End of a ‘dry January’

Peter Matika

FINALLY we have reached the end of the month and above all JANUARY, the most dreaded month by all. I personally feel January is a month to reflect on all the festive tomfoolery we performed, coupled with the extravagant behaviour that dug deep into our pockets, leaving us in a state of “perpetual poverty”.

Of course we always go out of our way during the festive season to host friends and family to mark the end of the year and celebration of life. It indeed has been a long and dry month. I know a lot of people who have been parched since the beginning of the month and have been anxiously waiting for the dry spell to end.

I noticed that quite a number of bars and eateries recorded low sales this month.

Most of us spend the first weeks and months of the New Year working hard on our resolutions such as nipping pack rat tendencies in the bud, to creating a more mindful home.

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is a commitment to “dry January,” which requires pledges to swear off booze until February 1st in an effort to detox and reset.

If you’ve made it all the way through the month, well, you have earned a cocktail. I happened to come across a list of health-oriented cocktails. Even if you are trying to be healthier this year, you can still enjoy a cocktail or two.

The first I came across is the Celery Sour. It is stated that the celery syrup in this drink gives a hit of a crisp vegetal flavour. When it’s mixed with Licor 43, pineapple-infused gin, lemon juice, and cucumber bitters, the drink continues to grow in refreshment, while a dollop of Greek yoghurt stands in for egg white to add texture.

Then we have the Earl Grey MarTEAni. This twist on a Gin Sour from cocktail guru Audrey Saunders is perfect for when you are looking for an after-dinner pick-me-up that’s both elegant and comforting.

Its tea-infused gin serves as a uniquely floral base that’s complemented by the sour’s usual lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white. A sugar rim adds a sweetly festive touch.

Salty Ginger-Ade, they say it’s the perfect drink if you are celebrating dry January or simply taking a brief break after the booze-filled holiday season, this salty, citrusy, spicy drink is so flavourful you won’t even miss the alcohol. Muddle a date with lime juice, cumin and salt, then top with ginger beer and add a mint sprig to finish it off.

Then there is the Cucumber Cleanse.  They say this is the best juice-cleanse train without giving up your booze. It consists of fresh cucumber and lemon juices that are jazzed up with a splash of vodka. Ginger syrup adds zing and hibiscus lavender oak bitters bring a layer of floral depth. Top it all with a little bit of ground cayenne for some extra spice.

So with just these few cocktails get your system in the mood for yet another eventful year.

Till next week, have a blissful and tipsy weekend.

If you have an establishment and think your drink has what it takes to be profiled, WhatsApp me on 0772337433. REMEMBER alcohol is not for sale to persons under the age of 18 and let’s not forget to drink responsibly.