The Year of the Dragon by Theodora Lau

At Sip Or Mix Towers we have all sorts of literature at our disposal. So, in honour of Chinese New Year 2012 - The Year of the Water Dragon, we found an old relevant book. The book in question was first printed in 1979 and was reprinted many times till this 1987 edition. This book is therefore from 25 years ago and it was first published 33 years ago. We raise these dates and numbers for a very good reason, this book is pre-internet...

It's quite spooky to read the following exact extracts from:

THE HANDBOOK OF

CHINESE HOROSCOPES

by

THEODORA LAU

The opening page starts with this:

THE DRAGON

I am an unquenchable fire,

The center of all energy,

The stout heroic heart.

I am truth and light,

I hold power and glory in my sway.

My presence

Disperses dark clouds.

I have been chosen

To tame the Fates.

I AM THE DRAGON

Well, fighting talk and we like it but none of us at Sip Or Mix Towers are Dragons. It's all about the Year of The Dragon and this is verbatim of what Theodora has to say:

 

THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON

A magnificent come back after the recuperative year of the Rabbit. We will throw caution to the four winds and roll up our sleeves for all sorts of grandiose, exhilarating, colossal, overambitious and daring projects. The indomitable spirit of the Dragon will inflate everything to larger than life size. Somehow we will find ourselves bubbling with excess energy. It will be wise not to overestimate ourselves or our potentials in this combustible year.

On the brighter side, business will be good and money can be generated or obtained easily. It is the time to ask your bank for a loan. Big spending and lavish plans are the rule of the day. The mighty Dragon sneers at the prudent and penny-pinching. He gambles for all or nothing. He will stimulate us to think and act big, even overstepping the bounds of caution.

Orientals (sic Chinese) consider this to be an auspicious year to get married, have children or start a new business, as the benevolent Dragon brings good fortune and happiness.

But caution is required, take nothing for granted, for both success and failures can bel be measured and magnified equally. (nb 1)

In the Dragon's year, fortunes as well as disaster will come in massive waves. This is a year marked by a lot of surprises and violent acts of nature. Tempers will flare the world over and everyone will be staging some real or imaginary revolt against restrictions.. The electric atmosphere created by the mighty Dragon will affect us, one and all.

Intersting stuff eh?.....

 

Perique Tobacco Sour by Joel Lawrence for The Cigar Terrace, 10 Manchester Street, London.

Times and with them habits have changed.  We generally recognise that smoking is not good for various health reasons, but many of us still enjoy it.  We from the Drinks Industry of a liberal mind would uphold both a "smoke free environment" and yet want to retain "the freedom to spark up".  Accordingly, most of us would agree to a designated smoking area for those that wish to partake.  However, since the UK smoking ban came into effect on July 1st 2007 there have been very few spaces and places for smokers to go.  Well, apart from outside of course, which leaves us prone to the inclement UK weather and the often faulty heaters used in winter. UK smokers are currently extremely lucky to find the odd roof garden, usually fashionable and full. Admittedly, beer gardens are far more commonplace, but can you get a decent cocktail? More often than not, it's simply the pavement where patrons can get their nicotine fix....

That is all about to change! Welcome to the Cigar Terrace at 10 Manchester Street.

 

 Stating the obvious, smoking a cigar is very different from smoking a furtive ciggy in a doorway.  Cigars deserve to be squeezed, savoured and treated with the respect that hand crafted products deserve. Consequently, cigar aficionado's from all over the world, will be overjoyed when they discover this little gem of a Bespoke Hotel in Marylebone. 

Ten Manchester Street Hotel Cigar Terrace and Humidor

The Cigar Terrace is deceptive by appearing to be inside. Soft, plush furnishings, carpets, arty, cigar-centric pictures and what appears to be walls, all give the impression of a room.  This is an illusory internal space. The walls are actually made of a fine, honeycomb metal mesh and the miniature fir trees planted on the other side act as the perfect wind break.  This is the next generation of smoking spaces!

Did we mention it's a CIGAR Terrace?  Just look at this humidor! This is not just a token nod to cigar lovers, it's a cigar mecca.  First, you have to get into the room which houses the humidor, a mere antechamber to the true temple which lies beyond.  Behind lock and key, armies of cigars line up in their perfectly controlled environment, with none vying for position but each quietly confident of their final destiny. For behind that glass, there is a cigar for everyone.

To enhance the enjoyment of your perfect cigar, in this optimally designed public smoking space, why not try the signature cocktail? A drink inspired by a perfect tobacco, called Perique.

The secrets of Perique cultivation was first introduced to the early French settlers in Louisiana by the native peoples.  While their descendents have continued the tradition for centuries, very little Perique exists today. The unique terroir of the Mississippi River gives Perique the intense spices and aromas that contribute to the delicate balance of this fine liqueur. In an effort to bring attention to this endangered tradition, Jade Liqueurs developed Perique liqueur to captivate one's senses with the wonderful aroma of this native tobacco, but in a form that greatly diminishes the health concerns associated with tobacco infusions. Perique is entirely artisanal in its construction, and embodies the nuances of this ancient tobacco.

Perique Tobacco Sour
by
Joel Lawrence

30ml Aged Cuban Rum

15 ml Jade Perique Tobacco Liqueur

10 ml Rubis Chocolate-Velvet-Ruby

15ml Joel's Homemade Sour Mix

Shake very vigourously all the ingredients over ice and pour everything into a rocks glass.

Although it's a sour the sweetness from the chocolate wine and Jade Perique Liqueur smooth out some of the sharpness that you might otherwise expect of a sour.  The slightly tannic and astringent feel from the Perique, which still cuts through the smooth dark chocolate note, adds to the drink's complexity. Overall, we'd say the balance of this drink is quite amazing, with a range of distinct flavour notes that combine to something deep and delicious.

If you would like to know any more about anything you have read here, please email: hello@sipormix.com
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