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My wife got me this absolutely killer book for Christmas. It's perfect for me, a Catholic who greatly enjoys alcohol. I've decided to do a running thread as I drink through it.
Props to the author, Michael Foley, @DrinkingSaints, who once taught a buddy of mine at Notre Dame.
Props to the author, Michael Foley, @DrinkingSaints, who once taught a buddy of mine at Notre Dame.
I'm going to play some catch-up. I kept taking pictures of drinks, then losing motivation to post after having a few drinks. Go figure.
Kicked it off on Jan. 3, the Feast of St. Genevieve, w/ a Paris Cocktail. It was really well balanced. Gin-based, not too sweet. Solid start!
Kicked it off on Jan. 3, the Feast of St. Genevieve, w/ a Paris Cocktail. It was really well balanced. Gin-based, not too sweet. Solid start!
Next up was the Gifts of the Maji on Epiphany. It's sort of a tequila old fashioned, and it's amazing. I'm not a huge tequila fan - I was for like, the first 3 months of college and then very suddenly and emphatically was not - but I loved this drink.
(Okay, I skipped one...the Benedict Arnold, on the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, because her family was a bunch of dirty British Loyalists during the Revolution. That got a laugh out of me. The drink was merely okay. In terms of goodness, halfway between Arnold and Seton.)
For the Feast of the Holy Family, the drink de jour was a Rosemary Martini, in honor of rosemary's namesake. To be honest, the martini part was doing the heavy lifting here. So, you know. If you like martinis, you'll like it.
On Jan. 14, for the Feast of St. Hilary, I had a Velvet Hammer. Now we're cooking. This drink was good as hell (pardon the expression, fellow Catholics). Probably my favorite so far. Smooth, creamy, a little sweet, very delicious.
The next night was a Monk in honor of St. Maurus. Awesome Saint; wretched drink. The gin and the lemon juice just competed with each other and didn't blend well at all. I'll sub in a different drink next time around.
Seriously, look up St. Maurus though, he's awesome.
Seriously, look up St. Maurus though, he's awesome.
Made Tequila Sunrises for St. Anthony (not that one) on January 17. Honestly, just not that good of a drink. I don't know if people would drink it if it weren't for the Eagles. I always trick myself into thinking it'll be good, based on ingredients. This tweet will remind me.
On January 18 was St. Manute, a Danish king, which meant I got to try Aquavit for the first time, in an Aquavit Fizz. It was a really fascinating, complex drink. Looked great, too! Look at that beauty!
*Canute, Jimmy, you damned idiot
On January 20th, Philip Rivers retired, and commemorated St. Sebastian in his announcement. I commemorated St. Sebastian by drinking a San Sebastian, which was bright, citrusy, and delightful. Pretty pink hue, too, which this picture doesn't do justice.
On January 22, in honor of St. Vincent the Deacon (who has an insanely cool story), I had a drink called The Raven. I think you'd have to be an Edgar Allen Poe-level alcoholic to enjoy The Raven. Never(more) again.
I followed up the next night with a St. Vincent, and it was significantly better. I genuinely enjoy galliano and totally get why Harvey Wallbangers were big in the '80s.
And finally, we're caught up!
Tonight I'm having a drink called The Knockdown, in honor of the Conversion of St. Paul. My grandfather loved black licorice and I can tolerate it, so this one's for you, Pop Pop. Hope you're knocking a few of these back and looking down on me.
Tonight I'm having a drink called The Knockdown, in honor of the Conversion of St. Paul. My grandfather loved black licorice and I can tolerate it, so this one's for you, Pop Pop. Hope you're knocking a few of these back and looking down on me.
For those of you interested in the book, I highly recommend it. I should note that I skip some days, as does the book, and some days have more than one drink. This is just one man's meandering journey through the book. Go buy it and start mixing yourself some cool cocktails!
Hilariously, this was supposed to be my "cheap" gift from my wife. Several trips to the liquor store later...
Word to the wise: If you have the option, for some of the more obscure or less frequently used liqeuers and such, get smaller bottles or single serving bottles.
Word to the wise: If you have the option, for some of the more obscure or less frequently used liqeuers and such, get smaller bottles or single serving bottles.
There are SEVERAL drinks for the Conversion of St. Paul, and screw it, I'm having another.
It's called The Kicker, and friends, this one's a keeper. Scotch and grapefruit juice...who knew??
This is wild. I may have 2.
It's called The Kicker, and friends, this one's a keeper. Scotch and grapefruit juice...who knew??
This is wild. I may have 2.
