Valentine’s Day: For What It’s Worth

Welp, it’s Valentine’s Day again.  I don’t know about yall, but personally I’m at a strange crossroads this time around.  Throughout my life, I’ve found myself on both sides of this day.  At times, I’ve been so full of love that I couldn’t understand how I’ve ever felt anything but wonderful.  I listened to “You Make My Dreams” unironically.  I danced in the streets.  I watched rom-coms with wreckless abandon.  Then other times, I’ve cried in public while watching an elderly couple holding hands.  At one point I may have drank a bit too much whiskey and listened to the Heartbreaker album by Ryan Adams on repeat.  Today I find myself somewhere in the middle.  So, whether you’re recovering from last night’s Singles Awareness celebrations or sitting across a fine dining table from your star crossed lover, here are some of my suggestions to either help you win today or get you through it.

The folks at French Broad Chocolates in Asheville, NC were kind enough to send me a box of their Aphrodisiac Collection, which as you may have guessed, all feature ingredients believed to be imbued with the powers of the mighty Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.  Whether you believe in divine love or if you have no problem with eating an entire box of chocolate to yourself, they are quite tasty.  I have yet to test them for their aphrodisiac properties, but if you’re a lover of artisanal chocolatiers they certainly fill that bill.

Given that I’m unfortunately for my health, a shameless romantic,  I watch and own a very large collection of Romantic Comedies.  Even the super chick ones. *Cough cough*…”He’s Just Not that Into You”.  Accordingly, in today’s holiday spirit, I was inspired to pair each of my cocktails both with a truffle and with a a Rom-Com that I feel encapsulates their relationship to one another.

 

Photos courtesy of Ashah Photography:

 

500 Days of Summer

Let’s start this thing with polar opposites and work our way in, shall we? 500 Days of Summer is a story of boy meets girl, but it is not a love story.  The two main characters are Tom {on the left} and Summer {on the right}.  “Based on an early exposure to sad British pop music Tom believes he will never truly be happy until he meets the one.  Summer does not share this belief.” Tom is the Riveter, a drink I named for Rosie the Riveter.  Rose hip simple syrup and Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin work together to make a drink that is both fresh and whimsical.  Its corresponding truffle is the Indian Kulfi; where rose, cardamom, and pistachio are combined to make a treat that is both herbal and dreamy.

The Riveter

2oz Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin
.5oz Grapefruit Juice
.25oz Lemon Juice
.5oz Royal Rose Rose Hip Syrup
1tsp Fresh Oregano
3 dashes Grapefruit Bitters

• Combine all ingredients in a shaking tin, add ice, then shake for about 15 seconds
• Double strain the mixture into a coupe glass
• Garnish with a twist of Grapefruit peel

Summer is clearly my El Diablo.  I must admit that she was given this role mostly out of personal bias, as she reminds me of a particular girl and a relationship that ended in flames.  Which is why this drink is as spicy as it is unpredictable.  XO Cafe Incendio Patron Tequila which has both Mexican chiles and chocolate in it as does the Canela Picante Truffle are clearly up to fulfilling that particular role. By the way- check out the lovely earrings by SoulPepper Designs! (Available at Rumor Boutique.)

El Diablo

1.5oz XO Incendio Patron Tequila
.5oz Kahlua
1 Egg White
3 Dashes Homemade Smoked Ancho Chile Bitters

• Rim a coupe glass with cinnamon sugar
• Combine all ingredients in a shaking tin and shake without ice first for about 10 seconds
• Add ice then shake until almost too cold to hold; about 30 seconds
• Strain into coupe, and express an orange over the glass before spearing it as a garnish

 

The Holiday

This movie is in my top 5.  My family and I watch it every Christmas season. Yes, I cry every time Jude Law’s character Graham tells Cameron Diaz’s character Amanda that he is a widower.  Literally, every time.  Also, yes, I have not called a date back after she didn’t get my Mr. Napkin Head reference.  That being said, both of these drinks come from almost completely different ends of the spectrum but together they are perfect.  Cameron Diaz is playing the part of my Last Chance {on the left} and Jude Law is Money Penny’s Royal Fizz {on the right}.

I originally created the Last Chance as a challenge to make Zirbenz Pine Liqueur not taste like Pine Sol.  The result was a decadent and refined tipple which is much like Amanda’s sultry yet classy character arch.  The spice of the Dimple Pinch Blended Scotch and the body provided by the Fonseca Port are perfect companions for the wine spice in the Cabernet Truffle.  Speaking of things that are both classy and sexy, if you haven’t seen the L. Windham Designs, just check out the base of that martini.  Flirty and stunning.

The Last Chance

.5oz Zirbenz Pine Liqueur
2oz Dimple Pinch Blended Scotch
1oz Fonseca Port
.5oz Dolin Rouge Vermouth

• Fill a martini glass with crushed ice, then pour in the Zirbenz
• Combine the other ingredients in a stirring vessel and stir until chilled
• Discard the ice and strain your mixture from your mixing vessel into the glass
• Express an orange over the top of your drink, then spear it as a garnish

 

Graham on the other hand is lovely.  His life has been anything but predictable with the death of his wife upsetting his perfect British home and leaving his daughters without a mother.  However, he maintains a sweet and structured life, despite his recently bitter past.  In this same way, the Money Penny’s Bombay East Gin gives this drink structure while the St. George’s Absinthe and Breckenridge Bitters bring floral and mystic spice notes to the back end of the drink.  The Theros Truffle with it’s Greek Olive Oil, Orange, and Fennel compliment it nicely.

