#Or maybe...lemon mint? Mojito?

[aldasart]

Dana but sprite flavoured

[strwbrry-lmnade]

ℙℝ𝔼𝕋𝕋𝕐

⤷ Dabi - Touya Todoroki

x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

➤ genre § fluff

✎ word count § 4.2k

⊱ warnings § mentions of alcohol

You carefully rotated the little whiskey glass, as you wiped. You were so focused on the way it reflected the unnecessarily bright, flashing lights surrounding you. You blinked twice and rubbed your eyes with the back of your hand. You've been up all night, and everything was stress inducing. The blouse which had the first two buttons torn, or the vest you wore over it that suddenly became too tight. Maybe it's the tie you were wearing, it's incredibly annoying.

You put the glass down, next to the similar crystal pieces. Letting out another sigh, as you leaned on the counter, lowering your head to try and drown the music out.

Too much people. Too much music. Too little air.

You watched a man, slam on the chair in front of you, a lady on hand, flopping down on the chair next to him. Chuckling and giggling, swaying and shuddering, and the reddening tips of their ears couldn't hide how shit drunk they were.

"Two Mojitos!" The man said, and the woman just giggled.

You winked with an out-of-habit smile, snapping your fingers as you pulled out a bottle of rum, and some fresh limes. Hopefully, it's the last drinks of the night. 2 less individuals to worry about.

Your eyes were half-closed as you did a bunch of tricks with the fruit and mint leaves, which no one paid attention to, but it made your work a little less boring. You pulled out two glasses, as you shook the metallic container to mix the rum and sugar inside. Placing the mint leaves in the glasses, and tossing the metallic bottle from a hand to another, before pouring the liquid into the glass, finally cutting the lime into slices, placing a bunch inside the liquid, and a single slice on the tip of the glass for that dramatically decorative effect.

"Two Mojitos." You sang sheepishly, as he gave you the money.

"Keep the change!"

You walked to another empty part of the counter, starring at the blonde D.J. who couldn't possibly make the music any louder. You stared at the people dancing in the big nightclub, a redhead in a short silver dress, a blondie in a tight purple dress, a guy in all black, a guy in black and white, white and blue, too many colors. You briefly rubbed your eyes, and turned around, facing the dull colors of bottles of cheap alcohols, rum, wine and champagne, they made your eyes relax, feel a little more comfortable in their sockets.

"One Blue Blazer." You heard a whisper too close to your ear, it made your body jolt.

Your breath hitched in your throat as you turned around and stepped away, almost but not bumping into the other counter of glasses and a quick heater.

"Scared 'ya? My bad, sweetheart."

He leaned back to sit on his chair with a chuckle, as he placed a dollar bill on the counter, the tip of it between his index and middle finger.

"Right.. Blue Blazer.." You watched his hands, your cheeks slightly flushed as you rubbed your nape.

"In a funny glass, myeah?"

You coughed to fix your throat, closing your eyes for a moment to get rid of the fire on your cheeks, as you opened them and turned around to get his drink ready. You turned on the kettle on the inner counter to let the water boil, as you pulled out a whiskey bottle and two lemons. You skill-fully opened the whiskey bottle with one hand, poured some into a metallic bottle, added garnish then started playing around with the bottle to mix the solution while waiting for the water to boil. It was a habit at this point, even if you felt a certain pair of eyes on you, which wasn't a first, you were so confident with your skills.. mainly because you're bored.

"You enjoy what you do?"

You froze for a moment, and looked at him over your shoulder. You looked at the bottle, threw it in the air, nudged it again into the air with your elbow before catching it.

"No, just adaptive mechanisms." You giggled, pulling a funny glass to his request and poured the contents of the bottle in.

You added some boiled water, traced the tip of the glass with lemon nectar for the spice, and grabbed a platinum purple lighter.

"Flaming?" You lit the lighter and looked at him for consent.

He closed his eyes with one head shake, as he dragged the glass towards him by the base. You closed the lighter, spun it between your fingers before putting it back in your pocket. You watched him trace his fingertip on the tip of the glass, before dragging it across his tongue.

"You don't strike me as someone who smokes."

You raised an eyebrow for a moment, he must be referring to the lighter you tucked in your shorts.

"My co-worker keeps misplacing it and it sucks." You huffed and grabbed a nearby finished glass, taking the bill underneath and letting it join the lighter.

"So you don't like what you do."

He wants to chit chat.

You huffed, cleaning the glass in your hand with a cloth, as you chose your words carefully.

"Won't say no to income."

He hummed, taking a sip of his drink. He then placed it back down, letting his cheekbone rest on his knuckle as he watched you. You placed the glass next to it's clones, tugging the cloth in your empty pocket. You then leaned back on the counter, crossed your arms and held eye contact for a good while. His eyes were such a pretty shade of the sky, you could stare at them for hours. You've seen many colorful eyes, bright, deep, whatever, and you've held many intense eye contact, but oh boy, those pair of blues are definitely your favourite now.

"I love your eyes."

He gave you quite a sly smirk, your eyes were fairly pretty, but not enough for a stranger to compliment them. You dragged your index finger across your bottom lip, looking away for a moment as you felt your cheeks flush again.

"Get glasses."

"Don't do that."

You watched him lick the tip of the glass and take a sip with your eyebrows furrowed, one of your eyes squinting in a confused expression, much to your dismay he didn't elaborate.

You took a deep breath, your eyes making a triangle shape across his face, from an eye to another, a brief glance at his lips then slow repeat, and for just a moment you forgot how loud the music was, until he swiftly turned around, giving you his back as he set his drink down, letting you stare at his nape. You were surprised for a moment, but you've been here before, just never this lost. Another little eye flirt, another customer. You sighed, and moved to an empty part of the bar, waiting for the next customer, or perhaps the next guy to stare at you for moments before giving you his nape.

You gave the whole bar a check, collecting some change, cleaning glasses, giving refills and giving out a couple of orders. By the time you went back to where mister pretty-boy was, he was gone, with his glass empty resting on some change.

You grabbed the glass to clean it, and as you picked up the money, you saw a tissue with something written on it.

Meet me when your shift's over, pretty. -Dabi

Pretty, and Dabi. At least now you know the owner of your favorite blue eyes, but what the hell? No number, no place, no nothing, how would he even know when your shift ends? How would you meet him? The note was so messy, but something is incredibly hot about mystery. It's always the anonymous ones who are more attractive, as long as they're not a giant neon sign that screams kidnapper, you were in for a ride.

You spent the rest of the shift on autopilot, serving everyone while you questioned a literal paper tissue. You'd see a guy hit on a girl, and as they leave the bar together you think how this date could be a portal into something beautiful, but then you see a girl slapping a man, or a girl suddenly yelling at a man, and you realize, that this person, Dabi, should have made more effort. How will you even find him? What if you don't even want to date him? All these questions made you gaslight yourself into thinking you were just too pretty for him to ask you for a date up straight, and so you've decided to just go on about your everyday after shift routine. If he happened to be a part of it, sure, if not because of his misleading, info-lacking proposal, then it sucks to suck on his part.

Hours later, maybe two or three. The place wasn't any less empty, if not more crowded, but for the sake of your eyeballs, your shift was finally over.

You stared at the single tissue in your hand in the changing room, reading the words over again. Let's say for one moment you were oh so eager to meet him, your answer was an immediate yes, what are you to do now?? How would he even know your shift is over? Would he really be willing to wait for you for 3 hours??

With a sigh you threw the tissue away, removing your tie and unbuttoning your vest to disregard it as well. You wore a simple jacket over your white blouse and shorts, bid farewell to your co-workers, and slowly made your way through the red alleys to the back door. It may have been a staff-only area, but you have a couple making out, and someone smoking in the corner nonetheless. You opened the door, breathing in the slightly polluted night air, and letting it out.

"Good evening, sweet thing!"

You had pepper spray for a reason.

"Ohh, aren't you the bartender?"

It was one of those nights. You occasionally left the night club to be met with a person or two, who were just hanging, and wouldn't say no to fun.. or wouldn't take no for an answer either. You had security guards escort you out sometimes, but not all times, you should see what happens to the strippers or pole dancers in there.

With a sigh you turned around, eyeing over two men who weren't so awful looking, but reeked off of alcohol, and definitely some substances.

"Good evening to you too.."

You smiled, not so brightly, your hand tugging in your bag as your fingers wrapper around your precious can of pepper spray.

"You really shouldn't go home alone, you know!"

"Oh yeah, who's gonna take care of you?"

They swayed left and right, slowly walking to you. They must have been either throwing out whatever drunken leftovers, or just smoking more substances.. or possibly just waiting for the night club's employees.

You took a single step back, guarded. You have an idea how this scenario would go both ways, but they 2 pairs of eyes, not just one, and the moment you aim at one of them, the other would probably prepare to dodge your attack while you spray the first one. Maybe spray one's eyes, and kick the other's nuts? Yeah. That should probably be the safest-

"She's with me."

There it was again. That odd whisper.

A gentle hand wrapped around your hip, pulling you to the side. Your shoulder was pressed against someone's chest, and it made your breath hitch. You didn't need to look up to make sure he's the owner of your favorite blues, he smelled awfully nice for a man. Something sour, and something spicy, with the stinky sting of the scent of cigarettes.

"She doesn't seem to mind."

You hate men for a reason.

"She does, get lost."

It was just his fingers, his whole hand cupped the curve of your hip, his fingers grazing the belt around your shorts, and just one of them, touched your skin through the small gap between your shirt and your shorts. His other hand was out of your vision, because you were looking straight ahead, slightly downwards, but you were able to make out he must be smoking a cigarette because he was holding something to his mouth.

Your cheeks flushed, and your heart banged against your ribcage as your fingers trembled softly. You hate physical contact, you hate when someone touches you, especially without asking first, but fuck, what is this?

"Don't be so selfish, the pretty lady hasn't said a thing."

You can't-

"She doesn't need to."

With that, he flicked the leftover of the cigarette with his middle finger, letting it land at their feet, before turning you around and walking away. You implied. He may be doing this for selfish purposes for later, but for now, you needed an upper hand, and 3 against 1 or 2 against 1 is further from that.

The moment you got out of their sight, his hand caressed your back from your hip up to your nape, letting his arm rest around your shoulders. Your breath hitched in your throat at the closeness, your fingers still tight around the pepper spray can almost crushing it, as his heart bounded against your shoulder, and you hoped he couldn't feel the banging of your own.

