{"id":3858,"date":"2025-07-02T14:13:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T21:13:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/?p=3858"},"modified":"2025-07-02T14:13:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T21:13:38","slug":"oh-the-humanities-hum-110-inspired-cocktails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/2025\/07\/oh-the-humanities-hum-110-inspired-cocktails\/","title":{"rendered":"Oh The Humanities &#8211; Hum 110 Inspired Cocktails"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iris.reed.edu\/directory\/alum\/2a12sOAMJdPhWTc1uDbKcLzOgmO9qOUmu317uZWPEpKEmrRRmOwmQu\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/iris.reed.edu\/directory\/alum\/2a12sOAMJdPhWTc1uDbKcLzOgmO9qOUmu317uZWPEpKEmrRRmOwmQu\">Harry Mersmann \u201982<\/a> helmed a <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.reed.edu\/connect\/hum-110-book-club.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/alumni.reed.edu\/connect\/hum-110-book-club.html\">Hum 110 Alumni Book Club<\/a> this year, and he enriched his group&#8217;s virtual romp through the syllabus by creating a cocktail recipe for them to enjoy from their own homes. Harry shares these recipes with all who are interested, to accentuate their own visit to ancient Sumer and Babylon, Pharaonic Egypt, ancient Israel and Yehud, the Persian empire, and the archaic and classical Greek city-states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unit I: <em>Gilgamesh<\/em> \/ The Limits of Civilization: Walls and Other Boundaries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For Gilgamesh, given how much death there is in the text, I went simple with a Death in the Afternoon (1 \u00bd oz absinthe topped with 5oz sparkling wine), although Hemingway might have been cranky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unit II: <strong><em>Sinuhe &amp; Eloquent Peasant<\/em> \/ Hierarchies and Boundary Crossing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sinuhe&#8217;s Journey Cocktail<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2 oz Pomegranate juice (symbolizing life and fertility)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1.5 oz&nbsp; Gin (representing the journeys and encounters)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.5 oz Honey syrup (1:1 honey and water, for sweetness)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.5 oz Fresh lemon juice (for balance)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 oz Fresh cucumber juice (for a refreshing note)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A dash of cardamom bitters (to evoke the spices of the ancient world)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pomegranate seeds (for garnish)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prepare the Cucumber Juice:<\/strong>&nbsp;Blend fresh cucumber and strain to extract the juice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mix the Ingredients:<\/strong>&nbsp;In a cocktail shaker, combine pomegranate juice, gin, honey syrup, lemon juice, cucumber juice, and a dash of cardamom bitters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shake:<\/strong>&nbsp;Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until chilled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strain and Serve:<\/strong>&nbsp;Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Garnish:<\/strong>&nbsp;Top with fresh mint leaves and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enjoy:<\/strong>&nbsp;Sip and reflect on Sinuhe&#8217;s adventures and the rich tapestry of ancient Egypt.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Optional Twist:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a sparkling version, top with a splash of soda water or sparkling wine to add effervescence, reminiscent of the Nile\u2019s vitality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This cocktail captures the essence of Sinuhe&#8217;s journey through the use of rich, vibrant flavors and symbolic ingredients, making it a delightful nod to the ancient narrative!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unit III: <em>Genesis<\/em> \/ Making Order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Forbidden Fruit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1 oz Honeycrisp apple vodka<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 oz Peach Vodka<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bd oz lemon juice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6 oz lemon-lime soda<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Serve over ice in a Collins glass or even better, a hollowed-out pineapple, orange, papaya, or coconut. Garnish with your choice of earthly delights or an edible orchid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unit IV: Exodus and Theogony \/ Making Order II<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Burning Bush Cocktail<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A fiery, aromatic drink with layers of flavor to evoke the spiritual and dramatic journey of Exodus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2 oz mezcal (symbolizing the smoky presence of the burning bush)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 oz pomegranate juice (representing the plagues and sacrifice, as pomegranate is a biblical fruit)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.5 oz honey syrup (milk and honey: the Promised Land)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.75 oz fresh lemon juice (purification and renewal)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dash of bitters (reminders of bitterness in slavery)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sprig of fresh rosemary (burning bush garnish)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optional: edible gold dust (symbolizing wealth and idolatry, like the golden calf)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Add mezcal, pomegranate juice, honey syrup, lemon juice, and bitters to a shaker with ice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shake well until chilled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Light a sprig of rosemary on fire briefly, extinguish, and place it in the drink as a garnish to represent the burning bush.