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I had the pleasure of drinking with Lance Mayhew last night, and I have to say he's one of the most down to earth 'mixologists" I've ever met: just as comfortable knocking back shots and beer in a dive bar as he is behind the bar of swanky eatery.

The drinking session inspired me to post the winter warmers that we didn't have room for in this weeks Mercury. I'd suggest that you go to your liquor store as soon as you get off work, purchase the ingredients for the following cocktails, and drink yourself through the oncoming storm. Like you needed an excuse anyway.

Tom and Jerry Batter

12 large eggs (separated)
1/2 tsp salt
1 lb unsalted butter (room temperature)
3 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp Navan vanilla cognac
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon

Beat egg whites until stiff, add salt. Beat egg yolks (separately) until light and frothy. Cream butter and sugar together, add to egg yolks and navan. Fold in egg whites until well incorporated. Will keep several weeks under refrigeration. Yield = "Holy shit, that's a lot of batter."

To make a Tom and Jerry, take 1 oz Bacardi 8 rum, 1 oz Remy Martin cognac, 1 heaping teaspoon of batter and add to a coffee cup. Fill with hot water from the tea kettle, stir to incorporate and garnish with a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Tawny Port Toddy

2 oz Sandeman Tawny Port
1 oz agave nectar
1/4 oz lemon juice
3 oz hot water
lemon twist

Preheat glass and coat with agave nectar. Add port, lime juice, hot water, and garnish with the twist.

Tea and Sympathy

2 oz Grand Marnier
Hot tea (orange pekoe is fine)
lemon or orange twist

Combine hot tea with Grand Marnier, garnish with a twist.

These three recipes, and the three in Lush Life this week, should get you through. On the off chance they don't, I have another Mayhew recommendation. Last night he suggested I try Chartruese and hot cocoa. So, to keep me warm on the walk to work today, I mixed myself up a thermos full. Hello cheer!

Final Note:

Should the weather remain calm for a good portion of the day tomorrow, head on down to House Spirits (2025 SE 7th Ave) where their new tasting room and shop is now open. They have bar ware, bottles of all the booze produced on site, and the first in their limited edition apothecary line. The small fat bottles of booze will come out fairly regularly but will have a short run. Right now their Oregon Ouzo, with its amazing smoothness and gorgeous round tones of anisette, is still on the shelves. But I doubt it will be around much longer. The shop is open from 1pm to 5pm every Saturday.