Cherry Bounce Party

What are you doing on December 1st?

Give up?

You are going to to the Old Fashioned's 6h annual Cherry Bouncy party at 6pm.

Named after a classic Wisconsin drink of choice, The Old Fashioned not only does Wisconsin, they do the crap out of it, and they do it well.  Until I ate their ring balogne and Mac N' Cheese, I just thought my family was poor and my mom was an eclectic cook. Who knew it's a Wisconsin staple food?

Speaking of all things Wisconsin, Door County has to be one of the most beautiful parts of the state. Hold out your left hand and stare at the back of your hand. Wisconsin is shaped like a hand and Door County is the thumb. And our thumb grows more delicious cherries than your, um, errr, there's really nowhere to go with that analogy, is there?

Anyways, the Old Fashioned purchased a boatload of tart Door County cherries and they've been soaking in booze and sugar for months now and they are ready to get you tipsy.

So stop on over when the Old Fashioned cracks their cherry bounce.

They've doubled the size of their bar with new construction, so make sure you get their on the 1st or you could miss out on their special cherry bounce!

I will be out of town volunteering with high school kids (yup, someone calls me a role model) so please, leave a little for me!

Supply is limited because of the diminished tart cherry crop this year, so you may want to get there early!

Cheers,

Craig

P.S. I just tasted mine last weekend. It was absolutely delicious. It tasted not only delicious, but dangerous!

Everclear is dangerous

It's the day after Thanksgiving and I've learned one very important lesson about myself. Is it:

A) I've got a lot to be thankful for.
B) Giving back to neighbors in need is important
C) I can talk people out of alcohol wherever I go

If you answered C, you win a million dollars and a pony. I mean, after all, I already knew A & B, but damn, does talking people out of alcohol come in handy when you are:

A) Celebrating
B) Having fun
C) Thirsty

Wach out parade goers, I've got a Mic
and I'm not afraid to use it!

Okay, if you guess them all, let's double today's jackpot!

Yesterday's Jacksonport Thanksgiving Day Parade was awesome. "The Little Parade That Could," did... again... for the 16th year in a row. What started as an eclectic parade of townspeople with 7 observers is now an eclectic parade of townspeople (and strangely a lot of folks from Chicago) with hundreds if not more than 1,000 observers. And damn are they generous. Check out pics of the parade and follow us on facebook!

In 7 years, I've been promoted all the way from balloon handler to parade starter and this year, I served as the emcee. Yup, someone gave me a mic. And I used it to announce the "floats" as they went by, raised money for a 14-year-old with a brain tumor and I even talked someone in the audience (read: my best friend) into buying me a gin & tonic!

Yup, yesterday's parade was legendary.

But it gets better.

Every year my adoptive family orders Thanksgiving Dinner from a wonderful little diner in town. The food is delicious and there's so much less stress than cooking yourself. I know, you love your mother/grandmother/own cooking so much. But trust me, this is totally the way to go. Especially if you've got it all figured out like we do.

Each year, because of the parade, we are always the last family to pick up our dinner. And they ALWAYS have pie left over. That's right, each year we end up with free pie. Except this year. We showed up 30 minutes before closing, which made the workers happy. And we were still the last family. Do we get a prize, my best friend asked.

Answer: not unless you want some apple pie drink.

Craig: Only if there's booze in it.

Answer: Of course there is!

Yeah, so that happened... And then I learned apple pie with everclear is a dangerous little treat.

Yes, this is my post-Thanksgiving PSA: Everclear is dangerous!

So, a great big drunken and sleepy tryptophan cheers to you,

Craig

Happy Thanksgiving

My Thanksgiving can beat up your Thanksgiving.

No seriously, after the Week of Craig, this is about as good as it gets for me.

Yesterday, I took the day off and traveled to Jacksonport in Door County, Wisconsin to visit my best friend and her parents. For starters, Door County is beautiful, even in this dead season between fall and winter.

Their home is exactly the opposite of mine. For starters, it's beautiful; hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, fancy appliances, a four-season porch with a fireplace in it. I could go on and on. This place is like my own personal bed and breakfast. Exactly the respite a guy needs after all that crime fighting.

And let's not forget the people! My best friend has been there for me through thick and thin. And trust me, my life can get pretty thick and thin! And her parents have been like my second family for over a decade now. In fact, I just call them Mom & Dad.

And this year, we added someone to our tradition. My best friend went out and got herself a boyfriend. He's pretty cool. Shhhh, don't tell him I said that yet. I'm trying to make the new guy sweat a little!

