What's In A Name?

A message from Michael, your bartender.

Folks, I'll be honest with you, I'm not one of those "mixologists" who likes to ramble on about my rare spirits collection (the boutique hooch I have hidden away for special, intimate get-togethers with other annoying know-it-alls) or enumerate the diamond etched bevels on my Austro-Hungarian bitters decanter. I don't, personally, sit down with a drink to talk about drinking. Do you? NO! Of course not. We want to talk about life! Art, war, the art of war, what you were supposed to be when you grew up, what's wrong with my hair, etcetera etcetera. I'm not here to administer a whiskey quiz. It's the end of a hard day at the end of a rough week. You've suffered innumerable freeway indignities, your children won’t return your calls and the studio went ahead and attached Ashton Kucher to your Steve Jobs bio-pic, for God's sake. But you made it. You made it here, to Nook Bistro, where I am waiting only to invite you to belly up, dismantle that Hanger Steak, knock back a couple of Pink Gins and dare the world to try that on you again tomorrow!

However, be that as it may, I've invented a rather special cocktail this week and Brian has asked me to tell you about it. The problem is I'm having trouble giving it a name. I wanted to call it the "Anais Nin," but whenever Brian tries to say that he looks like he's going to sneeze and besides no one reads anymore. But when you see this drink you'll know what I mean: a delicate (perhaps even sexy) concoction of dry gin, French thyme liqueur, egg white, lemon and a hint of cherry. It's a mid-winter's dream of spring. Innocent at first glance but then also...worldly. Is it your childhood sweetheart or have you taken an older lover? Is she blushing or wearing too much rouge? Is she damsel or strumpet?

That's it. The "Damsel or Strumpet" is now being served at your friendly neighborhood Nook Bistro. Thanks. You've been very helpful.