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by Sara Faith Alterman |
March 20, 2009
Cocktails
are one of the only affordable self-pampering indulgences we have left
in this terrible economy. Who can splurge on a car or a spa vacation or
a pony right now? Most of us are freaking out because we have no money.
But multi-taskers have reason to rejoice: you can combine your quest to
find your inner Zen master with your self-medicating impulse to down
cocktail after sweet, sweet cocktail.
Cucumber season is around
the corner, and thank God. Everyone’s favorite phallic vegetable is an
instant cure for those puffy eyes — you know, the ones that have
swelled up to bee-stung proportions thanks to bouts of finance-related
weeping. Take a deep breath, then a deep swig of the Cucumber and
Pomegranate Mojito ($17) at Sensing (3 Battery Wharf, Boston,
617.994.9000); its hand-pressed English cucumber and fresh organic mint
are lightly muddled in Bacardi Light and brightened even further with
fresh lime and pomegranate. Or unwind over Le Gaston 76 ($9), a
soothing elixir of cucumber, tarragon, and Lillet Blanc that’s the
toast of Ten Tables (597 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, 617.524.8810 and 5 Craigie Street, Cambridge, 617.576.5444).
Of
course, the healing powers of cucumber are heightened when the veggie
joins forces with fresh mint; cooling and sweet, it’s an essential
ingredient for perking you right up and out of a slump. (Not a
financial slump, unfortunately.) The Mint and Cucumber Cocktail ($12)
at Rendezvous (502 Mass Ave, Cambridge, 617.576.1900), made
from Hendrick’s gin with mint, cucumber, lemon, and lime, does the
trick in an instant.
Aloe vera, a sort of natural Band-Aid and
burn remedy, can fix your insides, too. Start the recovery with an Ello
Ginny ($11) from OM (92 Winthrop Street, Cambridge,
617.576.2800), featuring aloe vera juice, Tanqueray Ten, and strawberry
gel squares. It’ll cool down your recession-fueled rage.
As any
half-assed aromatherapist can tell you, lavender can instantly coax you
down from basket-case freakout mode. If you’ve got ten minutes and know
how to boil water, you’re baby steps away from burying your face in a
homemade lavender cocktail. Pick up some dried lavender (or any herb of
your choice, for that matter) at Christina’s Spice & Specialty Foods
(1255 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, 617.576.2090) to toss into simple
syrup. Stirring constantly, heat one cup of sugar and one cup of water
until the sugar dissolves, and then bring it to a boil. Add a
tablespoon of the lavender, let it steep for a few minutes, strain, and
let cool. Add to the vodka of your choice, and voila! Instant calm. If
only the economic stimulus plan had been this easy to whip up.
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