RenoVous

  My cousin was involved with a short documentary about the Picon Punch, a favorite drink among the Basque houses and those who frequent. The first Basque Hotel was actually in San Francisco, and that's where the drink originated.  When the owner moved to Elko, he brought the Picon with him. Amer Picon is originally a French herbal bitter liqueur.  But when prohibition ended, the owner was looking for a cheaper, more local source.  And he found it with Torani.  They make flavoring syrup and sauces.  Amer was the only alcoholic drink they manufactured, and they never had to advertise. They recently decided to end production, but they shared the recipe with a Reno distillery, Ferino. In 2025, Picon Punch became the official state cocktail. Recipe There was an Artown event to see the movie and hear some talk. I've had the punch before, so I tried a Basque Old Fashioned - replacing whiskey with the Amer. Topa!

 And I could sure use one already. It's also Reno Food and Drink Week, with a photo from Rum Sugar Lime. "Dedicated to the art and culture of rum." They have a lovely  gallery . I have to get back on the line with work IT.

  The library is calling, I need to finish The Absinthe Forger. I've learned some interesting bits of history in this, how absinthe rose in popularity following the phylloxera plague that decimated French vineyards. American rootstock was more immune, and was grafted onto French vines in order to save the industry. And it was that industry that later demonized absinthe, to reclaim the market. I was also reminded of a painting that my Nana had in her living room. L'Absinthe by Degas. "The absinthe stare" of many a drinker back in the day. It was popular among artists of the time, and apparently a cache of old bottles were found which had labels drawn by various artists, such as Kirchner. So what are you reading??

The term sometimes has more negative connotations, but really it's just a bar that doesn't advertise and doesn't get fancy in the decor.  It exists for you to drink, not to vibe. There certainly are some shabby ones, in that regard, and for some perhaps that is the vibe. You can expect cheap drafts and well drinks, no curated cocktail list. This day was started by Seagram's, for their interest in preserving the history of dive bars. The oldest operating in Reno is the Alturas.  The oldest in Nevada is in Genoa. The phrase dates back to 1871, from a New York Herald article.

 A newer tradition developed from the horrors of certain families, or maybe just the stress of all the preparation, but Hubby and I are ditching all that this year - we're going camping. Perhaps some brandy to help keep us warm.... And I came across a yummy martini recipe: you'll need a pumpkin liquor (the particular one was a whiskey), vanilla vodka, and Irish cream.  Shake 'em up and then add a pinch of cinnamon and/or nutmeg. Be safe, be fed, be thankful. All my love.

  Her birthday is coming up next week, but today is Animal Crackers Day, so there's this. This was on some sing-a-long cassette we had, so it's long been in my life.   I told my mom I wanted to dance like Shirley, but I only lasted a few intro classes. And surely you've had a Shirley Temple. Grenadine with ginger ale and/or lemon-lime soda. Add some vodka to make it dirty.  ;-) Top with maraschino cherries!

  Arak is one the world's oldest flavored spirits, originating from the area of Lebanon in the 12th century. In Arabic, arak is the word for "sweat," which describes the distillation process.  The drink is a form of brandy made from fermented grapes, which is infused and redistilled with aniseed. Because of the term, in other parts of the world, arak may not only be anise flavored, but may use palm sap, rice, or sugar cane. It is considered a drink of hospitality, often associated with weekends and holidays.  It is usually watered down to a level of wine, which causes the solids to fall out of suspension and gives the liquid a milky opalescence. It is also a pillar of culinary heritage, serving as a palate cleanser between dishes. When Muaddi arrived to the West Bank, years of poverty and politics had diminished the once great spirit.  Three generations removed from distillation, a craft that had been more than a thousand years, the quality devolved into an inexpensi...

 I'm fairly certain I posted this back during the Channel days, but I was reminded today so here we go! Vodka Tonic Piña Colada Gin Dry Martini Tequila English Oatmeal Stout Chablis Fuzzy Navel Irish Pale Lager I'd definitely hang that one up in my house.

 It seems fitting that today also celebrates two kinds of drinking: National Harvey Wallbanger Day and Shot Day. 50ml vodka 1 large or 2 small juiced oranges 1/2 lemon juiced Mix in shaker with ice. Double strain into a glass then slowly pour 15ml Galliano over the top. Add cherry and orange slice garnish. Are you a straight shooter or do you like something fancy? For no fuss, I'll go with a shot of Crown Apple. Otherwise, it's all about the PB&J. All you need is hazelnut liqueur (like Frangelico) and a black raspberry liqueur (like Chambord). Mix in shaker with ice, voila! Some bars may carry Screwball, which is a Peanut Butter Whiskey, so that would work as well. Cheers to democracy not dying!

 Yesterday concluded a two week period of Reno and then Sparks Food and Drink Week. First I stopped at Black Rabbit Mead Company.  I went for the Hawaiian Embers, with hints of pineapple and jalapeño. The special at the Ale House was Twisted Tea BBQ Tots, and they were delicious. On tap, I got a local Revision brew, Disco Ninja. Last night I went to Great Basin Brewery and had their Sausage and Beer Flight. That empty taster there is my favorite, Nitro Outlaw Milk Stout. For three visits, I got 6 raffles.  We'll see if I win anything this year!

 In numerology, this is considered an angel number, or a number bearing particular energy or universal message.  In this case, it is about connections and coming together. Clark County in Las Vegas celebrated its 5 millionth marriage certificate over the weekend, as many have planned a wedding for today. Reno was even hosting a contest to win an elopement to say "I do" next to the arch. It is also, of course, Taco Tuesday with a perfect pairing of National Margarita Day. A local radio station has always done "Twofer Tuesdays" so here are two songs from the band, 2wo. This was a short-lived side project from Rob Halford (Judas Priest), which included John 5 on guitar, who has worked with David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, and Rob Zombie. Feel free to post a twofer or anything else that fits the day!

  Showing love for local businesses!  Last night was the finale. Each post showing a visit to a participating location earns a raffle ticket. To start, we tried a new place called Teriyaki Madness. On Monday, we met up with my cousins for some pizza and beer. Noble Pie Pizza Parlor and Pinon Bottle Co.  They have draft options as well. Other places we've visited in the past: Frey Ranch Distillery Ryan's Saloon and Broiler Best burger in town. The Union, in Carson City. And my favorite brewery, IMBIB. We'll see if I win anything!

On this day in 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment - Prohibition. Prohibition took effect on January 29, 1920 but lost support in the early 30's.  Billions of dollars were spent but sobriety was not taking the country by storm.  Instead, people were bootlegging and the mafia were able to build criminal empires.  Speakeasies became popular, and increasingly drinking became a more co-ed event than it had been prior to the Volstead Act. The term "speakeasy" became the nickname for these saloons because people had to whisper a code word to enter. Enoch Johnson ran the bootlegging (as well as gambling and prostitution) in Atlantic City. "We have whiskey, wine, women, song, and slot machines.  I won't deny it and I won't apologize for it.  If the majority of the people didn't want them they wouldn't be profitable and they would not exist.  The fact that they do exist proves to me that people want them." The show Boardw...