Seeking (and finding) affirmation and release with a drink amongst friends.

I made a Manhattan in here yesterday that tasted great to me. I am (mostly) not bragging, because bragging about a three ingredient drink is not (totally) my thing, but I was still proud of my little drink. As I sipped it at 10:30 AM on a Tuesday (no judgement, please, be cool), I was thinking about what I liked most about the process of building a drink and what I finally settled on was that I like that the final product is more than the sum of its parts. A classic Manhattan, after all, is only rye, vermouth, and bitters, so there’s nothing compelling or interesting there. Together, though? Together that combination feels classy, maybe dangerous, and definitely adult, the drink that you unwind with. This drink takes its time and loosens the muscles while it frees the mind from the day that was just had or the day that is coming. This drink (and others) is a break in the storm, an island in a turbulent sea, an oasis in the desert. A good drink is something earned and something looked forward to. Few things are more electric than the anticipation and the excitement of seeing a professionally made drink set in front of you after a long day. Add a few fellow enthusiasts and maybe a game on the tv? Forget it, bub, this feels good, this is living.

The Manhattan that I made and then drank.