Ms. Bean Is Delightfully Ornery Whilst Conversing About A Cocktail Recipe

/ Ally Bean

It’s probably not nice to torment a friend who happens to groove on numbers, but you know what? I’m not always nice. 

• + 😈 + • 

I WAS TALKING WITH a longtime friend about a cocktail called The Pink Drink.  Years ago I found the recipe in a magazine and over time we’ve modified the recipe to please us.

It’s one of those simple three-ingredient “trio” cocktails that when made ahead and stashed in the freezer for a few hours, can be slushy or just darned cold.  The viscosity of it varies depending on how much alcohol you put it in when you make the drink.

If you want it slushy [our preference] use less alcohol. If you want it just darned cold [original recipe] use lots of alcohol.

Both are good. The choice is yours.

It is that simple.

• + • + • 

HOWEVER MY FRIEND, a numbers freak who prefers all things quantified, is one to want precise measurements for any recipe.  She snorted derisively when I told her the recipe for The Pink Drink is more conceptual than measurable.

Friend wasn’t happy with that explanation.  She wanted specific details, demanding that I tell her how I make this drink.

So I did.  But being the creative ornery wordsmith that I am, my explanation about how I make the drink sounded more like my philosophy on how to live my life than an actual recipe.  I said:

“For me it’s all about the good taste, not the buzz.”

Friend was not amused, but I was.

• + • + • 

THE PINK DRINK

  • pink grapefruit juice
  • pomegranate juice
  • orange-flavored vodka

measure the above ingredients relying on any proportions that make sense to you.

[original recipe was 30-30-30 one-third each ingredient, but we go for 60-30-10 now]

introduce ingredients inside a pitcher. encourage them to mix it up. place pitcher in freezer for a few hours, allowing them to chill together.

serve drink up in a martini glass with a twist of orange, if’n that’s something you like to do. or serve in a highball glass over ice.

[remember this is a concept, think of it as improv, not a precisely-scripted Tennessee Williams play, ‘k?]

• + • + • 

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you always nice? Or do you stray into ornery on occasion?

And how does this make you feel?

• + 😈 + • 

150 thoughts on “Ms. Bean Is Delightfully Ornery Whilst Conversing About A Cocktail Recipe”

  3. This reminds me of the time that I asked my mother-in-law for her recipe for apple sauce. She said, “Well, you take some apples, cook them with some water, add brown sugar to taste.”
    I said, “I’m going to need something more precise than that!”
    She dug out her recipe book. It read, “You take some apples, cook them with some water, add brown sugar to taste.”
    Sometimes you just gotta find the feel for things. 🙂

    Liked by 7 people

  4. Nice is boring. Sorry, but it is. I speak my mind, diplomatically yes, yet still I speak honestly. When upset to hell with diplomacy and I say it as it is! As for the measuring, your friend I would endlessly torment. I’m an “eye baller” type of gal, measuring according to what looks right. Now that does not hold true with serious types of recipes, like for an example, my Elderberry syrup I make. The ingredients with that I do measure. For the most part, I go by feeling. FYI …. Hubby is like your friend. I drive my hubby up the wall nuts! Teehee …….

    Liked by 4 people

    • AmyRose, I agree about ‘nice.’ It is boring to be that way all the time. I’m a truthful person so like you I do say what I’m thinking/feeling directly– nothing sneaky about me. I’m far from mean, but I do on occasion get a bit ornery, as all sane people do.

      I’m one to eyeball the ingredients in my recipes too, but I can imagine how that’d annoy your husband. I go with what feels right and what we have on hand. [Although if I’m baking I am more inclined to follow the recipe precisely.]

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Ornery is fun on occasion, with the right person in mind. Sometimes you just have to dig at things a little bit. I feel like it’s my duty to attempt to get the other person to realize they are way too serious, or controlling, or irrational, or “fill in your preferred adjective”

    The Pink Drink sounds pretty tasty Ally Bean 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deb, yes you’re right. This was the right person to slightly annoy. We’ve known each other for decades, but I still try to loosen her up. A few of these drinks might do the trick, now that I think about it. 🤔

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I am nice most of the time but can get ornery – I usually feel guilty afterwards. This drink sounds lovely. If the liquor stores are open, I may put in an order – what else are we gonna do this weekend???

