Speaking of Carrie Nation, the Washington Post food section has an article on a topic near and dear too our hearts, cocktails! As part of this article they also have a side piece on Trends, and it is here that we find the giddy biscuit. I quote:
"Classics are back: The manhattan, a rye whiskey drink created in the 1890s, and the sidecar, a brandy drink popular in the 1920s, are both finding new fans across the country. "
I suppose I should rejoice that some people someone in this country are finally acquiring good taste, but it creates a dilemma for your correspondent. A long time drinker of the Manhattan (although I prefer the bourbon variety rather than the original rye), I refuse to be labelled as "trendy." Thus, it appears that I must find another cocktail on which to rely. I am accepting all sensible suggestions so long as they do not involve vodka. Your truly does not drink vodka, because in these United States vodka drinkers are tastebud lacking wimps. You differ? Consider this snippet from the trends piece:
"Gin: Fighting an uphill battle. Sales have been flat except for the popular super premium brands (more than $25 a bottle). Vodka drinkers say they don't like the juniper flavor in gin. Gin makers are fighting back with softer, more mellow blends, like Tanqueray Ten and Plymouth"
One feels for the gin makers of course and acknowledges that they must bend to market forces, but really the nation that depends on people unable to appreciate the taste of juniper to set the course of history is in trouble.
But possibly in less trouble than the nation that drinks this:
"Blue heaven: The cool blue mixer with the young, hip-hop crowd is Hpnotiq -- a fruity-flavored, vodka-spiked Cognac that's a glowing shade of aquamarine blue. Blue Fin in New York mixes it with lemon vodka and white cranberry juice, garnished with a gummy fish. At Topaz in Washington, it's served topped with Champagne. At Dream nightclub, try The Incredible Hulk -- Hpnotiq and Hennessy."
Perhaps then the Manhattan trend is only to be encouraged. Manhattans all around!