As a writer for an emerging blog that represents the city of FTL, it is my responsibility to occasionally surf the internet with the intention of finding mentions of our city’s name in various blogs, videos, or news sites. Last week, I stumbled on this eHow video about how to make a drink called Fort Lauderdale.
In my opinion, before an alcoholic beverage is named after a city, the recipe should be run by the residents of the respective municipality. My friends know my disdain for the upper half of Florida (or as I like to call it South Georgia), but that doesn’t give me the right to piss and vomit in a blender and call it the North Florida.
Because we are a blog that enjoys input from its readers, we would like for you guys to make suggestions for a new and improved version of the Fort Lauderdale. Let’s create a drink that encompasses the spirit of our great city. In other words, let’s put so much alcohol in it that even our town drunk, Mickey Clean, will think it’s too strong. Let’s not forget that we are nicknamed Fort Liquordale for a reason.
After mulling over everyone’s suggestions, we will post a follow-up at the end of the week, describing how to make the enhanced alcoholic beverage. Share your input by commenting below.
Are you bored with drinking bottom-of-the-line well liquors and buckets of Coors Light? We are too, so we thought we’d share some FTLC secrets as to where to score the tastiest libations around Fort Lauderdale. Our picks are not the cheapest concoctions, nor will they be found at a local dive bar, but they make up for breaking your wallet by stimulating your taste buds and giving you a much-welcomed buzz. We are thirsty just writing about it! Here they are (in no particular order):
This signature drink at Trina on Fort Lauderdale’s beachfront is both crisp and refreshing. Served in a martini glass, the cucumber mint beverage is more like a mojito than a martini. The energizing coolness of the cucumber as it hits your palate makes this cocktail perfect for a hot summer day. The Cubeltini is comprised of Belvedere vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, cucumber slices, and refreshing mint. The Cubeltini will set you back $11.
As the satanic name suggests, you may be ‘praying’ to the porcelain god if you consume too many Devil’s Hammers. YOLO sets a limit of three of the ever-so-popular cocktails per customer and we can vouch for why you should follow this rule. The Devil’s Hammer is made with tequila, cherry-infused bourbon, agave nectar, orange and lime juice, and a sprig of mint. Until recently you were able to order this cocktail extra spicy but YOLO has since replaced the hot red peppers with a much more mild and dull green pepper – but still worth a shot. The Devil’s Hammer costs $12, and never mind the limit of three, after $36 you’ll probably want to switch to something less pricey.
One of the most frequently ordered cocktails at Himmarshee Side Bar is the Cucumber Watermelon Martini. This martini is a mix of tequila, sweet & sour mix, simple syrup, fresh watermelon (giving it a thick consistency), and cucumber. It is difficult to have only one of these martinis, so go during happy hour when they are 2-4-1! The Cucumber Watermelon Martini will cost you $12.
Canyon is a quaint and dimly lit southwestern restaurant that serves up one of the finest cocktails in town, the Prickly Pear Margarita. The restaurant is very secretive about divulging the ingredients but we can guess it is made up of tequila, Cointreau, prickly pear-infused simple syrup, lime juice, and sugar or salt for a garnish. Whether you are waiting at the bar for a table or enjoying one of these famous margaritas with your dinner, the Prickly Pear Margarita is always a crowd-pleaser and a drink that will keep you coming back. The price tag on Canyon’s delicious cocktail: $10.
Living downtown is great and it’d be really easy to write a post about all the perks of living near FTL’s mini skyscrapers, but let’s face it, complaining is a lot more fun. Despite double digit noise complaints and 2 evictions, I’ve loved living in historic Sailboat Bend for the last 4 years; however, I do have some requests to improve the downtown community. Here are 5 that I’ve hand picked off my carefully chosen list (in no particular order):
Super Publix Parking Garage
Like most days, my fridge is empty. The main reason for the lack of groceries is that I loathe having to park my minivan on the 2nd story of Publix‘s parking deck. Even though it extends my grocery store trip by only 1-2 minutes, it just feels so unnecessary. It’d be worth it if the actual inside of the grocery store was bigger than most supermarkets, but it’s not — in fact, I think it’s smaller. Just to top things off, sometimes you’ll get the moron with the full shopping cart who forgoes the elevator and clogs the people mover, forcing you to painfully stand idle for the longest minute of your life. For the sake of downtown locals, can someone from Publix make a deal with the bail bonds people across the street for more 1st floor parking?
Ninety-one years ago, Hugh Taylor Birch gave a lavish wedding gift to his daughter and new son-in-law; the grounds to a tropical 35 acre estate. One year later, the couple began construction to build a unique oceanfront winter retreat for their family. In 1983, the last surviving owner of the home, Evelyn Fortune Bartlett made the largest charitable donation in Florida’s history by donating the home to the Florida Trust for Historic Perseveration.
The home’s architectural theme was intended to capture creativity without the lavishness of comparable homes in the area. Their artistic and eccentric dwelling is now known as The Bonnet House. According to tour guides, the appellation came from the sight of alligators peeking their heads from the waterways along the front of the home. When the alligators surfaced, flowers and lily pads often clung to their heads, resembling a bonnet hat.
Today the historic home is open as a museum and whimsical locale for special events. The Preservation society strives to conserve the integrity of the home by featuring original artwork, furnishings, and décor. Visitors will not only find avant-garde artwork from home owner — the late Frederick Clay Bartlett, yet also various paintings and sculptures the family collected. The grounds house five separate ecosystems in addition to the beautiful gardens and courtyards. Tours of the property are offered Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sundays 11:00am to 4:00pm. To tour only the grounds costs $10. A guided tour is $20.00 and there are special discounts for seniors and young children. From August 12-September 5 you can view the exhibit of artists: Sandra Camper, Barbara Dix, George Dolan, and Sandy Dolan. Check the Bonnet House website for other special events, exhibits, and additional information – www.bonnethouse.org
Every now and again, the high faloutin’ members of the FTLC enjoy some posh winin’ and dinin’. Recently, Kate and Mercedes J took pleasure in each other’s company at the intimate and swanky restaurant, The Grateful Palate. Tucked inside a strip mall off 17th Street Causeway, we were surprised to find such a culinary gem located beside a pawn shop and a Subway sandwich shop.
The Ambience
Upon entering the Grateful Palate we were greeted with a welcoming smile from the host who escorted us to a table. The gorgeous restaurant is small and intimate with warm earth tone décor, dim lights, and lounge-esque furniture. The eatery is separated into two halves with one being a wine bar and lounge, the other a small dining room with approximately 10 tables. We were seated in the lounge section at a cozy table for two which was almost too comfortable. “It’s like sitting atop a soggy marshmallow,” Mercedes J remarked regarding the plush seat cushions.