He soon enough slowed down in front of a dark blue motorcycle, unwrapping his arm around your shoulder and walking to it. He grabbed the half-face helmet dangling from one of the bike's handles and held it out for you.

You stared at it for a moment, taking a half-step back, before looking at him with a raised eyebrow. He seemed safe, but this was all too suspicious.

After a moment of another intense eye contact, his smirk widened, before he stepped closer and held the helmet out above your head to make you wear it. You slightly flinched back from the movement, but slowly stepped back in place under the helmet so he can put it on your head, to which he did, and adjusted a strap under your chin.

"Relax, pretty. I'm no kidnapper."

You huffed, and pulled the glass thing up to glare at him. He just smirked at you, the way he would a child.

"Sounds like something a kidnapper would say."

"Would a kidnapper let you keep a pepper spray?"

You rolled your eyes and walked past him, hoping on the back of the motorcycle. Leaving him room to sit in front of you. The back seat was high, so you briefly placed your hands between your legs to hoist yourself up. He walked over to you, leaning back on the driver seat with his hands in his pockets.

"Where'd you wanna go?"

You moved your bottom lip, tilting your head slightly as you looked up for a moment.

"Not home."

He blinked, his smirk unfaltering as he stayed silent.

"Take me somewhere."

He smirked only wider, showing some teeth. As he hoisted himself off his bike, and threw a leg over it.

You slowly wrapped your arms around his waist, laying your palms flat on his trunk. You could feel he was toned as shit underneath that shirt, you can vividly imagine him shirtless which was quite unholy.

He started his bike and took off.

The air didn't hit you, but it blew his hair back and you caught more than a few glimpses of his sliver industrial piercing on one of his ears. You rested your head between his shoulder blades, your arms tightening for a second, with each bump, each turn, and each stop.

"Relax, pretty. You're not gonna fall." He yelled, and you groaned.

He must've felt the vibrations of your face against his back because he chuckled.

"Stand up."

"Are you crazy?!" You tugged on his shirt with your fingers, as a form of nudging him.

"Trust meeee, pretty. You can still hold on to me, but stand up."

You didn't comply, and just slammed your forehead on his back.

"Real cockblock"

"That's mean.."

"Then stand up, pretty. I promise I won't go so fast." His voice softened, the moment your hold on him loosened up.

You were into risky shit, but there's a difference between risky and deadly, however the line between them was extremely thin.

He stopped at a red light and you felt him let go off of one of the handles and pat your thigh. His hand was so cold, almost icy against your skin, his pinkie even caressed your skin under your thigh high for a moment.

"You'll like it."

You stared at his hand for a moment, taking a deep breathe before unwrapping your arms from around his waist. You held on to his sides before slowly standing up, resting your hands on his shoulders, or more likely holding on for dear life. He wasn't even moving but your heart was already pounding so fast. You leaned on his back, pressing your knees each against his side.

"Hold on." Just as the light turned green, he took off in the blink of an eye.

The momentum pushed you back, making you clench around his shoulders, and he used one hand to hold your knee till you leaned forward again and got used to the speed.

He was right, you liked it.

The air didn't hit your face because of the helmet, but it had your jacket flying around you almost like wings. You'd hang out of your friend's car window often, or so, but this was wilder. So much unsafer, but wilder, and somehow you felt safe holding on to Dabi.

"Told you, ya'll like it."

You broke out into a laughing fit, wrapping one arm around his neck from the back, while you stretched the other one above your head.

"This is amazing!"

He took a sharp turn, leaning left, dangerously a little closer to the ground, and you just wooed leaning right to keep balance.

He laughed, leaning back in place and speeding up out of the city.

"You better not take me somewhere haunted, I like you!"

You tugged playfully at his hair, as he drove through a road in the forest.

"Don't worry, if you liked that you'll love this!"

He laughed, and got on a mountain road. The air got colder, wilder, and so did his speed. You yelled into the air, making him laugh, and race against the wind to the top.

He started slowing down nearing the end of the road, as you were met with a white fence. He parked his bike, and got off, holding out his hand. You took it, in giggles and chuckles leftover from your laughing fit and the adrenaline, as you took your leg off the bike, taking his other hand when he held it out too as he helped you hop off. He had a wide smirk, as he watched you laugh off the adrenaline. He looked you in the eyes as he undid the helmet strap under your chin, his fingers caressing your jawline unnecessarily, which made your cheeks flush slightly, and giggle some more.

"What?" You asked.

He smiled, freezing for a moment before removing the helmet off of your head, and letting it hang on his bike handle, before walking to the fence and jumping over it.

"Whaaat!" You giggled again as you followed him, and he helped you get over the fence like he did with his bike.

"I don't see why you don't think you're eyes are pretty." He murmured.

After he helped you get over the fence, by holding one hand, then your other hand, letting you throw your legs over, he kept his hold on one of your hands as he walked down the leap, almost dragging you with him. He stood on the edge of a steep he needed to slide down, and looked at you.

"Com'ere."

You silently obeyed, taking a step closer to him. He slid down the steep, then held a hand out as he leaned close to catch you.

"I'm not jumping..."

You raised an eyebrow, taking off your jacket and wrapping it around your waist, to let it cover your butt and the back of your thighs as you slide down just like him, but in a more of a sitting position. He chuckled, as you stood up and almost fell forward from the moment but he caught you, of course he did.

"You're no better than an average man." You scoffed and nudged him off playfully.

He simply snickered in response, and walked ahead of you.

"Okay, pretty. Think you can close your eyes for your average black head?"

You stared at him suspiciously, and crossed your arms.

"Alright, just look at me then."

He stepped closer, filling your entire view on purpose, as he placed his fingers around each of your wrists. You hummed in disapproval as you stared at him, and he stared right back at you. His pupils slowly expanded, as he started walking backwards, and your eyes flickered behind him.

"Ah, eyes on me."

He tapped your temple, and you looked back at his eyes almost immediately.

"If you do end up kidnapping me, it'd make for a.. very interesting documentary.."

You whispered, staring at your reflection in his own orbs. His fingertips were so soft when they trailed down your temple, and pushed back a misplaced strand of your bangs back in place, before caressing your cheek softly. He smiled quietly, didn't even respond, just walking backwards, and you following on his trail.

"Gosh, your eyes are so lovely.."

He whispered, before turning around and stepping aside, to let you see a view of the city. He did this at that timing on purpose, to leave you speechless on both ends. It was typical, of course it was a sighting scene, but wow. Those are as lovely in real life, as they are in one's head when reading a book. The awful pitch black of the sky was a pretty purple because of the stars and moon, as the gentle city lights of a busy city twinkled on the ground. The breeze was just as great, and the smell of mud and leaves was so refreshing compared to the pollution of the smoke, alcohol and sweat you smell everyday.

"O-oh wow.."

You whispered, your hand still around his. As he stared at your face for a moment, before watching his step to pull you forward, and you just stepped towards him. Something about this creepy man was just so assuring enough to allure you.

"Watch your step."

He whispered so softly, as he pulled you to a bench and sat down, untying your now dirty jacket from around your waist and tossing it at the end of the bench before patting your hip, motioning you to sit down. You blinked, looking away from the city, to meet his beautiful blue orbs, they were a lot more prettier than any city lights. You stared at the bench before sitting down, right next to him, thigh to thigh.

His smile widened when his cheeks flushed so slightly, as he took a deep breathe and threw his hands behind his head, stretching one of them behind you, as he crossed his legs.

"You... want my jacket? It doesn't seem cold, but like..."

You giggled, and huddled up to his chest, the arm behind you just barely curling up to rest on your shoulders.

"Nah, the wind's amazing."

"Yeah... thought so too.."

You two just watched the lights sparkle, cars moving, or rooms turning on and off, and what not. More than strangers, less than friends, but this comfort was like nothing before.

"Dabi, huh?"

"It's a signature name, in case ya' didn't show up." He chuckled.

You turned to him then, and he was already looking at you with a smile. His eyes scanned a triangle shape on your face, from your right eye to the left, then briefly to your lips before looking back up at your eyes.

"What's your real name then?"

"Touya Todoroki."

"Hm... Touya.."

His eyebrows barely twitched when you said his real name.

"Touya... you do look like a Touya, Touya." You patted his knee, breaking eye contact to look back at the city.

"You're gonna make me ask?"

You turned back to him again, and he was staring at you still.

"I'm (Y/N)."

He used the arm around your shoulders to lay his hand on your head, his fingers stroking your hair gently although his palm didn't touch your head.

"A pretty name for a pretty girl."

"Oh shut up, it's not as pretty as Touya."

You huffed and crossed your arms.

"But it's pretty because it's yours."

You smiled again, a flush covering your cheeks, as you stared at his lips and he stared back at yours.

"Nice to meet you, Touya."

"Pleasure's all mine."

✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ. ˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚ °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ⋆⭒˚｡⋆ ✧˖° ₊˚⊹ ᰔ༉‧₊˚.

[meowrimo]

aims!! hello!! it’s been so long since i last dropped by!! i hope july has been treating you well, and that the weather isn’t too unbearable where you are!! how have you been?? 🥺

my curious sel question this time is: what would you and your fave’s (you can choose who!!) summer drinks be? 🥹

hiiii my sweet sel bel ! ^_^ i am so sorry i am late to this, july has been hectic & fun & chaotic all in one ! i’ve been doing well, the last week of july i’ve been camping and enjoying every moment of it ! how have you been ? i hope july was kind to you and that august brings you sunshine and lots of joy (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)

oooo fave drinks time !! i think my fave summer drink would be a mojito teehee <3 it’s so yummy and depending on the mood, you can choose whichever flavor you want ! but i love the crisp mint & lime taste. i also looooove pink lemonade :>

zoro is easy peasy and loves his booze (sake) so i think that would be his :3 or just water lmfao maybe i can throw a lemon slice in there and see what he says

kuroo on the other hand !! i think during the summer he likes something with ginger … not straight ginger ale but some sort of mixed drink ! maybe like a jack & ginger .. something with a fun kick but also very refreshing !

[takeabigbiteblog]

We’re Thinking of Starting a Blog on Easy-to-Grow Herbs (And Here’s What We’ve Learned So Far)

So… we’ve been having one of those conversations. You know the kind—where one innocent question over a cup of tea spirals into a full-blown life plan. It started with a passing comment:

“Wouldn’t it be lovely to grow our own herbs?”

And before we knew it, we were Googling basil varieties at 1AM, following rosemary influencers on Instagram (yes, they exist), and wondering:

Should we just start a blog about this?

