It’s 3:30 on Friday… I need a drink
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had one hell of a week. And I feel that I’ve earned myself a nice cold hard drink. That’s one of the great things about agency life. The 3:30 Friday Happy Hour. It’s nice to be able to take a break, mix yourself a tasty cocktail and head back to your desk. Who am I kidding? I’m not going back to work, it’s happy hour!
So after today’s afternoon hour long walk from print shop to client and back to the office in 90+ degree heat I decided on something refreshing. Normally I’d be happy with a cold beer or a classy bourbon on the rocks. But that wasn’t going to cut it today. I needed something summery. Something with a little pep. It is officially the weekend after all…
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a lot on hand. Bourbon. That’s a given. We’ve always got that. But I managed to wrangle up a lemon and some sugar. Nothing say summer like fresh squeezed lemonade, so I ‘m gonna make some Whiskey Sours (sans the egg white, not because I don’t like it, I’m just out of eggs).
Step number one! Test out the bourbon to make sure you still like it. Yep! Still tasty.
Step two. Commandeer the coffee station! Sorry, Gladys, no one still wants coffee at 3:30 on Friday so, step aside. It’s time to make some simple syrup! Make some boiling hot water. Use the coffee pot (no coffee of course), use the hot water kettle (duh) or if worse comes to worst put some water in a cup and microwave that bitch! Find yourself another cup and put some sugar in there. 5 or 6 sugar packets ought to do it. Then mix in an equal part of water and stir until it’s completely dissolved. I like to do a little less water than sugar so the syrup ends up being thicker. Why? I don’t know. It just seems fancier that way.
Step Three! Squeeze the shit outta that lemon! We’re gonna be fancy and make REAL sour mix. None if this nonsense premade sour mix crap. Just make sure you don’t let any pulp or seeds get in there. No one likes a floater.
Ok. Now that’s you got everything ready it’s time to get all mixologist up in here!
Find yourself a big enough glass/container to mix everything up in. Throw in a few ice cubes. Pour in 2oz. of your favorite bourbon, ¾ oz. of lemon juice, and ¾ oz. of simple syrup. Some people like to use a cocktail shaker and shake it all together. But I’m more of a stirred not shaken kind of girl. Stir (or shake if you’re one of THOSE people) everything together. Here is a VERY important step!!! Taste test. No seriously. Try a little bit. You might want it sweeter or sourer (it that a word? Well it is now…) or in my case, bourbonier. Feel free to adjust as your taste buds tell you.
Now for the big finish! Put some ice into your favorite glass. In my case, today, it’s a vintage Libby Coin lowball. Carefully strain your summertime concoction into your glass and top with a twist of lemon peel. And there you have it! Your Friday Office Happy Hour Whiskey Sour! Just make sure you make enough to share. No one wants to toast to happy hour alone. Now down that drink! You deserve it! Cheers!