Don't think it could get any better? For about 15 years, "Mom" has been running the only Thanksgiving Day parade in all of Wisconsin. Who needs to watch the Macy's Day Parade on TV when you could go participate in the exact opposite?

My first year, I was a balloon handler. Yup, I walked in the parade and held a turkey balloon on a tiny stick. I've since been promoted to parade starter. Over the years, there've been horses, hoards of dog walkers, old fire trucks, lots and lots of townspeople and even a camel. Each year, it's fun to guess whether the 3-block "Little Parade That Could" will have more people in it or watching.

The best part? Totally reinstalls your faith in humanity. Each year, the parade adopts a family in need. Door County might be beautiful, but it's not immune to personal struggles. In the past, they've adopted families who've lost their jobs, kids with cancer, etc. Each year it's someone new. Each year, they make a difference. And each year, I drive up here and play some sort of role in this fundraiser that helps a struggling family during the holidays. It's fun, and it's the right thing to do.

Are you crying yet? Cuz this year, it all got better. Mom retired from her role as parade organizer and passed the baton (quite literally. She's not only the parade organizer, but also leads the parade by twirling a baton). What's that mean for us? We can crack into my cherry bounce a day early! And thus we did!

So, if the story about helping families in need didn't make you cry, this is totally gonna do the trick; we concocted some new drinks last night. I want to thank Mom & Dad's fully stocked science lab (read: liquor cabinet). I think there's going to be more concocting happening tonight, so as soon I've got some solid drink ideas for you, I'll report back tomorrow.

In the meantime, eat turkey, sit back with your favorite infusion and watch football (or the Macy's Day Parade).

Happy Thanksgiving and, as always, cheers!

Craig

P.S. If you are ever in Door County, drop by J. Jeffrey Taylor's fine jewelry shop, ask for Mom & Dad (the owners) and tell them that Craig sent you. You'll be glad you did!

I'm back

It's been two months since I've posted. But that doesn't mean it's been two months since I've touched a drop of alcohol, or kalcohol as my nephew puts it.

Side note: isn't it cute to hear little kids who can't enunciate?

Double side note: damn, that four year old can really drink. No wonder he's got a lid on his sippy cup. I need to try that! (this is totally a joke. don't go calling social services. everyone knows I'd feed little kids booze and that's exactly why they don't ever put me in charge of them!)

Anyways, two more months of super hero shit. We caught most of the bad guys and reelected the President of our, errr, um... crime fighting team.

Two months of fighting crime and not blogging doesn't mean I haven't been busy. I've got six different infusions that will all make a good base for a Bloody Mary to try out. I also have an entire pantry of candy to infuse. If this morning's binge on gummy bears is any indicator, I'd better get to infusing before there's no candy left.

Wanna follow along? Go get some candy corn. C'mon, Halloween might be over, but that just makes the Halloween candy even cheaper.

Also, go get yourself a box of candy canes and some hot chocolate. Oh, you'll be glad you did!

Stay tuned for some really cool infusions!

Cheers,

Craig

The Fishing Trip

For newbies to my blog, be aware, my blog is like mixing a drink; it's part Craig and part concoction. Hence, Craig's Concoctions.  So, I should tell you why you haven't heard any vodka-tastic words of wisdom from me lately.

It can be summed up in two words: Fishing Trip. Even with a home Badger football game this weekend and a buddy coming into town, it's going to be tough for this weekend to beat last weekend.

Each year, the guys in my family embark on our own version of a mecca-like journey to Wisconsin's Northwoods (no, it's not nort'-uh-ate for you purists - I'm looking at you, babe - but it's pretty close). The journey is known as The Fishing Trip.

It's not just any fishing trip, it's The Fishing Trip. I get so excited about this, that this brief video pretty well articulates how I blow town once a year...

It's a fun trip. While the amount of fishing has diminished significantly over the trip's 42-year history, there's still just as much fun had. I think men and women should be able to gather on occasion as a gender under certain circumstances. I'm not a big believer in men-only or women-only activities to the exclusion of others in your workplace or personal lives. But every now and again, I do believe it's nice to get a bunch of guys together to play cribbage, golf and rip off some legendary farts.

I'm sure women like to gather every now and again for a good old fashioned pillow fight... in their underwear... while watching scary movies... in their underwear. What?!?!?! I don't know what it is you ladies do when you're together. Whatever it is, you have to promise me you'll never EVER ruin this image for me!

