OUR FAVORITE bartenders tend to double as psychologists and pharmacists. So we bellied up to the bar at the Franklin Café (278 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, 617.350.0010) and asked bartender Nancy Theodore which libations she’d prescribe to soothe some common “ailments.”
Awkward first date. Rx: Blood-Orange Martini ($8). “It’s probably a lot more interesting than your first date, and you’ll definitely loosen up after you’ve had a few of these.”
Night out with overbearing parents. Rx: Pimm’s Beer ($8). “Has a lot of alcohol content to it, and you can get real comfortable with a few of these before your parents start counting how many you’ve had.”
Bad-outfit day. Rx: BZ Cocktail ($8). “It’s Don Julio tequila, Chambord; there’s lime juice, orange juice, fresh-squeezed lime in it. Everyone starts looking good after a little bit of tequila.”
Lack of confidence with the ladies. Rx: Single-malt Scotch, Dalwhinnie 15 Year ($12). “Any guy would think that he’s a hit with the ladies after a few single malts.”
Existential crisis. Rx: Green Fairy ($12). “It’s made with absinthe, so after you’ve had absinthe everyone can sort of reflect on absurd conditions of humanity. It’s very much an intellectual’s drink.”
Painful breakup. Rx: Sparkling Peach ($9). “It’s a prosecco with Mathilde Peach liqueur and dried apricot. Dive right in and start looking for a future ex.”
Bathing-suit-season anxiety. Rx: Dirty Eight Ball ($9). “That’s straight vodka and olive juice. Can’t go wrong — and we don’t want the sugar.”
Job woes. Rx: Mo Cocktail ($8). “If work sucks, you can always take a day off. Mo Cocktail is a splash of Chambord, Ketel One vodka, and five lemons squeezed in.”
[Photo by Melissa Ostrow]
