C is for Cynar, That's Good Enough For Me

As I feared, I am having some trouble balancing everything in my life, and as a result haven't made the time to regularly update this blog. But, that doesn't mean I haven't been mixing. In fact, it is precisely all the mixing and accompanying merriment that have eaten (or more accurately, drank away) all of my time. No, I'm not drunk all the time, just inspired... and our friends are all too happy to reap the benefits of an inspired mixologist.

What has been so inspiring you wonder? For one, this whole blog was launched because of the cocktail I was asked to create for the Brooklyn Public Library's 13th Annual Gala: The Magic of Childhood. In exchange for creating an original, seasonal cocktail, they gave me space for an advertisement in the evening's program (above). Additionally my name and role was featured in several online write-ups of the event. Exciting! I had been wanting to take this hobby to the next level for quite some time and this really helped it along. My spouse even had business cards made as a surprise for my birthday. Look...

So... with the launch of this blog, their free advertising, and the purchase of business cards the event was successful even before it began. Furthermore, I made an effort to speak with every guest whom I saw drinking the cocktail and without fail, each one said that they were enjoying it.

Wanting to make future events as (or more) successful I can think a few initiatives. First, it is important to understand how the drink will be assembled and served on the day of the event, and to even meet with the bartenders prior to the event's start. This would allow them to see the proportions I use, and to see and smell the finished drink. Never underestimate the importance of smell in a cocktail. Much of the time it tells you all you need to know about how the drink will taste.

Finally, better aware of the importance of marketing, I will be more creative with how a drink is described. Since most people have not heard of Cynar I wish I had included a brief description to encourage each guest to try it. For this event I could have offered something like... "Experience the bright, sweet taste of the cider you drank as a kid, perfectly balanced with the gentle, herbal qualities of an Italian artichoke liquor", or, "The simplicity of childhood cider paired deliciously with the sophistication of a digestif".

Knowing there's room for improvement, I look forward to applying the lessons I have learned from this first big event. Meanwhile, stay tuned for entries on what I have been up to since then...

Cheers!
Doug.