Joyeux Anniversaire Monsieur Stenson!

This coming Sunday, July 26th, in Seattle, WA, USA, many of the most wonderful cocktail souls of the Northwest will gather together to honor that immortal mentor to so many of us, Murray Stenson. Apparently the occasion is the anniversary of his birth, which our sources tell us occurred "a number of years ago."

Folks will come together at sensational Seattle dining spot Elemental for a multi-course meal, featuring apertif and digestif cocktails created by Portland's Evan Zimmerman of Laurelhurst Market and Dave Shenaut of Teardrop Lounge, along with wine pairings chosen by Elemental co-owner Phred Westfall, who happens to be a genius when it comes to this. In addition to the usual cast of characters from Seattle, we're looking forward to being joined by Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Daniel Shoemaker from Portland, and, god and border patrol willing, David Wolowidnyk of Vancouver, B.C.

Seating for the dinner is extremely limited. So limited, in fact, that there is none. However, all are free to join in after dinner, around 9pm, for post-meal cocktails and shameless fraternizing. This is, indeed, the portion of the evening yours truly will be present for, once the evil wheat-infested food has been safely cleared away. Give me a PB&J on spelt bread and a Red Stripe and I'm ready for Murray Birthday Cocktail Hour!

There is no guarantee, however, that Murray will stick around much after dinner. There's really only so much adulation the man can take in one evening, and considering the mind-boggling cast of butt-kissers that have been assembled for this dinner, he'll probably be pretty maxed out by 9pm. Sadly, Murray still clings to the illusion that free will exists, so he tends to come and go as he pleases. We once attempted to get him to stay longer than he wanted by super-gluing his trousers to his chair. We failed to recognize, however, that Murray is the sort who shan't hesitate to drop his pants in public, particularly when escape from the Munat Brothers is at stake.

My brother Charles is the orchestrator of this event, and deserves praise for putting it together, not to mention shock and awe for having gotten Murray to agree to this. Apparently, Murray's approval was only secured when it was agreed to make this event a fund raiser for the Washington State Bartenders Guild. So 34 people will fork over a cool chunk of change for dinner in the laps of the guild, plus whatever comes in for drinks later. Well done Murray! We can throw a Mixeur with all that money!

Speaking of which, why not mention and honor this event's fine and honorable sponsors? Yes, why not? They are William Grant and Sons, Makers Mark, and something called...Marteau?

For those of you unable to attend the dinner who would like to join in for cocktails, meet me at Oliver's Twist around 7pm. We'll have some cocktails there and engage in my favorite hobby, harassing Robert Detchon Rowland! I'll bring the spelt bread PB&J's.

Happy Birthday Murray!



photo from NY TImes used entirely without permission. Ha ha!



UPDATE: an anonymous tip just came in. Our analysts are still working it over, but it appears to be a...cocktail menu? Yes, a cocktail menu! We are now authorized to state with at least 85% certainty that this is the actual cocktail menu for the event!


N.S. Pimm's
Pimms, Cucumber Soda, Ginger Juice

The Pilar
Rum, Grapefruit, Lime, Creme de Violette

Blue Moon
Clear Creek Slivovitz, Zwack, Lime, Honey Syrup, Lavender Mescal

Jerez Collins

Hendrick's, Amontillado Sherry, Lemon, Sugar, Orange Bitters

AKA Burro Punsch
Milagro Reposado, Batavia Arrak, Carpano Antica Formula,
Amaro Nardini, Ginger Liqueur

The Double Windsor
Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Orgeat, Orange Juice, Campari,
Marteau Absinthe

Loretto Noir
Maker's Mark, Amaro Montenegro, Pimento Dram


whoooop-paaa!


Comments

Anonymous said…
N.S. Pimm's - Pimms, Cucumber Soda, Ginger Juice
The Pilar - Rum, Grapefruit, Lime, Creme de Violette
Blue Moon - Clear Creek Slivovitz, Zwack, Lime, Honey Syrup, Lavender Mescal
Jerez Collins - Hendrick's, Amontillado Sherry, Lemon, Sugar, Orange Bitters
AKA Burro Punsch - Milagro Reposado, Batavia Arrak, Carpano Antica Formula,
Amaro Nardini, Ginger Liqueur
The Double Windsor - Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Orgeat, Orange Juice, Campari,
Marteau Absinthe
Loretto Noir- Maker's Mark, Amaro Montenegro, Pimento Dram