Spoiler: We probably will.

But before we dive headfirst into the herbaceous deep end, we wanted to share a few beginner-friendly thoughts—specifically, what’s the best way to start growing herbs? Should you go all-in from seed, cheat a little with plug plants, or try your hand at cuttings from your mate’s mint patch?

Let’s break it down.

🌱 Option 1: Growing Herbs from Seed

Pros:

Cheap as chips (and perfect to sprinkle on chips too, hello chives!)

Massive variety. Want purple basil, lemon thyme, or chocolate mint? Seeds have your back.

Satisfying. Nothing beats seeing that first little green sprout pop up.

Cons:

Time. Seeds need patience. Some herbs (looking at you, parsley) can take weeks to germinate.

Fussiness. You’ll need to keep them warm and moist—like a baby in a spa.

Fragility. Seedlings can be drama queens. A missed watering and poof, they're gone.

Best for:

Curious gardeners with time, a sunny windowsill, and no fear of plant heartbreak.

🌿 Option 2: Plug Plants (aka Baby Plants in Little Pots)

Pros:

Instant gratification. They’re halfway grown already!

Less mess. No trays of compost falling all over your kitchen floor.

Less stress. These babies are stronger and more likely to survive.

Cons:

More expensive than seeds.

Less variety—you're limited to what your garden centre or online shop offers.

Best for:

Busy herb-lovers who want results yesterday. Also great if you're prone to forgetting watering schedules (no judgment).

✂️ Option 3: Cuttings (aka Stealing From Your Friend’s Herb Pot)

Pros:

Free! (Assuming your friend doesn’t mind.)

Fast turnaround—mint and basil especially root like champs in water.

Super satisfying. It’s like cloning your favourite herb.

Cons:

Not all herbs work this way. Woody herbs like rosemary or lavender can be trickier to root.

Risk of failure if cuttings aren’t healthy or handled right.

Best for:

Experimental types who love a challenge, or anyone trying to recreate grandma’s legendary oregano.

So… What’s Actually Easiest?

Here’s the tea:

If you’re just dipping your toes into the herb garden lifestyle, plug plants are the easiest and fastest way to get growing. No germination worries, no mystery – just pop them in a pot, water them, and you’re good to go.

But if you want a challenge and the smugness of “I grew this from scratch,” seeds are a joy (and a test of character). And for the adventurous and budget-savvy, cuttings offer a fun, slightly magical experience—especially if you love propagating plants in jars on your windowsill.

And What Are the Easiest Herbs to Start With?

We’re thinking of starting our blog with these absolute legends:

Basil – Quick to grow, smells amazing, and essential for pizza nights.

Mint – Practically unkillable. Great for tea, mojitos, and confusing your cat.

Chives – Like tiny green onions but cuter.

Thyme – Hardy and low maintenance. Also makes you sound like a culinary genius.

Parsley – A slow starter, but so versatile you won’t mind the wait.

Rosemary – A bit tougher, but beautiful and delicious once established.

Coming Soon: Our Herb-Growing Adventures 🌿

We’re genuinely excited to get this blog going—filled with easy herb-growing tips, honest plant fails (we’ll show our withered coriander too, promise), and maybe even a few pesto experiments.

If you’re curious about how to grow herbs without turning your kitchen into a compost heap—or you just want to see if we can keep mint alive longer than a week—stick around.

And hey—do you grow herbs already? What’s your favourite one to grow? Got any secrets we should know before we take the plunge? Tell us everything.

We’re just getting started… and we’re already a little bit obsessed.

[leejenowrld]

Hi babe!

Hope you’ve had a good week

If everyone in the BTY universe were a cocktail, what cocktail would they be?

Bonus: what cocktail would you be?

- 🦋

hi my love 🦋 — you always ask the most thoughtful, layered questions and this one is no exception. imagining each back to you character as a cocktail was such a treat—the ingredients, the glass, the aftertaste, the entire experience feels like a mirror to who they are underneath it all. here’s how i see them behind the bar:

y/n – a negroni sbagliato (with prosecco) elegant but biting. she’s all burn and bloom, bitter first, effervescent after. you order it because it sounds familiar, but there’s a twist. prosecco cuts through the usual harshness—like softness disguised as steel. it’s cold at first sip, but it lingers, coats your tongue, stays with you long after. if you’re not careful, it’ll undo you. served in a cut-glass tumbler with an orange twist. lipstick on the rim.

jeno – a boulevardier equal parts bourbon, campari, and sweet vermouth—this one’s for the slow drinkers, the ones who like watching the ice melt. dark, rich, and emotionally aged. smooth on the surface, but if you drink too fast, it hits you like grief. the kind of drink that tastes better the closer you are to losing something. served over a single rock, no garnish. no need for theatrics.

mark – a classic old fashioned there’s something timeless about him. simple, but never basic. bourbon for grounding, sugar for warmth, bitters for the memories he doesn’t always say out loud. he stirs, never shakes. his sweetness isn’t obvious—but once it hits, it’s addictive. he’s the kind of drink that makes you want to tell the truth. served in a crystal glass, orange peel folded like a secret.

areum – a lychee martini glamorous, dangerous, haunting. looks like a dessert but hits like a dare. sweet up front with that floral chill of detachment. you don’t know what she’s thinking—only that it’s probably about you. the kind of cocktail you order to impress, but can’t quite finish without feeling exposed. served icy cold in a frosted coupe, a single lychee floating like a memory.

karina – a french 75 light, celebratory, refined. she’s champagne and gin and lemon zest—she fizzes through a room but always lands softly. the kind of drink you reach for when you want to feel beautiful. she doesn’t linger in your mouth, but she buzzes in your bloodstream. served in a tall flute, gold-rimmed, always cold.

jaemin – a gin gimlet chilled, focused, impossibly clean. he’s not here to be complicated—he’s here to make sure you feel. lime juice for honesty, gin for intellect, sweetness for what he’s not saying. the gimlet is deceptively light. two in and your heart’s on your sleeve. served up in a stemmed glass, no garnish, no distractions.

donghyuck – a spicy paloma grapefruit and mezcal and chili salt on the rim. everything about him is layered, surprising, a little dangerous. it’s laughter mid-sip, heat right after. sweet, sour, smoky, and smart-mouthed. the drink you didn’t know you needed until he’s got you on your second. served in a tall glass, salted rim, lime wedge smirking at you.

yangyang – an espresso martini energy in liquid form. part party trick, part emotional crutch. he’ll keep you awake all night and disappear before the sun’s up. the drink you order when you want to feel something. dark, charged, addictive—makes you believe you're fine when you’re not. served in a wide coupe, dusted with cocoa, pulse quickening.

chenle – an aperol spritz undeniably bright, unapologetically loud. he’s joy with a citrus twist and chaos in a wine glass. looks like summer, tastes like gossip. easy to drink, impossible to forget. the kind of cocktail that makes you text someone you shouldn’t. served in a goblet with ice, two straws, and zero apologies.

shotaro – a mojito fresh, playful, classic. mint muddled with care, lime juice bright like his laugh, rum smooth like the way he dances. he makes you feel like maybe the night’s not over yet. the mojito doesn’t get old—it just gets sweeter the more you trust it. served tall, with mint for days and the promise of sunrise.

nahyun – a cosmopolitan iconic. sharp. curated. she’s pink and pretty and lethal in heels. you underestimate her—everyone does. she’s vodka and cranberry and control in a glass. easy to hold, harder to swallow. served straight up, sugared rim if she’s in the mood.

bonus: me – i’m an amaro sour bitter, sweet, acidic. italian liqueur for melancholy, lemon juice for spark, a dash of egg white to hold it all together. looks gentle, hits hard. the kind of drink that tells you a story in layers. you don’t always crave it, but when you do, you really do. served in a coupe with orange zest and a quiet little kick.

[nityarawal]

8/17/2024

Space Cowboys

Space Babies

Morning Songs

Dum De Dum

We're Ready

Bring On Back The

Kings Already

Dum De Dum

We're Ready

Persian Americans

Told You What We

Want

No Negotiatin'

Dum De Dum

Yeah We're Ready

Dum De Dum

For Tea Already

Dum De Dum

Got A Magician Here

Dum De Dum

Ready To Build Veda

Land

And Grow A Stairway

To Mars

Dum De Dum

Shall We Have Some

Wild Mint

On A Circular

Staircase

To Greet You With

Lemon Mojitos

Mocktails

Bitters

Spiral Up A Little

Higher

You'll Get Doused

In Lemon Grass

Spiral Higher

Up The Mires

To Vanilla Clouds

At Last

In The ISS

You'll Have Chinese

Rice Bowls

What Kind Of Bed

Do You Want To

Float On

Perhaps

Homegrown

With California

Native Grasses

Tucked Into Organic

Mattresses

Maybe It's Just

The Herbs

To Stave Off

Syphalis

And Aids Virus

And Whatever 

Else

The Trumpleberry

Slothed

With Black Swans

Courtiers

Maybe Just Some

Sweet Mullen Grass

Some Anza

Wild Flowers

What Kinds Of Seeds

Can You Stow

In Your Saddlebags

Space Suits

Space Cowboys

To Plan Ahead

So You Don't Orphan

More Space Babies

Party Favors

What Kinds Of Seeds

Will You Harvest

For Our Breed

Whatever Are You

Planning For

Me

SpaceCowboy

Space Babies

Need A Cuddle

With A Real

Mother

And Jiggle

Space Cowboys

Space Babies

Don't Forget Heart

To Heart

Merci

Peace & Love Eternal,

Nitya Nella Davigo Azam Moezzi Huntley Rawal 

Encinitasbeachhome.com 

[hbnotthepencils]

Naples - Amman and beyond; aka old ruins tour Part 2

Out with gritty, dirty, graffitied, boisterous Naples, and off to the Middle East. The Red Arrow train flew like the proverbial namesake - very smooth, passing Mum's tapestry test. That got us as far as Rome, then a different train experience out to the airport. Heavingly full, heavingly hot, but got the job done.

3 1/2 hours to Jordan, where we got whisked through from airport gate to hotel room with personal escorts.

This morning we headed north to Jarash (aka Jerash; local spelling seems to be Jarash) - "Rome away from Rome". It is one of the best preserved Roman cities, and quite quite spectacular. Quite a contrast to Pompei, with a lot more still standing (despite 3 major earthquakes over the millenia), MUCH less crowds, and much fewer restrictions about where you can go and what you can touch (in Jaresh, almost everywhere and almost everything!).

