It's a Small World
Sometimes things happen that we don’t expect and it changes our perspective on everything. COVID-19 is one of those things. Suddenly all the things we take for granted, like having access to food and basic sanitary supplies any time we want, are put into question. We are asked to think about our preparedness for disasters of any kind. We are forced to consider about how delicate the balance actually is of life as we know it. How small things can have a large ripple effect. We are reminded that our seemingly robust American economy is still really just a lot of great people living their own kinds of dreams and contributing to a whole. How reliant we are on each other and the flow of goods and services to keep our economy strong and our way of life in tact.
My day job has me squarely on the front lines working to procure materials to keep workers safe who provide critical services and can’t stay home with the rest of us. It’s stressful and exhausting because it’s nearly impossible to find these items right now. But I am so thankful to not have to worry about where my paycheck is coming from. These shut downs have been devastating to the food and beverage industry. I think we have taken it for granted a very long time the fact that nearly any time day or night we can find whatever food or drinks we desire. We, as a society, know it cognitively but don’t spend much time really thinking about the incredible business owners and service industry professionals who make that quality of life possible for us. Some of them won’t be here when this is over, it’s a tough business, even for the very best establishments and this will be an unrecoverable blow for some of them.
I am sharing this drink called the World Traveler because the world feels very small right now. Our lives are so much connected, even in isolation. A few weeks ago I was at a media event for a new Phoenix restaurant bar (Upstairs at Flint). After it was over I lingered behind for dinner at Flint by Baltaire. I found a comfortable seat at the bar, as I usually do, and looked around. I realized a few others also stayed behind so we moved closer to visit. I met a few new people at the bar in town visiting for the great weather and offered some tips on where to eat and drink. I also delightfully discovered one of my bartender friends (Eli) who I had temporarily lost track of as he changed jobs. I tried some delicious new drinks, had wonderful food, caught up with old friends and met new people. This is my favorite way to spend an evening. I miss it right now.
One of the people I met is Tanner, he is a bartender at Flint and he created this drink on the fly for my friend Christina. She and I have a similar palate so she let me have a few sips. (It was back when we could still share sips). I loved it and he graciously gave me the recipe to share with you.
World Traveler
1.5 oz Mi Campo Silver Tequila
.25 oz Cocchi Americano Rossa
.75 oz Yellow Chartreuse
.75 oz Amaro Nonino
2 dashes Scrappy’s Lavender bitters
Lemon zest
Stir over ice until chilled, strain into coupe.
Thanks for indulging me a little in my reflection. I hope you love this cocktail as much as I do. And if you are in Phoenix when the world gets back to normal I hope you can pull up a barstool at Flint by Baltaire and say hello to Eli and Tanner and reflect on how connected we all are.
