Adam Trahan: Drinking

Drinking is something I wish I could do more of, I aspire to drink regularly. But life, my life gets in the way. I can’t drink, I’ve tried. I’ve had very experienced teachers try to educate me on how to be a drunk but it never worked. No, not for the lack of trying but my body just doesn’t crave alcohol like that. If I go out drinking with friends and I get hammered and I don’t drink enough water and I do not take ibuprofen before I go to sleep, I wake up with a hangover.

The last thing on planet earth that I want to do is have another drink when I’m hung over. I think maybe once or twice I’ve rescued myself back into the swirling world of day two drinking. You pay for that in mental anguish. I don’t want that kind of bill, I don’t tender that type of currency very well.

The hair of the dog is a really poor excuse to feel better. It’s made under duress and personifies the drunk decisions that are to be avoided.

Not even going to entertain that thought…

Where was I?

Oh, If I’m hung over, and that’s a double edge sword, I don’t want to go back for a visit at least for a little while. Once it was six months, other times a couple of weeks. No, I don’t need alcohol. I want it, there is a difference.

But really, my drinking is my business, just stay out of it unless of course you are still reading and then by all means, continue.

Seamus McCaffery Pub

Irish Cream and coffee, so good, even delicious I might add. This is how I start out the day when I’m relaxed. At this point in time, I’m still trying to figure out the mix ratio, 1/3 - 2/3rds, depends on how I’m feeling. St. Brendan’s is good, Carolan’s is too but if I’m rich, it’s the Bailey’s that’s in the shopping cart. I just noticed something. Why do these three Irish Creams all end in s? What are these distilleries trying to tell me? I don’t know but it’s a great mystery.

I’ve heard it said, “ Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting” Watch that link, there may be some stupid advertising click bait in there. I know your going to click on it anyway, you can’t bare not to.

But why drink whiskey?

Because that shit makes you feel good. If you drink enough, you forget things. I’m not in the habit of wanting to forget things. Sometimes I like to go out for a drink with friends and forget the shitty day I had or I’m looking to forget the circumstances of my surroundings, but sometimes I just want to feel good. Whiskey temporarily eases pain of the mind, it’s a solution of the mind drink.

The Japanese are masters, Hibiki or, Harmony is my favorite. It’s a blended whiskey by Suntory distillery. Suntory also makes Toki, the two are choices for me. Hibiki is a whiskey I drink straight, Toki is for a highball glass, about 50/50 with Schweppes Ginger Ale.

I use a Snowpeak titanium flask. I take Harmony with me. I like to Harmonize alone or with some friends in nature. Whiskey is for drinking near water…

Nikka is pretty good. I can’t find it in America. I got a bottle from someone who goes to Japan all the time. It was a gift. What a cool gift huh? That’s all metal. No more metal adornments, all plastic now. I’m hoping to get more one day. The bottle sits empty on top of a cabinet in the kitchen, waiting to be filled. If I go back to Japan, note to self: get some Nikka.

Toki with ginger ale (Schweppes is the gold standard) in a high ball glass filled with ice is the bomb. I learned that from walking on the streets of Tokyo. They have small Suntory stops on the sidewalk, you just stop and get a Toki highball. They have healthcare for all too. The Japanese are so smart.

These are tokens from a bar in Phoenix, it’s a Pirate bar. You buy these tokens and give them up for your drinks. This particular night was debaucherous on an epic scale. I would love to tell the (self incriminating) story but it’s none of your business.

My favorite tequila. I’m embarrassed to say but it’s so smooth. I’m pretty sure it’s Mexican. George Clooney put it together or whatever. He sure didn’t make it. He took his riches and made it available. I’m cool with that.

So, the most advanced, professional level drink that I know of is called, “the deleter” because that’s what it does very well. It deletes the take-your-breath taste of the straight shot of tequila. You can drink Casa Amigos straight and room temp. I prefer to keep it in the fridge. Anyway, two shot glasses and pickle juice, I prefer Famous Dave’s (how presumptuous…) if we are at my house. It works with any pickle juice. Drink one shot of tequila and then a shot of pickle juice. The pickle juice completely erases (deletes) the tequila.

Warning: after three or four shots, it begins to delete the memory of how many shots you have consumed. It will also delete inhibitions, good judgment, your spouse, where you parked your car and how to remain upright.