Pretzel Dip

On May 29, 1848,  Wisconsin brought our state-count up to a nice, even 30. Known as the Badger State, it might surprise some to learn that name didn’t come from the bustling fur trade of the early-settled territory but of the miners (whose industry replaced pelts in the economy’s hierarchy) that had the badger-like habit of seeking shelter in holes they’d dug.

We’re not entirely sure what the name Wisconsin means (though we know it’s not ‘people who where foam cheese on their head’) but one possible etymology concentrates on its red rocks, like those found in the Wisconsin Dells. I wonder, then, is that why Republican States (founded in Ripon, Wisconsin, on March 20, 1854) are painted red on political maps?

America’s Dairyland is actually not the total agrarian state that such a name conveys. It became dairy-central because early agriculture was pursued to the detriment of the land. While it’s regained some of it’s croplands and the forests, the service industry plays a far larger part in the state these days while still leading the nation in cheese production (2nd in the US for milk and butter).

Pretzel Dip

1 oz Wisconsin Ale
1 oz Cranberry Juice
1 tsp Brown Mustard

Combine over ice and shake like a Barbie(1) and a troll(2) riding a Harley(3) around the center ring(4). Strain into a chilled cordial glass and sip.

Breweries are big in Milwaukee and the state is a major producer of cranberries (among other crops). This drink may sound strange (Todd certainly thought I was stretching it a bit) but it’s totally drinkable and does remind me of a big. soft pretzel dipped into berry-laced stone-ground mustard. Give it a shot before you judge it unfairly, and remember that it usually takes 2 sips before you get the full flavor of a drink.

The other references are as follows:

1. Barbie-creator Barbie Millicent Roberts is from Willows, Wisconsin.
2. Mount Horeb, Wisconsin is, apparently, the Troll Capital of the World. It’s also home to the Mustard Museum which houses over 2300 specimens of mustard.
3. Harley Davidson Motorcycles are headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
4. Ringling Brothers Circus got it’s first show in Baraboo, Wisconsin, in 1884.

And, hey, as we head into Labor Day weekend, if you’re in the neighborhood of Prairie du Sac check out the State Cow Chip Throwing Contest.

Limoncello, Week 8

We’ve reached the 2/3 point in this first little experiment in infusing!

Now might be a good time to think about what to try next. I know I’ve been meaning to make my own grenadine at some point (the real stuff is, supposedly, so much better than the stuff on the grocery store shelf), hydromel is never a bad idea–and actually requires a bit of fermentation–and then there’s a variety of syrups that are used in tiki drinks and specialty cocktails.

But, you know, since I’m doing this in web-public, I’m open to preferences or suggestions: What would you like to learn more about?

At any rate, our limoncello is progressing nicely. It is clearing up a bit more (it’s been moved a few times–there’s not really a place in my home, right now, that is free from being disturbed) but otherwise has stayed the same.

4 more weeks and we strain!

Oh, and I mention a blind tasting in early October. A date has not yet been set but if you’re in the Tallahassee area (or can easily get here) and would like to be one of my tasters, drop me a line in the comments or email me at randomactscomics[at]gmail[dot]com and I’ll keep you in the loop! If there’s enough interest I think a casual dinner party could even be planned–no sense trying Limoncello on an empty stomach, right?

BioFuel

One day shy of a year after the admission of Texas via treaty, Iowa becomes the 29th state on December 28, 1846.

Though considered mainly agricultural (it is in the midst of the Corn Belt, after all), manufacturing makes up the greater part of industry in the state with food production being the largest portion of that–General Mills, ConAgra, Heinz, Hostess, Quaker Oats and Blue Bunny (just to name a few) are all headquartered in the Hawkeye State.

But if agriculture isn’t their main focus, what do they do with all that corn? Iowa happens to be the national leader in ethanol production and a strong proponent of renewable energy sources, be it in sustainable fuels or wind energy. Which is where our drink-of-the-week inspirations comes from.

BioFuel

1 oz Whiskey (Jack Daniels or Jim Bean, we’re going for the corn-liquor, here)
1 oz Honey
Caffeinated Soda

Combine the whiskey and honey over ice and shake like your settling a border dispute. Strain into a chilled cordial or tall shot glass and top with the ice-cold caffeinated soda of your choice. Swig it down and get ready to forge ahead and accomplish things!

