Friday Night Happy Hour: Southern Comfort's "Barmate"

How many home bartenders have you met who look like this?

This is the cover of a recipe booklet printed by Southern Comfort in 1964.

They were obviously trying to latch onto the Playboy "philosophy"

So, what's on the menu for this cocktail soiree?

How about a cold toddy?!

A little soft music . . . some ambiance . . . tonight is going to be kind of special.

Oh, and that key? Toss it in the bowl. You aren't driving anywhere tonight!

Cheers!

April 22 in Rogers Park History

The Village of Rogers Park was incorporated on April 22, 1878. Later, Rogers Park was annexed to the City of Chicago on April 4, 1893.

Friday Happy Hour: the Martini

The Martini is, of course, the classic cocktail.

Who drinks a Martini?

Cheers, Tiger!

Friday Happy Hour: a toast to George & Ethel

Not long ago, we were at an estate sale and came across an old cocktail recipe booklet. These are always fun to add to the collection of cocktail and happy hour paraphernalia. This one was published in 1953.









This is the same booklet from which we drew the "Happy Birthday" drink post featured recently.

This particular booklet had a special surprise, though, because tucked into it was a small piece of paper reading .....
















Probably family friends? A couple that came over for canasta or bridge? This estate sale happened to be a family-run sale, and we were almost tempted to ask them if they knew who George and Ethel were. But, we didn't want to take the chance that someone might get suddenly sentimental and tell us, "oh, that's not for sale." On the other hand, maybe we could have gotten a good story. Well, we'll have to imagine.

On the other side was the recipe:

I can picture Ethel drinking this, but George? This is one of those "nips from Grandma's liquor cabinet" we've featured from time to time.

It's a Brandy Alexander.

I like that they were brand loyal on the creme de cacao (DuBouchett) but went their own way on the brandy.

"What'll you have, George and Ethel?"

"Make it the usual"

Here's to you, George and Ethel!

Friday Happy Hour: some R&R after the Easter egg hunt

Now, here's an Easter brunch!

This is from a booklet called The House of Seagram presents "Seasons with Spirit" A Guide to Entertaining at Home. It's not dated, but probably circa 1985 or so.

Perfect for your Easter preparations -- something for your drunk uncle, something for your grandma with the sweet tooth, and something for mom and dad to steady their nerves while the kids have the run of the house jacked up on Easter bunny chocolate. Then we can all enjoy our ham and carrots.

I think Nancy Reagan would have been proud to serve this after the Easter egg roll on the White House lawn.

Friday Happy Hour: Happy Birthday to You!

Do you have a regular drink that you order? If not, or if you're open to suggestion or looking for a change, here's a suggestion from a 1953 DuBouchett recipe booklet for your birthday drink. Is this really what they were drinking in 1953? What a shame, too, that we didn't post this in time to promote February's "Skyride Fizz" -- sounds exhilarating! Unfortunately, and ironically, the recipe isn't even in the booklet.

Cheers -- and happy birthday, all year long!

Friday Happy Hour: The Bronx

Each of the five boroughs of New York City has a cocktail named after it, except for Staten Island. Poor Staten Island. Of course, the most celebrated cocktail named for a borough of New York is the Manhattan. A close second, however, is the Bronx. Even though everyone has heard of a Manhattan, you'd be excused if you haven't heard of a Bronx. It has fallen out of fashion, but it is a truly vintage cocktail with a genuine pedigree.

In an old recipe booklet from the Mohawk Liquor Company, circa 1930s, their receipe goes like this:


















Of course, it's nice that they offer a 'dry' version, as well. We should add that so-called "French" vermouth is what we call dry vermouth now, and "Italian" vermouth is sweet vermouth. Also, we should add that this booklet specifies that a jigger is 1 ounce. So, yes, with this recipe you end up with a 1 ounce drink. Hope you're not thirsty. Or, just order a triple. I guess people back then didn't have the iron constitutions we have now.

Here's a recipe from a Fleischmann's Liquor booklet from 1947:














This recipe is interesting because it calls for muddling the orange. The ingredient of the orange brings up a topic that often vexes us: recipies that call for "juice of half a lemon" or "juice of one lime" or, as we saw in the Mohawk recipe above, "1 piece orange." This recipe calls for "several small pieces of sliced orange." I guess this is supposed to test the savvy of the bartender to figure out how much of the ingredient to add. Odd, since the measurements of the spirits are precise. Just sayin'.

Anyway, here is a recipe with some of its own comentary, from a book called "Famous New Orleans Drinks and how to mix 'em" in its 1964 printing:











Some interesting local color thrown in there .... but, note that they, too, call for measurements adding up to 1 ounce (minus whatever orange juice "1 thick slice" adds).


Here's a recipe from a 1957 edition of Mr. Boston's ("Old Mr. Boston's DeLuxe Official Bartender's Guide"):



















They also throw in some interesting variations:


























Egg yolk ... yum!

Friday Happy Hour: tips for the aspiring home bartender!

Today in Rogers Park History for February 15

The original township for Rogers Park, "Ridgeville", is split into two townships, "Evanston" and "Lake View" in 1857

Circus World, A Wisconsin Historic Site

We're in the Wisconsin Dells for our 11th anniversary! Today's highlight, and something you should know about, is Circus World (a registered Wisconsin Historic Site).

The Wisconsin Dells bills itself as the water park capital of the world. Basically, a family destination. Families have kids. Kids like the circus. So, Circus World is a good place for kids, right? Maybe -- you be the judge:


Are you ready to enter? It's okay to say no -- we can meet you back at the gift shop . . .


What we know now as Circus World has its origins as the wintering grounds of the legendary Ringling Brothers circus. As this poster illustrates, there were 5 brothers, and they started with little, and wound up creating the greatest show on earth! Here's some of their story:



We learn that it might have been the "Rungeling Brothers" -- with an umlaut. Doesn't say "three ring circus" does it?

Although the Ringling Brothers circus is Baraboo's claim to fame, Circus World opens its archives to all circuses, greatest show on earth or not. They have a nice collection of vintage posters, full of, shall we say, a lack of a certain measure of cultural sensitivity. Of course, the circus would never promote itself these days with such images -- now they leave that kind of thing to the people carrying signs at tea bagger protests.

Have a look:




Of course, back then we didn't know that pointing at people who were different and other cultures and saying "that's freaky!" wasn't nice. Now we know to keep that in close company.

They were really just trying to trade on all things "exotic" to draw a crowd. Here are some other attempts:


I should be careful. Years from now, we'll look back and wonder how we could gawk at people confined to a life of walking on their heads. Let's get back to some old fashioned freaks at the "sideshow" section of Circus World:


The circus also apparently had its own chaplain:

Looks likes they're trying to heal that lion -- and it's nice that the circus is being sent off by choir boys. Vaya con Dios!

You may not want to run away to join the circus, but, from the convenience of your own home, you can join the circus fans! It probably keeps the circus in your life all year around. In fact, I liked this sentiment from the management:

Indeed -- no carry-ins allowed -- I couldn't have said it better. Oh, and may all your days be circus days!!!