Anyways, everyone usually cruises up north with their favorite beer, a cigar or five and kicks back and relaxes. This year, I brought a 2011 batch of cherry bounce and it went over very well. I'd be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to my cousin and her hubby, who've been infusing machines. Not only have they completed at least three or four infusions from my blog that I'm aware of, but they even made the trip to Door County to pick their very own tart cherries for their cherry bounce. I'm a firm believer that if you pick them yourself, they infuse better. Certainly this is complete nonsense, but hey, it enhances the fun!

So that explains my hiatus.

But fear not I'm back and infusing more than ever. Case in point; Wednesday night a couple pals came over and we made six different infusions. Yes, you read that right. That's more infusions than I've done in the entirety of this blog. We were busy little infusion machines ourselves. The best part is that every single one of the six infusions will make a delicious base for the same cocktail... and one of them has bacon in it. So, I'll have plenty of content and plenty of fun over the next few weeks!

Want a clue?

What is the one drink that everyone makes differently, but has in common vodka, tomato juice, a blend of spices and is called a Bloody Mary?

Give up?

It's a Bloody Mary!

Until next time, cheers,

Craig

Cherry Bounce

Who knew I had something in common with Martha Washington?


Cherry Bounce dates back to George Washington, who regularly enjoyed sipping on one of his favorite tasty drinks. In fact, the earliest recipe I was able to track dates back to Martha Washington's diary. She did it a bit different, but it's good to see she was a brandy purist (my second favorite to the blend of 5 different boozes above). Apparently Martha's recipe was written on then-General George Washington's stationary and was titled "To Make Excellent Cherry Bounce."

Here's Martha Washington's Cherry Bounce Recipe:

“Extract the Juice of 20 pounds of well ripend Morrella Cherrys Add to this 10 quarts of Old French brandy and sweeten it with White Sugar to your taste—To 5 Gallons of this mixture add one ounce of Spice Such as Cinnamon, Cloves and Nutmegs of each an Equal quantity Slightly bruis’d and a pint and half of Cherry kernels that have been gently broken in a mortar—After the liquor has fermented let it Stand Close-Stoped for a month or Six weeks—then bottle it remembering to put a lump of Loaf Sugar into each bottle.”

I'm not sure what loaf sugar is, but Martha has given me an idea. Good thing I only made half my cherry bounce and I have plenty left to make. I'm certainly going to have to try adding cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to my recipe. I may even consider adding some fresh vanilla beans. 

Preemptive apology

For those of you who follow my blog, I need to take a moment to acknowledge I've violated one life's maxims a good pal once taught me: under promise, over perform. I got too excited about the cherry bounce. I never should have subjected it to now four blog entries. It may be my fave, but I shouldn't have hyped it up so much. So let me just say this. I think you'll like it. It's good. Sorta. Kinda. Okay, it's slightly tasty if you like the perfect mixture of tart cherries mixed with sweet sugar and five different kinds of booze. Yeah, it's (under promise) alright. I mean, if you like that sorta thing.

Cherry Bounce, 2012

This is where I stop rambling about the bestest of the bestest most tastiest drink you'll ever infuse yourself and just let 'er rip as they say in Wisconsin. I give you.... Cherry Bounce.

Preparation Time: About 20-60 minutes (depending on how much you make)

Infusion period: 3 months (Yup, you read that right, months. Don't worry, it's worth it!)

Materials you’ll need: (Makes 4 quart-sized canning jars worth of goodness)

• 8 cups of tart cherries (leave the pits in)
• 4 One quart-sized wide mouthed canning jars (if you don't have wide-mouthed, you'll probably need to add a funnel to this list of things you need)
• 4 cups of sugar
• 2 cups of Rum (I've used spiced and white rum. it's your call) 
• 1 cup Irish Whiskey
• 1 1/2 cup Vodka
• 1 1/2 cup Brandy
• 3/4 cup Lambrusco (It's a crappy red wine. You can find it in the crappy red wine section of your local liquor store)
• 1 strainer 
• 1 bowl large enough to hold 8 cups of cleaned cherries
• paper towels (just trust me on this one. you will likely spill.



Perfect blend of 5 different
types of booze.

• A large jug to mix the above booze in 

Recipe:

• Pour 1 cup of sugar into each canning jar (use strainer if you have small mouthed jars).
• Add 2 cups of rinsed cherries to each canning jar
• In a separate container mix all your booze together, then pour into canning jars evenly. This should fill each jar relatively close to the top.

