Two Classics

Tonight was another lovely ladies of the industry night and good times are always to be expected. It was also a night for some education.

At the USBGNY mixer we were blessed with two guests. Ludo Miazga, formerly of Milk and Honey in London and now the Global Brand Ambassador for Benedictine gave us a spirited and passionate lesson about the 500 year history of this spirits.

Benedictine was indeed created as a medicinal elixir my French monks in the town of Fécamp in 1510. Medieval monks were the cocktail geeks of their time. They wrote and researched many books. Read Latin, Arabic, Greek. Even acted at critic commenting in the margins of the texts they were recording and translating. Why, it was thanks to the hard work of these monks that were are able to see just a fraction of the treasures that were lost in the great fire at the Library of Alexandria (while that silly Cleopatra noodled about!)

Unfortunately even this great recipe for the 27 herbs and spices in Benedictine was lost during that other silly noodling, the French Revolution, when the church became despised for their pompous and greedy ways and the Republic kicked them to the curb (or the Guillotine).

They threw out the baby with the bathwater, however, when they destroyed such great works of beauty and art (see the Angels who lost their heads up near my house at the Cloisters) and this precious recipe for Benedictine.

Luckily, it was rediscovered in 1864 by Alexandre Legrand, just in time for the great liquor revival in the 19th century. This is also the time that Combier and Cointreau came out. Alexandre The Great was also quite savvy in the ways of marketing, employing the great artists of his time to create ads (hello Absolut) and building a Palace to lure tourists to Fécamp to not only see how and where Benedictine is made, but to also appreciate great works of art and design in this pastoral seaside setting.

Benedictine also became the first bottled cocktail in 1938 when B &B, Benedictine and Brandy, was introduced. And interesting and historic spirit, indeed. Not to mention, tasty!

Lynn House from Graham Elliot Restaurant in Chicago was also at the mixer tonight to talk about Women in Mixology and the Chicago bar scene. She is here in NYC as a finalist in the Benedictine Cocktail challenge tomorrow, and I must say her libation was quite delicious. Kick butt tomorrow, Lynn!

Later, I had a glorious dinner at Schiller's with two lovely ladies. We feasted on oysters and shrimp and sipped gorgeous cocktails. I had the Jerry Thomas, but demanded Cointreau and extra bitters. I have long been a fan of Cointreau...I'd say ever since 1995 when I was using it to make Cosmos! Triple Sec? What is that?

My favorite cocktail (went smashingly well with the oysters) was a delightful concoction of Cointreau, bitters and Champagne.

Another classic night! Speaking of classics....maybe I should try that Cosmo again...

Land of the Lost

We now will take a journey back to the recess of RyeGirl's past. The place is New York City's West Village. The time is 1995. Enjoy this flashback.

To-Ho-Ta-Le you guys! My birthday is coming up! And have I got the perfect place to celebrate! And its so close to my house so we won't waste out money on $5 cab rides home from the East Village! Yes..its a gay bar, that is all there is in my neighborhood! But this one is MY OWN...my local! So I can wear the fancy shoes and just stumble home!!!

I know I said Henrietta's was gonna be my local, but their White Russians are gross and so is that lady who bit me on the cheek. No no no...I prefer the boys! They are so much cuter that any left over piece of grunge in the East Vill anyway!

There is this one bartender, Marcus. Well I don't think that is his name, but he looks like that model Marcus Shekengurger whatever, so that what I call him. He thinks I am cute...I think he is a god! He weaned me off White Russians with this drink called the Cosmo? Its pink and so delish! He says they invented it there at the Universal. That is what this place is called. The Universal Bar and Grill. Oh yeah. I suppose that does mean it has food too. Who can afford food though?

Anyhoo, at my party we can ge the Cosmos by the PITCHER! Bitchin! And the boys will bring out the tambourines and sing the Wonder Woman theme song for me. Jesus is there a better way to celebrate your 22nd birthday?! I am such a NYC gal now, right?!? I am bummed not to have a boyfriends, but who needs one when I have like 20 every night at the bar. Marcus told me that Liza came in one night. She was mobbed by the boys. LeSigh! I wish I was mobbed by the boys! I know! I am turning into such a Fag Hag..oh wait, I am sorry that is so offensive. Like Marcus says, "I may be a Fag, honey, but you are no hag!" That's right Bitches! I am only 22! And hot! How come I don't have a boyfriend??!...Jeeze!

Gosh I hope Marcus is there! He is so cute. I am gonna write a screenplay about us. This gay bartender will get drunk one night with his lady friend and they end up in bed.. Then she gets pregnant and they have to decide what to do! He tries to go straight, but is just doesn't work...for either of them. There is fighting, there is tears. But in the end the kid is raised in this NYC utopia, a loving extended family full of love. And you never need a babysitter between him and his boyfriend and me and my boyfriend! Its perfect. I can't wait to grow up and live this life, man! That is why I am so excited about hitting 22. Things are really gonna start to happen for me now, I feel it.

Ok. How do I get the girls from Brooklyn here? Its like a mental black when they go across that damn river and I can never get them back in the city!?? What is there to do anyway? Monteros? Please. The 50 cent pool table is cool but the boys in Brooklyn kinda blow.

Pitchers of Cosmos ladies! That is the key! Pitchers of Cosmos! And shirtless boys singing the Wonder Woman Theme song. "Fightin' for your rights, in your satin tights...for the old red white and blue oooooo!"

Daddy-O (formerly Universal Bar & Grill)