up your architecture.

Alright, so I know I basically just gave short updates, but in light of the fact that I feel like I need a drink everyday after packing and it has reached at least 90 the last two days, I am taking a note out of my friend/roommate Jessie's book and throwing out my top summer drinks. As always, in top 5 style, here they are...

No.5 One-Eyed Willy: A bodacious concoction of rums and juices served in a dastardly glass portraying the namesake of the drink, this bad boy can only be found at one of my favorite bars in Minneapolis: Psycho Suzi's.

No.4 Caipirinha (pronounced => kai-pee-reen-yah –– with the r slightly trilled) : Made from Cachaca, a rum-like liquor from Brazil derived from the sugarcane, this national drink has surpassed the bourbon of the Mint Julep as my favorite "mash-up" drink for the summer. They serve them at the Brazilian Steakhouse Fogo de Chao if anyone wants a really strong and delicious one...

In an old fashioned or (flat bottomed) on-the-rocks glass, add:

2 to 3 (depending on size) key limes cut into thin slices (approximately 1/8 inch thick). some people like to peel the limes before slicing but this eliminates the lime oil in the peel, which many believe to be essential for an 'authentic' taste. You may want to remove any seeds before muddling ... unless you're fond of straining them through your teeth.

Add 2 to 3 heaping tablespoons of sugar to the top of the lime slices (Brazilians like it VERY sweet)

Muddle (mash) sugar and limes together well

Add 2 to 3 shots (ounces) cachaça

Stir well to thoroughly dissolve the sugar, add cracked ice, stir, enjoy

No.3 Campari and Soda: This begins the "not rocket science" portion of our show as we simply take a generous amount of the bitter liquor Campari and splash it with soda. Some garnish it with an orange. I only do that if a) I have an orange handy, and b) I am hungry. My friend Patrick McNulty is credited for introducing this fine libation to me back in 2003 although you may recognize it from Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou...

Steve Zissou: Hey intern, get me a Campari.
Intern #1: On the rocks?
Steve Zissou: [gives him the "gun" thumbs up salute]

No.2 Gin and Tonic: furthering the easy to make, easy to drink creedo adopted with the previous selection I like it with a lime that I may squeeze in. My favorite gin is Sapphire and I like only a couple of ice cubes. Just enough to keep it cool. Ideally, you shake the gin in ice first to get it ice cold.

No.1 John Daly: This drink was first told to me by a friend I bartended with: Matty J. It is credited to our good friend, the mammoth John Daly who was so hungover with the shakes that on the 18th green of Augusta back in the day he was literally shaking. It is derived from the famous Arnold Palmer which combines Ice tea and lemonade as a refreshing way to cool down after a round of golf...

Classy:

...but, as Matty J so eloquently put it back in the day, to stave off the shakes and be just like our friend John Daly, you toss a double shot of vodka in there and *poof!* instant refreshment. I liked this so much that my friend Patrick actually put it on as a "martini" at his four star hotel's bar. I must say though, with their excellent iced tea it tasted off due to the fact that at my bar we used the drip tea with mix lemonade and rail vodka. Some hoity toitys will say that you use Citron and Triple Sec, but I recommend the cheapest vodka that you can buy at the bar because I don't think John would have it any different. Cheers and Salut to a wonderful summer!

Assey: