Category: Alcohol Drinks

What Is Irish Cream?

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What Is Irish Cream?

“Harold, you have been drinking Irish Cream with your morning coffee every day for months.” Dr. Wetbrain declared.

Harold defended himself with, “What?! Only 5 cups a day. Plus, it has sugar and cream. Perfect for coffee.”

The Dr. added, “Let us not forget the Irish whiskey. Funny thing about the Irish Cream Liqueur. It was Not created by the Irish!”

Believe it or not Irish Cream is not originally from Ireland.

Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur was created in 1971, in England by Tom Jago, a British marketing executive.

Irish Cream is a protected geographical product so that is why Bailey’s Irish Cream is now made in Dublin, Ireland.

What is Irish Cream?

Most Irish Cream liqueur brands consist of 16 to 20% alcohol, Bailey’s has 17%.

Most Irish Creams are made with a lot of sugar, cream and a splash or two of Irish whiskey. Some brands add a pinch of chocolate and a drop of vanilla.

Developed in 1978 Carolans Irish Cream is made in Kentucky, US, by the master distiller Coner O’Driscoll originally from Dublin, Ireland. In 2016 Carolans ranked 3rd in the cream liqueur category in the US market. Name was taken from a famous 17th century harpist Turlough O’Carolan. Harpist in those days is like an electric guitarist these days.

Carolans Irish Cream is made with honey instead of sugar. Besides the naturally harvested honey it is also made with farm fresh cream from Ireland and of course Irish Whiskey.

Even though Irish Cream is protected as a geographical product where it must be produced in Ireland, another U.S. distillery is making it.

Blarney’s Country Irish Cream is made by Minhas Distillery in Wisconsin, U.S. Blarney’s Country Irish Cream is made with fresh cream, Irish Whiskey, sweet chocolate and sweet caramel. My favorite Irish Cream. Wetbrain smirks.

Want to make your own Irish Cream?!

One day I was at a friend’s place, and she put into a glass with ice a good-looking creamy liqueur. It was a great drink. She kindly gave me her recipe.

Ingredients:

1 tsp. -Unsweetened Cocoa powder or chocolate syrup

1 tbsp. -Sugar

1 tsp. -Non artificial vanilla extract

1 tbsp. -Instant coffee or espresso powder

1 14oz. can -Sweetened condensed milk (no evaporated milk)

1 cup -Heavy cream

1 cup -The best part, Irish Whiskey. Can use white rum or bourbon and a little more then 1 cup whiskey, if needed.

Throw all the ingredients into a blender. Blend till smooth. Pour into a large bottle, juice jug, canning jars or glasses with ice cubes and drink it now. You can keep this liqueur in the fridge for later.

With this rich creamy sweet liqueur, you can use it for baking, cocktail drinks, coffee mix, ice cream or just into a glass of ice.

“So, Harold,” Dr. Wetbrain concluded. “I think you drink way too much morning coffee.”

Different Unique Wines.

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Different Unique Wines.

 

One day at the kitchen table Dr. Wetbrain and Harold were sampling a bottle of home-made wine that the Doctor made.

“That was the best wine I have ever tried!”, Harold wide-eyed said.

“Birch Sap Wine and I held back on the sugar. Mind you tapping Birch trees is like tapping Maple trees for sap there is a little bit of a chore involved. Especially in the cold winter months of February and March.” Dr. Wetbrain declared.

Ingredients of the Birch Sap Wine is –

4.5 liters of birch tree sap

250 ml of white grape concentrate

1.25 kg. of sugar

2 tbs. of citric acid

Pack of wine yeast

Directions to make this great Birch Sap Wine.

In a very large pot bring birch sap, grape concentrate and sugar to a boil. Remove pot from the heat, add citric acid, stir until sugar is dissolved. Cool then apply the pack of wine yeast.

Cover the cooled pot loosely with a cheese cloth or towel. Don’t touch it for 10 days.

Siphon into a large wine fermentation jar. I think they are all large! Allow to ferment for 3 months. Drink and be merry with the greatest wine ever.

 

Homemade Elderberry Wine

   Elderberries are way too bitter to eat raw, also will make you sick from their toxins. Diarrhea and vomiting, neat things like this. But Elderberries make awesome wine.

