Time and Again with a Whiskey Cocktail

Today's summer read recommendation with matching drink comes from Cathi Stoler, author of Telling Lies. 

One of my favorite books, and a great choice for summer reading, is Jack Finney’s Time and Again, a beautiful illustrated novel of time travel. I’ve read it several times and there are so many things about it that keep drawing me back. 

First is Finney’s protagonist. Si Morley is an advertising illustrator, (my day job is in advertising), an average person who finds himself in an extraordinary situation and ultimately deals with it brilliantly.

Another reason to love this book is that although it’s science fiction and takes us back in time to New York in 1882, it does so via imagination alone rather than any sci-fi machines. Finney makes you almost believe that time travel is possible just by thinking it. 

And, perhaps best reason to enjoy this story is that at its heart is a very intriguing mystery. All of which add up to a novel that’s a wonderful read.

Jack Finney’s characters feel real and right for their time, including Julia Charbonneau, a young woman with whom Si falls in love. Finney also paints a vivid picture of how New York looked toward the end of the Nineteenth Century through words and illustrations that make you feel like you’re there with Si. In fact, you can be, since much of the story takes place at two buildings that are still standing and still look very much the same: The Dakota on Central Park West and 72^th Street and number 19 Gramercy Park, the boarding house in which Si rented a room.

Drinks of the time included beer, wine and several cocktails. One cocktail popular in the 1880’s was the Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail. I’ve updated it slightly and like to think it fits with Finney’s theme of being in the present and the past at virtually the same time.

The Then & Now Whiskey Cocktail

Dissolve a small lump of sugar with a little water in a highball glass 

Add two dashes Angostura Bitters, ice cubes and one jigger of rye whiskey.

Add a splash of club soda and garnish with an orange slice and a sprig of rosemary.

Don't forget to check out Cathi's website. How many lies does it take to get away with murder? 

Speakeasy in Harlem: 67 Orange Street

Imagine it's 1934, you are in a dark crowded room drinking gin made in a bathtub, and not necessarily a clean bathtub. You have to keep your voice down just in case the cops are around (they may care or not care since one might be standing right next to you drinking the same rotgut. 

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 marks the 75th anniversary of the repeal of the Volstead Act which marked the end of Prohibition.. And while December is a long way off, everyone at Mystery Playground is going to celebrate all year long by visiting and writing about modern day speakeasies all over the country.

This is the first speakeasy post of in 2013, and it is about 67 Orange Street in Harlem, New York. 

I visited the tiny but welcoming 67 Orange Street with my friend, Susan, who recently moved to Harlem. We went to a fabulous restaurant called, Maison Harlem, prior to our speakeasy adventure. The Coq au Vin is wonderful there. I highly recommend it. But I digress...

We entered the bar through a maroon velvet curtain and were handed a drink menu re-fashioned out of a recycled hardback book.  I make things out of old, ruined books -- purses, photos albums, cards, etc. -- so I particularly loved this detail. You could just close the book, and like magic any reference to alcohol just disappeared (there was a fully stocked bar however).

Inside the menu/book we found pages and pages of inventive drinks to choose from (and some quotes from a old philosopher). There were so many drink choices that we implored the bar tender to tell us which ones were the best. He recommended The Emancipation and the Kentucky Blossom...

Drinks:
I had The Emancipation which was made up of: Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka, Citronage, Simple Syrup, Muddled Cilantro & Cucumber, with fresh lime juice. It was clean, light and fabulous. Seriously, relaxation in a glass. If you go to 67 Orange Street, order this. Tell them Mystery Playground sent you.

Susan had The Kentucky Blossom which was made up of Bourbon, Appleton VX, Cinnamon Syrup, Orange Blossom honey syrup and lemon juice. Susan thought this drink was excellent and she is almost never wrong about anything. 

Food:
We did not sample any of the food, largely because we had already had an excellent meal at Maison Harlem, but the scent wafting through the bar was magnificent. Menu items included Oyster Mushroom Mac & Cheese, Chicken & Red Velvet Waffles and Pan Seared Salmon with Miso Roasted vegetables. When we go back, we are definitely eating there.

Directions:
67 Orange Street is not actually located on Orange Street but instead at 2082 Frederick Douglas Boulevard at the corner of Frederick Douglas and W 113th Street. This is OK because a good speakeasy should be a wee bit hard to find (there is also some history behind the name, which I love.) The door is marked with a 67, and nothing else. We didn't have any trouble finding it.


What Are Speakeasies?

Speakeasies were essentially secret bars that sprang up when the United States outlawed alcohol in 1919. 

Most speakeasies were housed in unmarked locations, many required a password to get in and some may have even moved from place to place to stay ahead of the law. Many think the name came from patrons being told to "speakeasy" or to lower their voices so no one suspected they were serving alcohol. 

Today, there are many modern speakeasies that retain some of these traditions. Usually they feature fresh ingredients in their food and drink, and though the secrecy is no longer needed, many are in discreet locations that lack signage. Some even require passwords.

You can read about Mystery Playground's other speakeasy adventures here. 

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