Don’t We All Just Need a Drink?

I think its pretty safe to say that we have all been on-edge and anxious over the last...well...hundred years it seems like.  Going from worrying about coronavirus contamination, to the economy, and now the circus we call a political election, I know I've had a tough time just relaxing at the end of a long day.  Now, there are some people who do things like yoga, and exercise, maybe reading a good book to unwind.  Those are certainly viable options if you are so inclined.

I, on the other hand, like to take a bit of a shortcut.  I like to indulge in the occasional alcoholic drink to calm my nerves from time to time.  In no way does that mean that I'm promoting alcohol as some sort of self-medication.  This is not the article for you if you're looking for a therapy session.  If you're looking for a light-hearted conversation about the best drinks to imbibe as a means for a mini-escape from the turmoil that is the normal right now, you've certainly come to the right place.

Now, let's say you're not looking for anything fancy, you just want a basic drink you can pour while you're still taking off your shoes from work.  Obviously you can just crack open a cold beer.  I'm not much of a beer drinker, but I've been told that a nice stout can do the trick after a hard day.  If you want to fancy it up a little bit, there's always red wine. Resveratrol is found in red wine and can help relieve stress in the brain.

What if you want to treat yourself?  And God knows you deserve it this year.  I'm sure you won't be as smooth(or good looking) as Tom Cruise in Cocktail, but you can sure give it a try! Below are a list of mixed drinks you can make at home and get your inner bartender on.

Manhattan - Made from whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, this one is sure to take you away to that special place.  Get the recipe here.

Scotch & Soda - This classic is about as easy as it gets, but it will definitely get the job done!

White Russian - This is a drink I can really get behind. Not just because its the drink of choice of one of my favorite movie characters(The Dude) but because it just goes down sooo smoothly!  Made from coffee liqueur, vodka, and cream, this one just makes you look chill af.

Hot Toddy - Like the name references, this one is warmed up, so it would also be great on a chilly fall night.  It may even help you feel a little better if you're under the weather.

Old Fashioned - The Old Fashioned is one that's near and dear to my heart as this was a favorite of my grandmother's.  She was just about the most amazing person on the planet, so if it was good enough for her, its good enough for me.

There you go, a list of some of the best drinks to relax with at the end of a crazy, mixed up, ass backwards 2020.  I'm sure there are some who will scream blasphemy for even talking about drinking as a way to relax.  Of course I'm not saying that's the only way to take the edge off.  You can do whatever works for you.  Yoga, meditation, hugging your dog, or having a nice drink.  By the way, if you do decide to sip on something after a long day at the office, just do it responsibly, ok?