The Reason I Do Mixology
If you've seen any of the videos in the "Bachelor" section on this site, then you already know how much I enjoy mixing cocktails. However, you might be surprised to learn that I only began drinking alcohol at the age of 30. That's right, I'm a late bloomer! Even on my 21st birthday, I was sipping on apple juice. It's a true story! I guess I’m just slow to doing what everyone else does - I move at my own pace!
Happy Birthday!
The reason I enjoy cocktails goes back to my 30th birthday when a very special friend I was dating at the time took me to New Orleans, Louisiana, to celebrate my birthday and a few other accomplishments I had achieved. She arranged for us to stay in a luxurious 5-star hotel and had an incredible itinerary planned for us from beginning to end. At that time, I had been living in Louisiana for over two years and had never visited NOLA. My previous relationship had been on-and-off, which made it difficult to plan anything. I won’t delve into all the details of what happened in NOLA, but it was undoubtedly one of the best birthdays I’ve ever experienced as an adult. We did a lot and explored many fantastic venues, but one of the highlights was definitely drinking!
I remember feeling unsure about what to order. I knew I liked margaritas, so I asked her to pick up a bottle of Jose Cuervo. We polished off that bottle almost as soon as we got it, and then I found myself wandering the streets of New Orleans around 3 AM, feeling hungry and alone. She had no idea I had returned to Bourbon Street until the next morning when she spotted the fast-food takeout box. She kindly scolded me for roaming the streets without her, even though she had been asleep. The following day, we enjoyed a few hand grenades and some other drinks - I can’t quite recall. I do recall us being so “lit” that we drifted off together at the dinner table waiting for the waitress to bring us our food, so we went back to the hotel and slept off all the booze. I’m sure neither of us remember everything we drank.
However, what really stuck with me was how delicious, thrilling, and enjoyable it was to step into the bars. I was captivated by all the bottles, unsure of what they all represented, admiring the bartender who seemed to know exactly what they were doing, and relishing the taste of the drinks.
Would Y’all Just Shut Up!
I've never really been into sports. I believe it all began when the guys at the barbershop would get rowdy and start swearing about who was going to the Superbowl, who was being drafted, and who was getting benched. I honestly didn't care about any of that; I just wished they would shut up already or at least lower their voices. I didn’t know who was going to the Superbowl or the Play-Offs, but I knew who wanted to go home - me! At 8 years old, sports didn't interest me and neither did arguing about what another man was doing with his life. And seeing them get so worked up made me dislike it even more. I was used to hearing arguments, swearing, and loud sounds at home all the time; I couldn't tell the difference with them. So, I naturally gravitated towards being more of a creative individual. I enjoy drawing, painting, building, and I have a passion for cooking. I've been cooking since I was around 11 years old. But 19 years later, I discovered a new passion - mixing cocktails. But it’s not just about the booze!
It’ll Last Forever
For me, creating cocktails is more about the overall experience than just the alcohol. It’s an ART! Those who are skilled know that various drinks have unique densities, are aware of how different colors mix, and understand how to either lessen or enhance bitter, sweet, or sour tastes. It’s a science!
I take pleasure in crafting cocktails because it’s enjoyable, has historical significance, serves as another hobby, is a fantastic way to entertain a special lady or host a family gathering, and most importantly - I know I will never fully master it. And that excites me! Similar to painting, learning to play my guitar, or cooking, mixology is a skill that will stay with me for a lifetime!