Servings:

Yields approximately 12 ounces of cherry bounce and 2 cups of drunken cherries.

How to make this tasty drink:

1. Rinse your cherries in a strainer.

2. Pour cherries into a clean bowl.

3. Line up your canning jars and add one cup of sugar to each jar.

Step 3 woks best while enjoying
a Summer Berry Splash!

4. Then add two cups of cherries to each canning jar.

Sugar + cherries = almost done!

5. In a separate container, mix all the above booze together.

I made a double batch

6. Spread your booze evening into all four canning jars. This should fill each jar pretty close to the top. As the booze makes its way down into the sugar, your concoction will bubble. Don't panic, this is supposed to happen. It's just science. Enjoy it!

I think the bubbling is one of my favorite parts!

7. Put your lid on and make sure it's tight.

Step 11 is the hardest part!

8. Turn upside down and shake until your sugar is mixed up. The sugar will then settle back into the bottom of the jar pretty quickly.
9. Shake up your jars every day or two until you can no longer see sugar settling at the bottom of your jar.
10. Store in a cool dark place.
11. Wait several months. The general rule on this is if you make it during cherry season (July-ish), it's ready to taste at Thanksgiving and keeps getting better an makes for a delicious New Years Eve beverage!

How to drink your tasty drink:

Much like most infusions, you can serve this vodka infusion many ways. You can drink 3 or 4 ounces warm, chilled or over ice. You can also shake it up martini style. Feel free to mix this with any white soda/seltzer as well. I personally enjoy it in my favorite vanilla cola. Perhaps even lemonade?

Important alterations:
Wanna keep it simple? Sure thing! Just add your sugar and cherries to your jar and fill the rest of the jar up with your favorite booze. I've seen whiskey, vodka, rum and (my fave) brandy.

Want some fun mixed drinks?

Try your concoction in an old-fashioned. You can even use your cherries in the old fashioned! Oh, I almost forgot the cherries. Top them in an ice cream desert, bake them in a pie (pitted) or smuggle them into a sporting event that doesn't sell booze, etc. Be adventurous. And don't forget to come back and post a comment to tell me how it went!

This & that

The thing I love about Cherry Bounce is that there's so many ways to make it. Please, leave a comment here and tell me what you've tried! 

Too lazy to make your own but live in the Madison, Wisconsin area? Sign up for the email list of a local restaurant named after one of my favorite drinks The Old Fashioned and be amongst the first to be notified when they crack their Cherry Bounce (usually early December).

Well, this is it. The kinda sorta almost best drink you'll ever taste. Enjoy your cherry bounce, or stop on over for some of mine.

Cheers,

Craig

Honor our workers this Labor Day

Labor Day is right around the corner, and it's got me thinking about my dad.

This Labor Day weekend, I'm toasting to the man who helped me get a job as a union paper mill worker, which helped me pay for college. He taught me the value and honor of a hard day's work.   

My dad is a patriot who fought for this country and even gave an organ for it. He and my mom raised four great kids who couldn't be any more different, yet couldn't be more similar. From my dad, I learned how to be loyal to a fault, and for that, I'm grateful.

And more and more, I feel like I'm turning into my father. You know, all those things that either made you smile or slightly annoyed you in high school. Here's my checklist:

1. I fall asleep on the couch a lot watching the Milwaukee Brewer's games but wake up just in time to yell at the TV and question the manager's decision to pull the pitcher one pitch too late.
2. I've noticed the volume on my TV slowly increasing with age.
3. I turn off lights incessantly in rooms I'm not in because I'll be damned if I'm paying the electric company those extra few pennies! 
4. I watch NFL football games more to yell at the refs than to watch my favorite team.
5. Don't you dare leave my front door open when the air conditioning is on. I'm not paying to cool the entire neighborhood!
6. I'm an over planner and over packer. Travel with me and you'll have enough food to live for a week in case of a car accident and you'll definitely die wearing clean underwear. 
7. I frequently say all those things my dad says, like "Waste not, want not." 

Yup, I'm becoming my dad.

And I couldn't be happier for it.

As I embark on this boozalicious journey, I'm glad that every time I go home, I can bring a little taste of my infusions to taste with my pappy. So get ready, daddy-o, this weekend I've got several for you to taste!

Next time you taste one of my infusions, raise a glass and toast to the man who taught me how to throw a curve ball.

Even though I can't convince you to sign-up for my blog because you're afraid of signing up for things on the internet (just one of the many things I love about you), cheers to you, dad!

Craig