The time and the drink never changed. At five thirty on the nose, my grandfather would ask my grandmother for a toddy. Vodka on the rocks with a twist of lemon. She’d have the same, though she might omit the lemon. She might even scoot over to his side of the swing after a few sips.
Every night, they enjoyed one drink a piece (never any more) and, most importantly, they enjoyed each other. The conversation was leisurely, the air light--it was cocktail hour, adult recess, time to forget the kids and grandkids and to remember each other. I love the notion that they had a special drink--a simple concoction that they considered uniquely their own-- set aside for that particular time of day.
As parents of a newborn baby girl, Jamie and I haven’t yet designated a time--or a drink--for our adult recess. There’s always that glass of wine on the fly while we test recipes, change diapers, warm bottles and organize Parker’s onesies and pink rompers. (How is it even possible for a newborn to have a messy closet?) But I don’t consider that a proper cocktail hour.
The couples’ cocktail hour must include the following:
Turn off the baby monitor/Blackberry/Iphone/Skype/WiFi/Wii/HD
Sit and face each other, whether that be at the table or at the bar, in an easy chair or on the porch swing.
Forget about bills and the baby (the in-laws, the crotchety boss…you get the point) and dream together (just don’t follow asleep with the tumbler in your hand). Where will you travel next summer? What’s your ideal job? When will you have your next date/start building your dream house?
Make one special drink that you’ll savor as your day unwinds.
Sitting in the nursery with a glass of rose’, rocking Parker after her 6pm feeding, I remember that while living in Rome, I’d enjoy a Campari and Soda in Campo dei Fiori during the aperitivo hour. In Mallorca, there was always a nice cava on the docks, watching the sailboats glide into the harbor. I imagine that in our next city, Charleston, South Carolina, Jamie and I will enjoy a Planter’s Punch cocktail after a day of cooking, writing, chasing children and managing our store.
Though the ingredient list reads more Tiki Bar than Charleston single, Planter’s Punch was created at the Relais & Chateaux hotel, Planter’s Inn, in Charleston. This is a civilized cocktail whose roots, like the city’s itself, are steeped in British West Indies culture. Fresh pineapple, orange and lime juices mixed with rum make it almost too easy to enjoy.
So little is constant. We need a ritual or two. And, hey, why not start one that that involves fresh juices, rum and a good buzz?
Planter’s Punch
6 oz spiced rum, like Sailor Jerry’s
3 oz light rum
3 oz lime juice
3 oz simple syrup
6 oz pineapple juice
6 oz orange juice
Orange bitters
Grenadine (optional)
In a pitcher, combine the first six ingredients and stir well to combine. If using grenadine, place half a tablespoon at the bottom of a tall rocks glass. Fill with crushed ice and pour in the rum mixture. Add two dashes of bitters per glass and stir.
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