The first time I made Elderberry wine was in the 80’s with my buddy Dennis and his 70-year-old dad who was our wine making mentor. We made a 10-gallon batch!

Driving up a logging road and around one of corners we came across bushy tree all by itself. Filled with ripe Elderberries. Dennis and I filled any container like empty beer cases that we could find. We took all these berries to his dad’s basement and made wine.

Unfortunately, we put a tad more sugar then requested. OK a lot more. Never mind the 6-month fermentation period. We were sampling at 3 months, and a 20-ounce glass would get you pissed drunk. Yeah, too much sugar, but great tasting. Like drinking juice.

   Dandelion Wine

This homemade wine is pretty good. You must harvest the Dandelion flowers at full spring bloom. Only 2 quarts of flowers for 1 gallon of wine. Best part is the fermentation duration is only 1 week.

Homemade wine can be made from any natural product such as fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, rhubarb, flowers, watermelons and tomatoes. All are a hit and miss. Sometimes a wine experiment turns out great, and sometimes not so much. Trial and error.

   Few other unique homemade wines.

Jalapeno wine – Never tried, might be hot.

Honeysuckle wine – The flower pods do hold a lot of juice.

Tomato wine

Chocolate wine – Too sweet.

Mushroom wine

Crab wine – What?! Must be a Newfoundland thing.

“Let’s try my safe cranberry wine Harold”, Dr. Wetbrain asked.

The Famous Sourtoe Cocktail.

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The Famous Sourtoe Cocktail. 

One day on vacation Dr. Wetbrain and Harold ended up in Dawson City, Yukon. They found what they were looking for. The Downtown Hotel with the famous Sourtoe Cocktail. An older looking building with lots of charm. Painted red with white trim. Also, on one side of this bar there is a Jack London Grill and Grace’s Gift Shop on the other side.

The Dr. and Harold parked the truck and went in.

“You and I are going to have the Sourtoe Cocktail, Harold.” Dr. Wetbrain insisted.

Scared Harold replied, “Okay??”

Sitting in this Yukon bar having a beer the Doctor told the story of the famous Sourtoe Cocktail.

The history of the Sourtoe goes back to the 1920s when a rum-runner Louie Linken froze his big toe during a blizzard in the Yukon. To prevent gangrene Louie’s brother amputated his big toe and put it into a jar of alcohol. This toe somehow ended up at the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City.

Be A Sourtoe Club Member.

So now to become an honorary certified member of the Sourtoe Club which has been around since 1973 and has over 100,000 members from around the world. You have to drink a shot of whatever whiskey you wish. Normally Yukon Jack. With a preserved human toe in the shot.

#1 – Order a shot and pledge the Sourtoe oath.

#2 – Watch the human toe get dropped into your shot.

#3 – Drink your shot fast or slow as long as the human toe touches your lips. You are good to go to be certified.

You are now the proud owner of the Downtown Hotel Sourtoe Cocktail Club signed certificate.

Harold gagged a little when the toe touched his lips.

Fun Facts – 25 people have donated dehydrated to the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City, Yukon. These donators are trying to toe the line.

Social Media Made Guinness Beer Scarce.

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Social Media Made Guinness Beer Scarce!

Did social media have a play in the scarcity of Guinness Beer?

Right now, there is a shortage of that fine tasting Guinness Beer. This beer devastation is not from climate change with droughts and floods effecting the barley harvest. Or lack of fresh water. No, the desolate depletion of Guinness Beer was brought on by a marketing campaign which lasted for a few years in the UK, along with a social media hype. The main group devoted were women and Gen Zs. Guinness Beer is getting sold out. “No drops of stout left in my stein me laddies!”

 

Guinness Beer produced by Diageo for 265 years, limited the purchase on how much British pubs can get. Usually half of their regular orders. One pub owner noted that we must have Guinness for the Six Nation Rugby Championship which kicks off January 31, 2025! These nasty limits only apply to pubs in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

Also, the Irish security stock of Guinness Beer was commandeered for the UK shortage. North America will also suffer from the lack of Guinness in the pubs due to Diageo putting a large shipment on standby. Diageo spokesperson thanked customers for their patience due to the demand at unprecedented levels and working hard to increase the volume.

Arthur Guinness on December 31, 1759, signed a 9000-year lease on the St. James Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. The Guinness Beer was born. Is Guinness still paying 5 cents a month??