Money Penny’s Royal Fizz

1.5oz Bombay Sapphire East Gin
.25oz Breckenridge Bitters
.25oz St. George’s Absinthe
.5oz Grenadine
.25oz Lemon Juice
1 whole egg
Tonic
Ground Tumeric, Cinnamon, & Nutmeg

• Combine all ingredients in a shaking tin and shake first without ice for about 10 seconds
• Add ice then shake until almost too cold to hold; about 30 seconds
• Strain into a Collins glass then top with Tonic
• Pour a bit of Tonic into the base of your mixing tin to pick up any residual foam and then add to top of drink
• Finish it off with a light dusting of ground Tumeric, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg

When these two wounded individuals both possessing unique and distinct spirits meet for the first time, it’s a bit clumsy.  But as soon as they open themselves to one another, their love burns so bright that they forget the past and embrace their future.  Speaking of things that burn bright, you and your special someone ought to check out Creative Energy Candles (available at Karats and Keepsakes).  Each scent is both a form of aromatic stimulant and can be used as a massage oil.

Anchorman

I know what you’re thinking.  Anchorman is not a love story.  But you’re wrong and I’ll tell you why.  Just like some relationships we find ourselves in, not all love movies have to be the most cliche’d character arcs and heart wrenching storylines.  Occasionally love is just light-hearted and fun.  Sometimes it lasts, and sometimes it doesn’t, but you don’t always need to be so damn serious.  Sometimes you just need sky rockets in flight booooooo…..wooooop afternoon delight! If you didn’t read that in sing-song, you’re missing the point.

I was inspired to create this drink after one of Hemmingway’s favorites named Death in the Afternoon, which is just absinthe and champagne.  In the spirit of being light-hearted, I have opted to give this drink a twist which I am calling Love in the Afternoon.  Like the song aforementioned.  Hopefully you’re not still missing my point.  My version uses a champagne flute that is rinsed in Absinthe, then filled with Curtsy {a bit of moonshine that I have infused with Rainier Cherries, Tarragon, and Fennel; among other things}, which is then topped with champagne.  This drink goes hand in hand with The Cosmic Love Potion Truffle with its honey and cherry notes.  Purchase a ticket to Pleasure Town and hop on the rainbow slide that is delightful this combination.

Love in the Afternoon

.5oz St. George’s Absinthe
2oz Curtsy
Champagne Topper
Fresh Pomegranate Seeds

• Fill a champagne flute with crushed ice, then pour in the absinthe
• Discard, then pour in the Curtsy
• Top with champagne & a barspoonful of Pomegranate Seeds

Lastly, is Elizabethtown.  In this instance, I’m not going to talk about the relationship between man and woman, but between father and son.  Ben, played by Orlando Bloom, is having to get in touch with his long lost familial roots after the sudden death of his father.  Ben has spent most of the last few years of his life wrapped up in his work, which I know I can identify with as I’m sure some of yall can.  Sometimes we get so caught up in our lives, that we forget what really matters.  When Ben travels to Kentucky to carry out his father’s will and testament, he is at once confronted with how disconnected he has been from what made him who he is.  After giving in to the love of those who he calls his flesh and blood, he realizes that his failures at his job are not the sum of who he is nor the sum of his worth.

The drink I feel fully encompasses this storyline is the Pink Lady which no lie, tastes just like when you bite into a Pink Lady Apple.  The pink Peppercorns shaken into the drink make this concoction a kindred spirit to the Lemon Pink Peppercorn Truffle which is also as light and refreshing.

Get back to your American roots with this drink, as the base ingredient is Applejack, which is the oldest spirit native to America that is still in production.  No joke, It was George Washington’s drink of choice.  This combined with an Apple Nutmeg and Bragg Vinegar Shrub I made is an All American drink sure to please your inner patriot.

 

The Pink Lady

2oz Applejack
.5oz Humble Bragg Shrub
.5oz 1:1 Honey Simple Syrup
.25oz Campari
.5tsp of Pink Peppercorns

• Combine all ingredients in a shaking tin, add ice, and shake for about 15 seconds
• Double strain over a large cube into a rocks glass and garnish with an apple wheel

Having gone through everything to get to this point in my life, I have realized love is more about than romanticism.  Do I hope and wait for that one special someone, just like most folks? Of course.  However, remember no matter where you are in your romantic love life, there is someone in your life who cares about you, loves you, and wants to see you succeed.  No amount of fancy dinners, assorted chocolates, dozens of roses, or touching greeting cards will ever fill that gap.  Which is why, tonight, I’m headed to visit with my family.  Please do yourself the favor of telling the people who love you most that you care.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Yours Truly,
-Ryan

 

Photos by the lovely and talented Ashah Smith of Ashah Photography
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