Drinks for Every Holiday

Any suggestions for Labor Day weekend?

While my 1949 edition of Esquire's Handbook for Hosts lists "365 Excuses for a Party" -- one for every day of the year, it does not include Labor Day (when did Labor Day become an official holiday? Maybe in time for later editions), nor does it suggest specific drinks.

My personal Labor Day favorite (usually mixed up for a picnic crowd in my trusty Gott with a spigot) is bourbon-ade: Frozen lemonade made according to the directions on the can, but with bourbon instead of water. Serve with PLENTY of ice or your guests will walk home on their lips.

Or, as homage to the Labor Movement's earlier leanings, how about a Moscow Mule? ;-) The Complete Bartender gives this recipe:

3/4 oz. lime juice
1 1/2 oz. vodka
ginger ale

1. Half fill a Collins glass with ice
2. Add lime juice and a slice of lime
3. Pour in the vodka
4. Top with Ginger ale
5. Stir

A friend of mine mixed up a batch the other night, adding lots of extra, fresh ginger she crushed through her garlic press. Super yummy!

It appears that Congress made it a holiday in 1894.

Well then the editors of Esquire missed to boat! Of course, their list of 365 party excuses couldn't really include Labor Day because, for one thing, Labor Day moves around on the calendar and they were making a list to last from year to year. Also, their list is just silly stuff, like Napoleon's birthday, and the anniversary of Daylight Savings Time.

I've had a suggestion that a boilermaker might be appropriate.

Campari — just because it's red.

A White Russian? Or, better yet, a Black Russian? Maybe a Pink Lady?

I had a cocktail party a month or so ago and served Moscow Mules. They're delish!