Bitters Enthusiasm

I often see that in many aspects of life, being "smart" or being "discerning" means being "critical" to a lot of people. How many workplaces have you been in where the main bonding activity is complaining about the job?

I love people who sincerely love their job -- often their enthusiasm is infectious, and I respect that they embrace the work. Especially when the results, are the elevation of spirits into an art form. Yes.

This past weekend, I took a class at The Cocktail Club on Bitters 101 the old fashioned additive to Old Fashioneds that I didn't know was so in fashion right now. Jasmine Beck and Jon Calo had all kinds of info., and Jon's knowledge of bitters, how it is made, its long history, and the heretofore-personally undiscovered knowledge of the various brands (what, more than just that dusty one in the back of the bar with the yellow top?!) appealed to my inner home chemist.

Jon Calo in his natural environment, in a perfectly stocked and gleaming bar

A good teacher makes a student feel that they can accomplish, and Jon and Jasmine broke down their alchemy in cooking terms. I love to play mad scientist in my kitchen, whipping up jellies, some pickles, and even on one occasion, dandelion wine, so I'm excited to come up with my own bitters, Steph's Special Blend. I mean, there are celery bitters and plum bitters, so why not a concoction with my favorite aromatics, including cardamom, basil, lavender and perhaps some rosemary?