This brewery is now owned by Diageo a multinational alcohol beverage maker based in London, England. Out of their over 200 brand names include Smirnoff, Baileys, Captain Morgan and Gordon’s Gin.

Very sad for the Guinness Beer shortage especially for the Six Nation Rugby Championship. Life is life but marketing and social media does not always help.

Update: 35200 pints of Guinness Beer were just stolen due to the shortage.

Star Wars Bar Drinks on Movie.

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Star Wars Bar Drinks on Movie.

 Dr. Wetbrain walked into the living room and saw a weird hairy creature. “Harold, why are you dressed like a very short Chewbacca?” The Dr. questioned.

“It’s May 4th. May the 4th be with you.” Harold replied.

“Sick. You are all ready for the Star Wars marathon tonight.” Wetbrain mentioned and continued.

I love the bar scene from the movie Star Wars, A New Hope, Episode IV.

On the planet Tatooine there is an alien filled, dimly lit tavern with very cool looking aliens, strong drinks and modern jazzy music.

The famous bar is named ‘The Mos Eisley Cantina’ and filled with unique alien customers listening to a song called ‘Mad bout Me’ and performed by Bith aliens called, ‘The Cantina Band’.

The patrons in this space bar consisted of…

Ariel Schous – the wolfman with glowing eyes.

Hem Dazon – big eyes and a head with big round head sides.

Kardue ‘sai’ Malloc – you devil you.

Many more alien creatures like Myo, Little Kabe, Momaw Nado and let us not forget the bartender Wuher. The list goes on. Find more at screenrant.com.

Star Wars Drinks on Movie 

Drinks on the menu at The Mos Eisley Cantina tavern on the planet Tatooine…

Tatooine Sunset – fermented fruit and tea. Warm brown colored drink suitable for Humans.

Blue Milk – Bantha Milk which is a blue liquid produced by female Banthas.

Tatooi Junko – a powerful Hutt beverage.

Parkellan Sling – a brown beverage from the planet Takodana.

Med Nog – this drink gives you a buzz and helps heal war wounds faster.

Spotchka – this drink is made from a killed creature called a Krill. Safe to consume for Humans and Klatooinians. Bring it on.

Ruby Bliel – Anakin Skywalker loved this drink in his younger days. This non-alcohol drink is, believe or not, still a gooey tasty beverage. WTF. Many more drinks noted for the Mos Eisley Cantina at Wookieepedia.com.

“So, Harold, you tiny Wookie. I’m going out to warm up the truck. Off to the movie marathon we go.” Dr.Wetbrain excitedly concluded.

The Kraken and Rum.

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The Kraken and Rum.

In the 1700’s large merchant ships were attacked by huge sea creatures that had large heads and long fat octopus like tentacles. Stories would tell that this huge sea creature would quickly swim around the ship to create a whirlpool thus sinking the boat then eating the floating crew members.

“So, Harold.” Dr. Wetbrain blurted out. “You know how much I love stories about cryptids.” Harold sighed and replied with, “yes, I do.”

Of course, I had to look further into the Kraken and rum story.

The rumor of the Kraken started in 1700 somewhere in the Norwegian Sea between Iceland and Norway. Described somewhat by Italian Catholic Priest Francesco Negri.

Same Kraken description was given in detail in 1734 by Hans Egede, The Apostle of Greenland.

Description of The Kraken:

Huge sea serpent which has many heads, several claws and the body measured many miles in length. OK… too much rum.

In reality the first written account of the Kraken was in 1180 by King Sverre of Norway.

The Jules Verne’s novel, ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ was influenced by giant squids sighted by fishermen. The giant squid theory came into true view in 2005 with film footage from Japanese oceanic researchers T. Kubodera and K. Mori.

View Kraken Footage

Note: The name Kraken comes from the Norwegian ‘Krake” which is closely related to a German word for Octopus.

So, what got me thinking about the Kraken was me wondering around the liquor store seeing what’s new. Came across a bottle of Kraken Black Spiced Rum and went into a deep cryptid thought for about 15 minutes until the store worker shook me and said, “Are you alright sir?”

After gathering his faculties, Dr. Wetbrain replied with, “yes”.

This Caribbean black spiced rum of 47% alcohol made by Proximo Spirits of New Jersey, turned out to be quite tasty with a splash of apple juice.

