The Leap Frog

Today is February 29th, "Leap Day", which comes only once every four years. So, why is that?

Most of us have been taught that it takes the earth 365 days to make one revolution around the sun, but that's not quite correct. Actually, it takes the earth approximately 365.25 days (give or take a few minutes) to circle around the sun. So, once every four years, we add an extra day back to the calendar to compensate. If we didn't, eventually, our calendars would be significantly "off" in regard to the seasons (granted - it would take a long time, but it would happen).

So why add the day to February instead of adding it to any other month? Well, we follow the Gregorian Calendar, and the Gregorian Calendar is designed in such a way as to keep the vernal equinox as close as possible to March 21st (which has to do with what day Easter falls on...). So adding the day to February works to keep the vernal equinox where we (us Gregorian Calendar followers) like it.

So - in celebration of gaining a day, and the cognitive "leap" it requires just to understand it, enjoy a refreshing Leap Frog Cocktail with a friend.

The Leap Frog

1 1/2 measures gin

1/2 measure freshly squeezed lemon juice

Ginger Ale

Mix gin and lemon juice with cracked ice in a highball glass and top fill with cold ginger ale. Add a cocktail cherry if desired.

The Journalist

On this day in1897, the phrase "All the News That's Fit to Print" first appeared on the front page of the New York Times. Thanks to this journalistic giant (third in rank in circulation, behind USA today and The Wall Street Journal) we now have Times Square and the famous Ball Drop on New Years Eve (which was started by the paper).

So in honor of all the intrepid journalists at the NY Times (and elsewhere), let's raise a glass in salute as we enjoy this classic cocktail.

 

The Journalist

1 and 1/2 oz. gin
1 tsp. dry vermouth
1 tsp. sweet vermouth
1 tsp. triple sec
1 tsp. fresh lime juice (if you prefer a sweeter drink, use Roses Lime)
dash angostura bitters 

Shake all ingredients over ice in a martini shaker until well frosted. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry if desired.

Yellow Submarine

On this day in 1964, the Beatles made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Although it wouldn't be until a few years later that "Yellow Submarine" was released, the Yellow Submarine cocktail is a fitting tribute to The Boys From Liverpool.

Three cheers for the British Invasion!

Yellow Submarine

2 oz. vodka

1 oz. white rum (but spiced is nice too)

1 oz. banana liqueur (or banana syrup)

Casting (granulated) sugar for the rim of the glass

Mix all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake until frosted and pour into a festive 4 oz. martini glass with a sugared rim. Garnish with a cherry or pineapple wedge.

The Mary Queen of Scots Cocktail

On this day in 1587, Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded for her complicity in a plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I. As a reminder to ourselves that unbridled ambition almost always leads to disaster, let's raise our glasses in memory of Mary.

The Queen of Scots Cocktail

2 oz. Scotch

1 oz. Drambuie

1 oz. green chartreuse

Add all ingredients to martini shaker and shake until frosted. Strain into a martini glass with a powdered sugar rim.

The Abbey

We are one month into 2012..how is your year going? Are you keeping the New Year's Resolutions that you made?

Prepare yourself one of these mellow martinis, and take some time to reflect on how you are progressing toward your goals (unless, of course, your goal was to stop drinking...)

The Abbey (like the monasteries and convents it is named after) is a quiet, non-theatrical cocktail, but subtle and ideally suited to quiet times. It isn't a "sweet" martini, but does have a soft, semi-sweet feel on the tongue due to the Lillet and orange juice. Traditionally, an Abbey is served with a twist of orange peel on the rim, but I prefer a maraschino cherry resting quietly at the bottom of the martini glass.

Golden serenity...

Cheers!

 The Abbey

2 oz. high quality gin 

3/4 oz. Lillet Blanc

3/4 oz. orange juice

maraschino cherry or orange peel

Measure gin, Lillet and orange juice into a martini shaker. Add ice and shake until frosted over on the outside. Strain into a 4 oz. martini glass and garnish with the cherry or orange peel.