Triple Threat, but not American Pharoah

That's right folks, 3 for 1 tonight. 

#1 (yes, YOU are number one, but so is this bev).  Charlotte restaurant week...ahem Queen City Feast I believe is the proper name.  Scene: hot Wednesday night in Charlotte, NC, slightly early cocktail hour - it was almost 5 - chez moi (oh no Meg it's another Manhattan...), how are we the first ones here seat us in the middle of the restaurant do they know what they are doing!, well...let's just get a cocktail while everyone arrives.  Upstream in Phillips Place - sophisticatedly noisy and menu driven, this dining room offers an incredible value and wide variety for their restaurant week.  But back to the cocktail - on the features list The Outer Bank: Smirnoff Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh squeezed grapefruit, lime juice, splash of cranberry. But of course, to be contrary and because the grapefruit made me crave a greyhound, I asked for gin instead of the vodka.  And then so did Heather (not speaking in the third person, my friend Heather!). And then so did everyone else that ordered the drink. It's nice when your friends overwhelmingly approve of your choices.

Martini -  7

#2 girls weekend -  a much needed low key getaway to stare at the water, sun bathe, cook, and sleep was hovering in the distance TOO FAR AWAY and the days felt like sand stuck in an hourglass. All you could do was stare and tap the sides and occasionally a few grains would fall.  But finally on Thursday night, I dropped the top, picked Kate up and we hit the road!  It felt like freedom even in the thick of traffic on 74.  We allowed Google Maps to take us the most bizzaro back country roads, but in the end (plus getting caught in a massive thunderstorm - yes the top was still down) we made it to the townhouse around 11.  Time for a grilled cheese and a salad and a martini!  I know - that's a weird combination, but I wanted a drink and something comforting to eat, so there. What makes it a blog-worthy martini?  Well, when you pour your New Amsterdam gin from the giant bottle on your home bar into a weekend's worth portion (safely toted in a Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter jar - hey it won't leak!), realize you have no vermouth, and that there aren't any martini glasses the whole thing makes for a pretty comical assembly.  In a short glass (no shaker) add ice.  Dump gin from peanut butter jar into said glass trying not to spill; clearly these jars are not designed for pouring liquid, clean up mess, curse wasted gin. Slice lemon (we did get some things right), squeeze into "shaker" and stir.  Strain into chilled tiny wine glass. Garnish with lemon twist. Not the prettiest, but damn refreshing.

Martini - 5

#3 Pisces: Refined Drinks - I LOVE going for cocktails with Cassandra - just the two of us.  It's always fun, real, and centering. I'm a lucky girl to have such long time friends in my life - and this one goes back to 2001, Limoges France. We decide to go for the sushi boat! Yes boat.  I hadn't done this before, and it was amazing.  To compliment, what better than a Manhattan?  Ok, I'll admit that was a terrible pairing choice, but I really wanted it and we ordered drinks before we decided on the boat. Pisces version is called the Far East Manhattan - Bulliet Rye, Ginger Liqueur, Zipang
Sparkling Sake & Bitters.  The balance is so perfect that there is no overwhelming ginger or sake.  It's just good. 

Martini - 8