The local slushy was not quite what we expected, but very refreshing mint and lemon - almost a virgin mojito.

Next stop was Ajloun Castle, an important part of the postal system and defense against the evil Crusades. Jack will be able to tell us which crusade was which?! From the top of the castle, you are meant to be able to see to the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River valley and the Dead Sea (north, west, south), and the West Bank. Unfortunately today was hazy, so we had to imagine that bit.

It is incredible to think about the flow of history through this area - the Persians, Greeks and Romans all had a crack, one after another, before a period of Arab kingdoms/dynasties, then the Ottomans! I kind of wish I had paid more attention to history lessons, but plenty of raw material to get my head around.

The north of Jordan is incredibly fertile. the ground looks like rock and sand, but it produces a huge amount of fruit especially. Lots of trees, huge olive groves.

Back at the hotel now, and planning our assault on dinner. Apparently Jordanians typically dine after 8 or 9pm, so maybe we will get in with the earlybird specials. Or maybe everywhere will be shut until later...

Loving Jordan so far. Petra tomorrow - v excited!

Cheers to all

M&D

[sreegs]

Do you know much about ciders? I'm somewhat new to drinking and I find I much prefer them to beer (all the beers I try just feel really bitter to me?)

Haven't really tried many spirits or cocktails either tbh. I live near a pretty nice store so sourcing isn't an issue so much as paying for the stuff. Anything simple and relatively cheap you might recommend to an amateur drink mixer? Maybe on the sweeter end like fruity/minty?

I tried to get into ciders, I honestly can't say I learned much but I do like to drink them seasonally. I don't know good national brands off the top of my head because cider never caught on here in America during the beer resurgence. I know that cider is much more popular in the UK for example, so if you're there and not here, then you have more options.

I do like a local cider though. Since I live in NYC I'm in apple country. Farmers markets have them and there's cideries not too far outside the city (if anyone here is an NYC resident, go check out Penning's near Warwick).

Cider is usually graded along the dry/sweet axis much like wine. There can also be sour ciders as well. This heavily depends on the type of apple and the aging and oxidation that occurs. Additionally it's not unusual to have ciders with added honey that are weird cider/mead hybrids. Those will also be sweet.

Sweet ciders are straightforward: they'll have a profile closer to non-alcoholic cider. Bright and fruity. Dry ciders are called as such because they're, well, not sweet. It's the absence of sweetness. They're not bitter, they may also be described as "tangy" but not always. Really dry ciders make your mouth feel dry after sipping. I've enjoyed ciders up and down the sweet/dry axis, can't say I have a favorite.

Sour ciders are similar to sour beers. They range from "that's a little funky" to "is this komboucha?". I find sours are a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing so if you find one and you're unsure, buy the smallest amount possible.

Fun fact: cider was once the most popular alcohol in western Europe and more coveted than champagne. Colonial Americans were drinking cider when they weren't stealing land from the natives and committing genocide. Cider and rum, mostly. And beer. Please note this was not cider's fault.

Simple, sweet, fruity, minty. A couple options depending on what you consider easy. I'll give you a couple "proper" recipes as well as the easy way to make them. Oh actually, three. Let's start with the really simple one. Fernet and cola. Don't cringe, it's great. Start with 1 oz of fernet to 8 oz of cola (or 1.5oz to 12 oz if you're using a whole can of coke). serve with lots of ice and a lemon slice. If you like it, increase the Fernet. A proper pour is 5 oz of fernet with a enough cola added to top off the glass. Use bottled cane sugar cola if you can get it. Oh, and make sure it's Fernet Branca. Don't be tempted by Branca Menta, you'll be over-minted.

Try a Mojito. The making of a mojito requires muddling but it needs to be done with finesse as to not pulverize the leaves. Muddle 3-5 mint leaves at the bottom of a shaker with 1/2 oz of simple syrup. Add 2 oz of white rum and 3/4 oz of lime juice. Pour in the ice, shake gently, serve on the rocks topped with club soda/seltzer and a fresh mint sprig.

If you're new to muddling, don't muddle this drink. Muddling too hard will break the leaves make the drink bitter. Grab a sprig or two of mint leaves in one hand and slap the leaves against your other wrist a few times. This will bruise the leaves and express the oils enough without having to muddle. Pluck the leaves and toss them in the shaker with the simple syrup and the rest of the ingredients. Make the same way as above.

Now, if it's the middle of the summer and you just want a drink that's practically whiskey mint snow cone, make a Mint Julep. This is best made in an "old fashioned" style glass (wide, squat glass that holds 8-12 oz) if you don't have the traditional metal cups. Same techniques for the mint as above for the start except you're muddling the mint alone (or doing the wrist slap + pluck the leaves trick). Bruised/muddled mint in the bottom of the glass. Cover with lots of crushed or pebble ice, like a snowcone basically. Pour in 2 ounces of bourbon. Pour over, slowly, one ounce of simple syrup. Let it sit for a minute, garnish with more mint, drink with a straw, stirring as needed.

If you don't have crushed ice, take regular ice cubes and crush them in a clean cotton cloth with something heavy. If you don't even want to bother, just stir for 30 seconds before serving. The trick is, since the crushed ice has more surface area, it melts faster than whole cubes and helps meld the flavors together. This is definitely the hardest of the three drinks to make and it's the most that's "best if done right". But a little elbow grease is enough to make this a great drink.

[scandinavianfairytale]

I wish you knew

It was a perfect summer evening in the capital, the sun was setting and the previously heavy humidity reclined. While the air got cooler, the pavements radiated the absorbed heat, creating the perfect atmosphere to be outside and enjoy the evening.

Ivar was sitting at one of the many open-air bars, overlooking the castle with a dear friend and they discussed a pressing issue.

"She's so persistent and tiresome. I swear, every time I meet her, she wants me to validate her as my girlfriend and I always get home exhausted." Ivar complained as he sipped his lemonade and looked at his friend.

"So why don't you just ask her out, properly - as a girlfriend. I know for a fact that you like hanging out with her." She responded. This particular friend was someone Ivar knew for over 5 years. She was the one he usually talked to when he had problems he didn't know how to solve on his own. She was also the one he fell in love with. The same one that he was hoping would say to dump the girl and be with her. His hope was dying slowly as she spoke.

"I mean, I do like being with her, she's nice to talk to, but I don't see why we would need to change our arrangement."

"What do you think will happen if you just help the girl out and call her your girlfriend?"

"I don't know.."

"It's not like you're getting married or signing a contract. This would be your first real relationship, Ivar. Explore, what you like and what you don't. In the end you can still break-up, or maybe even find out she's 'the one' or whatever." she fixed her bangs and grabbed her Mojito. She knew she would need one as soon as he started talking about the 'girlfriend'.

"But I don't know if I want to be with her."

"Then don't be with her." she rolled her eyes. This man...

"You think I should leave her?" he asked, adjusting in his seat.

'Please say something.' his jaw clenched. There was always something between them. Everyone saw it and everyone wondered. They were constantly teasing each other, putting their heads together, talking amongst themselves. She was one of the few ones that he felt completely comfortable with. When he was annoyed, she was the one that calmed him down.

"I don't know, Ivar. This is not my decision to make. But you need to stop stringing this poor girl along." she looked away.

"Right..." he didn't avert his eyes from her.

"We should probably leave, I'm meeting Erik in 20 minutes." she notified as she looked at her phone.

"Erik?" Ivar squinted his eyes.

"Yeah, you remember - the guy I've been seeing, silly." she slapped his arm playfully.

"You stopped talking about him, I just assumed..."

"We just kind of hit it off. I really like him." she smiled. His heart fell in his stomach.

Ivar insisted on paying and he walked her to her parked bike. As they said goodbye, they hugged and she settled her head in the crook of his neck, inhaling him. He smelled like fresh mint mixed with vanilla. 

She smelled like lavender.

As she left, Ivar looked at his phone, two texts and missed call, all from the same person. He sighed before calling his future girlfriend. She was going to have to do.

She was with Erik 15 minutes later. He pulled her in a hug and kissed her. He smelled of sandalwood and tasted like lemons.

'Ivar probably tastes like lemons too.' was the first thing that popped into her head. It was his go-to drink in the summer.

She sat down with Erik and they ordered their drinks. Erik was fun but so, so similar to Ivar. She didn't connect the dots immediately, but the more time she spent with Erik she realized how he reminded her of Ivar. It was then she also realized that she might have feelings for him. Which, coincidently, is also the same time he casually started mentioning the 'girlfriend'. So she started mentioning Erik, maybe to hopefully get a rise out of him. But no reaction came, so she took that as a sign.

The drink with Ivar was tough. She wanted to cry and scream at him for putting her through this. All she wanted from him was to just leave the 'girlfriend' and be with her. But her love was unrequited. And Erik was good enough.

Thank you so much for reading! 😊 

I'm in a depressing mood, I guess...two in a row, phew 🥺

Please note that the GIF is not mine - full credit goes to the awesome creator! Thank you! 🙏

[thatwitchyaunt]

Makeup for Magick/Ritual p2: Ostara - The Spring Equinox (Pt 2 of 2)

(Juvia's Place cont.)

Left to Right: The Sweet Pinks, The Violets, and The Mauves

The mini palettes are definitely more like "companion palettes". With The Sweet Pinks, most of the palette leans more bright/neon pink. The top right shade and the bottom left shade are more that classic pink that I reach for around this time.

The Violets is beautiful purple palette, and has more depth than the others. Not a lot, but some.

The Mauves has about as much depth as the Sweet Pinks, but the color story is more cohesive. The bottom middle is a beautiful duochrome, but you need to wet your brush or use glitter glue to make it more opaque. Note to self, try pairing palette with a minty metallic. Bet that'd be cute!

Left: The Masquerade Mini, Right: The Magic Mini

The Masquerade Mini's top two colorful rows are beautiful pops for some of the nudes in the bottom two rows. Almost all of The Magic Mini's shimmers are great for Ostara/Spring Equinox except for the two silvery/grey shades in the bottom half. Pinks, golden yellow, a purple/blue duochrome, bright green, even that sea blue-green shade could work. The top warm tone mattes are, won't lie, basic, but they're really good. And the shade Kogi makes for a nice pink blush.

Next, Shroud Cosmetics!

On the right, we have the Creepy Cute palette. This one's obvious: pastels for days! So good. And on the left, is the Shroud x Beautbean It's Freakin' Bats palette. I know this doesn't seem very Ostara/Spring Equinox, but listen… Spooky (duochrome), Apparition (duochrome)and Zero and great spring purply-blues, and Handbook is a very bright chartreuse green that could be great for spring.

