MOTUS TWILIGHT NOCTURNE LOUNGE #6.

“This was a big storm and he might as well enjoy it. It was ruining everything, but you might as well enjoy it” ― Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls

Welcome to another evening at MOTUS’ Twilight Nocturne Lounge. Since we’re a little short handed, Little Mo and I have been assigned to SS guard duty tonight. I’m assigned to Lady M’s closet detail and Little Mo’s covering the Rose Garden door. It looks like we’ll both be moonlighting until the Secret Service gets their act together and/or we can get a locksmith over here.

So we’re self-serve tonight: if you can, please try to help the less experienced prepare their adult beverages. The trolley is fully stocked, and there are sacks of beer nuts, chips and Cheetos under the bar. Please don’t over serve yourself unless you have a designated driver. I’ll try to stop in during my designated 15 minute breaks if possible, otherwise you’re on your own so don’t do or say anything I wouldn’t. Hee hee.

Tonight’s happy hour is brought to you by the color RED, in all its glorious shades and variations:

Why red? Well, it is a traditional fall color, plus it seems that a lot of the news stories in play this week involve blood in one way or another. And given the inclinations of the current regime red seems appropriate as a red flag has been a symbol of left-wing politics, most notably Communism, ever since the French Revolution. Mind you, I’m NOT fomenting revolution, I’m just noting the fact and celebrating the color red. 

So settle in, relax and enjoy the music and the company of fellow travelers. Feel free to help yourselves to the libations and snacks butt please, don’t abuse your white privilege – should that designation apply to you (I think you know who you are).

Now for tonight’s entertainment:  I’m pleased to present one of my favorite artists singing his best red song: Ray Charles and Ruby.

And I have a bonus tune because - given our “red” theme - I’m half expecting the New York Times’ most famous redhead to drop by for a nightcap later.

She’s got a little crush on Little Mo, although it might be self love; you can never be quite sure with that girl. Anyway, this one’s for you MoDo: Drowning in My Own Tears:

To accompany tonight’s theme, a red cocktail is in order. Martha Stewart, bless her heart, has a lovely red cocktail, butt if you don’t feel like making your own cranberry orange vodka may I recommend a more traditional ruby cocktail: the Americano, which is equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth with a splash of soda, garnished with an orange twist.

Popularized by expats at the legendary Harry’s bar in Rome, it may be enjoyed either on the rocks or straight up.  It can be tarted up with the addition of more potent spirits and still retain its ruby nature. Add a shot of gin and you’ve got a classic Negroni:

Or add a shot of good old American bourbon and enjoy a lovely deep ruby red  Boulevardier. What isn’t better with a shot of Bourbon I ask you?

I’m sure if he’d thought of it Hemmingway would have been a Boulevardier drinker; as it was he was known to enjoy a Negroni or two at Harry’s:

Legendary barkeep, Giuseppe Cipriani, serves the legendary Earnest Hemmingway a legendary Negroni.

Fun fact of the night:  the Americano was the first cocktail ordered by James Bond in Casino Royale which was the first in the novel series.

So set ‘em up Mo, and let the shedding of this week’s woes begin. And remember: ask not For Whom the Bell Tolls it tolls for we.

“The world is a fine place and worth fighting for and I hate very much to leave it.”
― Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls