Hello, everyone! So, it's been about six months since I've ruffled the waters of this reticent food blog. I'd like to imagine that it's been absently humming to itself, completely relaxed in a warm, summery field, somewhere along the coast of the internet. I won't offer meandering excuses as to where I've been or fluffy reasons for a long absence, but they involve an archaic, finicky oven and the need to replenish a disappearing blogging mojo. I'm still trying to deal with the latter, but I *think* I have managed to grab onto its tail (my mojo's spirit animal is an elusive, prickly arctic fox).
Instead of confections, I've resurfaced with a libation (my very first!). You will be smitten with this coy, little intoxicant, I promise.
I have not had the pleasure of seeing an early release of the film High-Rise, but I devoured J.G. Ballard's novel during an unfairly brisk night, last September. While reading the book, I became increasingly agitated by the howling, unseasonably cold weather that happened to arise uncomfortably close to my birthday. In fact, it almost felt as though I should have a say in how the temperature was run, in the shortening daylight, in the bottles of shampoo that run out long before their twin conditioners...I wanted everything to just be the way I wanted it, simply because I wanted it.
As I've mentioned before on this blog, when I read books, I immerse myself completely. And thanks to an overactive imagination, it's all too easy to get caught up with the characters, and the overall ambience. Even as I loathed some of the players in this particular novel, I couldn't help but get caught up in their ethos.
I won't give anything away, in case you have not read High-Rise, but it's been liked, rightfully so, to a modern (70s), adult version of Lord of the Flies. As the title suggests, it takes place in a high rise apartment complex, in 1970s London. Each level represents various social classes: working, middle, and upper. It's a vertical, encapsulated metaphor of society. It begins at the end of all the chaos, with the central character, Robert Liang (played by Tom Hiddleston in the film) reflecting on his 3-month long experiences as a mid-level resident. It's violent, debauched, sensual, and lightly blushed with moments of dark humor.
"The more arid and affectless life became in the high-rise, the greater the possibilities it offered. By its very efficiency, the high-rise took over the task of maintaining the social structure that supported them all. For the first time, it removed the need to suppress every kind of anti-social behavior and left them free to explore any deviant or wayward impulses."
~ J.G.Ballard, High-Rise
Like the high-rise herself, this concoction appears innocuous, but once you slip willingly into its sweet embrace, you may find yourself comfortably oblivious to reality. It's a smooth, intoxicating mix of Limoncello, pomegranate juice, and mint simple syrup. It packs quite the punch - I had a ridiculously fun time experimenting/figuring out the right amount of each ingredient.
*cheers*
P.S. I cannot wait to see the film! It opens on March 18th, for those of you who live in the UK. The rest of us will have to wait until May 13. oxox
High Rise cocktail
1 1/2 oz Limoncello
2 oz pure pomegranate juice
1/2 - 1 oz mint simple syrup. feel free to experiment with your desired amount (recipe follows)
club soda
Mint simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup granulated sugar, and about 5 sprigs of fresh mint. (Before adding the mint, rub the leaves together until they're slightly bruised.) Stir over low heat, just until the sugar has dissolved. Pour syrup through a strainer, into a glass jar (or anything that can be sealed + refrigerated) discard the mint sprigs. Refrigerate syrup until ready to use. Well-covered, the syrup will last for about 7 days.
Combine ingredients, stir, imbibe!
Happy that you are back! My blogging mojo is also very elusive... ;-) This cocktail looks heavenly.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
It's good to know that I'm not the only one who loses their mojo on occasion. :)
DeleteThank you, Rosa.
Gorgeous pictures! And the cocktail sounds enticing...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anon. oxox
DeleteI'm so glad you're back! And with such a delightfully decadent cocktail!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel!
DeleteSounds quite good, both the book as the beverage!! Lord of The Flies is one of my favourite reads, ever, but what I like most About it is actually the fact that those are kids, those characters - I must have a huuuuuge Peter Pan complex, as I always feel so much closer to books whose characters are children, even with my fave author, Stephen King, the books of his that stay the most in my heart are those packed with children, like It, or The Wind Through The Keyhole, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Hearts in Atlantis, The Body... but now I'm actually a little bit curious to read High-Rise. SO goood to read one of your posts, again!
ReplyDeletehttp://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
Hi, Miranda! I have not read The Wind Through the Keyhole, yet, but it's on my short list. I love Stephen King, too!
DeleteI'm so glad you're back and finding your mojo again. :-) What a gorgeously luscious cocktail. I love everything in it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Krista! If we lived closer to each other, I would have you over for one (or two!).
DeleteSo happy to have you back in the blogging world! I've missed your beautiful photos and your poetic words. The book/movie sound harrowing and the drink sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beth! xoxo
DeleteWhat a magnificent cocktail, I'm absolutely smitten with these flavors! I have a feeling it must be all to easy to over-indulge ;).
ReplyDeleteYes, almost too easy. :D
DeleteWelcome back! We've so missed you! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, Abby! :-)
DeleteOh, so glad you haven't abandoned us! As with husbands, it's all in the pickin' and using your recipes, especially for the cookies - to which I am particularly drawn - makes me seem like a star baker. Genius recipes all. Thanks so much for sharing the wealth and making me look good. Lorraine
ReplyDeleteGlad you have not abandoned us. Like picking husbands, choosing to bake your yummies, (especially the cookies), make me look good. Thanks for your wizardry!
ReplyDeletehaha! Thank you, Lorraine! I think that's one of the best compliments I've ever received. :D
DeleteOh, welcome back Valerie! I've so missed your writing and posts. I love what you've done with the styling here!!! Looking forward to more of your work Valerie <3.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, you were missed! Gorgeous photos, as always!
ReplyDeleteThanks for making such a cool post which is really very well written.will be referring a lot of friends about this.Keep blogging cocktail bar
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and romantic. I would love to be able to create such dramatic beauty in my photos. :)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for this amazing re-freshening combination.
I tried this combination and had so much fun having it.
Thank you for sharing this idea. Keep sharing:)