Enjoying an American Beauty tonight. Appropriate choice.

[Aristus]

Brandy, dry vermouth, white créme de menthe, orange juice, grenadine, and ruby port. Yummy!

Unlike last night’s choice, I will likely mix this one again.

Nervously waiting for my redneck neighbors to start shooting off Roman candles and bottle rockets. Another set of erstwhile neighbors a few years ago shot off their hunting rifles in the air. Rednecks claim to hate the stereotype, but then they lean so hard into it.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. I've never heard of that cocktail before! OMG it sounds good!

[Aristus]

2. It IS.

Nice and fruity. I was skeptical about the créme de menthe; it makes everything taste like toothpaste. But it’s very subtle. I can barely taste it. (The recipe called for only a 1/4 teaspoon.)

When my crème de menthe bottle is gone, I won’t get another one. I like peppermint schnapps better.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

3. I've actually been thinking about getting a bottle of creme de menthe. Why I don't know, I rarely drink.

But I remember loving it when I was a kid and my parents would give me a sip. Never had peppermint schnapps but I might do that instead, if I ever make it to the liquor store.

[Aristus]

8. While you're there, pick up a bottle of Irish Cream.

When winter comes, both are heavenly in a mug of hot chocolate.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

11. I know, lol. A capful of Jameson's in a cup of gingerbread tea ain't bad either!

[Aristus]

12. Gingerbread tea.

That sounds delicious! And the Jameson’s is a bonus.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

13. It's by Twinings, actually called Gingerbread Joy. Just kinda spicy.

[Aristus]

14. I'll try it when Tea Season starts.

Tea Season is whenever the new season of the Great British Baking Show starts.

[Haggard Celine]

4. When I read the title, I thought you were eating an apple.

I should have known better. Sounds like a tasty drink. I'll have to order one sometime.

[efhmc]

5. I thought it was going to be a rose.

[eppur_se_muova]

7. I thought it was a movie. nt

[Aristus]

9. It's very good.

I’m not crazy about American Beauty apples. My favorites are Cosmic Crisp and Envy. (We Washingtonians know our apples.)

[True Dough]

6. As a military vet,

you know that fireworks can be a trigger for those suffering from PTSD. Wouldn't it be thoughtful for some of those rednecks to think about that?

Yeah, I know, they either don't realize or don't care.

Have a good night, Aristus! Thank you for your service.

[Aristus]

10. Yes, I do know.

Expecting rednecks to think of others is really not on-brand for them.

Sometimes I can’t believe the Gulf was thirty-five years ago. Well over half my life ago. My grandson is older now than I was then; crewing a $4 million tank, wearing a Colt .45 sidearm, dodging Scud missiles, all half a world away. It’s almost like it happened to someone else.

[zanana1]

15. I thought you meant the Grateful Dead album.

It would accompany your drink really well.

[Aristus]

16. I confess to not knowing any GD songs other than "I Will Get By".

I’ve known a number of Deadheads, though. And they were all wonderfully nice, kind, and joy-filled. That says a lot.