Last, but not least, Give Me Glow!

Top: Summer Vibes,Vintage Rose; Bottom: Sweet & Sticky, Vivid Rose

Ignore my broken Summer Vibes palette, please and thank you! If you cover up the two turquoise shades, the hot pink, and the bright orange, the rest have a spring vibe. Tan Lines, Skinny Dip, Bronzed Bombshell and Coconut Slushie would be nice spring nudes (along with Peach Snowcone), and Mango Margarita, Sunny and Fireworks are honestly a great combo for a yellow-orange daffodil look, and those start popping up around this time. Perfect!

Vintage Rose is what it says on the tin. A nice rosy pink and floral green palette. It's little sister, Vivid Rose, has all those bright pinks, berries and floral purples. Throw in some green and you'll look like a regular spring garden. The final palette, Sweet & Sticky, is a nice warm nude palette with a pop of butter yellow. I'd stick with every shade but the darkest. If nudes is more your thing, this is a good palette to use as a base, maybe with a pop of color in the inner crease.

Time for singles! We got 36 GMG shadows to start with. Some of them are discontinued, and a few of those are still available on the GMG site until they sell out. As I type this, Kiwi is discontinued but still in stock. So if you're looking for new singles for your collection, keep that in mind. These are all so much prettier in real life. Damn my garbage phone camera!

Small Palette (Right to Left, Top to Bottom):

Nudes, Pinks, and Nude Pinks

TBT - Deep burnt rustic orange

Last Summer - A muted peachy orange

Cream Please - Creamy ultra-pale beige

Highlight - Pale champagne gold

Flamingo - Hot coral pink

Pink Lemonade - Pink with electric gold a baby blue shifts

No Filter - Purple-mauve

Halo - White with baby blue and gold shifts

Nude Rose - Pale pink nude

Kitty - Ultra pale nude pink

Pink Champagne - Pink with champagne beige undertones

On Ice - Pale champagne nude

Large Palette (Right to Left, Top to Bottom):

Colorful and Pastel Duos, and One Special Shade

Bubblegum - Pale bubblegum pink

Princess Pink - Icy medium tone pink

Electric Purple - Neon pastel purple

Pretty Little Lilac - Icy lavender

Sky High - Bright sky blue

Bubbles - True icy blue

Wink - Deep periwinkle

Peri - Periwinkle

Grapeness - Deep blue violet

Electric Unicorn - A white base with pastel strong electric green and yellow shifts but strong pink with a flash. If you only pick up one new shade for Spring Equinox, make it this one!

Limeade - Lime green

Kiwi - Kiwi green. Perfect spring green

Fierce - Pale orange peach

Creamsicle - Pale icy orange

Lucky Charm - Pale golden yellow

My Sunshine - Sunny yellow

Lemon Lime - Electric green with shifts of banana yellow

Sour Apple - True electric apple green

Strawberry Lollipop - Reddish pink

Pink Frosting - Icy bubble gum pink

Raspberry Cheesecake - Blue based raspberry pink

Jellyfish - Deep fuchsia w/ purple shift

Mojito - Electric Turquoise

Electric Mint - Mint green with electric gold shifts

Shroud Cosmetics

Enigma - Purple with an intense aqua duochrome

Vigor - Lemon-lime soda green

Vigil - True yellow gold

Oracle - Creamy gold shimmer with intense gold shifts

Soulstone - Slightly muted magenta

Colourpop

Glass Bull - Duochrome lavender icy-blue. 10/10 inner corner highlight.

And that’s it! Holy crap, I actually got it finished… Maybe it'll actually stick this time. Ha!

Note to self: type future long posts into one note first. Just in case.

Now you know what to do! Shop you're stash and see what you already have that's perfect for the (next) first day of spring! Reblog with your Ostara makeup stash, too if you'd like. Let's see what we got!

[exactlydeafeningdeer]

The Best Drinking Glasses

When it comes to glassware, the sexier vessels — a coupe, a flute, a wineglass — seem to get all the glory. But a simple glass cup (which can be just as appropriate for juice, wine, iced coffee, or yes, a G&T) gets used more than any of those options — and is just as worthy of praise. Whether you’re in the market for a basic, stackable matching set or for something bolder to spruce up your dinner table, the choices are many. To help you in your search, we asked some of our favorite restaurant, beverage, and interior-design experts how they take their H2O (and more). Below, our 19 panelists recommend their favorite water glasses, including a few restaurant-grade styles sold in bulk (that you may want to go in on with a friend or two since you probably won’t need all 72). To make it easier to find what you’re looking for, we’ve categorized their picks by style and size.

Duralex’s Picardie glasses are a favorite among our panelists. It’s easy to see why: They are available in assorted sizes, so you’ll always have the right one at hand if someone wants water, juice, or a stiffer drink. More important, as Tracie Battle, a senior designer at online interior-design service Havenly, says, their “classic look will never go out of style.” She explains that they are made of thicker tempered glass, which “offers more durability and a more expensive look.” Hudson Wilder founder Conway Liao and author (and former Lucky Peach executive editor) Rachel Khong also swear by these glasses, with Khong saying that her set is “still going strong after many many years.” This 18-piece set includes three sizes and six glasses in each size.

Battle also recommends Libbey’s Polaris glasses for their “super-unique shape,” which has a rounded, weighted base that feels hefty while still being sleek. This set comes with eight drinking glasses and eight smaller rocks glasses, offering the best “bang for your buck, at just over $2 per glass,” she says. They’re BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, too.

This set of Dailyware Bodega glasses from Bormiolo Rocco — which includes eight shorter double wall insulated mug and eight taller highball glasses — is interior designer Katrina Hernandez’s choice. She uses the glasses in both her house in the country and her Brooklyn apartment. “They’re perfect for water or a cocktail. It’s a set of two sizes, but both are relatively shorter and more modern,” she says. Hernandez adds that they’re thin, but not “scary thin where you feel they could break in your hand at any moment.” She also appreciates the rounded edge of the lip as well. The Bodega is also a favorite style of Julie Mulligan, the owner and designer of cocktail lounge and restaurant Lot 15, because it’s “versatile and low maintenance but still chic.” She says that it’s “great for all kinds of home drinking and serving” and can even be used for displaying flowers. “They have a great smooth lip to drink from and the price is just right,” she adds.

If cabinet space is limited, shorter glasses may be the way to go. Both Liao and Amanda Spina, the general manager of Williamsburg’s Four Horsemen restaurant and Nightmoves bar, swear by these shorter, stackable glasses by Japanese company Toyo-Sasaki. “I always want precious, delicate, thin baking glassware at the restaurant, but it’s got to be strong enough to fall onto a rubber mat and not break,” says Spina. “And it must be stackable.” These glasses, which are each about four-inches high, tick all those boxes. “They’re a little more unique and contemporary than the ubiquitous Duralex,” she adds, “but just as practical.” Liao agrees, noting their stackable design makes these “perfect for New York apartments.”

Amazon sells Bormioli Rocco’s 12-ounce Bodega tumbler — which is roughly the same height as the Bodega double old-fashioned glass in the brand’s assorted set above — on its own in a 12-pack.

The CB2 Marta glass has a similar feel as the smaller Bodega glasses above, and comes recommended by Athena Calderone, the founder of lifestyle blog Eye Swoon. She likes that they have “clean, straight lines” and are “made of ultra-thin glass.” She also says that “the price is deceiving — they look and feel far more expensive than they really are,” adding that they’re “definitely a crazy-good bang for your buck.” Not to mention:“They look as good sitting around on the table as they do on open shelving, which is helpful because that’s what I have at home,” Calderone says. Interior and event designer Ken Fulk is also a fan.

Mullligan’s go-to “for something clean and classic,” are these tumblers from Duralex. She likes that these glasses are stackable, but more importantly, that “they’ve withstood the test of time in my home, which is no easy feat.” Made in France of tempered glass, they’re also dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe.

According to Mulligan, Libbey is “an industry standard for style and wearability in the design world.” The petite Esquire side glass water bottle is one of her all-time favorites, and she says that they’re great for the home but also in a restaurant setting. The thin glass, slightly curved shape, and weighted base make it a little more interesting than your standard, straight-sided water glass. Intended for the service industry, these glasses come in a case of 72, which is more than an average household will ever need. But if these appeal to you, consider splitting a case with a family member or friend (or several family members or friends). The cost-per-glass comes out to just a tad over a dollar, which honestly can’t be beat.

Instead of a glass with straight sides, maybe you’d prefer one that has a tapered V-shape. Paul Malvone, a co-founder of Boston Burger Company, says the style is better for stacking. “At the restaurant, we prefer a 9-ounce old fashioned Endeavor rocks glass,” he says. “They’re a little better-looking than a traditional drinking glass, and are versatile enough for water or a soft drink, or even a hard beverage.”

According to Spina, these roughly five-inch goblets “are billed as ‘wineglasses,’ but they’re really not the best for crystal wine glass cup because of their open shape.” What that shape is great for, though, is good-old H2O. “They happen to be perfect for water with lemon.” The shape and the fact that they’re made in Italy make them even more distinguished. (Pictured as a set of four, the price shown is for one glass.)

Shelley Kleyn Armistead, a partner at Gjelina Group who is in charge of the interior design and tableware at all of its restaurants, is a fan of these simple Riedel water glasses. “I love the silhouette,” she says. “At the restaurants, we actually use them for wine because there’s something about them that feels friendly and approachable, a contrast to how wine is so often served.” Of course, they also work beautifully for water. Not too big and not too small, “they feel like glasses that should be used for daily enjoyment,” as Armistead puts it.

Libbey’s highball Impressions glasses hold more fluid than the brand’s shorter Esquire glasses in the section above, but they have a similar curved look and come in a more reasonable quantity (a set of four as opposed to a case of 72). They’re recommended by Decorist interior designer Katy Byrne, who says they’re her top pick for an everyday glass water bottle. “It’s the perfect weight with an elegant detail that not only looks nice but provides the perfect grip spot,” she tells us.

“At home, I use these 12-ounce Collins glasses, which are tall and a handsome vessel for cocktails” says Nick Rancone, the owner of the Twin Cities–based Twist Davis Group of restaurants. While they’re nice enough for serving drinks like a Tom Collins, gin fizz, or even a mojito, Rancone likes these because “they’re multipurpose enough to use for just plain water, too. I like that it can do double or triple duty.”

