Two Drinks at Dusk

 Cocktail Correspondent: Weldon Gardner Hunter

There's a new spring menu at Mum's The Word and I am here at dusk to drink some new drinks and listen to a questionable playlist. A certain song promised that Happy Hour was here, but it was false advertising. It's ok, though - another tune clarified that This Must Be The Place.

1. Piña Verde

Pina Verde

The Green Elixir des Moines, Toasted Coconut, Lime, Pineapple, Ms. Better’s Lime Leaf Bitters

The Green Elixir is a mysterious locally made concoction reminiscent of Chartreuse. The original Elixir des Moines is a recipe from a Monastery in Germany - not sure about the French name, though. Anyways, the drink is herbal, sweet, with lots of lime – a nice slice of the cocktail is pineapple and there's a teeny bit of mint notes. Very creamy - a perfect summer sipper and we are now in Meteorological Summer as of June 1. Served in a long tumbler full of ice. I downed it in less than 15 minutes. 

2. Airmail

Rum, Orange Flower, Honey, Lime, Sparkling Wine

Wine really changes the complexion of any cocktail. It’s like a fancy friend who does a pretty good job of hanging out with their economy companions, but can't hide the Old Money. Or is it New Money, in the case of sparkling wine?

The Air Mail is fragrant and floral altogether with the orange flower and honey matching the wine’s vivacious energy. Meanwhile, the Rum and Lime bring the broth a brash Hawaiian shirt kind of counterpoint. It’s a nice pairing after drinking the Piña Verde, as it provides another tropical thirstquench and summer vacation vibes.

Two and through! Took a nice atmospheric walk down Odlum Drive and then caught the #7 bus - the real working class chariot of the city - up crepuscular Clark Drive/Knight Street back to my farflung Southwestern home.