Welcome!

Spirited Away is the start of a new feature here at Rescued By Nerds, one in which I talk about one of my favorite topics - booze. Whether you're a seasoned drinker or a tender newbie, I've got advice and experiences to share. We'll take deep-dives into types of alcohol, find new cocktail recipes, explore bars around the USA and stumble off the beaten path over the course of this column. If you have any questions or recommendations, you should send them via e-mail, and I'll find a way to take a shot at them!

summerdrinks

The time is right for dancin' in the streets, and if we're gonna do some dancin' or anything that involves public humiliation, refreshing drinks are in store. Here are a few recipes for drinks that are guaranteed to beat the heat!

Mint Julep

1/2 part Simple Syrup
3 parts Bourbon
Mint leaves
Ice

First, crush the mint and ice in a glass - traditionalists will tell you that you only need to bruise the mint, but that the ice needs to be utterly destroyed. Unless said person is offering you silver cups for drinking, you can sorta ignore the sensitivity. Simple syrup is made by boiling sugar and water for five minutes in a 1 cup-to-1 cup ratio. As far as bourbons go, something mid-range like Bulleit will work, Knob Creek tends to overpower the mint and Basil Hayden's, while a little pricey, makes one HELL of a mint julep. The end result should be crisp and refreshing, almost like iced tea with a shotgun kick.

Tequila Sunrise

2 1/2 parts Tequila
3 parts Orange Juice
Splash of Grenadine
Ice

My very first Fisher Price drink. Serve the Tequila Sunrise in a highball glass, drop in the ice and tequila, then pour orange juice and splash Grenadine. Stir and serve with a cherry garnish if you're hosting people, otherwise, why waste time with the fruit? The tequila will accentuate the citrus bite and the Grenadine will keep things on the sweet side. Don't use Cuervo (ever), but I wouldn't use my nicest tequila either - a decent Reposado will keep things sweet yet punchy.

Midori Sour

3 parts Midori (or melon liquor)
3/4 part Sweet and Sour Mix
Ice

One for the gals, Midori is a Japanese liquor flavored like melon, and a Midori Sour is a confection more than it is a cocktail, but light drinkers who prefer to not taste their alcohol will love this drink. Sugary and syrupy, this drink has an edge, but it'll sip smoothly.

I Gots Me Some Gin-thusiasm

The much-maligned gin is a misunderstood spirit; dating back to the 1600s, gin (like many other liquors) was originally a medicinal drink, and consists of a white grain spirit flavored with juniper berries. Popular brands include Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire, but one should also note Plymouth gin, as well as artisanal brands like No. 209 and Old Junipero. Common gin drinks contrast the astringent nature of gin with biting flavors, lime being a very common garnish. It's rare to see gin imbibed outside of a cocktail - the flavor is entirely too strong to drink straight, and mixers tend to bring out the numerous flavors contained within the spirit. Two of the most basic gin drinks follow:

Gin and Tonic

1 part Plymouth Gin
1/2 part Tonic Water
Ice
Garnish with lime

Stir this drink with your straw; this old standby benefits greatly from Plymouth Gin, which is much sweeter than most common gin brands. Plymouth Gin should be available at most liquor stores, and typically runs in the $18-25 range in the US.

Martini

3 parts gin
Vermouth*
Ice*
Garnish with olives

Please, do not actually pour Vermouth into your drink. Store a few ice cubes in the glass, combine your gin and ice into a shaker and shake the hell out of the gin. Pour the Vermouth into your glass, swish the glass around so that the glass is coated with a fine layer of the wine, and then pour the liquid down the drain. Strain the chilled gin into your glass, add a touch of olive juice if you want it "dirty," and go to town.

Beer of the Month

Last month I had the pleasure of participating in San Francisco's annual Bay to Breakers race, which is as much a parade if not a race. Our group rolled (walked?) strong with several kegs of beer (really, you have to see this event to believe it), and the MVP of the day was Lost Coast Brewery's Tangerine Wheat. Brewed in Eureka, California, the Tangerine Wheat has a healthy body and a crisp flavor that isn't bogged down with too much wheat or cut too harshly with too much citrus. Refreshing, medium-bodied, and the perfect beer for mile five of a seven-and-a-half mile hike, Lost Coast's Tangerine Wheat will help you soak up some sun and help you stay light on your feet.