Quick. Think of a really famous American writer. OK, is this person an alcoholic? Probably! The profession is filled with souses!

Writers – and other artists – are known as booze hounds. No surprise there. But I still find it really fascinating. I am hard-pressed to make a list of great writers that isn’t at least half, if not more, full of dipsomaniacs. (I’m running out of kicky names for alcoholics here …)

Of the Americans (as in American-born) who won Nobel Prizes in literature, there are only two who aren’t alcoholics (as far as I know). And they’re the women. Way to go, Pearl S. Buck and Toni Morrison!

1930 – Sinclair Lewis
1936 – Eugene O’Neill
1949 – William Faulkner
1954 – Ernest Hemingway (This post’s title is supposedly something he said to another famous drunk writer, F. Scott Fitzgerald.)
1962 – John Steinbeck

I don’t know what conclusions to draw. I discourage you all from becoming alcoholics. However, to end on an up note, here are some pirate-themed cocktail recipes. Cheers!

-Marcia

Artillery
2 oz. Gin
1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth
2 Dashes Bitters
In a mixing glass filled with ice, add the gin, sweet vermouth and bitters and stir well. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Devil’s Poison
1 oz. Jack Daniels
1 oz. 151 Bacardi Rum
Fill a shaker with ice, pour the Jack Daniels and 151 Bacardi Rum into shaker and shake. Strain into a shot glass.

Grog
2 oz. Dark Rum
3 oz. Water
Pour the rum and water into an old fashion glass and stir well.