Ella

When RyeGirl was about 13, Mom and dad wanted to switch bedrooms. To lessen the blow of my room being taken away, Mom said I could decorate it any way I wanted. Having already discovered a love for all things 20's, 30's and 40's, I decided to make my new dark room a deco noir masterpiece. Patterned deco wallpaper, wooded blinds, ceiling fan, gorgeous waterfall deco dressing table and bedroom set (where I still lay my head) and even satin sheets. I am so grateful for my parents for indulging in this noir fantasy. It was the perfect place for me to spend my teenage years wrapped in angst and thwarted desire. This fascination continued through college (Mildred Pierce watching parties) and even now...RyeGirl wants to do Burlesque to Ella Fitzgerald's Betcha Nickel.

So I was pleasantly surprised to find myself reminded of that childhood bedroom when I walked into Ella on Ave A in the East Village last night. Oh if only Mom and Dad had let me re-do the bathroom too with this black toilet and 40's technicolor flower wallpaper!

But lets get to the drinks: They are named after Stars of the Studio system and seem heavy on the vodka based, no doubt the assuage the loud 22 year old drunk girls flocking in. Yup there was one right next to me awkwardly flirting with the bartender. Hint: Don't brag about being a "long-time New Yorker" and only 22 years old...you are not. If you really were, you would not be bragging about being a spoiled little rich girl being raised in the city. Oohh...See that? My inner Joan Crawford is coming out! Or maybe its my Ida, played by the fantastic and fiesty Eve Arden. "Personally, Veda's Convinced me that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young"

LOVE the hat, Eve!
The seasonal menu is about to change which is a good thing since the watermelon on the bar seemed hopelessly out of season on this cold and chilly night. There was a drink named the Mildred Pierce (Hendricks, Basil Syrup and lime) but my favorite was the Clark Gable, a blend of Bourbon, lime and sour cherry syrup. It was supposed to be made with Makers, but I saw they had the Wild Turkey 101 and asked that he swap it out. Mr. Gable is more of a Turkey Man, don't ya think? I'll ask my Grammy. She wouldn't kick his shoes out of her bed.

But for now, I think I'll nurse another cocktail and think of Veda's big fight with Mildred:

"You think just because you made a little money you can get a new hairdo and some expensive clothes and turn yourself into a lady. But you can't, because you'll never be anything but a common frump whose father lived over a grocery store and whose mother took in washing. With this money I can get away from you. From you and your chickens and your pies and your kitchens and everything that smells of grease. I can get away form this shack with its cheap furniture. And this town with its dollar days, and its women that wear uniforms and its men that wear overalls."

Hop to it Brooklyn!

I was singing the praises of Six Point's Hop Obama to my dad this past weekend. Even though he works in the city he likes to do his beer drinking in the comfort of his home, so I was trying to think of a way I could get this fresh Brooklyn tap beer to his lips. Lo and behold, my darling Shane from Six Point Craft Ales is in the New York Times today talking about brewing the first bottled beer in Brooklyn since the 1970's! Go Boys go!

Until then..I am off to Whole Foods or Bierkraft for a Growler. Grrrr...

[NY Times]

Bourbon Soy Sauce

The NY Times today has a story about small batch soy sauce made in Bourbon barrels. By law a Bourbon barrel can only be used once. I learned that Tabasco ages its sauce in bourbon barrels and they were once popular as bar stools...a Bourbon Barrel Barstool?!? Oh that is what RyeGirl needs for Christmas!
[NYTimes]

Light and Stormy

This weekend, my sailing season comes to an end (unless I can convince a certain Skipper he needs a First Mate in the Caribbean) when we bring our darling America 2 back to Newport RI for the winter. This past weekend we celebrated on final charter sail with some kickin' Swiss newlyweds. It was a perfect opportunity to debut a new cocktail inspired by the sexy blue lady. The Light and Stormy combines the light citrusy Regatta Ginger Beer with 10 Cane Rum. 10 Cane is made from the virgin pressing of sugar cane, so it has no molasses weighting it down. And on an America's Cup racing boat, you want to keep the load light. Add a dash of Lemon bitters and fresh lime and you are good to go sailing off into the sunset.


Light and Stormy
10 Cane Rum
Regatta Ginger Beer
Hpnotiq or real Blue Curacao for color
Fresh Lime
Dash of Lemon Bitters

Serve over cracked ice and garnish with an orange wedge.

Another Way to Die

"A dry martini," he said. "One. In a deep champagne goblet."

"Oui, monsieur."

"Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large, thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?"

"Certainly, monsieur." The barman seemed pleased with the idea.

"Gosh, that's certainly a drink," said Leiter.

Bond laughed. "When I'm . . . er . . . concentrating," he explained, "I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink's my own invention. I'm going to patent it when I can think of a good name."

-Ian Fleming, Casino Royale

That, my dears, is a Vesper. And this, my darlings is the new James Bond song from Jack White and Alicia Keys. It inspired me to make another version of the Vesper, one that should be sipped while taking in sounds of this awesome new song. I use Millers Gin instead because the idea of Iceland and the UK working together to create a clean fresh Gin is ripe for an international incident. I tend to prefer Ketel One Vodka, but the Russians always made the best baddies on film (Recent Indy movie is a horrific exception) so I am gonna have to go with Stolichnaya here.

There is a reason why the Raconteurs are one of my favorite bands. Mr. White has the dirty sound I love to have in my ears. Daniel Craig is sure easy on the eyes. Lets hope you enjoy this Vesper in your mouth.

Another Way To Vesper

3 Parts Millers

1 Part Stolichnaya

½ Part Lillet Blanc (Kina is no more)

Dash of Bitter Truth Lemon Bitters (Sometimes the Truth IS Bitter)

Go on and shake it to the music while you do a sexy silhouetted dance.