These highballs from Luigi Bormiolo come recommended by Battle: “This set is minimal in style and works well for several different drinks, whether a simple glass of water or a mint mojito,” she says. Battle adds that they’re also a great choice if you have kids: “They are a more durable option without having to sacrifice the look of glass.”

If you’re looking for something even more durable, Battle says “this is an almost identical alternate to the Luigi Bormiolo Classico glass, but is made of an acrylic that is BPA, Phthalate, lead and latex free.” They’re another great option “if you want the look of glass but don’t want to run the risk of them shattering,” she adds. They’re also available in a smaller “double old fashioned” style and in a turquoise, which she thinks is “great for summer.”

This stackable highball glass is a favorite of Employees Only co-owner Igor Hadzismajlovic for its convenience. “We use the 9-ounce highball glass by Libbey at home, which is stackable, and is a must for a tiny New York apartment,” he says. “It’s actually the same glass we use at Employees Only, too. They’re thick enough to eliminate breakage, which is especially important for a glass that is most frequently used.”

Sustainable-living expert Danny Seo, the editor-in-chief of Naturally, Danny Seo magazine, loves these glasses that are made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled glass — or “the stuff you toss out in your recycling bin,” as he puts it. Seo adds that “the organic texture and shape lends well to pairing them with clean modern dinnerware.” And we think the slightly bulbous silhouette is a little more interesting than that of your standard highballs.

Anna Polonsky, founder of the food-focused strategy-and-design consultancy Polonsky & Friends, loves to set a dinner table with these drinking glasses. “Hudson Wilder really creates timeless tableware,” she says. “They stand out without being too much. The base makes them special, but they’re also hardy enough not to feel too precious.” She owns a set in amber, which you’ll have to wait till September to get. Or snag these with a just as beautiful smoke-color base now.

[romantic-barnes]

gin, tonic & a lemon on top

Pairings: fluffy!bucky x bartender!reader

Summary: Maybe Bucky’s an alcoholic or maybe he just has a crush on the sweet like syrup bartender.

Warnings: alcohol consumption

Bucky Barnes, the college student struggling to put food on his plate, eating ramen noodles like any other in his shoes. The one who spends too much money on textbooks and tutors, now sitting at the bar of one of the few places good enough to pay a visit to.

Bucky has a knack for alcohol, not the bad type; he just enjoys himself a long-drink or a cocktail once in a while. It’s something that struck his interest oddly enough. 

Now here he sat, a Knickerbocker Martini in hand but his eyes fixed on the woman behind the bar.

She’s somethin’ else.

Her all black outfit blended her in with the other staff if you didn’t care to look hard enough (or too drunk). 

Bucky emptied his drink in one gulp, the dry vermouth stinging in his throat. 

“Excuse me?” He called out, catching the attention of the girl. She walked over to him, a polite smile on her pink lips.

“What can I get you?”

“A gin tonic, doll.” 

She went right ahead, grabbing a glass from behind her, filling the glass with ice and alcohol, a slice of lemon on top. She slid the drink in his direction taking Bucky’s money in return.

He stared at the drink for a minute, his eyebrows wrinkling. “Where’s the cucumber?” He asked, not rudely, but with a smirk playing on his lips.

The bartender chuckled. “Well, if you must know, Tanquery gin is actually infused with citrus fruit, not cucumber.” She leaned on the counter, pointing a finger at the drink. “That’s why we put a slice of lemon in it.”

Bucky’s lips parted slightly, dumbfounded by the knowledge he was hit with. He could smell her perfume from the close proximity.

-

Bucky send Steve a quick apology, arriving at the bar just in time for happy hour. 

Although he could’ve hung out with Steve and Scott, he’d rather spend his time eyeing the pretty bartender, besides drinking. 

Bucky slipped onto the bar stool he had almost claimed for himself and started to look around for her. He didn’t know her name, or if she even worked tonight, but he was hopeful nonetheless. 

Just in time for him to order, she appeared around the corner, walking behind the bar. They locked eyes and Bucky flashed her a million dollar smile. 

“You again. Should I be worried you’re stalking me?” 

“Oh god no, but I should call the police on you and have them arrest you for being so damn pretty.” Bucky shut his mouth before he could say anything further. His face glowing red afraid he stepped over a line.

“Please do, I like being handcuffed.” She winked at Bucky and he chuckled. 

“Kinky.” 

“What are you having today?” 

“Mojito.” Bucky said without looking at the small menu of drinks.

“Classic. I see.” 

She went ahead and mixed his drink, throwing a few leaves of mint in a glass, lime and syrup. Ice was added and liquid. She finished off his drink with powdered sugar on top of a tree of mint. 

Bucky took a sip from it, satisfaction written on his face. “No brown sugar?” 

The bartender chuckled. “No, we make our Mojito the Italian way.”

“Why’s that?” Bucky took another sip, contend with the taste.

“Because the owner is Italian.”

-

The following week Bucky couldn’t wait to see the cute bartender again. Between classes he tried on different outfits to find one that would look good enough to catch her attention, but also casual enough to not seem desperate for it.

His efforts didn’t go unnoticed though, his two friends teasing him and asking questions nonstop. Bucky wouldn’t give in to it though, his mind focused on the girl he was trying to impress. 

The days ended slower than Bucky would like to and friday rolled around after all. He mentally prepared himself to make a move, exhaling heavily upon entering the bar. 

Sat on the bar stool he had chosen as his favourite, he watched with curious eyes, the girl mixing drinks with ease, like it’s so engraved in her body she doesn’t have to look at the bottles to know which one is which.

“Hey there.” She smiled, approaching Bucky. 

“Hey.” Bucky wiped his hands on his jeans. “Can you recommend something for me?” 

She thought for a moment, grabbing all the ingredients, mixing them up and setting the finished product on the bar top. 

Bucky was about to fish money out of his wallet, but she stopped him. 

“This ones on me.” 

Bucky’s cheeks warmed up from the gesture, shyly looking away from her eyes to the drink in front of him. Within seconds he could tell it was Tequila Sunrise, the orange to red gradient giving it away.

“A Tequila Sunrise?” Bucky quirked a brow, stirring the orange and red together. 

“It’s my favourite.” She watched as he sipped. “I like my drinks like I like my men. Sweet.” She said, quiet enough for only Bucky to hear.

He choked slightly, making her laugh. She walked away tending to the other customers, her head turning to him, winking.

He forgot all about the move he wanted to make, too flustered to say another word.

-

“Just take us with you, Buck come on!” Scott whined.

“Yeah, we wanna know who took your sanity.” Steve followed up, smiling at his friend.

“No, you guys are just going to embaress me.” Bucky mumbled, sliding his arms through his jacket. 

Despite all efforts to keep Steve and Scott away, they insisted and wouldn’t drop it until Bucky gave in, even following him outside. 

They reached the bar, Bucky nervously biting his lip. Luckily for him, there seemed to be a good amount of people scattered around the bar to keep the barkeeper distracted.

He needed to find the courage somewhere within himself to speak up, but Steve took the lead waving his arm at the girl. Bucky lowered his head afraid of what might come.

“Good evening gentlemen, what can I get you?” 

“I’ll have a uh,” Steve took a quick glance at the menu, “Apricot Lady.”

“One Bee’s Kiss for me.” Scott said, glancing over to Bucky to let him order.

He slowly lifted his head, surprise in the bartenders eyes as they connected with his. “A Moscow Mule.” He smiled shyly.

“Is that her?” Scott asked earning a confused look from her. Bucky’s cheeks tinting bright red.

She smirked, working on the three cocktails. “Depends on who I’m supposed to be.”

“Excuse my friends, they’re idiots.” Bucky glared at Scott and then Steve who were smiling, knowing exactly that she’s the woman he’s been so whipped for.

She set the drinks in front of the three men, tending to the other costumers at the bar. 

“Why haven’t you made your move yet?” Steve looked at Bucky.

Bucky let his shoulders drop, his lips forming to a frown. “I don’t know if she likes me.” 

“Aw come on, anyone with eyes can see that she’s interested to see what Bucky Barnes has in store.” Scott patted Bucky on his shoulder a reassuring smile on his face.

“Look, she’s coming back.” Steve nodded to her and Bucky’s gaze shifted from his friends to the bartender. “We’re just going to go get some fresh air.” 

Bucky opened his mouth to protest, but both Scott and Steve were already out of reach.

“Your friends left you all alone, how rude.” She said, leaning her elbows on the bar top, her head resting in the palms of her hands. 

“Yes, they uh - they.” Bucky stuttered, quickly trying to search for some confidence, unsuccessfully. 

The bartender leaned in, her eyes warm and full of affection. “My shift ends in ten minutes, maybe I could accompany you instead of your friends.” 

Bucky’s mouth opened slightly, taken back by the question.

“I promise I won’t abandon you like them.” 

Bucky nodded a smile stretching across his face. “I’d love that.”

“What’s your name?” She asked, slowly moving away from the bar top. 

“Bucky and yours?”

“Y/n.”

[techmomma]

So! You not really an alcohol drinker, or maybe you don’t like the stuff, but you’re out somewhere and trying to decide how to have some and not absolutely hate your drink either. Maybe you’d like to actually enjoy the taste of your drink! Even if you’re not looking to get drunk or even tipsy. Maybe you’re just social drinking once in a blue moon.

But being a newbie, or having only had terrible-tasting alcohol, you have NO idea what to get. Steph is here to help for newbies! Or people who don’t give a damn and just want to have a nice drink that actually tastes good for once, and not in a “oh this very bitter and tart wine is so sweet” way. I am myself now very sensitive to alcohol as a flavor, so the majority of these have Steph’s seal of “shouldn’t taste like trying to stomach down cold medicine and should actually be tasty to normal people who don’t drink alcohol”. 

Please note to use this advice responsibly. This is not to help you get drunk, only to help you find a drink you probably won’t have to gag down and can thus enjoy the rest of your night if you’re choosing to partake in alcohol. Imbibing alcohol is a responsibility, and not one to take lightly.

“Girly drinks” are your friends. If you’re young or you don’t drink very much, your tastebuds are probably going to be oriented more toward sweet flavors and less toward bitter flavors. You’re looking for high sugar content baby. (And if you ARE looking to get drunk, this will get you drunk much faster than a whiskey, no matter what your hillbilly uncle says otherwise. that is the entire point of “girly drinks.”)