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unit VII: <em>The Oresteia<\/em> \/ Democracy, Citizenship and Exclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The House of Atreus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Style<\/strong>: Smoked, complex, and bittersweet. A dark Greek twist on a Manhattan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2 oz <strong>Metaxa 7-Star Brandy<\/strong>\u00a0(Greek brandy, smooth and spiced)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.75 oz <strong>Sweet Vermouth<\/strong>\u00a0(symbolic of the tangled web of fate)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.25 oz <strong>Cherry Heering<\/strong>\u00a0(for the bloodline\u2026 and the blood)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 dashes <strong>Angostura bitters<\/strong>\u00a0(for the bitter weight of justice)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 dash <strong>orange bitters<\/strong>\u00a0(citrusy contrast to balance fate and revenge)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optional: A <strong>smoke rinse<\/strong>\u00a0(burning rosemary or oak woodchip, for that sacrificial temple vibe)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Garnish:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Luxardo cherry speared through a bay leaf (bay for Apollo, the god who ultimately sanctions Orestes\u2019 revenge)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orange peel, flamed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Glassware:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Coupe or Nick &amp; Nora<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Instructions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If using, prepare your smoke rinse by capturing smoke in the glass (burn a sprig of rosemary or woodchip, invert the glass over it for a few seconds).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In a mixing glass with ice, stir the brandy, sweet vermouth, Cherry Heering, and both bitters until well chilled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strain into the smoke-rinsed glass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Garnish with the bay-leaf-cherry spear and a flamed orange peel.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mood:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To be sipped slowly while contemplating divine justice, blood oaths, and the price of retribution. This is a drink that honors Clytemnestra&#8217;s cunning, Agamemnon\u2019s arrogance, and Orestes&#8217; tragic duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unit VIII: <em>Thucydides<\/em> \/ Speech in Crisis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Peloponnesian Old Fashioned<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a brooding, contemplative take on the classic Old Fashioned. It combines Athenian elegance with Spartan austerity, symbolizing the war between ideals and realities. Aged spirits represent history&#8217;s weight, while bitters and herbs capture the war&#8217;s moral ambiguity. A cocktail best enjoyed slowly, in deep conversation about fate, politics, and the unchanging nature of human ambition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2 oz barrel-aged Greek Metaxa 12 Stars (or a quality brandy or bourbon if unavailable)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.25 oz spiced honey syrup (honey, cinnamon, clove, black pepper)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 dashes black walnut bitters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 dash Peychaud\u2019s bitters (for a hint of drama and complexity)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expressed lemon peel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sprig of thyme (symbolizing remembrance and valor)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Combine Metaxa (or chosen base spirit), spiced honey syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stir deliberately, like a general weighing the cost of war.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Express lemon peel over the drink and drop it in.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme, slightly singed for aroma\u2014like the smoldering remnants of a besieged city.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unit VIII pt 2: <em>Plato<\/em> \/ Speech in Crisis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Socratic Hemlock<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This drink is a philosophical paradox in a glass\u2014simple yet profound, herbal yet bright. It pays homage to Socrates\u2019 calm acceptance of death in <em>Apology<\/em>&nbsp;and his rational refusal to escape prison in <em>Crito<\/em>. The name references the infamous poison Socrates drank, but this version invites reflection, not demise.&nbsp; This is a drink for those unafraid to examine their convictions\u2014and to sit with questions that have no easy answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1.5 oz gin (preferably herbaceous, like Hendrick\u2019s or a Greek gin such as Grace)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.5 oz green Chartreuse (symbolizing hemlock\u2014bitter, herbal, mysterious)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.5 oz fresh lemon juice (clarity and moral sharpness)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>0.25 oz honey syrup (2:1 honey to water \u2014 tempering the bitterness with ethical sweetness)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 dash celery bitters (a nod to the philosopher&#8217;s austerity and reason)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fresh sage leaf (garnish\u2014representing wisdom)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shake all ingredients with ice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Double strain into a coupe glass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Garnish with a single sage leaf placed gently on the surface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optional: Serve with a small side of chilled water\u2014mirroring Socratic dialogue: the companion to a deep experience.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>I encourage you to craft a cocktail and sit down with the accompanying book from <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.reed.edu\/connect\/book-club-syllabus\/year-1.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/alumni.reed.edu\/connect\/book-club-syllabus\/year-1.html\">the syllabus<\/a>; perhaps a few ounces of Metaxa help make Agamemnon more sympathetic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking forward to mescal in Year Two,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tess Buchannan \u201921<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Harry Mersmann \u201982 helmed a Hum 110 Alumni Book Club this year, and he enriched his group&#8217;s virtual romp through the syllabus by creating a cocktail recipe for them to enjoy from their own homes. Harry shares these recipes with all who are interested, to accentuate their own visit to ancient Sumer and Babylon, Pharaonic &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/2025\/07\/oh-the-humanities-hum-110-inspired-cocktails\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Oh The Humanities &#8211; Hum 110 Inspired Cocktails<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2891,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[192,186],"tags":[219,220],"class_list":["post-3858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alumnievents","category-traditions","tag-hum-110","tag-hum-110-alumni-book-club"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2891"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3858"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3897,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3858\/revisions\/3897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.reed.edu\/riffin_griffin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}