Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: Resolute Determination

Well, we’ve made it. Week 52. Day 365. In a manner of hours, 2021 will be in the rear view mirror and I’m not exactly sad to see it go. Sure, it was better than the absolute dumpster fire 2020 was, but that bar was so low, worms were tripping over it. All in all, 2021 was a pretty decent year for me. I wrote my 100th post in January, I got a new house, as well as a better job; and despite a close call, still missed out on the plague that is still unfortunately ravaging the world at this very moment, almost 2 years in.

Dodging COVID, artist concept

Thanks to the wonders of science, Mrs. Sharkbait and I are double vaxxed, boosted, and Sharkette will be first in line once the vaccine is approved for the 24 month to 5 year old age group. Unfortunately, the fact we’re still in this mess has somewhat cast a pall over this past year, and that shadow is extending into 2022.

With that in mind, I’m going to try to be more positive going forward here. Actually, that brings me to a good point. I’m generally a pretty positive and upbeat person, but I had a few low moments and doubts over the course of the year. As we all have I’m sure. However, I think going into this coming year, I’m going to try and just focus on what I can control, and tune out all the outside dumbassery that I cannot change, despite the best of my abilities. I’m usually not a big resolutions guy, but I guess that’s my New Year’s resolution right there. Be more positive and control what I can control for the better, and not spin my wheels worrying about what I can do fuck all about. What about all of you? What are your resolutions? Throw them in the comments.

Apologies for the long winded intro, let’s move on to the subject at hand, this week’s drink! For New Years Eve I wanted to have a Champagne (or sparkling wine) cocktail given that most of you will have some on hand already. Last year I made one too many elderflower, gin & prosecco cocktails which necessitated the old pepper leadoff in that post. After having already made the beautifully simple Champagne cocktail, I needed something a little bit different. Luckily I’ve been sitting on a champagne cocktail for a little bit, and is featured in an awesome book called Last Call that I got for Christmas called “Death In The Afternoon”. It’s an Ernest Hemingway special so you know it’s gonna be strong, and good:

Death In The Afternoon:

1 oz. Absinthe

Champagne or Sparkling wine

Garnish: Lemon twist

Pour the absinthe into a chilled coupe or flute. Slowly top with the Champagne. Garnish with the lemon twist

The nose of this is, bright, citrusy and fruity thanks to the prosecco I used in place of champagne. I figured good prosecco is better than marginal champagne here. A second and third smell revel some light absinthe notes cutting through the lemon and prosecco aromas.

Wow. This is a very different, and heavy hitting drink. The flavor could not be any different that what the nose leads you to believe. The smells would lead you to think this is light and effervescent, but it could not be farther from the truth. The light and bubbly prosecco lead in on the palate is very quickly shoved out of the way by the absinthe bitterness. The fennel and anise notes of the absinthe really take over, and don’t relinquish palate domination until the end for a split second when the prosecco pops back up, before those notes are beaten down by the absinthe again.

There is a bit of aftertaste on this one that lingers for a minute or two, so this is a sipper for sure. Don’t rush to finish this one, you won’t enjoy it very much if you do.

There is this really great quote in the beginning of the Last Call book that resonates with me and seems pretty apt for our current times:

“Until we’re all together at the bar once again, with dirty martinis and platters of cold, crisp oysters to comfort us”

I like the sound of that. Hopefully this coming year will allow us to all get together again and enjoy life to the fullest again. Cheers!

(Banner image found here)

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Sharkbait
Sharkbait has not actually been bitten by a shark, but has told people in bars that he was for free drinks. Married to a Giants fan, he enjoys whisk(e)y, cooking, the Rangers, and the Patriots.
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herodotus450

The good news is, if Geoawrja wins, we can all just ignore the championship game.

King Hippo

I am pulling for Roll Damn Tide either way.

WCS

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King Hippo

It appears that bet might have been ill-advised.

Fortunately, just $50. And I can fall asleep in about 30 minutes.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Sweet potatoes in the oven, cauliflower following shortly behind, pork chops in their brine. Let’s fucking go.

rockingdog

That’s Rocking!

yeah right

I just finished dinner. Pork roast cooked in a mire poix and chicken stock after browning to add in the Maillard Reaction, also made mashed potatoes and one of the best gravies ever. Oh yeah, some homemade bread just to warm the house.

Mother. Fucking. Sated.

Don T

I prepped mussels with shallots and white wine, and got dressed and stuff for NYE. But the bitch and the lover fell asleep. Now I’m all alone waiting for the right time to start clanging kitchenware.
The bitch, earlier at the beach:
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scotchnaut

“Sweet Potatoes In The Oven!” is my favorite Southern exclamation denoting a single woman that has been impregnated.

WCS

If the Fighting Khakis win, does Redshirt go FULLFOZZRAGE?

