitters on the cube.   Twist the lemon peel over the cube and drop into bottom of glass.  Pour champagne over the cube.

Champagne Cocktail (stout)

• 1 oz brandy
• 4 oz champagne
• 1 orange peel
• Combine the brandy and champagne in a glass.  Twist orange peel over glass and discard peel.

Champagne Julep

• 3 mint leaves
• 1 sugar cube
• twist of lemon peel
• 3 oz of champagne
• Muddle mint in bottom of glass.  Add cube.  Twist lemon peel over cube.  Add champagne.

A votre santé! Let go of your old habits so to make room for new ones.

Salado Wine Festival

I made two unexpected discoveries this weekend.  First discovery was the The Salado Texas Wine & Rouge Art Festival.  Salado has grown in popularity among those who like rustic Texas kitsch and bead making.  In addition, there are some fine antique shops.  Salado has also developed a reputation for wine tasting... fermented grapes help make cast-plastic garden rabbits irresistible.  Joking aside, the Wine Festival was simple and successful.  Twenty vineyards participated.  For $10 you get a wine glass and tickets to taste six wines.  The second discovery was that Texas vineyards are putting out some excellent wines.  My favorite was the McPherson Viognier.

Medievalist's Quest

I am on the road today with the Medievalist. In honor of National Absinthe Day, we have been discussing the infamous wormwood concoction. Absinthe was banned due to the unhealthy effects (notably death) of thujone, a ketone and a monoterpene which is a byproduct of the process . The ban on absinthe, in the US, ended in 2007. New methods of production have made it a safe drink. The question on the table is whether the absinthe in Florence will be safe.

In Honor of Guns & Gin

A quick review of activity at the Texas Capitol has revealed an additional bill seeking to allow concealed handguns on college campuses: HB 2178.  That makes at least 6 bills awaiting vote and ratification on the issue of arming college students.  In another bill related to college life, the Texas House enrolled HR34 recognizing the 75th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition in Texas.  Although the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution ended prohibition in 1933 at the federal level, Texas did repeal its constitutional ban on alcohol until 1935.  As a compromise, the Texas adopted a policy of letting local authorities determine whether to be "dry" or "wet."  HR34 also honors the 75th anniversary of the TABC, the bane of underage college students across the state.

DMA Cocktail Plate