Category / My Bar Cart

I like to drink.

by LG

9.19.20

The Day After.

I woke up still struggling to comprehend that this is real, although it definitely feels real enough when I see how the GOP is salivating at the opportunity act as duplicitous(ly?) as usual. It makes me sick. I needed to do something, anything, that felt like a real action. I’ve wanted to volunteer on Election Day for a long time, so I decided this is the year to do it. I will mask up and drink a gallon of hand sanitizer and do whatever it takes to help people vote.

The second picture is from a distanced get-together with our friend this afternoon. We already had it on the calendar and decided that maybe the solidarity and commiseration would help a little bit. The pitcher of mango margarita that comes with a straw also helped a little bit.

by LG

9.2.20

Allow me to introduce the Begroni. This is the Negroni + grapefruit radler, and it is delicious. It is also boozy. It’s one part each of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, topped off the rest of the way with radler. It looks so cool, and I usually admire the gradient look of it for a minute before stirring it all up. I didn’t do that the first time I made one, and that first sip from the bottom of the glass was, shall we say, intense.

by LG

4.11.20

Today’s aperitivo: the Lil’ Ripper. The name is kinda meh, but the drink is fantastic. We’re trying out Amaro, a lovely low-alcohol spirit from Italy. This drink ends up tasting like a citrusy, slightly boozy Coke – and I love it. I take mine sans olive, but B raves about eating the olive as soon as the beverage is gone.

by LG

4.8.20

My favorite new breakfast “cocktail”: the Mexicano! This normally done with espresso and Mexican Coke (and is also referred to as an Americola), but I made mine today with Mexican Coke and cold brew. I would like approximately five gallons per day, thanks. 

I just looked it up and saw that someone online called this a Cali-Cola, but I refuse. 

by LG

1.25.20

Fried chicken with Texas toast, buttermilk ranch, bread and butter pickles, and hot sauce

I haven’t taken many pictures lately or really done anything much at all for the past month as I’ve battled bacterial sinusitis (they think), bronchitis (probably), and fluid in my middle ear that has caused (hopefully temporary) hearing loss. I’ve been on three rounds of antibiotics and two rounds of steroids, with another round likely coming up soon to try to help my ears. B and I made reservations twice at a new restaurant up the street from us in Capitol Hill, and we had to cancel both times because one of us was sick!

We finally made it there for our date night, and it didn’t disappoint. Although the ambient noise in places like restaurants makes it harder for me to hear, I felt like I could at least taste and smell this meal now that the Cold From Hell (TM) is gone. My cocktail and wine were delicious, our shared plates surprised and satisfied us, and the dessert tasted off-the-charts amazing! It felt nice to dress up a little and go somewhere nice to act like a functioning human being again. I’m only running about 85% thanks to the ongoing ear problems, but at least it’s 85% + fried chicken.

by LG

11.29.19

The perfect post-Thanksgiving semi-hangover and sorta-hungry cure: breakfast tacos, migas, and this perfect Mexicano (espresso mixed in with Mexican Coke, OMG)  from Republic Cantina, the only place in DC with acceptable tortillas.

by LG

11.17.19

Today is my birthday.

I’ve been thinking lately about how I want to write about what it feels like to turn 45. How I’m processing what it’s like to grow older, in terms of what does or doesn’t seem like it’s supposed to be happening at this age. How I’m trying to teach myself that I deserve to lean in and celebrate. I will write about this – later.

For now, meet the Cafe Park, a brunch cocktail from this morning’s meal at Blue Duck Tavern: espresso, Grand Marnier, and orange. When I tell you I could’ve easily tossed back several more … believe me.