Good Drinks for Bad Days - Kerry Colburn [6]
1½ ounces gold rum
1 ounce Galliano
3 ounces pineapple juice
½ ounce fresh lime juice
Lime wedge for garnish
Shake the rum, Galliano, pineapple juice, and lime juice with ice and strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Garnish with a lime wedge. Accept that sometimes, the big ones get away.
Bad Day: Struck out
Man, it’s been a long dry spell. Lately, no matter how hard you try, you just don’t seem able to close the deal. This time you used all your charm, your best lines, and perhaps even resorted to begging—but alas, it’s another no-go, and you’re home alone again. What’s a guy or gal to do but make a solo trip, well, South of the Border?
Good Drink: South of the Border
½ lime
1 ounce tequila
¾ ounce Kahlúa or Tia Maria
Squeeze the lime into a chilled glass and drop it in. Fill with ice and pour in the tequila and Kahlúa; stir.
From Bad to Worse: Even your frisky ex turned down a no-strings booty call? Double the tequila and call it a night—it’s time to cut your losses.
Bad Day: Best friend is in love
You used to do everything together—including complaining about the opposite sex. But today, your best friend cancelled on you again, and guess why? Love. And worse yet, it’s the really irritating kind. So while you’re still rolling solo, you have to hear every minute detail of the newfound bliss, including their icky pet names and schmaltzy future plans. The only antidote is to sail away on a Honeymoon of your own!
Good Drink: Honeymoon
1½ ounces apple brandy
¾ ounce Bénédictine
¼ ounce Cointreau
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
Lemon twist for garnish
Shake the brandy, Bénédictine, Cointreau, and lemon juice with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Twist the lemon peel over the drink and drop it in. Remember, loving yourself is the beginning of a lifelong relationship!
Bad Day: Ugly breakup
Millions of women worldwide can’t be wrong: regardless of your gender, chocolate cures what ails you, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Mix that chocolate with some good strong booze and you’ve got a winning therapeutic combination. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re the breaker or the breakee—after a few of these, you won’t even remember.
Good Drink: Death by Chocolate
¾ ounce Baileys or other Irish cream liqueur
¾ ounce dark crème de cacao
¾ ounce vodka
¼ cup chocolate ice cream
Chocolate shavings or chocolate chips for garnish
Combine the Baileys, crème de cacao, vodka, and ice cream in a blender with ½ cup ice. Blend until smooth, and pour into a chilled wine glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings and indulge.
From Bad to Worse: Is it Valentine’s Day? Give yourself fifty extra pity points, double the vodka, and supplement with a heart-shaped box of bonbons that are all for you.
BAD DAYS: HOME
Bad Day: Noisy neighbors kept you up all night
Has another sleepless night with the obnoxious partiers next door left you squinty-eyed and surly? Before you bang on the wall with the broom handle yet again, bang out a batch of this delicious cocktail. Two tall Harvey Wallbangers, plus a handy set of earplugs, will drown out the sound like you won’t believe.
Good Drink: Harvey Wallbanger
1½ ounces vodka
4 to 5 ounces orange juice
½ ounce Galliano
Shake the vodka and orange juice with ice, and strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Float the Galliano on top.
From Bad to Worse: Party just starting? And the clock says 3 a.m.? Add another shot of vodka and an ice pack for your head.
Bad Day: Rent hike
When your living expenses increase overnight with no warning, it can feel totally unfair. The only solace is that you’re not living in Manhattan, home to the highest housing prices in the United States. (If you are living there, you’re probably already drinking these every time you write your rent check.) So hey, you’re out another couple hundred bucks. Bottoms up—it’s better than moving!
Good Drink: Manhattan
2 ounces rye, bourbon, or blended whiskey
¾ ounce sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Maraschino