Kraken Rum story is that a lone ship carrying barrels of spiced rum across the Caribbean Sea was attacked by a Kraken. One barrel survived, thus the Kraken Rum Company.

Note: At 47% alcohol, if you drink too much Kraken Rum in one night you may turn into the Kraken. Dr. Wetbrain snickered.  

Does Powdered Alcohol Exist?

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Does Powdered Alcohol Exist?

 

   One day Dr. Wetbrain walked into the kitchen onto Harold putting into a glass of water a teaspoon of a powdered substance.

“What poison are you using Harold!” The doctor yelled.

“Seltzer. Upset stomach if you don’t mind!” Harold replied angrily.

“I thought it was powdered alcohol.” Wetbrain coyly remarked. Like we care.

Sato Foods

“Powdered Alcohol exists!?” Harold said with his eyes wide open.

Well Harold in 1966 Sato Foods from Japan created many powdered compounds of natural products such as vegetables and fruits. One great substance they created was powdered alcohol. Sato Foods technology for the processing patents was acquired in 17 countries. Now selling in the U.S.A.

Scottsdale, Arizona. Inventor Mark Phillips on March 10, 2015, received approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to sell Palcohol in the United States.

Palcohol is freeze-dried powdered alcohol produced as ready-made cocktail drinks such as margaritas, cosmopolitans, premium Vodka and Puerto Rican rum drinks.

The Lipsmark Co. sell this product in foil pouches made like drinking glasses where the drink you have sat on the table upright perfectly.

Just pour in 5 ounces of water, zip the pouch closed, shake like hell till powder dissolves. A perfect margarita. Unzip the pouch and enjoy.

Sure, they have whipped cream with alcohol, caffeinated and chocolate alcohol. Unfortunately, Palcohol was condemned by the media. Apparently, this powdered alcohol was experimented on by snorting the powder like cocaine by certain individuals. No noted facts but I’m sure someone tried. Of course, the teenagers might find the bright packages too appealing. Plus, you can sneak these little pouches into events and venues. That charge should be good for a year or 2 in jail.

So, you can still purchase this powdered alcohol in some of the U.S. states like Washington, Alaska and Colorado and a few others. The other states banned Palcohol. What the…?

So now you know that Powdered Alcohol does exist. What a great idea Harold thought as he was checking out Amazon for a delivery. Just cocktail powdered mix available at Amazon if you must know. Cheers!

9 Very Spooky Halloween Drinks.

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Portrait of a vampire.

9 Very Spooky Halloween Drinks.

Dr. Wetbrain, snickering, walked into the dining room where Harold was sitting.

“So, I see you have your Halloween costume on.” Wetbrain jokingly said for Harold looks like he always does.

“So, I see you have yours on also!” Harold replied with a grin.

“Let’s get the party started with some spooky Halloween drinks. So, this year do you want to be the werewolf or vampire?” The doctor asked.

This year if you want to be a vampire for Halloween and want human blood in your cocktail. May I mention that drinking human blood can make you sick by inviting viruses into your body such as Hepatitis and HIV.

Pig’s Blood on the other hand would work out as a much safer cocktail ingredient even for vampires.

Werewolves of London   By –  Drinking in America.com

– 2 oz. of Dry gin

– 1 oz. of Pimm’s No. 1 (A gin liqueur)

– 2 oz. of Pineapple juice

– coconut syrup

– Small amount of Pig’s Blood.

 

Bloody Mary

Since the 1970’s young teenage girls would challenge the ‘Bloody Mary Game’ by going into a washroom with a lit candle. Then look into a mirror and say Bloody Mary 3 times. Eventually drops of blood would appear in the mirror on the first 2 sessions. On the third Bloody Mary incantation a ghostly apparition will appear.

One of the theories of who this ghastly apparition is a Hungarian Countess named Elizabeth Bathory “Queen of Blood”. In the early 1600s she was convicted of murdering 650 young girls so she can bathe in their blood. A type of skin treatment at the time.

