It was very uncertain if today was meant to be one or three entries, but upon closer reflection, it was obvious that this day was meant to be enjoyed as a combo deal. Strawberries and alcohol have always been the ultimate combo for the ages.
Kahlua and chocolate cake, I can see needing their own special day as neither really has any representation to help draw attention their way, unless you include Kahlua’s possible relationship with the National Bartenders Association. Strawberries, on the other hand, are doing just fine. Florida, Georgia, California, the Carolinas, basically anywhere they are farmed, there is an association representing them. Typically Florida’s strawberry season begins in March (which may be why March is strawberry month), in fact March 1st begins the week long celebration of the strawberry in Plant City, and who wouldn’t want to go to that place to be with those berries? Due to La Nina’s early Spring effects, however, it’s nice that we can have locally grown and severely ripe strawberries today on the day.
As already mentioned, alcohol offers great accompaniment to strawberries. Champaign is the customary go to for the strawberry, but I think that’s just because Richard Gear’s character in “Pretty Woman” claimed that they “bring out the flavor of the champaign.” That movie also offers the romantic notion that hookers won’t kiss their clients because it’s too intimate, when really it’s because they don’t want to catch the flu or worse and miss a week of work.
What really doesn’t make sense about the champagne thing is that when it comes to dipping, above all, chocolate is the strawberry’s main benefactor. So if you’re going to enjoy some alcohol with it, why wouldn’t you go with chocolate booze?
Enter Mrs. Butterworth’s horribly disfigured sister, Fran. No one knows what she truly looks like because she always turns her head away. I think she was born this way, but I honestly don’t know. Her life is not as happy go lucky as her sister’s, which is why you’ll always find her hanging around in bars. Most people don’t even invite her into their home. Today I did. She was actually an essential part of the day! Without her, I would not be able to fullfill the holiday, here’s why.
There’s an old saying that has puzzled many across the decades. It goes, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Funny thing about that old saying. It doesn’t say anything about not being able to drink it! The chocolate cake shot is one of the most incredible a bartended can whip up for you. 2-parts vodka and 1-part Frangellico, a sugared lemon, and you’ve got chocolate cake! If you’ve never had it, it’s no joke! You suck the sugared lemon first, then before you swallow, take the shot. What combines in your mouth is a little slice of chocolate cake with about 1/4 the calories.
As far as the Kahlua is concerned, I know The Dude would be disappointed in me for not drinking down a “Caucasian,” but all that cream in the White Russian makes my stomach start to say, “Whu-oh!” so I went with something a little lighter. You saw it pictured up there at the top, a Macadamia Shot made from Kahlua, Frangelico, rum and just a splash of cream.
Great holiday combo!
See you Tuesday for National Chocolate Souflee Day!
