Useless Information

Almost 25 years ago, I graduated from high school. I set off for the big city with Stephanie, my best friend and partner in crime. We roomed together at Northeastern University in Boston where we quickly discovered that being on our own {partying and shopping} was not only exciting and liberating, but also expensive! My work study job wasn’t cutting it so I decided to go out in search of supplemental employment. 

Somehow I ended up with a waitressing job at The Ground Round. Most of you may remember this particular restaurant chain for their “Pay What You Weigh” kid’s meals and peanut shells on the floor. Yes, it was a very glamorous job indeed. 

As it turned out, the restaurant had just been built in an upscale shopping mall at the Prudential Building. The menu and decor reflected it’s location and they had done away with the “PWYW” and served popcorn in place of peanuts. Point being, it actually was a fine job and I happened to make quite a healthy income there. It reminded me of Cheers where everybody knew my name. We too had an eclectic group of regulars like Carwash Joe, Ellie, the grumpy elderly woman who yelled at all of us and not one, but two letter carriers!

After some time, I moved on to the bar where I took on the role of Sam Malone {or maybe Woody Boyd} and became subject to some pretty rigorous training. If you’ve ever worked for a corporate-run restaurant chain, then you know they like things done “to spec”. They like their guests knowing what they're getting each and every time and at every single location. For this training, I was assigned a traveling corporate trainer. I can’t for the life of me remember the man’s name who trained me but I vividly remember a couple of key facts he taught me that I’ve carried with me all these years.

"Where Grown-Ups Can Have Fun"

1.  When making a frozen drink, there should be a belly button sized hole in the middle of the blending beverage. If too big, add more frozen stuff. If too small, add more liquid. This formula creates a perfectly smooth beverage every time! This does come in handy, smoothies are a big hit in our house. My kids are very familiar with the belly button rule.

 2.   Every drink starts out as a Screwdriver. What? I know it sounds crazy but that traveling corporate trainer told this to me and it stuck.

A Screwdriver is vodka and orange juice. 

Add Triple Sec=Perfect Screw

Add Sloe Gin=Sloe Screw

Add Southern Comfort=Sloe Comfortable Screw

Add Galliano=Slow Comfortable Screw Up Against the Wall {Galliano in a screwdriver is called a Harvey Wallbanger}

A Screwdriver is vodka and orange juice. Now try this…

Substitute grapefruit, add cranberry=Sea Breeze

Substitute pineapple juice, add cranberry=Bay Breeze

Substitute Malibu Rum for Vodka=Malibu Bay Breeze

Substitute grapefruit=Grey Hound

Substitue tequila, add grenadine=Tequila Sunrise

A Screwdriver is vodka and orange juice. It’s true, watch this…

Substitute cream, add Kahlua=White Russian

Subtract vodak=Sombrero

Substitute cream, add Amaretto and Kahlua=Roasted Toasted Almond

Subtract vodka=Toasted Almond

I have no idea how he came up with this but i haven't forgotten it. I wonder how many other former bartenders there are out there mixing up "Screwdrivers" for their friends and family.

You Can Do It!