You may recall that Iowa was on the other side of that border dispute known as the Honey Wars with Missouri. If not, it’s okay, I forgive you, and Iowa probably would, too. Iowans tend to be front runners in a lot of things–civil rights, women’s lib, renewable resources… it’s not a bad trait, you know? And, if (like me) you can’t have caffeine, substitute as necessary and call it Unleaded

One last thing: the state is also home to Electrolux/Frigidaire who, along with Kelly Ripa, are raising awareness and funds to support ovarian cancer research through their Ultimate Banana Split campaign. Head over to Kelly Confidential to create your ultimate banana split by September 7, 2010. $1 for every submitted split will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

~~~oOo~~~

Cocktails for a Cure

And speaking of good deeds! Just a reminder that I’m participating once again in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk and, like last year, offering a couple incentives to my supporters. There’s this years print of a cocktail created in support of the walk plus I’m donating 22% of all Character Cocktails ordered by October 15, 2010, to the cause (and you get the print, too). More information can be found on my Cocktails for a Cure page.

Limoncello, Week 7

About mid-week the floating strips of zest settled back down at the bottom of the jar.

The cloudiness is still present except for the top quarter-inch or so. That’s a shame–I prefer the opaque yellow color, it looks far more appetizing to me. Still, it will be interesting to see if it continues to self-clarify or stays murky.

5 more weeks and we strain out the solid particles–we’re over the halfway hump!

In 4 weeks I start a smaller batch with a 1 week steep just to compare the two, along with a bottle yet to be purchased from the local liquor store.

A blind taste-test is sounding promising, some time in early October.

Miss Independent

It’s fitting that this week’s state is Texas as I was planning to be in the Lone Star State this weekend for the Dallas Webcomics Expo, but scheduling issues (and that little trip to Nebraska in June) put a kink in this month’s travel plans. Ah, well, such is life! But because of that, I want to dedicate this week’s cocktail to all the Independent artists and creators out there making their own way!

Miss Independent

1 oz Tequila
1 oz Tomato Juice
1/2 oz Pepper Vodka
dash Worcestershire Sauce
Celery Salt and Celery Stalk for garnish

Combine liquid ingredients over ice and shake like you’re facing the double loops of the Shock Wave coaster. Strain into a chilled cordial glass, sprinkle with celery salt and stir with the celery stalk.

Six Flags Over Texas is not just a theme park–it’s the number of flags that have flown in governance over the current state’s boundaries: Spanish, French, Mexican, the Republic of Texas, itself, the US and the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. In fact, the only reason they gave up their hard-won independence was their inability to defend against Mexico’s continued advances. Smart move, making an alliance and becoming a state via treaty (December 29.1845).

Oil and cereals don’t make for good cocktails, so we’re going with the Tex-Mex influence and making, essentially, a Tequila Mary. The pepper vodka adds kick, even at such a low amount, and a flavor almost as large as our second largest state. (And, yes, the name is both a reference to the former republic status of the state and the song by Texas native Kelly Clarkson.)

Limoncello, Week 6

It grew!

It’s so nice to report a change for once!

Of course, this is the week where we sweeten things up. Make a sugar syrup of 1.75 cups of white sugar and 2.5 cups water. (Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves and boil for 5 minutes or so.) Let it cool to room temperature before stirring it into the lemon-infused alcohol.

It’s going to get cloudy but this is expected. This is the same thing that happens with a lot of the high-proof aperitifs that are usually served with water. The zest also chose to float instead of settle at the bottom like it did with just the alcohol. Relative densities and all that.

Now that we’ve introduced sugar into the mix and exposed it to a little bit of air, I’m going to be on the lookout for any molds that may start to form. The alcohol content should still be high enough, even though it’s now diluted about half, to prevent it but stranger things have been known to happen.

1. Cancer sucks.
2. We can always do something to help.
3. I create cocktails with wildly inappropriate names.

It also tells you how you can help and get a little something back as we raise funds for this year’s American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

Please click, read and do what you feel is right. Cheers!

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01: Delaware–the Delaware Log Cabin

