Event: DORKS Talk – December 18, 2021

I’ll be giving a presentation at a live DORKS event on Saturday, December 18th, at 2:15 central/3:15 eastern! DORKS is affiliated with Rice University, and they have a lot of interesting topics. This Saturday’s topic is science & art! I will talk about ecologically oriented fiction, and Amber Anglin will talk about fungi and art & citizen science. There’s usually drinks associated with these events. I have to say I’m somewhat pleased to have a talk associated with a drink called Death in the Afternoon.

Update: Here’s the YouTube link to the final talk. It was a lot of fun!

Cocktail (ages 21+): Death in the Afternoon

1 1/2 ounces absinthe
4 1/2 ounces chilled Champagne

Pour the absinthe into a coupe. Top slowly with the Champagne. Or, according to its inventor, Ernest Hemingway: “Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly.”

Source: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/death-in-the-afternoon

Mocktail (all ages): Homemade Eggnog

2 cups milk
5 whole cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup sweetened, condensed milk
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp ground nutmeg, plus more for garnish
1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine milk, cloves, cinnamon and condensed milk over low heat in a deep sauce pan until the mixture is no longer chilled & is heated through. Slowly increase heat to medium & bring the mixture to a low boil (avoid rolling boil). In a medium bowl, combine the eggs and sugar. Beat eggs until lightened in color and fluffy. Slowly add 1 tbsp at a time of hot milk mixture into the egg/sugar mixture. Once enough of the milk is in the egg mixture, pour it all back into the saucepan. Heat over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened enough to leave a clean line on the back of a spoon. Add the heavy whipping cream, nutmeg & vanilla extract to the mixture & heat through. Do not boil. Strain using a fine mesh strainer to cat. Alternatively, you could just buy some eggnog from a store.

Source: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/g3122/christmas-mocktail-recipes/