Most bars, pubs, restaurants and other places often have house drinks or cocktails in their drink menu that they make most often. You’re looking for drinks with ingredients like sweet fruits, like cherries, apricots, watermelon, mango, blue raspberry, lemonade, or novelty things like chocolate or butterscotch or cake or whatever. If anything, just ask the bartender or server if they’re not busy! The bartender will for sure know if it’s sweet, and can probably point you in the right direction if you tell them the flavors you usually like, or what you’re looking for. Yes, you’ll look like a newbie. That’s not the point. The point is to get a drink you’re not gonna gag on and that’s the price you pay.

Only somewhat related, but if you’ve never ordered drinks from a place with a bar, they’ll ask if you want to put it on a tab. That just means, “Do you want me to keep your order open so you can add more drinks later, or is this a one-time deal?” They’ll probably ask for a name then. If your friend’s paying, you give their name.

Typically, stay away from beer. Some rare people enjoy the taste of beer from the start, most do not. If you smell a glass and it smells putrid, steer clear of it. You ain’t gonna like it no matter what you put in it.

Most wines will also not be your friend. To those who do not regularly drink wine, it’s going to be impossibly bitter and feel like it’s drying your throat out despite being a liquid. (That’s the “dry” quality they talk about.)

On the contrary, however, wine spritzers, mixers, and punches? Those are your FRIENDS. These are legit going to taste like juice or soda or punch. They also tend to be lighter on alcoholic content (hence why commonly used for parties), and big on sugar. Spritzers are wine and soda, mixers are wine and some kind of liquor (usually a very sweet or fruity kind like a lemon or strawberry vodka), and wine punches can be as sweet or sour or fruity or tropical as you want. You’ll usually see them referred to as white or red sangrias.

Note: this is sort of why these can actually be MORE dangerous than like having straight-up liquor. These types of drinks with low alcohol and heavy sugar make it very, very easy to drink a lot of them, and have some extra surprise drunk times sneak up on you later because you drank more than you realized. 

My rule for safe drinking? One drink per hour, follow with water. You will typically not get more than buzzed, and will stay sufficiently hydrated.

Spritzers, mixers, and punches are part of a larger group called cocktails. Cocktails being just “non-alcoholic drink + alcohol of some kind.” Rum and coke? Cocktail. Bellini? Cocktail.

Champagne cocktails are very often sweet, bubbly drinks. They are Steph’s fave for a reason. Mimosas are perhaps the most famous champagne cocktail. Those are made with orange juice and champagne. Can be surprisingly potent.

When getting cocktails with liquors/spirits, like vodka, rum, and so forth, you will want to stay away from particular ones that are known for very bitter tastes and hard kicks. A bunch also uh, in general taste like the inside of a barrel. 

Typically, whiskey, gin, and tequilas are going to be very bitter and gross, and overpower whatever they’re put in. If you like really sour though, tequila goes well with margaritas, which are a lime drink that mostly covers the tequila taste. 

Vodka and Rum are typically going to be stomached better, vodka usually being the easiest of all. Both tend to mix well with fruity girly drinks, the kind you’re looking for. Very potent, so imbibe carefully. In most drinks though, you’re still going to get that “cold medicine aftertaste” that clears your sinuses and sometimes it’s just too powerful for the drink. You can usually smell these pretty strongly before you actually drink, and that’ll give you a pretty good idea of the burn you’re gonna feel in a moment. Both are also good in sweet minty drinks, if you like those. 

Surprisingly good drink for newbies: mead. It can be a little difficult to get a hold of, but it’s getting more popular. It’s made from honey, so it’s gonna be sweet usually by default. Peach mead? Hell yeah. Peach and honey taste.

Absinthe is actually very tasty, and no it will not make you hallucinate. It actually tastes a lot like licorice candy. Comes in fun colors, and with a sugar cube you dissolve into it on a special spoon. VERY hard to get in the US though, only a few bars sell it as a drink. Like I think it’s literally just a handful of bars across the entire fifty states that have absinthe and absinthe cocktails. If you’ve already tasted Jaegermeister, it tastes like that. I wouldn’t call it a newbie drink, but imo you’ll still enjoy your drink if George just feel like being special today.

Hard ciders have also been hailed as great for newbies, and usually very sweet. They’ve always been hit or miss with me; sometimes, yeah, they’re delicious, and other times they just taste like vaguely-fruity beer. Which is not great.

Beer, to me, tastes like old socks. So y’know, vaguely fruity old socks.

Stay away from most shots. This is usually pure liquor, and it is not pleasant. Especially if you have a small mouth like mine and sometimes can’t do shots in one go. Exceptions are novelty mixers, like those weird cake shots. 

Cake-flavored vodka is not as good as you think it sounds.

So here’s some drinks that, as someone who’s tasted a bunch, I can tell you they’ll probably be easier to stomach. Some I actually enjoy as drinks.

Rumchata is horchata with rum in it, so a milky, cinnamon-y kind of drink. Good for newbies. 

Kahlua & cream: coffee and cream drink

Mudslide: coffee and cream and irish liqueur; honestly best as a mudslide milkshake. holy shit. that’s heaven.

Bourbon milkshake: honestly if any place sells milkshakes and has a bar, you can ask to get a shot of bourbon added to your milkshake. VERY yummy flavor pair, especially vanilla milkshakes with bourbon.

White russian: kahlua and cream and add vodka

Red russian: vodka with cherry liquor

Dirty Shirley: grenadine (if this is listed as an ingredient that usually means a very sweet drink), soda, maraschino cherries, vodka

Bellini (bars that know what this is are sort of rare, you’ll probably have to explain it): peach juice and champagne

Mimosa: orange juice and champagne (acceptable for breakfast parties!)

Sangria (you usually can’t order this one from bars unless it’s like a special sangria night; this drink is usually found more at parties and social functions): fruit punch + wine + soda if the hosts are younger

Strawberry lemonade vodka: strawberry lemonade and vodka

Malibu cocktail: rum (usually Malibu Rum, hence the name), cranberry juice, pineapple juice.

Blue hawaiian: coconut creme liqueur, pineapple juice, white rum, blue curacao (blue-colored orange liqueur; it’s very fun to mix and also usually means a very sweet drink).

Mojito: rum, soda, lime juice, mint

Mai tai: pineapple juice, lime juice, orange juice, grenadine, white and dark rum

Lemon drop martini: vodka, triple sec (another orange liqueur), sugar and fresh lemon juice

Pina Colada: blended slushy drink made with creme de coconut, rum, and ice

Chocolate martinis: irish cream liqueur, chocolate liqueur, and vodka

Frozen daiquiris: slushy frozen drinks made with fruit juice and rum

Irish coffee: the one place where you actually might enjoy whiskey for those who don’t like it. It’s just that: coffee and usually a whiskey liqueur, like baileys. Creamy, warm, good for cold nights.

Peppermint schnapps hot chocolate: hot chocolate with a peppermint zip. If making yourself, make a big mug first and only add like a capful of peppermint schnapps, it can very easily overpower the chocolate taste. Also creamy and yummy for cold nights. 

Hot buttered rum: an intensive recipe, but a very yummy, creamy, warm, butterscotchy drink that you stick a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of. Hard to get tastier than that. I’m very certain Butterbeer was originally based off of this.

There were a bunch of drinks that are typically considered “girly” for high sugar contents, but having had them before, they were just not sweet. Martinis are usually very dry and bitter no matter the fruit, long island iced teas only taste good if you like iced tea, cosmopolitans (cosmos) are heavy on the vodka flavor, as are watermelon vodkas and alcohol-infused watermelons, and a number of colorful, blended ice drinks that are usually listed are heavy on the alcohol burn, enough to drown out the flavor.

Hope this was helpful! Remember, yes, you might look like a newbie, but the bartender wants to help you find a drink just for you! Ask them questions (when they’re not busy), and they can totally help you out (most just like to help, but at the very least, helping you might mean some extra money at the end of the night). And if they’re real nice they might give you little samples so that you can have a taste for yourself before buying the whole drink.

[suegreene]

(Download PDF) Pour Me Another: 250 Ways to Find Your Favorite Drink - J. M. Hirsch

Download Or Read PDF Pour Me Another: 250 Ways to Find Your Favorite Drink - J. M. Hirsch Free Full Pages Online With Audiobook.

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 Choose your own cocktail adventure: Use the drinks you already love to explore a world of delicious new spirits, combinations, and flavors. You know what you like to drink?but what?s next? ? Expert mixologist and James Beard Award-winning editorial director of Milk Street J.M. Hirsch has the answer in Pour Me Another, where every recipe helps you choose your next drink. ?Consider the rum Mojito. If that?s your go-to, you might not consider yourself a bourbon drinker. But a whiskey Mint Julep delivers many of the same refreshing, minty notes. And from there it?s a short jump to a vodka Mint Fizz, which livens things up with lemon and almond syrup. ? Or maybe you?re a bourbon Old Fashioned drinker. Pour Me Another guides you to a gin Bijou, which brings in Manhattan-like notes. Then try a Vieux Carr?, with herbal notes atop peppery rye. Soon you?re sipping a Mexican Vieux Carr?, which uses tequila for a similar rich and spicy effect. ? If a Gin & Tonic is more your speed, head

[vaporbossflavors]

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Maybe you're interested in vaping. You've seen videos of people performing vape tricks on Tiktok or Instagram and believe they're a lot of fun. Or, you may have heard that vaping isn't as harmful as smoking. Many people use e-cigarettes to stop smoking, and that, unlike cigarettes, which everyone knows are terrible for you, e-cigarettes are not addictive. So what's the harm in that, right?

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This bar comes in 12 insanely delicious flavors that will drive you nuts, and you will never get tired of smoking it. Each unit includes 13ml of vape juice with a nicotine content of 5%.

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Choose your favorite flavor from these 12 options for luscious vaping with the Elf Bar BC5000 Disposable Vape.

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Can lactating women use Elf Bar BC500 Disposable Vape?

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How long does Elf Bar BC5000 last?

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Elf Bar BC5000 Leaks?

If you get a genuine Elf Bar, there will be no leaks because it is made of anti-leakage material.

In A Nutshell 

Vaping is popular among teenagers for a variety of reasons. The main reason, though, is that they are being targeted by e-cigarette firms. You must also try elf bar disposable vape once if you are a vape lover and eager to try exciting flavors!

Use the Elf Bar BC5000 Disposable Vape to improve your puffing. It's all about drawing the most clouds with a light and delicate device that looks like an elf! This cuboidal elf bar can make several tasty and textured cloud creations for you!

