A Special-Occasion Cocktail

There’s something special about celebrating with friends, raising a glass to mark the occasion.

How it started

One year ago, the week before Covid lockdowns began, ten students gathered in a small room for a writing class called True Stories, Real People.  All were motivated by the desire to create non-fiction without offending or alienating the people we write about.  After the first in-person class, the school set up Zoom meetings for the duration of the 6-week class.

We shared our most intimate stories.  Pain and loss were laid bare, leaving me breathless at times, as my brave colleagues shared their work, and I shared mine.  I don’t remember the teacher saying “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” but it felt safe, and a bond was created.

On our last day, we decided to keep meeting on Zoom, on our own, to support each other’s work. One year later, we’re going strong, eight of us meeting once a week to read, gently critique, and encourage each other’s writing.  Our sense of intimacy deepened as we continued writing, sharing, being vulnerable, but always feeling protected by the group.  We call ourselves TSRP, after the class that brought us together:  True Stories, Real People.  

The challenge

To mark our one-year anniversary, I offered to create signature cocktails, so we could raise our glasses together and celebrate our unique group.  Each cocktail’s ingredients had to include the letters, T, S, R, & P.  And to accommodate different palates, budgets, and the limitations of our fridges and cabinets, I offered choices with different flavor profiles.

T is for Tequila

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine 2oz Tequila with ½ tsp Simple syrup or Agave syrup, 1 oz Rose’s Lime Juice, 1 tsp Pulp. Shake vigorously (or use a blender).  Adjust for desired sweetness, serve with a Twist of Lemon or Lime.

S is for Scotch

Add 1 sprig fresh Rosemary to ingredients for simple syrup and boil for 1 minute or zap in microwave.  Leave sprig in while cooling, but discard when ready to serve. Squeeze juice from a Meyer Lemon (preferred) or regular lemon.  In cocktail shaker, add 1 ½ oz Scotch, syrup and Pulp. Shake vigorously.  Strain into chilled glass, add 2 ½ oz Soda, stir, adjust taste and garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and a Twist of Lemon.

R is for Rum

Steep mint Tea to VERY strong, and chill.  In a blender, combine 2 oz Rum, 4 oz Pineapple rings, 2 oz Simple Syrup, 1 ½ oz Coconut cream, 2 oz tea, 1 cup crushed ice.  Blend well at high speed.  Pour into tall glass and garnish with a pineapple ring.  

P is for Port

Combine simple syrup with 1 oz Scotch and 1 ½ oz Port. Pour over a tall glass filled with crushed ice.  Add 2 ½ oz soda, 1 tsp Rose’s lime juice, and stir. Garnish with Twist of lemon, pinches of grated nutmeg, and ground cinnamon. 

L’Chaim - Bottoms Up - Cheers - Prost - Santé - Cin Cin - Salute! 

I ran out of Scotch, so substituted Bourbon. Still delicious! (Photo: Mindy Stern)