    Liked by 2 people

  9. I’m a conceptual kinda gal – no measurements for me. I just made myself an interesting drink … you can roll your eyes, mine are still rolling; Lemon juice (fresh plus their skins), chopped fresh garlic, a spoon of honey (to make the medicine go down), warm water and into the blender which took a while – and drank it. A gal’s gotta do what she’s gotta do – in these times. I guess I could have added a dram of whiskey … next time.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Definitely ornery here, especially to people who keep at you for something that isn’t intended to be precise. I have a similar but different drink. I first had it at a restaurant and got the waitstaff to give it to me. Two liquors and a juice. I made it for a few years, then ran out of the uber expensive liquor. I was good without it. Then I upped the pineapple juice cause I like it. Yum! Current drink bears no resemblance to original but I’m just as happy. I’m not about the buzz. I can give your friend my drink recipe. It involved splashes and big dollops of a pour. Guaranteed to make her nuts.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Kate, the way in which you’re describing your drink recipe makes complete sense to me. I adore this Friend so I was yanking her chain a bit, but as with so many things in life it’s about learning what you like. And it’s ok to not always have numbers to explain things. 🙄

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dawn, thanks for the link. I only got thinking about this conversation because I sense that people are in need of some levity right about now and also to emphasize that not everything in life is precise.

      Like

  14. I am always sceptical of those cooking shows where they don’t meaure things and have the final products as ‘one I preprared earlier’ – did the one you just prepared not turn out. These shows are rarely done live. Having said that, I admire anyone that conceptualizes a recipe even though I do it occasionally with my very well worn meals. I will have to force myself to try this one out. I love the sound of this on a hot summer evening.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Hah! I was your friend in earlier days, when I was first looking to cook. My mother made me especially ornery when she gave me vague instructions on her wonderful Dutch pancake recipe…instructions like “when the batter smells right, you can stop adding the flour, milk, vanilla and eggs.” I mean, really! However, now I am my mom and I do sniff the pancake batter to make sure it smells right, thus is ready for the pan.

    Deb

    Liked by 3 people

  16. I would love this drink on a hawt day! I’ll have to try orange-flavored vodka. That’s new to me!
    Now, about measuring…the first time I make something I like to know the exact measurements, then tweak it after that. My MIL was a dash of this and that kinda cook and it drove me crazy trying to recreate one of He-Man’s favorite dishes. I gave up on her recipe because I never got it right. I made it my own way and it’s one of the family’s favorites.

    To be honest, I can be ornery, but I seldom wake up that way it takes a lot to get me there.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deborah, you make an excellent point. I’m not inclined to be ornery by nature, so my degree of orneriness depends on how far people push me during the day.

      I like the flavored vodkas, but I’ll warn you that once you buy a bottle of a particular flavor you’ll be drinking that flavor for a long time. Which is to say, I like the orange and the pear flavors, but the cherry one was too much for me/us. Pick wisely, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. I can hear your laugh from here! Your “recipe” sounds delicious, and like something T would drink. I’m usually only ornery with people I’m closest with. I try to be nice most of the time, but when pushed too far, the claws come out!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Beth, The Pink Drink is refreshing in hot weather. We’ve come to like it lighter + slushy rather than the original recipe which was more like a martini up.

      I’m not one to dwell on things so I don’t go about my days looking to be ornery, but if you push me too far with your bull sh!t I will push back. I don’t know if I have claws though. Maybe.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. My inner bitch really enjoyed this post, Ally. You see, she’s often confined to quarters. However, as I have been working with committees to get a new organization up and running in my region, I’ve turned the reins over to her more than I’m used to. A bit more than I’m happy with actually. She and I must learn to work together more smoothly. We are a team after all. She salutes you and yours.

    Liked by 3 people

  19. I am always “nice” . . . except when others push me too far.
    At which point, I “kindly” set them straight. 😛

    Anyone who measures out their cocktails precisely = a real straight shooter!
    Me, I’m a bit slapdash when fixing drinks. If it tastes good, it’s all good.

    Liked by 2 people

  20. I’m surreptitiously ornery–people rarely notice it. Unless they go back over the conversation later, they probably miss it. It’s a skill I developed teaching high schoolers, probably.

    I try always to be kind, nice, and generally pleasant. I like commandeering The High Ground.

    Liked by 2 people

    • nance, I keep to the high road, too. I let most injustices wash over me, but occasionally someone will tick me off and then the ornery comes out.

      I was messing with my Friend during this conversation, btw. I continue to hope that by demonstrating to her what mellow looks like in action, she’ll want to give it a try. So far, no luck.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. The word ‘ornery’ sure brings back a lot of memories. It was one of my mom’s favorite words to describe how I woke up in the mornings. Over the years she learned not to talk to me for the first 15 minutes after which I was as sweet as apple pie.

    I remember that pink drink! It was really good.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Jean, so you were a grouchy little morning person! I get that, but at least the ornery wore off. What a fun memory. The Pink Drink is good, but can hit you quickly if you aren’t careful.

