Those Days
This month’s cocktail challenge: Children’s Books! Yes, I’m creating cocktails that are inspired by, and pair well with children’s books. I know it sounds strange but I think I might be onto something...
I yawned [again] and said, very quietly, “Today was a very bad day, Mommy. Sorry.”
And she kissed me goodnight and said, “I know. We all have those days sometimes, but perhaps you will be more cheerful tomorrow!”
I wish I had the patience to be this mom every night. Some nights I have the emotional bandwidth to take a deep breath and understand that whatever is inspiring my children to act out likely has nothing to do with the thing they appear to be mad about. Maybe they’re hungry, or tired, or sad about something that happened at school, or still processing the fact that Mommy and Daddy don’t live together (yes, this comes up several times a week even though we separated three years ago), or dealing with the ongoing stress of a global pandemic. Hell, sometimes I can’t quite put my finger on what’s bothering me when I’m in a shittty mood and I’ve been at this for the better part of 40 years! How can I expect my small, sweet child to know what’s bothering them AND how to communicate about it?
Sometimes I don’t have the emotional bandwidth to handle an upset child with the calm and care that they deserve. Sometimes I have my own “No No No” days. On Those Days, I usually call my mom or text a friend, make a cocktail, and take a “mommy timeout” (10 uninterrupted minutes for Mommy to calm down). Tired parents, I see you. Check out Good Inside for great tips!
This cocktail, appropriately titled “Those Days,” is for, well, those days. With a 2oz pour of bourbon, complemented by fresh citrus, honey, and cocoa, this drink feels decadent but well-deserved. Sure, you’re wearing sweatpants and your bed is covered in laundry but you can make a drink that feels—wait, when was the last time the kids took a shower? Never mind, it’s okay. You can worry about that tomorrow. Where was I? Oh right, you can make a drink and pretend you’re at a swanky whiskey bar… and sip slowly and enjoy. You know, in between screaming “Please put on your pajamas!” and “Wait, you STILL haven’t brushed your teeth? What are you doing in there?!?!?!”
Ingredients (makes 2 cocktails)
4oz Bourbon (Freeland Spirits)
1oz Triple Sec
1oz simple syrup (I used a thin version: 2 parts water, 1 part sugar)
Chocolate bitters
Honey (for the rim)
Unsweetened cocoa powder (for the rim)
Orange (for garnish)
Ice
Instructions
Pour some honey and drop some cocoa on a plate (see image), roll the rim of the glass in the honey first and then the cocoa powder. Careful… it will drip a little bit!
In a large mason jar, or other vessel, combine bourbon, triple sec, and simple syrup. Stir.
Pour into glass over ice.
Add 3 dashes of chocolate bitters,
Make a little rose garnish with your orange peel, because you’re fancy.
Enjoy!
This drink was inspired by, and pairs well with My No, No, No Day!, by Rebecca Patterson. It’s one of my favorites (and the kids love it too!). We received this book through our participation in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