 

Bloody Mary – The Cocktail.  By –  A Couple Cooks

   – 2 oz. Vodka

– 4 oz. Tomato Juice

– Dash of Lemon Juice

– 2 dashes of Worcestershire Sauce

– 2 dashes of Tabasco Sauce

– Celery Salt to Rim the Glass

– 2 tbs. of Horseradish

 

 

Vampires Kiss.  By –  A Couple Cooks

–  Vodka

–  Chambord – A popular raspberry liqueur

–  100% Cranberry Juice

–  A little Lemon Juice

–  Grenadine

–  Dry ice for effects.

 

Nightmare On Bourbon Street.

   Recipe – Half Baked Harvest   By – Cosmopolitan

   – Rim a cocktail glass with cinnamon sugar.

– In a shaker with ice combine…

– 1 & 1/2 oz. of Bourbon

– ¼ cup of Apple Cider

– 1 oz of Lemon Juice

– Few tbs. of Maple Syrup

– Hint of Ginger and Cinnamon

– Shake

– Pour into Rimmed Cocktail Glass

– Top with Splash of Sparkling Apple Cider

 

Classic Zombie   By – A Couple Cooks

Warning! This is a strong drink in a large glass.

– 1.5 oz. Of White Rum

– 1.5 oz. Of Spiced Rum

– 1.5 oz. Of Dark Rum or Go Dangerous, 151 Proof Rum

– ¾ oz. Of Lime Juice

– Dash of Lemon Juice

– ½ oz. Of Pineapple Juice

– ½ oz. Of Passion Fruit Syrup

– Dash of Orange Bitters

– 1 Tbs. Of Grenadine

 

 

Witch’s Brew Lemonade    Recipe – Delish     By – Cosmopolitan

Shakespeare: Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and caldron bubble.

– Fill tall glass with ice

– 2 oz. Of Gin

– 2 oz. Of Sparkling Lemonade

– 2 oz. Slow Pour of Blue Curacao, Let Settle to Bottom of Glass

 

Zombie Brain Shot   By – Homemade Hooplah

– In a shot glass, 1 oz. of Peach Schnapps

– Gently layer 1oz. of Bailey’s or any other Irish Cream

– Carefully add a couple drops of Grenadine

This small drink becomes a creepy Zombie Brain Effect.

 

Corpse Reviver #2   By – A Couple Cooks

– In a medium drinking glass with some ice.

– ¾ oz. Of Gin

– ¾ oz. Of Lemon Juice

– ¾ oz. Of Cointreau

– ¾ oz. Of Dry Vermouth

– Splash Of Absinthe

 

Poison Apple   By – Jillian Harris

– Fill shaker with crushed ice

– Add 2 oz. Vodka

– 2 oz. Cranberry – Apple Juice

– 1 oz. Pomegranate Juice

– Shake, pour into tall glass.

 

Harold finally replied to Dr. Wetbrains question. “Ok, I will be the vampire this time. But NO blood drinks! Unless it’s your blood Wetbrain.” Harold gave an evil snicker.

Mark Paulson and 1971 Wine.

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Mike Paulson and 1971 Wine. 

San Francisco in 1971 Mark Paulson was influenced by a friend to purchase a 3-liter bottle of expensive wine for only $250. These days that value would be around $2000. This classy Domaine de la Romanee – Conti wine would be a great present for my daughter’s wedding, Mark thought later.

Fifty years later Mr. Paulson’s son Cody brought to his dad an article about the same bottle of wine that was auctioned off for a mere $80,000. Cody tried to buy this bottle of wine of $5000, dad said no. Shortly after Mark explained this new information to his daughter and gently mentioned that this wine is no longer a wedding present. She concurred.

This precious wine which barely survived an earthquake in 1989, is now set up to be auctioned off by the Bonhams Skinner Auction House. Bidding starts at $50,000. Mr. Paulson noted that with all the publicity going on this bottle can fetch $100,000. Good luck Mark. It may very well happen. I think Mark Paulson has chosen correctly when he bought that fine bottle of Domaine de la Romanee – Conti wine in 1971. Made in Burgundy, France since 1232, Dr. Wetbrain added.

Dr. Wetbrain reminiscing of the 70’s. “I remember during my late teens when you wanted booze you had to find a bootlegger. Someone that was old enough to get into the liquor store. All our peers bought a case of beer or a 26 oz. bottle of whiskey or vodka. Not Lawrence, my best friend and me. We always got a case of fancy imported wines. Wines like Piesporter, Blue Nun and Black Tower. We were so stylish then.”