      Like

  24. I would be interested to hear how others describe me. When I think I’m being nice, do they consider me ornery? (I am sarcastic) I like the sound of the pink drink, especially in summer when it’s hot. However, I have none of those ingredients around.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Margaret, interesting question. I figure I present myself as I am, no subterfuge, and if someone misinterprets my words [or actions], at least I’ve done my best. 🤷‍♀️

      We’ve none of the ingredients for The Pink Drink in our house either, so something to look forward to.

      Like

  25. You’re not always nice? I have difficulty picturing this. Snark isn’t not nice, is it? But, of course, it seems that’s the only way to reach certain people sometimes. Asking for a friend…
    I didn’t think of making a mixed drink like baking, which does require exact measurements. I would think one makes drinks the way they like them. Hmmm. Curious. Also curious: do interactions in which Ms. Bean feels that she may not be nice, does Ms. Bean then feel the need for a drink, perhaps more heavy on the vodka? 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  26. I am not always nice. Compassionate, yes, But nice? Certain people need boundaries or they will ride roughshod over you. I was brought up to be pleasant and nice, especially when hostessing, but sometimes? People need to be smacked upside the head (verbally).

    Liked by 2 people

    • AutumnAshbough, you make a good distinction between nice and compassionate. I agree about the boundaries and the verbal head smack. I don’t play games with people, so if someone tries that crap with me I’ll stop. it. now. I don’t need the aggravation.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Marian, I don’t do much measuring when I make cocktails. That’s why I think of this recipe as a concept, a starting point. I can understand how being ornery could make you feel ashamed, but so be it. We is who we is.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Somehow I inherited my grandmother’s recipe book. I noticed that so many of her directions call for measurements which are hilarious to read now, i.e., “glass of flour,” “medium spoon of salt,” “2 1/2 shakes of pepper,” etc. To her it made complete sense, and I doubt she ever thought anyone else would re-create them. We’re all too precise now, me thinks. – Marty

    Liked by 2 people

    • Marty, I’ve got my grandmother’s recipe book and some of the recipes are similar to yours. Truly just by gosh and by golly measurements– which is my approach to making cocktails. If it tastes good, then it’s the right mix.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. I am married to a man who was cut from the same cloth as your friend. He’d have conniptions if your recipe was presented to him. Not that he’d every find himself preparing a cocktail – he doesn’t care for booze.

    But in general, his approach to the world is strictly by the rule book.

    Except when he doesn’t. Follow the rules, that is. He takes shortcuts and makes modifications and does things the way he wants to. Sometimes his way is superior, but often, his way backfires.

    That’s when I get ornery. I’ve learned to disregard him when he says, “Follow me, I know a shortcut.” Famous last words, I say.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Maggie, funny how we each find ways to do things differently from what/how we’re taught. I’m not one for shortcuts when traveling, but I’ll wing it with recipes and house cleaning and mixing cocktails. I can understand why he provokes you into becoming ornery. Quite justified on your part. We all can’t, nor should, remain nice all the time.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. That phrase is a perfect life philosophy.
    When people used to rarely go out to eat and cooked at home, most cooked by feel – maybe precise is training from childhood or maybe it’s a generation raised with and by data.
    Life’s hard if you can’t relax and wing it – especially when it doesn’t matter…like when being a good guest.
    Probably sad, but that doesn’t fit the level of ornery…but then again, that’s probably me

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you, philmouse. I’m glad you like my life philosophy/drink recipe. I was raised to cook by feel and how something looked as I was making it. Observation and common sense. Probably helps me feel comfortable with my conceptual cocktail recipe.

      I’m all about precision when it comes to taking your meds or filling out your taxes, but I’ve come to learn that many things in life are about winging it. Take for example, writing a personal blog. 😉

      Like

  31. I am not above tormenting (gently) a friend, I must admit. Cocktail sounds yummy! I think I will try it but maybe in the original ratio. Sounds like a good way to spend an evening at home.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Laurie, I was really kind of joking around with my friend. She knew eventually I’d tell her what she wanted to know. Originally we drank the stronger version of the cocktail, but eventually it morphed into something more slushy. If you try it, I hope you enjoy it.

      Like

  33. I am often ornery, but I can’t believe you ever are! Like your friend, I probably would have wanted precise measurements because I’m not at my best when it comes to creating drinks or food. My sister-in-law is good at experimenting.

    Liked by 2 people

    • L. Marie, I gave my friend what she wanted eventually, but I had to be a bit ornery before I did. It’s interesting to see the divide between people who just wing it and those who need specifics– regardless of the subject.

      Like

  34. Your beverage sounds yummy! Can’t wait to try it. As for your question, I think I am generally a nice person but I do lean heavily on sarcasm from time to time and that can get me in trouble!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Nancy, the drink is good, refreshing and relaxing. Yes sarcasm can be tricky. You know what you’re getting at, but the person who hears you may or may not get it. Such is the nature of all communication, I suppose. But are you sarcastic in a nice way? Therein is the crux of it.

