Happy New Year! Finally, we’re off of the roller coaster of suck that 2020 was. Not that the calendar turning to 2021 is going to immediately make everything better, but it does seem to have a little bit of optimism attached to it already doesn’t it? Do I have any resolutions for 2021? I’m not sure yet. I’d like to get back to normal (or whatever the hell the new normal turns out to be) before making any additional promises to myself for this upcoming year.
Anyway
Now that 2020 is behind us, I assume that many of you (like me) were celebrating it fucking off for good last night, and are feeling….a bit off hall we say? Or more accurately, like you’re waiting for the sweet release of death? Fear not drinkers, because I have the solution for you. This purported hangover cure (or picker-upper) comes to us via Charles Baker and his excellent work “The Gentleman’s Companion. This drink features two different kinds of whiskey and two types of hot sauces. To say this is the hair of the dog is putting it mildly. Given the level of heat and booze in it, I’m wondering if it can challenge the Bloody Mary as the universal hangover cure all drink
Old Pepper:
1 jigger (1.5oz.) Good rye
1 jigger (1.5oz.) Good bourbon
2/3 Lemon, juice
.5 tsp Worcestershire
3 drops Tabasco
.5 tsp Chili sauce
Frappe hard, and serve in any sort of fireproof glass.
I thought I would smell some chili or tabasco up front, but I surprisingly get neither. I get more of a whiskey and lemon drink. Which if I didn’t know any better, would assume that is what I was about to consume.
Well that sure has some pep to it. The overall flavor is fairly neutral. The whiskeys cancel each other out for the most part. You definitely know this is all booze, but neither the bourbon or rye lend their signature flavor profiles to the sip. The lemon juice gives it a nice overall sour note which ends up being the dominant flavor. The hot pepper comes in at the end, and definitely lingers. Regarding the chili sauce, your mileage may vary depending on what you use. I used some chili sauce I made from some TWBS ghost peppers so I shorted the overall amount from the recipe, and the heat will linger longer given their potency.
The tabasco and Worcestershire are lost, but I suspect neither was designed to play a leading role here, and their contributions are depth alone and they serve that role well.
Now, how did I come to need the services of this picker upper? Well, how about a surprise double shot column? Having a fairly substantial bottle of prosecco on hand (and a directive from Mrs. Sharkbait to empty all of our decanters before we move next week) I wanted something a little different than a champagne cocktail or a French 75, so I found a prosecco cocktail that sounded tasty. It’s called the Elderflower, Gin & Prosecco Cocktail. (How original)
Elderflower, Gin & Prosecco Cocktail
2 ounces gin
1 ounce Elderflower Liqueur
3 ounces Prosecco
Lime Wedges
Sugar (for the rim of the glass)
Fill a shaker with ice and add the Gin and Elderflower Liqueur. Shake to combine. Place the sugar on a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a martini glass and press the rim of the martini glass in the sugar to coat. Strain the contents of the shaker into the glass and top with Prosecco. Squeeze a lime wedge in the drink and garnish with an additional lime wedge. Serve immediately.
The first impression I get is just how dry it to be, which isn’t all that surprising given the prosecco is a dry sparkling wine. The elderflower liqueur starts to add some sweetness about midway through before the gin takes over and dominates to the end. The prosecco does a decent job at muting the gin as long as long as it can, before it starts it’s aforementioned takeover.
I skipped the rim due to a lack of the superfine sugar, and I will say it is necessary. I’m not sure where it comes from, but I do get a few bitter notes in there. Possibly from the elderflower? Maybe the combo of gin and prosecco? Either way, a bit of sugar to start would do nicely to balance this out.
Though it isn’t going to stop me from having one (or four) of these tonight.
Happy new year once again, and let’s hope 2021 isn’t a dumpster fire like it’s predecessor most certainly was.
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[…] wine) cocktail given that most of you will have some on hand already. Last year I made one too many elderflower, gin & prosecco cocktails which necessitated the old pepper leadoff in that post. After having already made the […]
I am ill even thinking about that bourbon/rye concoction
Frappe hard , everybody!
Sounds like these work best if you drink each alternately for a few hours.
2 for 1 Drink Recipes? 2021 is already a much better year!
I had a mere two hard ciders. It was enough to take the edge off, but not enough to kill me in the morning.
Booo!
That’s the equivalent of calling a draw play on 3rd-and-28
That’s the Shcottenheimer way in the 90’s. 3rd and long. Let’s run it up the middle instead of throwing. Yeah!
NFL BLITZED!
Fine work from DFO’s classiest (but pantsless obvs) drinker!
“DFO’s classiest”
Talk about damning with faint praise….
It’s like when a biker gang elects a treasurer.
Accurate description. Down with pants!
I didn’t spot any this year, but usually news sites run an article just before New Year’s on hangover cures, and I swear every single one follows the same formula:
1) Cutesy little intro about how one might find oneself having “overindulged” on NYE and suffering from a hangover, as if this is some strange new experience for people.
2) Quick rundown of various folk remedies
3) Obligatory quotes from one or more medical authorities on “what actually causes a hangover”
4) In light of (3), admonitions to drink plenty of water, get sleep, etc. Perhaps some vitamins might help. “Hair of the dog” is usually treated dismissively as something for degenerates.
5) Smarmy conclusion about how “the best hangover cure is prevention — don’t overdo it!” Because we’re such a fucking prudish culture that even on the one night a year where we admit people get drunk, we have to pretend it’s some fucking accident.
This post is much better.
I find that if I push as much Pedialyte as possible BEFORE sobering up or passing out – makes a real difference.
Never really bothered with Pedialyte, but forcing myself to put down as much water as I could handle was always a huge help.
In my younger days, I would take a Tylenol or Advil before bed, which really does help but is tough on the kidneys or liver, so these days I reserve it for rare occasions.
yes, as a “pill friendly” fella, I avoid Tylenol like the plague. Can’t mix it with booze at all, without risking kidney/liver oopsie-doodles.
/this is why you want your script to end in “profen” nae “din”
Unfortunately, I am allergic to aspirin and nsaids, so it’s tylenol for me. Sorry liver and kidneys!
In college, I was a proponent of downing water and 3 motrin before bed. Usually worked.
My hangover cure is typically a slow and steady application of Aleve tablets, starting right before bedtime and continuing through the worst of the head-pounding.