To get you in the mood for a cocktail, this should be the new Lincoln Project ad (via my daughter):
Second, I think it’s about time invent a new cocktail, called the “Karen“, after the woman who would call the bar manager to complain about her drink. It should be, in the words of the great poets Big Head Todd and the Monsters, “more sweet than bitter, more bitter than sweet.” Please put your suggestions in the comments.
Here’s mine: Naturally, I start with the White Lady, which is two parts gin, one part lemon juice and one part orange liqueur, shaken and served up. (Some versions add egg white for some froth.) It’s a perfect cocktail, but is there a way make it a homage to the bitterness of the complaining soccer mom without ruining it? Adding some bitters – say Fee’s Barrel Aged Orange – would be one way to go. Another would be to make it 3/4 part lemon juice and 1/4 part Campari. (Or maybe 1/4 part Fernet Branca?) I think I’ll try the Campari version tonight and report back.
Update: The Campari version is quite good. I’ll take the Cynar suggestion from the comments and try that, too.