Släckdrünk — The Velvet Shush
A Word About the Shush
To my non-librarian friends…
Shushing has been around almost as long as librarians have been around. Want proof? When playing charades, make the motion of shushing and 9 times out of 10, your audience will scream “LIBRARIAN!”
In my 2016 TEDx Talk, I highlighted the Nancy Pearl Action Figure which includes Amazing Shushing Action…. Let’s just say that librarians live with the albatross of the shush, a legacy that will live as long as librarians continue to roam the earth.
To my librarian friends…
“Never let them see you shush.” That advice was given to me in one of my first graduate library classes by Dr. Joyce Petrie. I’ve forgotten much of what I learned so many decades ago, but I remember this. And I remember you, Joyce Petrie! This shush is for you!
The Velvet Shush
The holidays are approaching. Pumpkin spice has faded in the rearview mirror and eggnog clouds the horizon. As we hang tinsel and assess Black Friday’s impact on our credit card bill, there is nothing better than a hot toddy to bring clarity to our priorities.
My first experience with a toddy was as a quasi-medicinal concoction created by my Finnish relatives to ease a burgeoning cold. In more recent years, the beverage has gone off label in our household to become a warming tribute to wellness and happiness. And if it also staves off a cold or the virus of the moment. As the French say, à ta santé!
While most drinks and cocktails fall squarely under the chilly realm of the Snow Miser, the toddy is the Heat Miser’s revenge — in addition to a few key components — citrus, sweetener, and alcohol — hot water is the most essential ingredient.
[Cue animated dance routine from The Year Without a Santa Claus]
The drink
Toddies are infinitely variable as is this guide. In this recipe, a splash of vanilla takes the edge off the shush and blends nicely with the scent of cinnamon.
While you’re welcome to go to the top shelf for ingredients, the base recipe is as cheap, simple and adaptable as possible. Proportions are the key with toddies — balancing sweet, booze, and citrus to taste. This is a built drink (vs. a cocktail) in which ingredients are added to the glass (or mug). So if you need to make corrections, you can add them once you’ve taken your first sip.
The booze
1–2 oz of a favorite spirit(s)
I like the Brown Family — rums, whiskeys, or brandies are ideal. But neutral white spirits will also work just fine — white rums, white whiskeys, and even vodka will play nice in these stacks (librarian reference). If you use a flavored or sweetened liqueur, adjust additional sweeteners accordingly. Similarly, adjust the booze content to taste — the drink will balance fine with just one ounce. Two ounces just makes it go down warmer.
The additions
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
2 T brown sugar (the darker the better)
¼ tsp vanilla extract
4 oz hot water
The swirl
Slice of fresh mandarin or regular orange
Dusting of cinnamon on the orange
The steps
- Combine brown sugar, vanilla extract and lemon juice in a heatproof mug
- Stir these ingredients to dissolve the sugar.
- Stir in boiling hot water
- Add desired spirit(s)
- Float a thin slice of orange onto the top of the drink
- Sprinkle a dusting of cinnamon onto the orange.
The tips
If the best cocktail is as cold as possible, the best toddy should be served piping hot! Preheat the mug or cup with some hot water to take the chill off.
Many spiced spirits are well-suited to toddies. Adding a splash to your base liquor will make the drink just a little more special — I recommend St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram or Kronan Swedish Punsch. That said, I’d avoid ‘cinnamon bomb’ liquors or liqueurs as they might turn your shush into a very loud and obnoxious librarian….you’ve been warned.
The playlist
Tunes….
Lost in the Library — St. Etienne
China Girl — David Bowie (listen for the ‘shh’)
California One / Youth and Beauty Brigade — The Decemberists (listen for the reference to the Multnomah County Library)
Love in the Library — Jimmy Buffett
