Drinking Shouldn’t Be About Getting Drunk And Eating Shouldn’t Be About Getting Full

As a former bartender, it’s easy for me to get used to and understand the Spanish style of eating

Source: Author / An American-style meal in Valencia, Spain

As I explained in a Rooted article from last year, I would never judge you for ordering a Long Island Iced Tea —

Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean you should judge others for liking it. Just because you get excited about and have strong opinions about something doesn’t mean you should expect equal excitement and like-mindedness from others.

True enough.

I still stand by that.

However, it’s about as close as you can get to objective fact in the subjective world of food and drink that a Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT) — four spirits mixed with freaking cola — is crap.

People drink the concoction to get drunk.

And bartenders — even if we ultimately treat this guest with respect — turn our nose up at not only people who drink the LIIT, but folks who order a martini with vodka, rather than gin or kill a good whiskey or rum with coke.

I still use all of my life and work experience, including my time as a bartender and bar manager — up until the pandemic — in…