Tea

I should say here that tea really isn’t my drink. If I’m at a brunch I drink coffee, but I’m saving coffee for another post.

Schnapps
There are almost no recipies for mixing tea and liquor. It just doesn’t have the strength to stand up to the weight of a stiff alcohol. Cinnamon or Peppermint Schnapps at 1/2 a shot per cup of tea will add the flavor and just might help you relax too.

Plain Tea
There are so many different types of tea that you need a coffee table book and an encyclopedia to learn it all. But go fancy if you can. Buy or borrow a tea strainer and get some loose leaf tea. Measure about 2 tbs per cup. Some tea pots can’t handle the heat of a direct flame, so make sure you plan ahead. Bring cool, clean, water to a rolling boil and let the tea seep for a minute or two. The longer you seep, the stronger the flavors will be, but keep in mind that includes the acidity or bitterness, depending on what type of tea you are serving. This is a drink for a social event. Keep the servings small and go slowly. Tea parties are for lazy Sunday afternoons, not a quick lunch.

Tea Parties

With all of the news that arose around tax day about the protests by Republicans, I’ve been a little put off by the seemingly willed ignorance of the masses. This is a quick post for me, and I may follow it up with the math another day, but I just want to say how distressing it is for me to watch a bunch of people commit and comment on things they don’t fully understand.

Now, I’ve done that myself a few times over to be sure, but the difference between me and the protesters is my willingness to admit mistakes. I just want to say a few things.

First, as an American, I’m insulted that these protests are being compared to the original tea party from U.S. legend. Right-minded citizens under true persecution and unjust taxation carried out the act of rebellion with good cause. And that was just a knee-jerk which preceded the actual rebellious act of forming a new government. The 09′ protests were poorly-organized wacko parties where people could veil unnecessary anger in protest form.

Second, as an intelligent person, I’m insulted that the efforts Obama is putting forward to fixing the mess that Bush left him are facing such blind criticism from most sources (well, Fox and the Republicans, anyway). It bothers me when it comes from the left too. People need to check their facts, speak in historical references (there is always at least one), and leave their opinions at the door. America has been around for a long time; and so it shal continue.

When looking at the successes and failures of the past it needs to come down to a discussion of the numbers. There will always be a top, middle, and bottom in civilization. Always. Having an opinion about the way things should be is great. But people need to get out of their heads and realize that the real world is boring. Unless you’re living in a third world country where you could be beaded at a moments notice you can relax. Your life exists in a place where your beliefs have little to no impact on your daily life.

So have a real tea party. The founding fathers sat around tables and drank tea, coffee, beer, and wine. They discussed the value of rebellion, cohesion, the bureaucracy, and what type of new government would replace British rule. After tea parties, and after THE tea party, they organized and represented themselves. The lesson here? If you are upset, call your elected representative and don’t forget to vote. Its what the founding fathers did.

Remember that etiquette counts. Raise only the tea cup, not the saucer. If you use jams or jellies do so from your own plate, not the serving dish. And for heavens sake, never audibly sip or slurp your tea. All conversations appropriate, just keep your voices civil. Proper tea in the Drinktionairy.

Cuba: Viva la Revolucion

I have a Master’s degree in Public Policy and I love talking about the bureaucracy. That, drawing, and drinking are my three great loves. Recently I have been listening to what the news has to say about the Obama administration dealing with Cuba. It has gotten me thinking more about international trade and drinking.

First, our horrible relations with Cuba out of some fear that communism is an evil that will consume American democracy is just plain stupid. And the problems in diplomacy have fed in to problems with taking part in, and thoroughly enjoying, a drinking culture that is almost lost to future generations. The real trade between countries should be one of culture- and one thing that brings cultures together is the love of a good drink. (Too bad one of those is a nonrival/non-exclusive good, and the other is just cheap).

Drinking culture is something that has de-evolved in America. When I hear that there may be new relations with Cuba my mind instantly thinks that the good times where vacationers could travel to the magical island for good drinks and vibrant celebrations may yet return. It’s important that they do.

August F. Winkler wrote in the book Rum Drinks & Havanas, Cuba Classics:
“Anyone who wants to really experience Cuba, to get a true sense of the land and its people instead of simply lying on the beach or collecting a bunch of dry statistics, has to visit its bars… Cuban bars are theaters; people talking, listening, meditation, and sometimes drinking their way past a reality that doesn’t always have a silver lining”.

Now, I have never been to Cuba. And when I was in Central America I was too young to drink (in front of my dad). But I do like bars. I’m a romantic; when I read about notions of intellectually affluent tropical locations where people just drink and smoke all day I get a little misty eyed…

Make a list of your three favorite bars. Make a list of the drinks those bars are known for. Now draw a mental picture of the people you see coming in and out of the bar on a regular basis. How many of the bars have a reputation for original drinks, intelligent and creative clientele, and bartenders who know the full history of the spirits they pour? How many of the bars have a ladies night, sales on sugary shots, and are havens for the single and horny?

I declare that there needs to be a revival of appreciation for the spirits we imbibe. Everything, including great literature, music, culture, politics, loves and friendships has all taken place in the presence of a good, heart-warming beverage. There was once a time when bars had huge literary volumes of different drinks that were comprised mostly of actual liquor, not watered down sugary substitutes in fishbowl plasticware. People used to know what glass needed to be used for what drink and why. So shal it be again.

The next entry here is going to be specifically about Rum. Before it comes out I have a quiz. What is the proper recipe for a Daiquiri (one of Ernest Hemmingway’s favorite drinks)?

Not to leave anyone empty handed, here are some Cuban originals listed in my drinktionary.

To come: What we can learn from Cuban Rum.

Drinktionary

Cuba Libre:
Highball Glass
2 oz white rum
lime wedge
Cola

Fill glass with ice and pour rum. Squeeze lime in to the glass and drop in. Fill with cola. No garnish (the lime is already in there).

Mojito:
Rocks glass
1 oz lime juice
6-8 fresh mint leaves
2 barspoons white cane sugar
2 oz white rum
Splash mineral water

Combine and muddle the lime juice, mint, and sugar in a glass. Add rum, then ice, splash with mineral water, and stir gently once. Garnish with a sprig of mint or lime wedge. A popular alternate uses a highball glass and, instead of mineral water, fill with lime soda.

I used to have a regular at my bar who came back for what she referred to as “Noah’s mojito”. She would make it through two of these and have to catch a ride home.

Noah’s Regular Mojito:
Rocks Glass
1 lime wedge
8 fresh mint leaves
1-2 cubes natural brown sugar
2 1/2 oz white rum

Muddle the wedge, leaves, and cubes in the rocks glass. Top with rum and ice. Place the glass in to the metal half of a bar shaker, shake, and pour in to the original glass unstrained. Garnish choices of sugar rim, lime wedge, or mint sprigs depending on who you are serving it to.

Hello world!

This is a blog running concurrent to Pandora’s Lunchbox. It is for reference of recipes, as well as a release for some ramblings that may not have a place in a blog about cuisine and culture.