Want to lift your spirits while lifting your spirits? Here’s an Astrology Guide for cocktails, (and) non-alcoholic beverages keyed to Sun Signs in the Zodiac. I’ve also included a few old-school toasts and a bit of cocktail history for those moments when you haven’t a clue what to say to the person sitting on the stool next to you. Some of these cocktails have a long history (they were not born yesterday), but any bartender worth his/her salt, should be able to handcraft what you order. Many of these drinks also are perfect for summer sipping. Here’s Looking at you, Kid.
Aries: Rob Roy. Ribald and piebald like this Sign, the Rob Roy was named after the legendary Scottish Robin Hood. Bold & bountiful -just like Aries. The base liquor here is Scotch, of course, so this is not a drink for the weak-willed. Rob Roy was a popular cocktail in the Mid-Century; a cousin to the equally popular Manhattan. You can serve it straight up or on the rocks. Rob Roy cocktail is famous. It’s been mentioned in numerous books, TV shows and films, including Kurt Vonnegut’s Hocus Pocus, Frasier, Friends, The Simpsons and Liam Neeson’s starring role in the film of the same name. If you’re not drinking, order a Virgin Mary. The color alone reflects Aries. Besides, tomato juice is good for you.
Taurus: Margarita. They come in many flavors, your choice, Taurus, but there’s something so bullishly "Aha Toro" about all of them. They carry a kick, as well, just like your Sign’s symbol. Of course, there is also Jimmy Buffet who made quite a name for himself and the drink with his popular sing-along, Margaritaville. You probably know the lyrics by heart. Lemonade, for those who don’t drink - and not the concentrate, but the real deal, freshly squeezed is ideal for Taurus.
Gemini: Champagne Cocktail. Suits both sides of this Sign’s dual personality: sugar & spice (don’t forget to add the bitters) and everything nice, especially when served in fine crystal glass. Properly made, this cocktail does not taste alcoholic, although if you have more than one, it will certainly act like alcohol. It’s popular these days to order a fancy drink, especially if you’ve had to return your fancy car or give up shopping for designer clothing. An upscale cocktail will not break your bank, Gemini. Like the other two Air signs, you prefer to sip slowly. Iced tea - and not the powdered, but the real deal for those who do not drink is a good choice for the Twins. (Make a jug of sun tea, using your favorite variety, and sweeten to your taste or drink it straight).
Cancer/Moon-child: Screwdriver, also known in variation as a Harvey Wallbanger. This water Sign likes Vodka (it even looks like water). So here’s the best known of all Vodka drinks (at least by my count). It’s sweet and subtle enough for Cancer’s taste, but the punch is there (just hidden). If you’re going with a Harvey Wallbanger, float a little Galliano on the top. Orange juice, as a non-alcoholic choice for Cancer/Moon-child. Request the fresh squeezed variety and not the concentrate.Vitamin Cs are good for you.
Leo: Scotch rocks. Scotch does rock, especially if you request the best of the single malts - they are as strong and powerful as this Sign on a great day. Experienced scotch drinkers prefer their drinks straight up, neat. For those who like a sweeter drink, try the Scotch Solace (with honey, cointreau, milk and cream). Leos may favor a non-alcoholic Iced coffee. It is also strong and often thirst-quenching. Hopefully, it will not consist of the morning’s coffee poured over a glass of ice, but freshly brewed and chilled, served in style, and with or without cream, as you like.
Virgo: Old-fashioned. So appropriate for this Sign, who so dislikes trends and fads. Some content the Old-Fashioned was possibly the first cocktail ever - so pioneering it even has a glass named after it. Ordering an O-F makes you a connoiseur of sorts, because the bartender has to "muddle" it (which might be fun to watch). Perfectionists, especially those who know a good Old-Fashioned when they taste one, are picky when it comes about the precise way to craft this drink: typical Virgo discrimination. Ginger Ale is the non-alcohol beverage of choice. Bottled ginger ale is tangier and stronger than the watered-down version they serve at fast food restaurants. Full-strength Ginger Ale clears the head and peps you up.
Libra: Greyhound, a close Vodka cousin to the rummy, Hemingway. This cocktail is sleek & fashionable like this Sign, with a hidden liquor kick. Libra’s always sip; they do not chug, and Greyhound is the perfect choice for the elegant, graceful drinker, who likes to take it (like most things) slow. For those Libras who don’t drink: Grapefruit juice, fresh squeezed or pomegranate on the rocks, if you’re watching your acidity levels.