Warning for minors: If you are under the age of 21, please avoid vaping. Nicotine is dangerous because it inhibits brain development and is extremely addictive. It should be enjoyed in moderation.

[tipsycad147]

Carmelite Water (Lemon Balm Wine) – A New Take On An Old World Potion

Written by Sass Ayres

Upgrade your glass of white wine with some herbal goodness! This lemon balm wine is a new take on an ancient cure-all called Carmelite water. And while it has long lost its reputation as a miracle potion, Carmelite water can still be enjoyed today just as you’d enjoy any glass of wine. But maybe you’ll enjoy it just a little bit more knowing it’s full of nutritive and medicinal herbs.

This recipe uses herbs like lemon balm, angelica root, clove, and nutmeg, but could also be made with just lemon balm. The choice is yours!

HERE YOU’LL FIND: What is Carmelite Water? About the Herbs in This Lemon Balm Wine How to Make Carmelite Water (aka Lemon Balm Wine) Tips, Tricks, & FAQs Recipe for Carmelite Water

I’m a sucker for ancient herbal potions. There’s something so intriguing about the old uses of plant medicines, something so full of mystery and magic.

I’m constantly humbled by the human process of figuring it all out before science was as advanced as it is today. Many of these old herbal potions survived times when science was even silenced as evil or sin. Can you imagine?!

Come storytime, tell me about how our ancestors lived in relationship to the plants and this planet. I’m all ears.

What is Carmelite Water?

Carmelite water is an alcohol extract of lemon balm and other herbs and spices. In a time before modern-day medicine and all the amenities of science, these herbal alcohol extracts were often the backbone of the medical system.

They often served as panaceas for all kinds of ailments, everything from digestive complaints to the plague and leprosy. A little sip could make all your worries go away, sending you on your way to a long and healthy life.

The Origin of Carmelite Water

Carmelite nuns in France developed the original recipe for this lemon balm wine in the later 1300s for King Charles V of France. With the enthusiastic support of the aging king, Carmelite water garnered a reputation as an elixir of life or miracle water.

While the exact original recipe of Carmelite water is somewhat of a coveted secret, the star ingredient is consistently lemon balm.

Also called Eau de Melisse (as in lemon balm’s genus Melissa), Carmelite water also contains a varying combination of other herbs and spices, including chamomile, sandalwood, cinnamon, mugwort, sage, angelica, and fennel. Most typically, Carmelite water contains a mixture of anywhere from 9 to 14 different herbs and spices.

Traditional Uses of Carmelite Water

Interestingly, Carmelite water was also traditionally used as a perfume due to its unique combination of highly aromatic herbs. It’s strong in scent and bold in flavor. Accordingly, Carmelite water was traditionally sipped in small quantities as you would a bitters cordial or digestif.

>>Wanna learn more about herbal bitters & how they can help your digestion? Check this out: The Beginner’s Complete Guide to Herbal Digestive Bitters

“It causeth the Mind and Heart to become merry, and reviveth the Heart fainting to foundlings, especially of such who are overtaken in their sleep, and driveth away all troublesome cares and thought…”

Nicholas Culpepper, 15th century English botanist & physician on Carmelite water

About The Herbs In This Lemon Balm Wine

This recipe for Carmelite water is a variation on a recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs. The original recipe calls for the use of cinnamon chips. However, as a nod to ancient tradition, this lemon balm wine recipe is really open for interpretation. In fact, you could skip the other herbs and spices, just use lemon balm, and call it a day!

As you’ll read below, the herbs and spices in this recipe come with a whole bunch of anti-‘s, including anti-fungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. It’s no wonder Carmelite water was once considered a panacea for all the ills of the times.

However, the collective nutritive and medicinal properties of the ingredients in this recipe lend towards a calming, anti-inflammatory herbal wine high in antioxidants that may also be beneficial for your digestion.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

This herb of happiness and sunshine is full of antioxidant flavonoids! Lemon balm is a beloved medicinal herb that not only tastes as good as it smells, but is equally as gentle as it is powerful.

In herbal medicine, lemon balm is often used to help soothe nerves, ease stress and anxiety, and even has anti-depressant properties.

Lemon balm is high in volatile oils (the smell good oils) that can help to support healthy digestion. Plus, it’s also known for its antiviral activity, especially against herpes viruses.

Angelica Root (Angelica archangelica)

Angelica root is a member of the carrot family and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years.

Its primary medicinal uses include helping to balance hormones and support the liver‘s natural detoxification processes. Furthermore, also considered a bitter herb, it’s an excellent tonic to the digestive system.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

As perhaps one of my favorite culinary spices, coriander gets a lot of use in my household. Not only is coriander is a good source of minerals like copper, iron, and magnesium, it also has many medicinal uses.

Like lemon balm, coriander is also known for its ability to help support healthy digestion and soothe nerves. It’s high in anti-inflammatory antioxidants and has antimicrobial properties as well.

Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata)

It’s so easy to forget that many of our common herbs and spices also have such amazing medicinal properties. As another great source of vitamins and minerals, clove is such a great spice to include in our day.

Clove is also antiviral, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and pain-relieving. It’s full of anti-inflammatory antioxidants and like all the other ingredients in this recipe, clove is known to help support digestion.

Nutmeg (Myristicum fragrans)

And last, but not least, we have nutmeg. This ultra-fragrant spice is also incredibly supportive of healthy digestion, in addition to being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and more.

How to Make Carmelite Water

Here’s a quick overview of how to make Carmelite water (aka lemon balm wine). You’ll find specific measurements and methods in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Equipment You’ll Need

Fortunately, this incredibly simple lemon balm wine recipe requires very little equipment. You will need:

Quart-Sized Glass Jar (like a canning jar or recycled jar)

Small Funnel (small enough to fit into the neck of the wine bottle)

Fine Mesh Strainer + Cheesecloth or Muslin -or- Nut Milk/Strainer Bag* (I use these strainers for everything! And here’s my favorite nut milk bag.)

4-Cup Glass Measuring Cup (or something your funnel can nest into)

Ingredients

1 bottle dry white wine, organic if possible

Lemon balm, dried or fresh

Angelica root, dried

Coriander, whole seeds

Clove, whole

Nutmeg, fresh grated or shaved

Fresh lemon zest

Method

This recipe literally couldn’t get any easier. Here’s the quick-and-dirty of how to make this version of Carmelite water:

Add herbs and spices to a quart-sized glass jar.

Pour in wine.

Infuse for 4 hours in the refrigerator.

Strain.

Enjoy!

Other Botanical Beverages You Might Enjoy

Pink Paloma | A Grapefruit Cocktail with Chamomile Tequila Wild Flower Vodka Mojito Ginger Mint Hot Toddy Calendula Lemonade (non-alcoholic)

Tips, Tricks, & FAQs

What is Carmelite water used for?

Traditionally, Carmelite water was used for everything! It was a cure-all herbal tonic. The use of fragrant herbs and spices also made it a great perfume back in the day.

Today, Carmelite water makes for a delightful sipper on a warm afternoon. Or sip on a glass before or after a meal for a calming, anti-inflammatory herbal elixir with digestive support.

Can I make lemon balm wine with fresh herbs?

Yes, you can! Using fresh lemon balm in this recipe works really well! I actually prefer using fresh lemon balm. Lemon balm (and many of the mint family plants, in general) can quickly lose its potency. If your dried lemon balm is old or has been improperly stored, you’re better off using fresh if you have the option.

To know if your dried lemon balm is still good, just look at it and take a whiff! If it has turned more brown than green and hardly has any delicious lemony smell, it’s time to toss it.

Can I just throw the herbs and spices right into the wine bottle?

Yes, you could. However, you may have to drink a few sips of wine so that they’ll fit. Plus, sometimes it’s difficult to get all of the herbs out of the slender bottleneck when straining time comes.

My personal preference is to infuse the wine in a quart-size glass jar. After straining out the herbs and spices, you can then use a funnel to help pour the infused wine back into the original wine bottle.

What if I don’t have whole spices? Can I infuse wine with powdered herbs?

You absolutely can infuse wine with powdered herbs and spices! However, I do NOT recommend it. Powdered herbs and spices can be incredibly difficult to strain out of liquids. Your lemon balm may end up with powder in it. And who wants to sip on powdery wine!?

If powdered herbs and spices are all you have, when straining, try using a coffee filter or a double layer of clean cloth to help catch as much of the powder as possible.

Where is the best place to find high quality herbs?

The first best place to find high-quality herbs is to either grow them yourself or get them locally from someone who does. However, I know that not all of us have that option.

You can find the spices in this lemon balm wine recipe at conventional groceries and local food cooperatives. If you have a health food store near you, you may be able to find dried lemon balm and angelica root there. If it’s an option, always opt for organic herbs and spices.

And once you’ve exhausted those possibilities, the next best place to get high-quality herbs and spices is from reputable online retailers. I’ve purchased so many herbs online over the years. Without a doubt, I can tell you that Mountain Rose Herbs consistently outshines the others. The quality of the herbs, vast selection, and awareness and ethics around harvesting and environmental impact make them my medicinal herb go-to.

Carmelite Water (aka Lemon Balm Wine)

Course: Drinks Difficulty: Easy  Quantity 3 cups  Prep Time 4 hours

This botanical infused wine recipe is based off of Rosalee de la Forêt’s Carmelite water recipe. It’s fragrant, dry, slightly astringent, & there’s just something extra special about its ancient roots. I particularly love Rosalee’s suggestion to get lost in reveries of mysterious and ancient herbal potions while enjoying a sip of this infusion on a hot summer’s eve.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup dried organic lemon balm (or ~1 cup fresh lemon balm, loosely packed)

3 tablespoons dried organic angelica root

1 tablespoon dried organic coriander seed

1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest (~1 small lemon)

2 whole cloves

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated

1 bottle organic dry white wine

DIRECTIONS

Into a quart-sized glass jar, combine all herbs & spices.

Pour the wine into the jar, seal with a lid, & give the jar a shake to start the infusing process. Let the wine infuse for 4-5 hours in the refrigerator. (I do not recommend infusing for longer than 4-5 hours. The longer you let it infuse, the more medicinal the wine will taste.)

After a 4 hour infusion, use a fine-mesh strainer layered with several layers of cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a nut milk bag to strain the herbs from the wine. Compost the herbs.

Return the infused wine to the jar (or use a small funnel to pour it back into the original bottle).

Enjoy within 3 days. This wine is best enjoyed chilled.

https://www.botanyculture.com/carmelite-water-lemon-balm-wine/