02: Pennsylvania–The Sweet Tooth

03: New Jersey–The Zipper Berry (non-alcoholic)

04: Georgia–the Golden Peach

05: Connecticut–the Yankee 78

06: Massachusetts–Rockin’ Tea Party

07: Maryland–Wit’s End

08: South Carolina–Hospitality Suite

09: New Hampshire–Blackbeard’s Orchard

10: Virginia–Cheerberry Cooler (non-alcoholic)

11: New York–Little Big Apple Dumpling

12: North Carolina–The Glazed Doughnut

13: Rhode Island–Pandora’s Glass

14: Louisiana–Chocolate Covered Daiquiri

15: Vermont–the Short Stack

16: Kentucky–the Mini-Mammoth

17: Tennessee–‘Nanner Puddin’

18: Ohio–the Buck Shot

19: Indiana–the Quick Shot

20: Mississippi–the Muddy Magnolia

21: Illinois–the Purple Popcorn Eater

22: Alabama–East Avenue South

23: Maine–Bitter Berry

24: Missouri–Meet Me at the Fair

25: Arkansas–Granny’s Baked Apples (non-alcoholic)

26: Michigan–Talk to the Hand

27: Florida–Liquid Sunshine

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That’s the sippers so far! Do you have a favorite among the first half (and then some) of our tour of the states? A state you’re looking forward to, to see what comes up?

I admit, the Glazed Doughnut is still my favorite–both for the taste as well as my small, personal triumph in figuring out the how-to. Creative problem solving at it’s best, you know?

Limoncello, Week 5

Once again, no change. Not exactly surprising.

But that’s okay, I don’t have time to fool with it right now, so waiting is good.

Next weekend we add the sugar-syrup and then we get to wait some more. But by then? It will have grown and diluted to an extent. Maybe more color-”change” action?

Time will tell!

Liquid Sunshine

Oh, hey, did you think we were done with the East Coast? That we were at least finished with the Southeast, moving as we are through the Midwest and all?

Not exactly.

See, while the rest of the country was becoming locally-owned, the Spanish were still holding on to Florida with a pretty good grip until after the First Seminole War in 1818 and, even then, only lost the Eastern portion.  West Florida wasn’t signed over to the US until 1819 for $5 million and the understanding that the US would give up any of it’s Texas holdings. (And how long did that last, you wonder? The fact that *spoiler!* Texas is next week’s state */spoiler!* should give you a clue.)

Still, Florida didn’t have the oomph to become a fully-fledged member of the Union until 1845 (March 3rd, to be exact) and we’ve grown to be the 4th most populated state with our eye on New York to take 3rd place sometime soon.

Lots of folks retire to Florida for the lovely weather we have. News flash, folks: Florida is hot. And it’s a wet, sticky, humid heat that there is no escaping from. I remember 106-degree summers with no air conditioning as a child and wonder how we survived. Winter (with a few notable exceptions) is reserved for a week or so in January or February. We wave as something spring-like passes by on the fast-track to summer and hurricane season and again as a fall cool-snaps hits in October but heads for the hills just in time to make choosing Halloween costumes difficult since it could be 70s or 90s that day.

We’re also prone to afternoon precipitation that can range anywhere from lightening and thunder-storms with a side of hail to out-of-nowhere rain from a practically cloudless sky, the latter known as sun-showers or, you guessed it, liquid sunshine.

Liquid Sunshine

1 oz Lemon-Lime Gatorade
1/2 oz Rum
1/2 oz Grapefruit Juice
1/4 oz Cointreau*

Combine over ice and shake like your running through raindrops. Strain into a chilled shot or cordial glass and try and cool off.

*I don’t normally specify a specific brand but you really don’t want to use a basic Triple Sec for something like this (or many other things, really)–it’s prone to overpower and you just don’t have room for that in a small drink like this.

Florida is, of course, known for it’s oranges and grows more than half of the nation’s citrus fruit (oranges, tangerines and grapefruit). Sugarcane, tomatoes, strawberries and celery round out our many agricultural achievements.

In addition to the natural juice we produce, all those fitness drinks on the market? Yup, they all started with one–Gatorade–developed by the coaching staff and physicians in 1965 at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, whose mascot is the Gator.

And if you’re not feeling the mixed drinks, you can check out the amazing San Sebastian Port available from the monks in St Augustine (the oldest European settlement in North America). The grapes are grown and processed in central Florida at the Lakeridge Winery (excellent tasting tours available pretty much any time–ask for Christy, if she’s there!) and finished up in St Augustine. It’s an amazing cherry Port in a bottle whose design dates back to the Middle Ages.