It has been a while since I took the time to make a drink here at Stately Monkey Manor. This last year, the majority of my mixing has taken place helping out behind other folks bars or while teaching a class or technique, so it was nice to take a break at the end of the evening and play around a little. A lot has changed since the last time I broke out that mixing pitcher, you may have noticed that it is on a new counter in a different place, but we are thriving in the face of these unexpected challenges and rewards. It is kind of funny that I chose this cocktail as the first drink to make in a new bar, but it also makes sense, from a certain point of view. Anyway, I hope that it all works out and that you will you join me now as we stand and make the End of the Road.

I discovered this drink in the famously difficult to find Beta Cocktails, the 2011 update of the practically impossible to find Rogue Cocktails. These two books, or is it one book under two titles, in many ways formed the backbone of the modern craft cocktail scene. First compiled by Kirk Estopinal and Maks Pazuniak while working together at Cure in New Orleans, the book featured around 50 cocktails supplied by them and 20 other bartenders from across the country. These drinks are noted for breaking many of the classic rules of bartending. Though some of these things have become the norm, like bitters and amari heavy mixes, some are still out there and intriguing like room temperature cocktails and stirred sours. When I finally got access to Beta Cocktails I literally sat reading with my mouth dropping open in surprise at some of these techniques and combinations, which was messy because these recipes also had my mouth watering. It’s weird, but it’s wonderful, as they say. This particular drink was created by Chris Mc Millian, who is a legend of the New Orleans cocktail scene, not only for his work behind the bar at many of the city’s iconic locations, but for his contributions at the Museum of the American Cocktail. He’s kind of a big deal, so big a deal that this blurb appears under the recipe for this drink:

“There are no words to describe how awed and excited we are to include a cocktail from Mister Chris McMillian in this book.”

From beta cocktails.
Compiled by Kirk Estopinal + Maksym Pazuniak

This cocktail is practically a testament to simplicity, with three high quality ingredients served in equal parts. Grab a mixing pitcher and toss in 1 ounce each of Laphroaig 10 year, Green Chartreuse and that old devil bitch, Campari. No bitters, no juices, no powders or unguents of questionable origins, just three ingredients and the truth. Well, four ingredients, as you need to add some artisanal ice cubes and give it a good stir to the beat of Changes by Charles Bradley, because I just love his take on that Black Sabbath classic and the drink wants for some dilution and to be served ice cold. After that hefty stir, strain into a chilled coupe and serve with no garnish at all, because this lily needs no gilding.

Oh. My. Goodness. I chose this drink for its simple construction, built from three of my favorite spirits, and it does not disappoint. Before the first sip, the smoky scotch hits the nose and makes my mouth water a little bit in antici…pation. As soon as it passes your lips, that herbal hit from the Chartreuse is right up front, tempered a bit by the smoky scotch but definitely leading the charge. As you swallow the bitter finish of the Campari takes the stage, clearing the smoke and reminding you that it will always claim that final curtain call. Simply amazing. All three ingredients are present as the drink evolves in your mouth. Ordinarily any one of these is enough to overpower a drink but here they work together. As weird as it is to say, the Laphroaig almost takes a backseat, providing a bridge between the two other spirits. It is not for everyone, but it suits me right down to the ground. That said, I don’t want a second one right now. I love it, but it is a lot. However, for an end of the evening nightcap, it is nearly perfect.

And I am in need of a nightcap this evening, you see back at the first of the year, my 97 year old grandma fell and broke her hip and spent quite a bit of time in the hospital. It was touch and go and there were many nights when we were afraid we were going to lose her. Although she was in good health before, at her age an injury as significant as hers is pretty traumatic for the entire system and there were many complications so the prognosis was not great. Even as she turned the corner and began to recover the doctors prepared us with the knowledge that in the great majority of cases like hers the patient passed within 6 months of the injury. As she got better she was moved to a rehabilitation facility where she could receive therapy and be monitored 24 hours a day. As kind as they were, she did not like being there, so she focused and worked hard in order to get back home. It took her a couple of months to get strong enough to transition from a wheelchair to a walker, but she made it and at the end of March she was released to go home, as long as she had someone to be with her day and night. She had lived on her own before her fall, though we were down the hill on the farm, and she was used to being independent, but things were going to have to change, so she asked us to move in with her. We have been here for several months now, figuring out how to navigate these uncharted waters, adjusting to all of our new needs and limits. It has been good, for all of us.

Sure, there are challenges trying to figure out how to navigate health issues, therapies, planning a menu that covers some diverse dietary requirements while still pleasing a crew that ranges from 14 to 97 in age and the realities of having three generations living under one roof; but we are making it, with a lot of help from family and friends along the way. It is hard sometimes, but for every middle of the night scare or fall or memory lapse, we get Liam sitting at the dinner table learning about family history or the Depression or World War II or the civil rights movement from his Great Grandma who lived through them all. If that means I have to work from home for a while or we don’t get to go out very often anymore, well that’s a small price to pay.

She has always taken care of us, so we did not hesitate when she asked for help. It is now our turn to take the lead for a little while and make things more comfortable for her approaches the next step in her journey. When she fell, they did not expect her to make it, so we know we are in extra innings and it is a blessing for us to get this time with her. We are under no illusions as to where we are going but we aren’t in any hurry to get there and we are trying to enjoy every step of this journey together. Despite the odds, next week, she will celebrate her 98th birthday, surrounded by family, here in her home and I can’t think of a better gift than that. So, raise a glass to the first drink in the new space and remember that sometimes the end of the road is the first step of a greater journey and stay safe, stay sane and stay hydrated, my friends.