Whiskey cocktails remind me that I am – old.
Old – every November I run that word through my aging brain.
Old – and all that it entails. Reading glasses and achy joints. Gray hair and stretchy jeans. Sometimes I believe the jargon, and sometimes I don’t. Because honestly being old isn’t so bad. Having faced a few good years on this planet gives you a certain awareness that younger folks just can’t comprehend. When you’re old the years seem to pass quicker, but the world around you inexplicably slows down.
When things move at a slower pace, it’s easier to separate the good stuff in your life from the bad stuff. Beauty takes on a whole new meaning. If you’re lucky enough (and old enough) you even begin to recognize the beauty in yourself (stretchy jeans and all).
“Getting older is no problem. You just have to live long enough.”
Who said that? Was it Groucho Marx? I can’t remember because I’m old.
There are other things I can’t remember. Things like what it’s like to worry about how things will turn out.
At my age many of life’s major questions have been answered. Will I learn to accept myself? Will I find a job I love? Will I meet the right life partner? Will I be happy? Will I keep my hair? Will I learn to like whiskey? At my age I know the answers to these questions. That’s a good thing.
I realize these are lofty sentiments and you may be rolling your eyes. That’s because you’re young. Another wonderful aspect of getting older, is just how little you care what younger people think!
Whiskey Cocktails
Whiskey cocktails are the perfect example. Once you get older and your palate develops – whiskey begins to taste really good. It really does. Take this whiskey cocktail, simply known as a New Yorker. It’s not much more than the whiskey of your choice (bourbon, rye, mash, Scotch, etc) lightly sweetened with grenadine syrup and stirred with citrus. If you like an Old Fashioned, you’ll like a New Yorker. In fact I thought about making Old Fashioned cocktails today but then there’s that word again – old.
You may have guessed by now, but I’ll tell you anyway. Today’s my birthday. So I made New Yorker whiskey cocktails. In toasting I couldn’t help but think about my life and the journey I’ve been on. Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I have all the answers.
For example: Is it wrong for vegetarians to eat animal crackers? Is there another word for thesaurus? Also, if Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her so many friends? And Madonna! How much longer can she continue to strut her stuff (she’s even older than me)? Is there life on Mars?
These are good questions. However, at more serious moments (like birthdays), I find myself sitting quietly with my partner Ken, sipping whiskey cocktails, pondering what’s next for us. After 25 years together we’ve essentially watched each other grow up. Still I can’t help but look at him and wonder – what will our lives will be like after 40 years together?
I’ll just have to wait til I’m really old and see. GREG
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce bourbon (or rye)
- 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 dash grenadine syrup
- 1 orange twist
- 1 lemon twist
Directions
Pour bourbon and lime into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. Add sugar and grenadine and stir well. Twist the orange and lemon peels over the drink and drop them in.
Whiskey Cocktails
Old Fashion — put slice of orange, lemon and one cherry in the bottom of an old-fashion glass. Add 3 dashes of Angostora bitters and 2 oz. simple syrup. Muddle! Place ice cubes in glass and then add 2 oz. Bourbon. Add a splash of club soda, stir and enjoy!
Happy belated birthday, Greg! I’m starting to like whiskey more now after a discussion with Jack & Jim a long time ago that we weren’t friends, lolThank you for the inspiration.
Happy birthday, young man! Thanks for the cocktail and the reminder that life just keeps getting better as I get older!
Happy birthday! I hope you’re having a great day so far. Also, awesome cocktail. I have yet to learn to love whiskey, but that day will come.
Happiest birthday to YOU!
I wonder…since I don’t like whiskey (yet), does that automagically mean I am younger than you?
Happy Birthday to you, Greg! I like that “Getting older is no problem.…” quote and your life’s major questions — they all hit home. Haven’t acquired the taste of whiskey quite yet, but maybe cocktails will get me to an appreciation. 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying the last months of the calendar year…
Happy Birthday Greg, you celebrate and have fun and forget about getting older. There is nothing you can do about it anyway so enjoy the ride. Prost!
Hi Greg, I made this cocktail and it came out really well! You made my day! Thanks a lot for sharing this recipe. 🙂
I wish you a very happy birthday, Greg! I have, in the last year or so, gone from hating to loving whiskey so I suppose that’s a sign that I am old too. 🙂 Haven’t made a New Yorker yet, yours looks delicious. 🙂
Happy Birthday. I’m old too, and I would love this because I love an old fashioned. I do have many questions settled, but I still worry about things I shouldn’t. I hope you have a great celebration with Mr. 25 years! (he’s pretty cool too).
Happy Birthday Greg! I think I’m older than you and I still don’t like whiskey. And my eyes? Oh, I hate those the most! I’m still not in tune to this old thing, but I’m happy to be surrounded by such esteemed company! Live it up, my friend!
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Greg! I like the sound of this cocktail. I didn’t used to have a taste for the whiskeys but I now find myself enjoying them more and more. One of the perks of being older, as you pointed out. Cheers to you, my friend, enjoy your day.
Happy Birthday!!! Getting older is funny… we complain about it, but really I’m having the best time. Thank god I’m not as stupid as I was at 20. Ha!
Love this cocktail and anything involving whiskey — I’ll raise a glass to you tonight. Cheers!
I love everything about this. Cheers! I hope your birthday is filled with good times, good food, and good friends.
Happy Birthday! I’m old, too. 😀 Actually, getting older is a really, really good thing. Yes there are a couple of downsides — but the upsides so outweigh these, that getting older is really a good deal. Anyway, lovely cocktail. I don’t usually combine lime juice with whiskey — definitely will give this a try. Before I get much older.