Repeal Day 2018: If You Can't Drink the One You Want, Drink the One You're With

On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution repealing Prohibition was passed.  Eighty some-odd years later, the anniversary of this momentous occasion inspired the three gents behind A&T to actually post some thoughts. On this particular occasion, it's not about making the perfect drink but rather making do with what you've got at hand.

Hello beloved readers. Yes, it's been a while since we posted here. That doesn't mean we haven't been putting things out in the world. Don't forget to follow our Instagram and Facebook pages for more regular updates. That said, in honor of this most hallowed of days, we thought we'd grace the interwebs with some of our long form thoughts on what we've been drinking, specifically how to make do when the great thirst grips you but supplies at hand might be lacking. And here.we.go.

A week for classics, and a celebration of New Orleanian resilience ten years after Katrina: the Sazerac

In "One for the Road", one of the guys takes a quick run at a topic for your reading pleasure. Themes will vary, from classic drinks to hand-crafted ingredients and creations of their own, or whatever suits them at the moment. This go around, David presents the Sazerac.
 
Every city has a personality. Like people, some are stronger than others, more complex, more forthright or mysterious, urbane or rustic. Infinite variations given history, and climate, and population... but some cities have a more powerful energy to them. A soul, something beyond and encompassing the combinations of people, buildings and sights that we usually think to describe.

One for the Road... The Cinzano Sparkling Cocktail

In "One for the Road", one of the guys takes a quick run at a topic for your reading pleasure. Themes will vary, from classic drinks to hand-crafted ingredients and creations of their own, or whatever suits them at the moment. This go around, John presents the Cinzano Sparkling Cocktail

Background 
First off, happy 2015! We had a few bottles of Brut laying around after our New Year's celebration (apparently the only thing not emptied out that night), so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to experiment with a variation of the Champagne or sparkling cocktail.

The Cinzano Sparkling Cocktail comes to us from the Savoy Cocktail Book. Mr. Henry Craddock first published this gorgeously designed book in 1925, and I think it is fair to describe it as a bridge between the pre- and post-Prohibition cocktail eras. Mr. Craddock fled the US in 1925 for wetter environs in London, where he became the head barman of the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel. Pre-Prohibition cocktail culture found a welcoming home away from home at the American Bar, and Mr. Craddock's collection of more than 700 recipes immortalized the drinks he offered up to his thirsty patrons. 

One for the Road... Fish House Punch

In "One for the Road", one of the guys takes a quick run at a topic for your reading pleasure. Themes will vary, from classic drinks to hand-crafted ingredients and creations of their own, or whatever suits them at the moment. This go around, John presents the Fish House Punch.

First off, hot damn it is good to be back. Happy Repeal Day, everyone!

Background
As we approach the holiday season, my love of cocktails is met with the cold hard reality that when I'm at or hosting a party, I can't always spend the whole evening tending bar. There's that whole socializing thing to consider, too. So how do you balance your need to create well crafted and tasty beverages for your friends with the desire (social obligation?) to actually converse with them? Enter the punch.

I was faced with this very dilemma at Thanksgiving this year, and elected to go with the Fish House Punch. The recipe dates back to 1732, to the Schuylkill Fishing Company of Pennsylvania. 1732! George Washington is said to have had a cup or two of this in his day. So this isn't just a punch recipe, it is a time machine!