OOOOOOO AN U NOE HE DO BULLLLEEEEE DAT CHUH CHUH

Redshirt

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BrettFavresColonoscopy

It is SUPER snowing right now.

yeah right

If you are just now getting the shit show we just had – for 10 straight days no less – get used to that shit.

This storm ain’t fucking around.

Horatio Cornblower

I’ve had 6 straight days of clouds and drizzle, with 3 more to go. The first day the Sun comes out is the day I go back to work.

I am beginning to understand the Finnish fetish for suicide.

rockingdog

Georgia gonna win this right?
Hopefully this game is Rocking!!!

Redshirt

They better. Michigan-Alabama would confirm that 2022 will be the worst year ever, and I’m including 1939.

Mr. Ayo

I’m with Hippo. ML bet on UM.

Mr. Ayo

This was a costly mistake.

Fronkenshteen

This week s why I stopped watching college football. Modern day fucking plantations.

herodotus450

Didn’t you hear? They can get paid and (sort of) move around to different schools now!

Gumbygirl

Gumby wore one for a Scottish wedding he was a groomsman in. He loved it! And in case you’re wondering- wore nothing underneath!

Gumbygirl

I swear I thought this was a reply to the kilt question below. No idea why it’s up here. Ok, I smoked a doob, so maybe I have some idea!

ballsofsteelandfury

Excellent answer, no matter where it went!

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Man I’d better hurry up and take this shower or I’m gonna need a second shower beer.

herodotus450

College playoff games should be subject to a running fan approval vote; if it drops below 10% at any time, the game ends, both teams are executed via crushing, and the next game starts early.

King Hippo

They should put the camera back on Mahomes-y making out with his date.

Mr. Ayo

JV WKRP is going off air shortly.

King Hippo

laugh track slowly dissipates into the ether

Senor Weaselo

Y’know, it’s a good thing I never went to a single school (high school, undergrad, or grad) that had a football team, or else I would somehow hate college football more than I do, which is just contempt.

yeah right

I could die happy if I never had to hear another idiot marching band butcher “Seven Nation Army” ever, ever again.

Redshirt

Talent and poise discrepancy is starting to show.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Okay, that’s it for me. Gonna take a shower and then watch something else. The only thing in doubt right now is whether I’ll have a shower beer.

ballsofsteelandfury

The Hangover 2 is on.

Also, there should be no doubt about shower beer.

2Pack

The Hangover is my favorite documentary.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

“It was never really in doubt.” – the 805 that formerly resided in my fridge

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

RIP another casualty of 2021:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yVCOAFKjaoY

ballsofsteelandfury

If we still had polls, I’d create one just for this question:

Would you wear a kilt?

Mr. Ayo

That’s cultural appropriation, bro.

But in the summer, absolutely.

ballsofsteelandfury

I don’t give a fuck if gringos wear Dallas Cowboys ponchos. We can take that out of the equation. As long as you respect the garment and wear it properly, you should be ok.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Is a Raiders bandana a kilt?

ballsofsteelandfury

As long as it fits COMPLETELY over the wing-wang.

Brick Meathook

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King Hippo

Hey now, Sexy Friday ain’t for 77 MOAR minutes smgdh

ballsofsteelandfury

I’m pretty sure Brick would rock a kilt.

2Pack

Have before (in Edinburgh, carried a claymore too, there are about 20 Japanese tourists with photos… I can ham it up with the best of them) and would again.

ballsofsteelandfury

Nice!

King Hippo

No, because (i) sweat pants/running shorts are more comfortable; and (ii) would be…VERY not flattering to my “figure”

ballsofsteelandfury

There should be a special DFO tartan!

rockingdog

Kilts are rocking!

yeah right

Hell yes. I even know my plaid. It’s the hunters plaid with Kelly green and black being the primary colors.

Dunstan

I own one.

Mr. Ayo

Luke Fickell looks like Rob Riggle.

King Hippo

that MI edge rusher pulling off a good Unabomber

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Arm punt territory.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Molly McGrath is wearing too much makeup. People are going to think…well, you know.

King Hippo

kicking here is a complete surrender move

Redshirt

4th and 5 is too much. You need points here. You go for it and miss, Alabama has all the momentum.

At least now, its a two score game and you defense is going on the field with the thought of “Alright, let’s stop them and get the ball back.” instead of “Here we go again.”

King Hippo

well, maybe you had a point after all – expected an 8-minute TD drive.

herodotus450

They should have combined Ohio State’s offense and Cincinnati’s defense to play in this game.

Redshirt

Anyone else noticed that Dick Clark’s name was the smallest thing on the New Year’s Rocking Eve logo?

Last edited 2 years ago by Redshirt
Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

“There’s no shame in being the smallest thing on a screen!”

