Hmm, a very nice ‘n’ easy quiz tonight at the ol’ Belmont Inn, which was surprising considering people were trying out new cocktails for bonus points all night long… Thought there’d be some drunken shenanigans for sure considering the venue, but maybe the froo-froo drinks just don’t get the fires a-burnin’ quite like those sweet, sweet pitchers of beer. I expect more chaos from you next time, Belmont!

At least some interesting new cocktails came out of the mix, including the “Orange Crush,” which was an entire pint glass full of citrusy goo, and the intriguingly titled “Merman,” which was a smaller vessel full of less tasty looking brown goo. One chap, from Get Yer Ass to Mars, brought his own recipe, claiming he was going for something “hard to mess up.” Each member of the team ordered one, but I forgot to ask how it turned out. If you’re curious, though, you can decide for yourself. He gave me the recipe!

The Improved Holland Gin Cock-Tail

2 oz. Gin
1 tsp. Simple Syrup
1 tsp. Orange liquer
2 dashes Bitters

Combine in an Old Fashioned Glass (Ed. note: nice touch!), fill with ice, and garnish with a twist of lemon peel.

AND! He even included some history of the drink…

“In Gangs of New York-era Gotham, if there was one drink the sporty gents in top hats were partial to, it was a Gin Cock-Tail. This ‘improved’ version dates to 1876.”

Who knew!? Anyway, if I had anything resembling a liquor cabinet I’d rush straight to it and mix that thing straightaway! Instead, I’ll polish off the $4 bottle of Merlot I bought at Plaid Pantry last week. But I’ll think of Bill the Butcher while I’m drinking it, and his pretty, pretty face.

JWS