Good Drinks for Bad Days - Kerry Colburn [11]
Good Drink: Planter’s Punch
2 ounces dark rum
Dash of Cointreau
1½ ounces fresh orange juice
1½ ounces pineapple juice
½ ounce fresh lime juice
½ ounce simple syrup (see page 35)
Dash of grenadine
Orange wheel and maraschino cherry for garnish
Shake the rum, Cointreau, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and grenadine with ice and strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Garnish with the orange wheel and cherry. Serve with ice pack if needed.
From Bad to Worse: Was the fight idiotic and totally your fault? Call to apologize—and invite your enemy over for another round (of drinks, that is).
Bad Day: Crummy birthday
No gifts left on your doorstep? No surprise party at the local pub? Even your own parents forgot to call? What the hell? You deserve better than this after another successful year of life on this planet. Close the blinds, light some candles, and get the party started with this decadent and delicious cake substitute. Happy birthday to you!
Good Drink: Irish Cream Milkshake
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 cup milk
Baileys or other Irish cream liqueur to taste
Whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and/or mint leaves for garnish
Blend ice cream, milk, and a large splash of Baileys in a blender with ice. Add more Baileys as desired. Pour into a chilled glass and top with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and mint leaves. Make a wish for a better birthday next year!
From Bad to Worse: Was it a “milestone birthday” to boot? Add a shot of vodka, coffee liqueur, or both—and drink while buying yourself a kick-ass present online.
Bad Day: Painful grooming treatment
Sometimes, you’ve got to bite the bullet in the name of looking good, especially if there’s a special occasion looming. If today you’ve endured something that was physically painful (like the waxing of a body part) or psychologically traumatic (like a truly heinous haircut) you deserve a little post-treatment anesthetic to take the edge off.
Good Drink: Fuzzy Navel
2 ounces peach schnapps
4 ounces orange juice
Orange wheel or peach slice for garnish
Shake the peach schnapps and orange juice with ice and strain into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with the fruit.
From Bad to Worse: Besides the pain, are the results less than perfect? And do you have no choice but to show them off tonight? Go all out and make it a Hairy Navel by adding 1 ounce vodka.
Bad Day: Sports team got crushed
What a heartbreaking display by your favorite team. It was almost too painful to watch! Whether you were in the stands, in front of the TV, or actually on the field, it hurts. It really, really hurts. If you find yourself fighting back tears, disguise them quickly with a salty, soothing drink that’s named for man’s best friend—someone who doesn’t let you down. Make a round of these and reminisce about the glory days.
Good Drink: Salty Dog
Lemon wedge
Salt for rimming glass
2 ounces vodka
4 to 6 ounces grapefruit juice
Rub the rim of a chilled highball glass with the lemon wedge and coat with salt. Fill the glass with ice, pour in the vodka and grapefruit juice, and stir. Squeeze the lemon over the drink and drop it in.
From Bad to Worse: Have more than fifty bucks riding on this debacle? Make it a double and cut the juice in half.
Bad Day: Miserable weather
It’s been pouring for days. No, weeks. Months, maybe? You open the blinds in the morning and all you want to do is get back into bed. You feel damp, chilled, and downright depressed—and it’s only going to get worse. Sleet, slush, and icy roads are on the horizon! If you can’t escape to a sunny clime for the season, you might as well wallow in it. Put on your Wellies, splash in some puddles, then come inside to enjoy a different kind of storm front.
Good Drink: Dark and Stormy
1 to 2 slices fresh ginger (optional)
2 ounces