Good Drinks for Bad Days - Kerry Colburn [4]
Bad Day: Monday
Sometimes, nothing in particular happens to make it an especially bad day. The alarm goes off and you’re instantly depressed. People annoy you. Nothing seems interesting. Your outlook is bleak and your mood grim. It’s just a Monday—another Monday in a long line of Mondays. What can possibly break the spell? Well, bubbly, of course! And ask any Italian: there’s nothing like a Bellini to make you feel swell in a hurry. Cheers to Tuesday!
Good Drink: Bellini
3 ounces peach purée or peach nectar
4 to 6 ounces chilled Prosecco or any other dry sparkling
wine or champagne
Peach slice for garnish
Pour the peach purée into a chilled champagne flute. Slowly add the Prosecco, stirring gently. Garnish with the peach slice.
BAD DAYS: LOVE
Bad Day: Ran into evil ex
Oh, what the French know about love and revenge. Named for a French gun used in World War I, this cocktail has vicious roots—making it ideal for combating baddies. Throw some darts at your ex’s picture while drinking this decadent drink, and then remember what they say about living well. C’est vrai!
Good Drink: French 75
1 ounce gin
½ ounce fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
5 ounces chilled champagne
Orange peel spiral for garnish
Shake the gin, lemon juice, and sugar with ice, and strain into a highball glass or champagne flute. Slowly top with champagne. Garnish with the orange peel spiral. Voilà!
Bad Day: Hooked up with totally wrong person
It was an innocent mistake, surely. But somehow, last night you accidentally made out with a coworker, boss, ex, friend’s love interest, or just someone you’re not interested in seeing again—ever. Erase the painful images of an inappropriate evening with a tried-and-true dose of sunshine, and you’ll be ready to face the day.
Good Drink: Tequila Sunrise
1½ ounces tequila
6 ounces orange juice
½ ounce grenadine or Chambord
2 ounces club soda (optional)
Stir the tequila and orange juice in an ice-filled highball glass. Float the grenadine on top and let it slowly flow through the drink. Top with club soda, if desired.
From Bad to Worse: Still there in the morning? Couldn’t find your car keys? Missing an article of clothing? Oh, my. Cut the extraneous ingredients; you’ll need straight tequila for the walk of shame.
Bad Day: Bumped into crush while looking awful
You’ve been waiting for weeks to run into that hottie from your building, bus, or neighborhood. Of course, it happens today, when you’re fighting a nasty cold, wearing your worst sweats, and haven’t showered in three days. Time to wallow with a drink that will make you feel elevated to a better, more attractive place. And hey, look on the bright side—maybe next time you won’t even be recognized as the troll who said “hi” today!
Good Drink: Beautiful
1 ounce Cognac
1 ounce Grand Marnier
Pour the Cognac and Grand Marnier into a brandy snifter. Don’t stir. Just drink.
From Bad to Worse: Realized you still have zit cream on your face? Add a shot of amaretto to the mix.
Bad Day: Stood up
You got cleaned up. You were on time. You stood at the bar for an hour. But no sign of your supposed date. What kind of a person does that? No one you want to spend time with, surely. Get rid of that bitter taste with something strong and sour—and unlike your missing date, something worthy of your own sweet mouth.
Good Drink: Whiskey Sour
2 ounces whiskey
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup1
Lemon or orange wheel for garnish
Maraschino cherry for garnish
Shake the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Either strain into a chilled glass or serve over ice. Garnish with the lemon wheel and cherry, and let yourself be a sourpuss for the rest of the evening.
Bad Day: Awful blind date
You finally, finally got talked into a fix-up—by your friend, your mother, or an Internet site. Bad idea! Instead of the fantastic, fascinating eligible that was described to you, you spent three painful hours