Firewater Friday - Happy hour is a nice gesture not a challenge

On my way home from work the other the day I saw a sandwichboard outside a local bar advertising “Happy Hour”.  I couldn’t help but notice that the hour wasactually hours . . . from 4 to7.  I guess that bar operates in somesort of time warp or some other such spatial anomaly.

While I was pondering the possible effects on humans of thedisruption of the space/time continuum in this particular drinking establishment,my thoughts wandered to speculate as to the origins of happy hour (or hours).

Surprisingly . . . or maybe not so much . . . I discoveredthat happy hour began as a naval thing.  In the 1920’s stressed out, overworked sailorshad time set aside to blow off pent up energy. Often by participating in or spectating at a boxing match and . . . ofcourse . . . knocking back a few brews. This became known as their happy hour.

Back on land . . . no one is going to tell Americans theycan’t have a martini (or three) before dinner. So with the enactment of the Volstead Act . . . you know, prohibition  . . . happy hour came to be the hour beforedinnertime where in the secretive speak-easies folks would imbibe a cocktail(or three) before partaking their evening meal.

At least nowadays we don’t have to sneak around or risk incarceration to unwind after a busy day; unless you live in Massachusetts where there is an outright ban on happy hours.  In this nanny state . . . or one of the 26 other United States that have similar laws in place . . . the public saw happy hours as a threat to increase drunken driving because of the low priced drinks being offered early in the day.

On a side note . . . Irelandand Scotlandhave comparable regulations.  No cheapdrinks for our mates across the pond either.

Cheers!

Weerd's Cobalt Martini


A seriously good concoction!!


1/2 Measure of Lillet Blanc
1 Measure of Blue Curacao
and 3 Measures of Gin. 


Use Good gin, but there are a lot of flavors at work here, so you don’t need your best gin, Beefeater is 100% acceptable.











Garnish with Preserved Lemon (recipe as follows)

Quick PreservedLemons

Preserving lemons typically takes 4 to 6weeks to acquire the right consistency and flavor. However, this quick methodbypasses the lengthy preservation time and is a great substitute for the realthing. Use the rind to accent a variety of dishes, from seafood to vegetablestir-fries  . . . or as an awesomemartini garnish

1 Cup Water

2 TablespoonsKosher Salt

2 Lemons, WashedAnd Quartered

Combine water andsalt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.  Add lemons; cook30 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup and lemon rind is tender.  Remove from heat;cool to room temperature. Store in anairtight container in the refrigerator.