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There’s a heady cocktail in America’s capital region but we’re not talking, for now, about Trump 2.0.

Particularly with a bottle of the finest Northern Irish Galgorm gin looking for a mixer for our Christmas party.

And may we suggest the humble Washington DC gin rickey, the juice of the juniper, carbonated water and a squeezed lime?

The tipple which has been loosening the tongues of politicians on the Hill for nearly a century and a half.

Capitals idea

It’s how our friends in the Capital Region USA toast this time of year… who are we kidding all times of the year?

Just like Democratic lobbyist Joe Hickey of Missouri was wont to do back in the 1880s.

Now here’s a capital idea that our chum Cass has put together to extend the ‘special relationship’ between the US and Britain.

Man in the know: With George and Issy

With Capital Region working with St Ermin’s Hotel in London to curate a collection of their festive cocktails.

Bringing the region to life through the tastes, smells and sights of Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.

Now helpfully CRU have opened up their drinks trolley to showcase these other faves.

Virginian territory

Virginia’s Moonshine Mixology: Because the most famous Virginian of them all, George Washington was the largest producer of whiskey in the Commonwealth.

Belle Isle Craft Spirits in Richmond, Virginia, uses its moonshine and mixes it with iced tea and house lemonade.

St Ermin’s Hotel recipe: 50ml apple and ginger juice, 50ml pomegranate juice, 50ml moonshine and a splash of lemon juice. Shake with ice and serve.

Cherry baby

DC’s Cherry Blossom Revolution: Antonio Matarazzo’s creation, Cherry Revolution celebrates Washington DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival heritage.

By blending Don Ciccio & Figil Cerasum Aperitivo, an infusion of three different kinds of cherries and Sakura blossoms.

With vodka, orange and Galliano L’Autentico, and Anise and peppermint tasting liquor for a festive explosion.

St Ermin’s recipe: 50ml vodka, 80ml orange juice, 20ml cherry liquor, shot of herbal liquor, shake over ice, serve with cherry and garnish with blossom flower.

Cooler Mule ah

Maryland Mule: Traditionally served in a copper mug, this Maryland classic celebrates the state’s love affair with rye whiskey.

Pick award-winning Sagamore Spirits mixed with ginger beer, half a lime, and mint for garnish.

St Ermin’s recipe: 50ml rye whiskey, 100ml ginger beer, splash of fresh lime over ice, stir and serve.

America, Countries

Hail Presidente

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And by rights I should be clinking glasses with Washington DC pals today, Presidents Day, and exclaiming Hail Presidente.

Those very same chums whose friendship I forged seven years ago at the American Travel Fair.

And who were back over this side of the pond as Capital Region hit my old stomping ground of Dublin.

The Capital Region is made up of two states, Maryland and Virginia.

And the District of Colombia which has Washington at its heart.

Now for those of us who haven’t the opportunity to visit all 50 states (I’ve only done half).

Then the Capital Region is the US in miniature.

With liberal Maryland in the North and Virginia in the Southern heartland.

With Washington smack bang in the middle.

At the heart of it all

The New President of America: In Washington DC

That Washington is the centre from which everything branches off is as it should be.

As George remains the embodiment of the nation.

A proud Virginian, and you can visit his estate.

Across the Potomac River in Mount Vernon, his presence looms large in his titular city.

With the Washington Monument obelisk, his favoured choice of a memorial.

In preference to a gaudy horse-drawn statue proposed by his friend Lafayette.

That today is the point on the calendar when Americans mark their presidents is because of Washington.

The Monday nearest his birthday of February 22 designated the day to commemorate all presidents.

City of presidents

Honest Jim: And Honest Abe in Washington

That Americans hold the office of President in such high esteem could best be compared to a British obsession with royalty.

Only, of course, the Brits have their monarchs foisted on them.

Now while you can visit presidential libraries across the country.

For a celebration of the Pres then DC is well, Presidential then DC is well, Presidential.

Now the White House is where every Pres has lived.

Since Washington’s Vice-Pres stepped into his shoes.

And you can channel your inner Pres by visiting although it’s not as easy as it used to be… contact your embassy.

King of the Hill

Capitol idea: On the hill in Washington DC

The Hill is where all the business of the town, the states, the world get done.

And you get a sense of history too at the US Capitol.

Along the National Mall at the other end of the Lincoln Memorial.

While for the mawkish you can stay at the Watergate Hotel, next to the Kennedy Center.

And reflect that despite being bitter political foes Pat Nixon reached out to Jackie Kennedy after JFK was assassinated.

America, Caribbean, Countries, Food & Wine

Tabasco Irish Louisiana and the source of the sauce

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When you drink your next Bloody Mary you might just drift off to Avery Island and think of Tabasco, Irish Louisiana and the source of the sauce.

Every year I seek out Charlie Whinham of the Louisiana Office of Tourism.

Among the hundreds of exhibitors at IPW, the American Travel Fair to talk hot sauce.

And a certain Donegal entrepreneur, and as you know by now Donegal entreneurship is in my blood.

Saucy Edmund

Tabasco is the brainchild of Edmund McIlhenny.

Himself a descendant of the north-westernmost county in Ireland whose family then made good in Maryland.

It was commonplace for the names of the Irish diaspora to America to be altered.

Because the book keepers would not understand the thick brogue or decipher the signature.

The same was said to apply to the Irish streaming over to Britain.

Which is why it is possible that the Murtys started off life as Murtaghs.

What’s in a name?

I prefer though to think that we are descended from the ancient High King of Ireland Muircherach Mac Lochlainn.

Either way the Irish grew a reputation for being hot-headed.

And Edmund McIlhenney’s original Tabasco was guaranteed to make your head overheat.

Edmund had decamped to New Orleans around 1840.

And in true resolute Irish style he made a fortune as a banker.

He lost it in the Civil War, and went off to reinvent himself in a whole different field… as a gardener and inventor of a hot pepper sauce.

The bould Edmund had his in-laws to thank for both putting him and his family up in their plantation in Avery Island after the Civil War.

And giving him a garden to tend.

We’ll pass over the story that has it that Edmund was given the Mexican tabasco peppers and tabasco recipe by plantation owner Maunsel White.

And move to the 1870s when Edmund obtained a patent.

And started to trade the sauce around the US, before his sons expanded the business worldwide.

It’s more Guinness, Smithwick’s Ale and whiskey down at my Dear Old Mum’s old family bar, now the Ramblers in Brockagh, Co. Donegal.

And back to Tabasco Louisiana

But I dare say that if they do get some exotic out of the county type like said Mum asking for a Bloody Mary then they may have a bottle of the oul’ McIlhenny’s out back.

Because Donegal never forgets its sons.

So let’s hear it for Tabasco, Irish Louisiana and the source of the sauce.

We’ve done Mississippi but not to its terminus in New Orleans.

So off to the Big Easy for us in the future.

And we’ll make that two hour 45 minutes drive to Avery Island to take the Tabasco tour and finish it all off with the best Bloody Mary in the world.

Tag: http://www.visitmaryland.org

A heady cocktail in America’s capital region