– Brett Favre

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

You’d think a guy named “Ryan Seacrest” would be a good surfer but I bet he sucks.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

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Horatio Cornblower

I’ve never looked at Ryan Seacrest and thought that he’d be particularly good at anything.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Aw. Seeing that Katy Perry has a video to debut at the National Championship game makes me think of tWBS and miss him.

scotchnaut

Every day that I think of tWBS is a green day…

King Hippo

Don’t worry, he’s fapping in heaven!

Redshirt

No. I’m certain he has a harem of angels…

…that he spies on from a nearby bush or tree.

Horatio Cornblower

I didn’t realize that Heaven had racist barista angels with daddy issues, but here we are.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

That was nice of Dan Marino to stop by and give that woman a pair of tickets to the big game plus a healthy dose of omicron.

Redshirt

Where’s COVID-Omicron? Its UC’s only hope!

Last edited 2 years ago by Redshirt
herodotus450

Fun fact: Nick Saban used to coach at the University of Toledo, which is a city in Spain, which was once ruled by the Roman Empire at the hands of Cincinattus, a guy who never once had the decency to visit the city named after him.

scotchnaut

To be fair, airplane flights were very pricey back then.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Goddamn I cannot wait for the crypto market to implode. Like, at least with beanie babies or tulip bulbs you had the actual things.

Redshirt

I’m just sad I didn’t get into Bitcoin when it first started. I could’ve gotten in, made my million or two and then gotten out and watched the bubble burst while I’m living comfortably in a modest home on a controlled income from certificates and interest.

Redshirt

I’ll give Cincinnati credit. Until the final part of the 2nd Quarter, they did seem to be hanging in there. But they have no answer to Alabama’s running game. This is bleeding into defending the pass and causing too much pressure on their offense to be forced to answer.

They are a 3rd Quarter team, but unless they’re able to slow down Bama’s running game, its all but over.

2Pack

Have a little faith Baby… have… a little… faith.

cincinnati-cheerleaders.jpg
King Hippo

At least the WKRP coach gets Molly McGrath to interview him?

scotchnaut

Not sure if walking into the locker room with a raging boner is a good thing…

King Hippo

Another reason why jeans are superior to khakis!

rockingdog

Found a funny;

opening up a glass coffin company called Remains To Be Seen. do not steal this idea it’s all i have.

Redshirt

Oh, sure. They wait until 0:02 to go in the 1st Half to try to throw it deep.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Well, at least Cincinnati gets the ball first in the second half.

King Hippo

They should probably elect to sneak out the back and go home.

Redshirt

Based on how they’re moving the ball, they’ll probably go the wrong way on the highway and end up in San Diego.

Redshirt
Mr. Ayo

That’s a 5G pylon?

Didn’t realize they authorized the vaccines for them.

The Maestro

Happy New Year’s Eve, fellow degenerates. Watching the game from the airport, headed home after seeing the in-laws this past week. Somehow still healthy for now. I am triple masked with an N95 on, at least. Call it paranoia, but it’s worked once thus far for me. Hope you are all healthy and well.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Healthy, well, and drunk!

Redshirt
Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Is it a bear or is it a cat?

Mr. Ayo

Half bear, half cat, half man.

King Hippo

he’s SUPER serial y’all

Gumbygirl

Manimal.

King Hippo

I’m just surprised that a bear and a cat’s offspring would ever survive birth, let alone become an entire species.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Uh, hello?
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Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

My favorite player in this game is Mason Fletcher cause he’s a blue-collar, lunchpail type guy who can make houses *and* arrows.

scotchnaut

“Huh. Talk to me when he becomes a triple threat!”

-Housepainter Cook-Boatman III

Redshirt

Both teams forgot they had a running game?

King Hippo

Number of JV WKRP first downs since that opening drive timeout – ZERO

scotchnaut

“Bama kicker misses the left upright. Huh! Has anyone looked into his family?”

-Qanon football announcer

Redshirt

LACES OUT!

King Hippo

of all the bad things to be in the Saban-verse…a holder who fucks up has to be #1

King Hippo

guy who drops a punt – close #2

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Shan’Khor clearly wants this to be a watchable game too.

Mr. Ayo

Nailed It!

— B. Walsh, Jr.

King Hippo

Seems like Bama has throws 7-8 forward passes, which is like 6-7 too many.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I shouldn’t get so bothered every time I hear the name Kobe Bryant. I need to focus less on the bad parts of his legacy, like the rape, and focus on the good parts, like the fact that he will definitely never rape anybody again.

King Hippo

Yes, the Kobe shit is the biggest disconnect I’ve felt from larger society since the Royal Goddamned Wedding took my game shows off TV as a wee lad.

scotchnaut

Nobody talks about him scoring 81 points against a severely under-manned Raptors team as being a metaphorical rape. smgdh…

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

It’d be a much bigger deal if Wilt hadn’t scored 100.

King Hippo

And all that sex Wilt had, WITHOUT ever resorting to rape