"On Friday" - Pike

Yup, it happens.  As I see it girls tastes are more refined to the fine things of life, such as strawberries and peaches and the finer, sweet things of life.  The only thing I will never understand about anyone, male or female is the taste of coconut.  I can safely say that no matter what, just about the worst thing you could ever put in a drink would be Malibu or some other model of coconut rum.  Why don't you just get out your suntan lotion and chug.

Here are my favorites.  Most are pretty basic, others are ones that I've run into at bars with friends.  Towards the end you'll see where I found the drink, who I drank it with and the date that I first drank it.  My alcoholic journal.

Lemondrops (shot)

I know it's girly, but you have to do it right

By far my favorite to date.  The only way to take this in my opinion is with straight Citron and a lemon coated in sugar.  Sure, if you order it at a bar, they will do all sorts of things to taint such a lovely shot, but I tell you truly, as sure as the sun rises in the east, this is the most satisfying way to take a lemondrop.  Demand it from your bar tender.  If you really are lame enough to never have taken one, shoot the Citron and then bite the sugar-coated lemon.  You will find your bliss there.  If I ever hear about you putting lime in it, I will hunt you down.

The Jem or The Pink Bull

Originally began somewhere between The Mad Frog and The Poison Room (back when it was the Viper Room)

A drink not invented by me, but certainly should have been, damn it.  Too sweet to drink more than two or three, but mmmmmmm......so tasty.  You can give this to any girl who says she doesn't like the taste of alcohol and she will be satisfied (pending she's not one of those pesky coconut girls).  The most perfect Vodka to use for this is Strawberry Stoli or Smirnoff, mix with Red Bull and just a smidge of grenadine if for no other reason color.  No need to not look like you're not drinking something pretty.

Screwdriver

It's cheap, it's a classic

You cannot even be a good, moral person and not know how to make a screwdriver.  In case you are that silly, just mix Vodka and OJ to taste, really the best, cheapest thing that will last the longest at your house.  Just go get a liter of McCormick's well vodka and a container of OJ.  It will last long enough to get you nice and toasty several nights with friends.  You should always drink through a straw for best mix.

Jerry Juice

by Hal at Rockin' Robins in Cincinnati

Coming Soon

The Zombie

Holly from Pike's version

Light Rum

Dark Rum

Coconut Rum

Creme de Almond

Cranberry Juice

Orange Juice

Jello Shots

I am known for my marvelous Jello shot parties.  Again, really cheap, only a little time consuming and everybody loves 'em. 

Now each small pack of Jello will only make about 20-30 shots depending on how you pour them.  You've got to do it right, so go out and get souffle cups and lids and clear out a couple of drawers in your fridge.  Give yourself a full day before your party to make them so they set properly.  Everyone complains that it's hard to find the right mix, but not if you follow these rules that you will find below.  Right now, Jello has even made 3 special edition flavors: Strawberry Daquiri, Margarita and (ew) Pina Coloda. 

Traditional recipe:

6 ounces Jello (large package)
     16 ounces Water (boiling)
     6 ounces Water (cold)
     10 ounces Vodka

Barrelhouse Blueberry Beer

R.I.P., we miss you

There used to be a wonderful brewery, restaurant and live music venue downtown called The Barrelhouse.  It was bought and the owners were lied to about keeping The Barrelhouse tradition of live music and a bar.  Nothing they could do after the bar was sold though.  It's not that we don't like art schools, it's just wrong what happened.  Anyway, the brews are still made at the Sam Adams brewery and mysteriously hidden around town and make appearances at places like The Taste of Cincinnati and the like.  My personal favorite is the Barrelhouse Blueberry Beer which you can find at The Holy Grail in Clifton near the University of Cincinnati.  Want to know where else to find Barrelhouse brews?  Go to Uncle Woody's on Calhoun in Clifton as well for Honeysuckle Blonde, Kaldi's in Over the Rhine which hosts about 4 or 5 of the brews, and Mt. Adams Bar & Grill which has Red Legg on tap.

Sangria

I think I'm in love

I fell in love with Sangria while in Nashville with Holly and Kelly from Pike and visiting my friends Jonda and Josh (lovely, lovely people).  It's hard to find because it's hard to make.  More time consuming than hard actually though.  I will post a good recipe once I get it from Holly and Kelly.

Sangria is simply making wonderfully fruity mixtures from wine, most of the time, involving diluting the fruit in the concoction overnight.  it is so yummy.  Great places for Sangria are The Olive Garden (4 different falvors), The Macaroni Grill and The Quarter in Mariemont.

Barefoot Wine

Wine's best kept secret

Speaking of wine, you must pick up a bottle of Barefoot wine.  The Merlot scored 95 points.  I don't know a lot about the system of that, but for those of you who had to look it up, that's out of a hundred.  It's scored about a dozen gold medals as well and I can usualyl find a bottle for $6-$8 at any liquor store.  Yummy!

Saturated Tampon (shot)

The Nite Owl, Dayton, OH

First time shot: Friday, August 11, 2006 with Wendy from Sunspot

Has a great cherry lifesaver aftertaste.  Nummins!

Blackhaus

Strawberry or Raspberry Vodka

Sprite

Cranberry Juice