The Office Christmas Party.

Free Drinks.

The tradition of The Christmas Party is one to participate in with extreme caution.

In this season of winter holidays most workplaces arrange to have a Christmas party. Maybe the one time a year when a majority of your co-workers will get together in a festive setting. Depending on your place of work this can be a good time or it can be a tragic reminder that the only reason you know these people is because of your job.

When taking part in such a Christmas party the only thing to really keep in mind is not getting drunk. This is easy in theory, but when in a situation where there are free drinks, forgetting is not that hard.

It all comes down to the line - Don't shit where you live. Or in this case where you work. Even a otherwise small mistake can (in the mini universe that is a office) get drastic repercussions.

So been careful, it might just save you your job.

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The Dry Martini.

Classy Classic.

The most well known cocktail of them all. This one is for the pros.

This one is really simple to make, just take 5,5 cl of gin and mix it with 1,5 cl of dry vermouth, add a olive and you are done. Of course you should mix the gin and vermouth in a shaker with ice and then poor it in a chilled martini glass. That goes without saying.

Even if this is a very basic and simple drink, people take it very serious. I'm sure there are hundreds of dry martini clubs out there and they all know the perfect way of making the perfect dry martini. just like there are thousands of people who have a big bar all set up for the making of martinis.

The reason I post about this drink is because everybody should know about it and that it's one of the most stylish drinks you can drink. But the truth is that I don't like the taste. This is the type of drink I know I will enjoy when I'm 50. So until then I will enjoy other drinks but know that when I'm older I will be able to drink with real class.

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The Caipirinha.

Sweet and Sour.

The all time favorite of The Republic of Germany. This is what I think when someone says drinks.

I know what you're thinking, you're thinking that this is a summer drink. It is. I'm not saying anything against that, what I am saying is that in times of darkness and cold we need to be reminded about warmer times. We sometimes need to feel that there will be another summer. With that logic it's time for a Caipirinha.

This is how you do it. Cut half a lemon in four wedges. Put the lemon in a glass and poor 4 teaspoons of crystal sugar over the wedges. Use a muddle or a wooden spoon to press the lemon and sugar together. Poor crushed ice to the rim of the glass and then poor in 5 cl of cachaca. Stir and you're done. This is the original recipe, as it's served in Brazil. Here bars serve the drink with lime. That also tastes good, just make sure they use cachaca (the sugarcane spirit) and not something else.

The Caipirinha is so well liked here in Germany that it's gotten a nickname that is known to all, The Caipi. Because of it's popularity you can get it anywhere and often to a good prize. And since the Caipi is ordered a couple of times a night the bartender should have gotten the hang of it by now.

I really do need to be reminded that after winter comes spring so I'm definitely gonna enjoy a Caipi later on tonight.

Have a great weekend and don't hurt yourself under the influence of sugar and alcohol.

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Tequila Shots.

Mexican Stand Off.

Drinking Tequila Shots can be dangerous. The risk of getting hurt is high.

Tequila is one of the hard liquors that is fairly easy to drink straight. To drink a tequila shot in the classical way you need salt and lemon wedges. You simply put a little salt on your hand between the thumb and the index finger. In the same hand you also hold a lemon wedge with the index finger and the thumb. You hold the shot in the other hand. Then you start by first licking up the salt, then you drink the tequila and as a finish you suck on the lemon wedge. The three tastes goes very well with one another.

My personal favorite way of drinking a tequila shot is that of the once world famous tennis player Björn Borg. To do that you first lick up the salt, then you drink the shot, but instead of sucking on the lemon wedge you simply smash it across the room.

Just remember to be careful, tequila has a way of going straight to the head. So be wary of people who suggest having a tequila drinking competition. It can easily end up in a Mexican stand off situation where everybody involved will feel pain.

It was some time ago since I felt that pain, but I can still remember it. Back when I used to drink tequila every weekend I could drink an entire bottle without a problem. I know I can't do that now but if the opportunity arise I will surly give it a try.

And with that I would like to say -Have a great weekend and I will see you on Monday with more of...

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The Bloody Mary.

A Drink and a Meal.

The red drink that brings the taste combination of vodka and tomato. Perfect for Friday the 13Th.

Another classic that will make any Friday a good one. Here goes. 4cl of vodka in a highball glass with ice. Fill up with tomato juice. Add one dash of celery salt,Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and lemon/lime juice. Then if you like it a 1/8 of a tea spoon of horseradish. Garnish with a celery stalk and a lemon/lime wedge and you're all set.

The origin of this cocktail is disputed. Some say it was invented in the 20's in Paris and others say that this is a drink from New York. Either way it's a tasty drink. And as it contains tomato juice it also makes you full. It's like a snack or a small meal. That is probably why it's often used as a pick-me-up for the day after. Gets rid of the hangover and you don't have to eat breakfast. Perfect for the person on the go.

But a Bloody Mary is a drink that should be enjoyed in the evening. Don't be afraid, order it tonight and you might not need that 5pm french fries serving.

Tonight I'm going to the Sushi Club. The only question is if Sushi works well with Bloody Marys.

Have a great weekend! And remember that there is an entire world out there just waiting for you.

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The Garlic Tea.

Tea with Garlic.

It sounds disgusting, even terrifying. But it cures what ills ya.

There are good things with autumn but there are also things that are awful. One of those things is a cold. A cold hits you with no mercy. Headaches, coughing and a sore throat. When you think about it it's strange that we can go into space but we can't fix a normal cold. When technology fails, you need to find a different way.

One of the worst things with a bad cold is the sore throat. You know the one that makes it hard to breathe and impossible to swallow. Sure, cough drops might soothe a couple of minutes. But do you want something that really works you need to go with the garlic tee.

This is what you need to do. Boil water. Put tea of choice in the hot water. Press two or more garlic cloves in the tea. Then two teaspoons of honey. Stir and let is stand for a couple of minutes. Now you have a homemade remedy that will make you breathe with ease again.

This secret from the highlands of Sweden needs some getting use to. But when you have, a cold will not get the better of you.

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The Gin and Tonic.

Drink it up.

6cl of gin. Ice. Tonic. And a lime wedge. So simple, it works every time.

This classic long drink is a drink that works every time. Weather it be in a expensive hotel or neighborhood bar. A Gin and Tonic will not break the rules of etiquette. Irregardless on where you are in this world there will always be a norm and a standard. In Berlin, beer is that norm. And normally it's the norm for all men to drink beer. But what if you don't like beer or you just don't feel like drinking beer one evening?

The long drink list can sometimes be to much. The strange names don't tell how it will look or how good it will taste. The solution is simple. Order a Gin and Tonic. Tastes good, looks good and it's sure to work.

Just leave it to the English to turn a cure for malaria into a drink that will always be in style. Back in India during the British colonization malaria was wide spread. Tonic contains quinine which helps against malaria. But the tonic at the time didn't taste so good so to help it go down they put some gin in the mix.

And it's because of the simplicity and the fact that 1800's high society created it that makes this one a classic. A classic that I plan to enjoy this evening and maybe even the evening after that. I dare say it's weekend in Berlin. Ta and Cheerio!

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