Postcards and Cocktails
Twilight Hour Tuesday. The Bridgerton Series
Dear Gentle Reader,
I would like to remind you that no Regency era romance is worth its weight in salt without a bit of well-crafted fortitude.
By this I mean refreshment of a spirited nature. The type that would make any grand ball introducing the young and marriageable nobility and gentry into society a little more tolerable. We all know the social season can be especially distressing for young ladies. Consider what it’s like if a debutante’s dance card is not filled up – or worse yet – not one suitor’s name is entered upon it?
The seasonal soirees are not much better for eligible males. The highest-ranking nobility and most attractive young men are swarmed relentlessly by young ladies buzzing about in hopes of a marriage proposal. In the very least an engagement will end the whole difficult process. And what has love got to do with it? It is rare indeed that affection will accompany the formal arrangement.
This year is Miss Penelope Featherington’s first season out. The bright young woman knows she is in competition with her sisters and every other young woman in town. When they are presented to Queen Charlotte, Her Highness is not impressed with the Featherington flock. Not that it matters to Miss Penelope. She is smitten with her childhood friend, Colin Bridgerton, of the prestigious Bridgertons! But what are her chances? The competition is maddening.
And so, dear readers, without further ado I would like to offer the first fortifying elixir to relieve the pressure. It is named in honor of our heroine, Miss Penelope Featherington. Do not underestimate her. There is more to Penelope than meets the eye.
RECIPE The Penelope:
2 oz. Mezcal
1 oz. Yellow Chartreuse
½ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. agave syrup
Chili-lime salt
METHOD: Rim a rocks glass with lime and dip it in the chili-lime salt. Place it in the freezer.
Add all liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake, and double strain into the chilled rocks glass with one large ice cube added. Decorate with a brightly colored flower.
For some young ladies the social season seems most promising and so it was for Miss Daphne Bridgerton. The eldest daughter of the Bridgertons (there are 8 children in total) was presented to the Queen by her brother, Anthony, the 9th Viscount of Bridgerton. Her Highness, the Queen declares Daphne flawless and she is the “diamond” of the social season.
We shall see what happens to Miss Daphne Bridgerton. Her overbearing brother, the viscount, may have other plans for her. The road is rocky ahead, but perhaps there is true love in her future after all. As the season progresses it seems our flawless diamond may require a fortifying libation to steady her nerves and lift her spirits.
RECIPE Daphne’s Diamond:
2 oz. Mezcal
½ oz. orange liqueur
½ oz. Crème de Violette liqueur
1 oz. lime juice
½ oz. agave syrup
Lavender sea salt
METHOD: Rim a rocks glass with lime and dip it in the lavender sea salt. Place it in the freezer.
Add all liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake, and double strain into the chilled rocks glass with one large ice cube added. Decorate with an elegant flower.
Stay tuned, gentle readers, there will be more fortifying recipes in the coming weeks.
Yours truly,
Lady Anne of Danbury (Connecticut), standing in for Lady Whistledown
I am not sure if Penelope and Daphne would have been served Mezcal-based libations in 1813, but it might have helped them! Yes, tell Dee! More to come.
This is delightful. We need to introduce Penelope and Daphne to our friend Dee who is also quite fond of the occasional Mezcal elixir. I will stay tuned!