Day 99: The Other Side

"The noblest art is that of making others happy." I don't know why, but certain quotes and lines stick with us longer than others. This one, from P.T. Barnum, is the closest thing to explaining what makes me tick. Especially during a time when there's so much unrest and unhappiness, putting a smile on someone's face is just one small way to bring positive change into the world, and to me, that's very noble.

Welcome to Day 99, my thirsty readers. It's been so tough, these past few months. We haven't been sure which is the best path to follow. On one hand, we're all trying to be safe, but on another, we know that forward is the only way to go. Losing art, music, dining, drinking, and pretty much everything that holds together our social fabric, has been so hard for so many of us. With masks on our faces, and a heightened sense of safety, the show must go on.

---

"Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance. Another heartache, another failed romance, on and on. Does anybody know what we are living for?" The words of Queen's "The Show Must Go on" ring in my head. Every time I feel like giving up and every time I want to take the easy route, I think about how far I've gone all ready. Why give up, after so many years of fighting?

I think that's where we begin to recognize greatness in ourselves, the moment when we want to give up. The moment everything shut down this year, I felt very defeated, and the longer it went on, I doubted if things would ever end. Then, low and behold, the lights began to turn on again. We renewed our sense of purpose, and we began to look at things from the other side of disaster. We rewrote the script, and so far, the new show is beginning to look pretty spectacular.

I mentioned before how the world of hospitality, post COVID, was going to be much less about the food and drinks, and how it's going to be more about the experience. We are all gearing up for the greatest show now. I'm not exactly sure what everyone else is going to do in their establishments, but I can guarantee, wherever you find me, the show will be unlike anything you've seen before. I want to help you forget about this, all of it, even if it's only for a moment. Welcome to the other side.

---

The Other Side

1oz Blended Scotch

1oz Aged Jamaican Rum

1oz Ginger Syrup

.5oz Cinnamon Syrup

.5oz Passion Fruit Syrup

.5oz Lemon Juice

.5oz Lime Juice

7 dashes Angostura Bitters

(.5oz 151 Proof Guyanese Rum)

Tiki Mug

Whip shake and pour unstrained.

Top with crushed ice.

Float .5oz of 151 Proof Guyanese Rum.

Garnish with mint sprigs, flower, cinnamon stick, and empty lemon hull complete with lemon extract flames.

Pour on some ground cinnamon, and enjoy the show.

---

On Day 72 I mentioned the film The Greatest Showman. In that movie, the song "The Other Side" voices things in a way I can relate to right now, "But you would finally live a little, finally laugh a little. Just let me give you the freedom to dream, and it'll wake you up and cure your aching, take your walls and start 'em breaking. Now that's a deal that seems worth taking, but I guess I'll leave that up to you." Do you want to join us in this new spectacular? Do you want to break away from the ordinary and mediocre, which has be allowed to exist for too long? I want to put a smile on your faces, which I hope will never go away. I'm here, inviting you to the greatest show, but I guess I'll leave that up to you. Keep Shaking.