Scorpio: Stinger. So appropriate for this complicated, sometimes overpoweringly complex Sign. You can choose any liquor as a base for this cocktail, with equal parts of creme de menthe. All you have to do is order one (you don’t have to drink it) and everybody at the bar and the party knows where you’re coming from. If you’re not a creme-y sort of Scorpio, choose a Scorpion instead: a rather complicated rum drink sans creme. For non-alcohol beverage, Scorpios, try spicey V-8, tomato, carrot or celery juice- because Scorpios never eat enough vegetables. Vegetable and healthy juice drinking is quite In right now. You might even want to go all the way and order clam juice.
Sagittarius: Martini (vodka or gin). Such a classy social drink for this classy social Sign. Martinis come flavored these days, but old school straight up gives the most gusto, which is appropriate to this Sign . Famed for appearing in James Bond books and movies (shaken not stirred), Martinis popularity peaked several years ago. Some seniors prefer this cocktail, (don’t forget the olives), no matter what their Sign. For those non- drinking Sags, order Sparkling mineral water (European - either Italy, Germany, France) good for what ails you and bubbly, like you.
Capricorn: Collins - Tom or John or Jim (gin or bourbon with soda water). Depending on Capricorn’s mood and liquor choice, Collins’ cocktails can range from weak to strong. The bet is Cap will always choose the stronger version,like the Cap personality. While there’s sort of a skirmish over whether the bourbon drink is called John or Jim, you can probably tell the barkeep what you want in the way of a Collins, and s/he’ll make it for you. (A Collins by any other name is still a Collins). This is a great summer drink and it’s not for sissies, especially if request gin. No one is every likely to call a Capricorn a weak, sissy. Collins tend to fortify. For non-drinkers, try Limeade (nothing tastes so delicious on a hot summer day or night).
Aquarius: Kir. Elegant and extraordinary like this Sign, Kir has an exotic, international flavor, although the base is white wine. Kir is subtle and smooth like the Sign; the finer the wine, the better Aquarius will like it. Like Libra, Aquarius will sip while contemplating the deep thoughts and feelings Kir stirs up. A great drink if you’ve having a conversation with someone interesting. Cranberry juice (on the rocks with mineral water, if you like) for those Aquarians who don’t drink.
Pisces: Tequila. Either as a Sunrise or a Tequador (look it up) or straight up for the extra hardy (over 21 and under 40). Tequila is not for the faint-of-heart, but its punch and power is a mysterious as Pisces. Tequila, like Vodka, looks like water - appealing to the Sign of the Fish, who is always deeper and stronger than s/he looks. Pineapple juice (freshly made if you can find it) for those Pisces choosing not to drink.
There are many more cocktails to choose from that could or would fit your Sign, but these are the intuitive choices. The idea here is to suggest you move out of your comfort zone ( if you always drink wine or beer) and into the Astrological Zone. You may be pleasantly surprised at how great some of these cocktails taste. As always, if drinking, please drink responsibly and never ever drive when drunk.
Appropriate Vintage Mid-Century Toasts: Bottoms Up, Cheers, To Good Times, To Your Health, Here’s How, Salute, Here’s to Success, Here’s Looking at You.
Cocktail history: The first cocktails were most likely created during the reign of Elizabeth I, when buccaneers explored the world and discovered new drinks in new lands. There is some dispute about where the word "cocktail" came from. Some historians believe the word was first used to describe a beverage stirrer, which was a tree root that looked like a cock’s feather. But other historians date the word "cocktail" to the 1800s. Of course there were not that many varieties of alcohol in the Elizabethan era, so people drank Grog. Negus or Mull. Flash forward to the 1920s in England, when the upscale hotels and bars like the Embassy and the Savoy began serving creative new blends to the "smart set." (there are cocktails called The Embassy and The Savoy if you a 20’s kind of person). In the 1920s, before the Market Crash, there was a lot of partying going on in England. The Cocktail party in the U.S. probably began in earnest when Prohibition was repealed in 1933 in the U.S. ( smack in the middle of The Great Depression). The martini was the beverage of choice for those who drank; the shaken variety was celebrated by introducing the chrome, aluminum or copper cocktail shaker (an original is new status symbol and highly collectible). For those who didn’t drink, "cocktails" were created from every type of juice you can imagine - including sauerkraut juice and clam juice, but also raspberry, blackberry, apricot and more familiar fruit juices. The juices were spiced up, chilled and often whipped before they were poured into a cocktail shaker to be vigorously shaken. These non-alcoholic drinks were commonly called "Flips" and were often topped with a sprig or parsley or mint, depending on the juices used.
With thanks to Casablanca, (the film), The Cocktail Book, Fashionable Food, Sotally.com, Jimmy Buffet (Margaritaville song), james Bond (Casino Royale book/film) ,T.S. Eliot (The Cocktail Party play), internet resources and personal experience.
"A man is a fool if he drinks before he reaches the age of 50 and a fool if he doesn’t drink afterward." — attributed to Frank Lloyd Wright
06.06.09
