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Well, I've given this a lot of thought. Really I have. Haven't lost any sleep over
it, but still, I take things like this seriously. What do you drink on Memorial Day weekend? Or any summer holiday weekend? Ideally? That would depend a whole
lot on where you're planning to be and what you're going to eat, right? Of course.
 I know. You're thinking, duh!

Let's just say you've opted for the low-key, laid back, down-home barbeque. No sweat, the Major's got you covered. You'll be drinking beer. I just happen to know that he laid in a few cases of Foster's for the occasion. And furthermore, I know
he thinks that if you aren't going to drink Foster's, he hopes you'll at least choose something interesting, something that requires just a tad of imagination. Okay?
Like Killian's Red, or Red Stripe or St. Pauli Girl. There was a time when I would have opted  for Harper's or maybe Beck's. These days, it's Abita Springs beer for
me. Amber. No contest. Any of these would also work well with Emeril's Garlic Meatball Po' Boys.

If you're going to have a Real Meal, the Charlie Trotter Cooks at Home Menu
has you covered as well. A wine suggestion with every course, yet. Might as well
just go with a really fine Mosel. Halbtrocken, if you please, because that's what I
like. Unless I'm in the mood for red wine, in which case I lean toward a Cabarnet Sauvignon or a good Merlot. Unless I'm in the mood for Valpolicella...

If you're in the Greater New Orleans area, you can simply do what a lot of folks
have come to depend on: swing by one of the many daiquiri-to-go places. I kid
you not. But be sure to ride your bike. We wouldn't want you to drink and drive!
There you'll find any number of slushy drinks served in several different sizes of styrofoam cups, EXCEPT for a plain ole every-day ordinary Daiquiri. You know.  Like they used to serve in the 50s or whenever.  Seriously, I ordered a Daiquiri in
a local bar recently, and the bar gal (very young) looked at me quizzically and
said, "Strawberry, right?" "Wrong. Just a plain, simple, ordinary Daiquiri*."
She had not a clue. Papa Hemingway would be turning over in his grave, no?
I wound up drinking Cuba Libres. A rather distinguished looking gentleman
ambled over later to let me know that he did remember what a Daiquiri was.
There's hope, then. What can you say???

* Hemingway Daiquiri

 2 ounces Bacardi Light rum
3/4-ounce lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup (50/50 sugar and water mixture),
heated until sugar  dissolves, cooled
Chill martini glasses. Add all ingredients to glass shaker. Shake well and strain
into chilled martini glass. Garnish with lime peel. (Some folks insist on adding a splash of maraschino liqueur, and/or a splash of grapefruit juice. Why? I do not.)

 But back to the daiquiri-to-go thingy. Lest I forget, cash only please. One of the lessons I learned the hard way my first time out. What you will find is a great
variety of sluhes: Strawberry, Piña Colada, Margarita, Long Island Iced Tea,
Fruit Punch, Mango Madness, Bananarama, Brainbuster once in a while
(made with 151 proof rum). You get the idea. Yummy? Yes. Daiquiri? No!.

Okay. This is, after all, the Beverage Section of La Belle Cuisine, so I would
assume you're looking for mixed drink recipes to spice up your weekend, right?
I spent a considerable amount of time today looking through the drink archives
and realized (with the help of my The Infamous Major, in his infinite wisdom)
that there were some glaring omissions. He should know. Ohmigod! "Where's
the Salty Dog? Where is the Screwdriver? And you do not so much as mention
a Harvey Wallbanger. It's one of your favorite drinks for crying out loud!!!"
Well, he's right, of course. (Don't you just hate it when they ALWAYS think
they are right???) Sheesh. I just figured everybody knew how to make those.
YOU do, right? Like gin and ginger ale, my Very First Alcoholic Beverage,
and still a sentimental favorite. Or like rum and coke, (for me it has to be
with a wedge of lime, so it's a Cuba Libre) or 7 & 7, or Scotch and soda...
Then again, maybe not?

Since this is, after all, Memorial Day weekend, let's just start out with
a bang.  Okay?

Harvey Wallbanger

In a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes, combine the vodka and
orange juice. Stir well. Float the Galliano on top. For a Harvey, you'll
pardon the expression, Ballbanger, add a shot of tequila along with the
vodka and OJ.)

Artillery Punch

 1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons bitters
Juice of 6 lemons
1 quart brandy
1 quart Sherry
1 quart Claret wine
1 quart rye, bourbon or Scotch
1 quart club soda

 Combine sugar, bitters, lemon juice, brandy. Sherry, claret, rye, bourbon
or Scotch and club soda, adding soda last. Serves 30. Maybe. [A word
of caution: Be forewarned…This goes down like Kool-Aid, but will hit
you like a ton of bricks! Trust me. I speak from traumatic experience...]

Salty Dog

2 ounces Vodka
4 ounces grapefruit juice (fresh, please!)
A dash or two of Angostura Bitters, if you like
Salt

Rub the rim of a glass (preferably chilled) with the cut grapefruit, then
dip the rim in salt. Combine the vodka and grapefruit juice (and Bitters,
if using) in a shaker with ice, shake until well chilled, remove the ice,
and pour into the glass. (This will prevent your drink from continuing
to get watered down. Heaven forbid!)

Screwdriver

Nothing to it. Orange juice and vodka over ice. 4 to 1? Or 3 to 1?
Or maybe half and half??? Whatever floats your boat...

Lynchburg Lemonade

1 1/4 oz. Jack Daniels
Splash of Triple Sec
Sour mix
7-up

Shake the Jack Daniels, Triple Sec and sour mix with ice, pour into a
Highball glass. Top with splash of 7-up.

Here's what I'll be drinking, starting right now.
 It's rapidly becoming my signature drink:

Lobotomy

Equal parts of:
 Amaretto, Chambord, and  pineapple juice
Champagne

Shake the Amaretto, Chambord and pineapple juice with ice. Strain into
a glass and top off with Champagne. You won't remember a thing...