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Related documents: Invitation, Essay: An Introduction to Carolina Cocktails, Photos from Carolina Cocktails meeting
True Trixie chose her theme based on her Southern background. Having been raised in the Carolinas, she wished to share some of the aspects of her home that tied in with the LUPEC mission. And we all know the LUPEC mission is about women, women's history, and drinking.
May it be added to the minutes that all the LUPEC ladies (even those from Wisconsin an Northern Ohio) cleaned up real good, rising to the occasion to actually be a lady in dress and demeanor as well as in name.
The first test of ladyhood was a NEAR DISASTER in which Pink Squirrel PSILY and a guest (who was unable to chose a temporary LUPEC name) arrived in the SAME DRESS. Thanks to the good manners inherent in the event, and also thanks to the fact that no drinks had yet been served, the requisite catfight was averted.
True Trixie, resplendant in floral linen, put on the dog with flowers, china, crystal, and linens.
Comment Brandy YAFG Alexander wished to have on record: Brandy YAFG Alexander: "You have such lovely china and crystal." True Trixie: (whilst holding aloft a cut glass punch bowl) "This is what happens when you get married twice. I highly recommend it."
True Trixie kept the music in the background but also in the context. First was Southern Culture on the Skids. By the time we stopped talking long enough to hear it again, it was Nina Simone. Sapphire de Bombay instructed us on the proper way to sing along with the end of "Four Women," which is that you have to make a fist, and yell in a very gravelly voice: "PEACHES!!!!" This was done several times with great success despite many laps being filled with good food on fine china.
True Trixie greeted everyone at the door with a Sherry Cobbler and a spring roll from Trams. The Sherry Cobbler recipe was from an 1847 cookbook and the spring roll was to symbolize the diverse culture of the South, which has had many waves of Asian immigrants as well as people from Mexico and other countries that I did not write down. Trixie? Comments?
First Order of Business: Taste Testing the Sherry Cobbler
- Black Monday: Perfect summer drink - dry, cold, and refreshing (4.5)
- Brandy YAFG Alexander: Oh, my! Reminds me of my days as an afternoon sherry drunk. So refreshing! (5) Grasshopper: Tart and I believe a little on the dry side. I'm all a-pucker. (4)
- Pink Squirrel PSILY: Lovely. Light and refreshing...conjures up warm afternoons, cool breezes, and chatting on the verandah! (4.5)
- Sapphire de Bombay: I'm not a sherry fairy but do enjoy this drink. I like the fruity twist. (3.5)
- True Trixie: Surprisingly good for an old recipe - a real summer drink - fresh !
- Whiskey Daisy: Light, refreshing, even! God I love this. My first 5! Thanks for the second one! (5)
The Second drink served was the Sewanee Rum Tea Punch. This allowed Ms. Trixie to use the aforementioned punch bowl. The drink started as a college drink, made by frat boys in garbage cans. Not "frat boys in garbage cans" but…well, anyhow, those must have been gentler times, times when even frat boys drank cocktails. Perhaps from around the time of the Vikings landing in North America.
The Sewanee Rum Tea Punch was accompanied by Chicken Salad with Pecan tea sandwiches and, yes, the crusts had been cut off. It was agreed that if Sewanee Rum Tea Punch became popular again, Baccarat would have to come up with a lead crystal garbage can. The perfect wedding gift.
Second Order of Business: Taste Testing the Sewanee Rum Tea Punch
- Black Monday: Another good summer drink, but I got spoiled by the cobbler (2.5)
- Brandy YAFG Alexander: Oh, my! I like tea, and I like rum (a lot) but I don't seem to like them together (2)
- Grasshopper: Iced tea. Plateau. Everyday beverage with an edge (5)
- Pink Squirrel PSILY: I like the "tangy bite." A very unique, historical drink. (3)
- Sapphire de Bombay: Yummy! Tea, Rum = Yum. Did I mention yum? (5)
- True Trixie: I love a drink that is supposed to be made in a trash can! The typical NC drink - sweet teach with rum added.
- Whiskey Daisy: Little bit harsh - maybe its because the form was so good (2)
Discussion turned to race relations in the South, both traditionally and current. It could have gotten ugly if not for the genuine interest/concern on the part of the askers and the generosity on the part of the answerers.
Whiskey Daisy updated us on her social life. This usually takes awhile but is always worth the time invested.
The third drink was The Champagne Julep, served with both chess tarts and the fabulousness of chocolate cakes.
Third Order of Business: Taste Testing the Champagne Julep
- Black Monday: I like this quite a bit. In fact, I liked it so much the pen has become difficult to wield. Hic! (4)
- Brandy YAFG Alexander: Normally don't like the bourbon so much but with the champagne and sugar and mint it is VERY yummy! (4)
- Grasshopper: Bubbly, elegant! A pinky drink! (5)
- Pink Squirrel PSILY: Bubbly . . . mint leaves keep getting caught in my teeth! (2.5)
- Sapphire de Bombay: Perfect as the drink finale. Minty to sweeten the breath before driving home . . .
- True Trixie: I love the combo of Juleps with champagne cocktails - two purist drinks put together equals extra purist-ism!
- Whiskey Daisy: Yummy - but strong. But the more I drink, the more I like it - hummm? (3.5)
May it be noted in the minutes that never once did True Trixie resort to either paper or plastic. This is one classy lady.
BUSINESS
The date of the I Love LUPEC [ed. Friends of LUPEC?] party was clarified. This is the party where LUPEC invites all its friends, even boys, to try the highest rated drinks of the year. Despite some confusion, the date was moved to February. This was made possible by Pink Squirrel PSILY volunteering to move her President's Ladies' party to a less symbolic month.
Secret ingredients of the commissioned cocktail were discussed. Voting was moved to next meeting.
It was decided that everyone should have a duty within the group with the role of secretary circulating. The following ladies were sworn into the following offices:
- Black Monday: Historian
- Brandy YAFG Alexander: Press Relations, Pittsburgh
- Whiskey Daisy: Public Relations, National
- True Trixie: Archivist Black Monday: Historian
- Pink Squirrel PSILY: Web Mistress
- Grasshopper: Creative Director
- Sapphire de Bombay: Public Relations, Pittsburgh
It was decided that LUPEC would hold a rummage sale to earn money to buy a web domain and also to make room in our closets for more thematic LUPEC clothing. A subcommittee was formed to investigate the pros and cons of flea market vs. actual in-a-backyard rummage sale. Whiskey Daisy is chairing the committee and will have a report at the next meeting. The suggestion was made that leftover money go to individual members to help with parties. Another suggestion was that the money go towards the I Love LUPEC party
Another subcommittee was formed and I'm on it, but I forget what it is. By this time I was drinking the Champagne Julep.
Upon discussion, it was decided to maintain our moratorium on new members until the end of this year. Its called Tough Love, baby.
Brandy YAFG Alexander offered to host the fieldtrip to The Suburban Room. She was to call and find out if they still exist.
True Trixie and Black Monday outlined their plans to take over Washington during the SAA conference at the end of August. With their free evenings, True and Black will visit and appraise classy bars and come back with photos and reviews.
It was decided to proceed with our plans to host a VIRTUAL COCKTAIL NAPKIN MUSEUM on the LUPEC Website. True Trixie, Grasshopper, and Pink Squirrel PSILY are on this subcommittee and will report their progress at the next meeting.
Black Monday suggested a happy hour at Sunnyledge, former home of the McClelland sisters and now a fancy-pants B&B with cocktail bar. Friday, August 24th was chosen as the date.
Secret handshakes and signals were agreed upon. Witnesses were killed.