Negroni For You by the Careless Drinker

 

Negroni For You

 

There are too many cocktails to count and new ones keep popping up.  I usually stick with the tried and true, but there are exceptions. Lately, I came across one that attracted me. Maybe it was the way she held her glass, or the sweet smile and the color of her eyes……no, wait a second, that must have been after my second cocktail. But, that doesn’t really matter because she sure as hell wasn’t smiling at me. She must have been old enough to drink, maybe. At least I thought so, and the four guys surrounding her, who could have been male models straight out of GQ, thought so.

 

But, let me step out of my dreams of long ago and get to telling you about my new favorite cocktail, the Negroni.  Best I’ve been able to find out, the Negroni came from Florence, Italy and got popular in the 1940s or 50s.  But, others swear it came from France in the 1920s. 

 

Who cares?  What’s important is it’s very popular in my house, as of last night.

 

Easy to make. Hard to resist.

 

Simple: Equal parts gin, red vermouth, and Campari, tossed in an ice shaker,  poured in your favorite cocktail glass, and then add a twist of your favorite citrus.  I favor orange peel, squeezed.  

 

I’m also particular about which gin (Plymouth, the best gin since 1793, England) and which vermouth (Martini & Rossi, 1863, Italy), not to forget the world’s best aperitivo (Campari, 1860, by Gaspare Campari, Milan, Italy).

 

See, the Careless Drinker likes to know what he’s drinking and where it came from and why he’s drinking…..although he sometimes forgets the latter. Still, he always remembers the smiles and the eyes, and the long gone years when they were directed at him.

 

Cheers! Prost! Salut! Chin-Chin! À votre santé!

 

 

A Bloody Good Bloody Mary Sunday

Open spaces, yet the nooks offer a hint of privacy.

      

Want just a tad of adventure with your Sunday brunch?  Some ocean views to pleasantly clutter your dreams? If you’re anywhere on the coast of South Carolina, I’ve got a scenic spot, filled with plank-docks, glorious yachts, and  a breathtaking view of the water.  Gulfstream Café, in Garden City Beach.  Name’s not familiar?  It’s just down the street from Murrells Inlet  Murrells rhymes with Girls.  Still confused?  Drive north along the coast from Charleston, about an hour and a half.

What’s so special?  Let’s start with fresh seafood.  Whatever you want.  Maybe you’d like the brunch buffet instead.  Plenty to choose from, including made-to-order omelets.   But for me, being a friend to all things fermented, the highlight is the do-it-yourself Bloody Mary table.

When the waiter offers you a drink, take it.  Say “Bloody Mary,” with manly confidence.  Don’t be surprised when he brings a glass of ice, with a healthy shot of gin or vodka, and a rim incrusted with salty flavors.  The rest is up to you.  Grip the glass firmly and saunter to the café’s well-equipped table.  Besides tomato juice options, there’s every condiment known to civilized, or savage man.  Jalapeños.  Pickled baby onions. Pickled okra. Diced eggs. Et-freaking-cetera.

The result of careful planning

No Sunday breakfast is complete without fluffy, buttermilk biscuits, churned butter, and cream gravy!

 Gulfstream Café

1536 South Waccamaw Drive, Garden City Beach, SC 29576

http://gulfstreamcafe.com/menu/

Bloody Marys are an old favorite.  My memory glides fondly to those made by my cousin, who was also our host for the Gulfstream Café bunch.  If you can’t get out and about for a Sunday brunch, try his recipe.  If the weather is wonderful, grab yourself a sunny spot.  If not, make a pitcher and snuggle up by the fireside.  Hey, I’m giving you the drink recipe and the setting….don’t expect me to do it all!  Which reminds me of the time, but that’s another story.

Bloody Mary

1 Cup Vodka

1 Jar Beefamato

2 Small cans spicy V-8

1 Lime squeezed and dropped into the pitcher.  Don’t you dare use anything but a fresh lime!

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tablespoon  Tabasco Sauce

If you don’t know what to do from here, you’ll probably spill it all over yourself and blame your wife, you whimp.