      Like

    • Janis, excellent point. I wrote that wrong, didn’t I? Thanks for correcting me. It’s one third each of the three ingredients. But if you want to add 10% more vodka go for it. Suddenly think it wouldn’t be a bad idea for me to go have a drink right about now. *le sigh*

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Wait a sec. I may not be a math whiz (as my latest post will attest), but 30 + 30 + 30 doesn’t add up to 100! What’s the missing 10 percent? Ice?

    In any case, the Pink Drink sounds delicious, refreshing…and dangerous. The type that could sneak up on you with little warning. Cheers!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Swinged Cat, yes I realize that now. Thanks for pointing it out to me. It’s supposed to be one third each of the three ingredients. It’s a good drink, but you’re right it’ll get you in the most subtle way.

      [I need to rethink my insistence on writing early in the morning…]

      Liked by 1 person

  39. ‘For me it’s about the taste, not the buzz’ and so explains my wild affection for the Margarita. However, I’ve been known to enjoy the extra kick in the ‘naked’ Margarita from time to time.
    Cin, cin and all of that!
    😉

    Liked by 2 people

  40. I am definitely not always nice and try not to stray into outright ornery. But I did get a chuckle out of the crossed out 30-30-30 in the post, being somewhat or a numbers person myself (or at least one who took dreadful math classes called “Differential Equations” and “Combinatorics” that are now completely lost on me). I figured an ornery numbers person must have corrected you on that and prompted the edit…

    Liked by 2 people

    • evilsquirrel13, obviously I was wrong with my numbers and that mistake brings into question whether I should be writing and posting as early in the morning as I do. I don’t know if the two commenters who corrected me, late in the day many hours after I posted this, are into numbers or not. I take their corrections as a sign of niceness, actually– so if their intent was to be ornery they failed.

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Hmm – me thinks it is good you are hunkering down at home these days Ally, because you’ve had a ton of confrontational people lately. A few more of ’em and you’ll be changing the percentage of the vodka!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Linda, funny you’d mention the topic of confrontational people. I’ve written about the people whose behavior has been, while not the best, at least worthy of conversation. I will not be writing about some other people who have not behaved like mature adults when interacting with me, though how they behaved has been duly noted. And will be remembered. Just not on a blog. 😒

      Liked by 1 person

    • Erica/Erika, some other people have mentioned that they didn’t know about flavored vodkas. I like some of the flavors, orange and pear, but am not fond of other flavors, lemon or cherry. I like wine, too– but that might be as much for the pretty glass as for the actual beverage.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. Ornery is such a funny word. I think it’s required to laugh at yourself if you are so labeled. Not that I’d know anything about that, being totally angelic in all traits. 🙂 And should anyone dare point out the tiniest streak of stubborness that may or may not sometimes on extremely rare occasions show up, I’ll just stick my fingers in my ears and loudly sing my denial. Of course now that you’ve shared the Pink Drink recipe, I may be forced to indulge. No doubt it will ease any injured feelings.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deborah, I’ve no doubt that you are a perfect angel. Aren’t we all? [Or at least we are in our own minds when we rationalize our behavior.] I’d suggest that if someone isn’t ornery at least occasionally then that someone isn’t playing with a full deck. As for The Pink Drink, if you try it I hope you like it. It’s not a complicated drink but one that can quickly lighten your spirits, so to speak.

      Like

  45. Sounds like my kind of drink only I don’t have the ingredients! Think I have a prayer in hell of fighting them in the store? I am kind not nice but volatile. Not as kind as I would like and more volatile than I would like!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Jan, like you I wouldn’t risk my health to go buy the ingredients for this drink, but should the world return to normal you might find the ingredients and give The Pink Drink a try. Something to look forward to?

      You make a good point about being kind, not nice. There is a difference. I suspect we’re all volatile to some degree, when pushed or irritated enough. Life can do that.

      Like

  46. Oh my goodness! So much this!
    For the most part, I only use recipes for baking, and even some of that, I’ve memorized. My husband and a few of my friends will ask me for a recipe and I simply cannot. It infuriates them. They need measurements. Consistency. I can provide direction, but I just don’t have the measurements. A lot of things, like pasta, I learned to make when I was wee. It’s not about measuring, it’s a lot about how it feeeeeeels in my hand.
    Of course I’m mean sometimes. Takes me a while to get to mean tho. I’ll bite my tongue for a good long time, but when I’m done bein nice, I let it all out. Perfectly. Painfully. Which is why I bite my tongue. Caustic tongue. Tsk. Can’t take it back after. I do find your zinger apt for your personality. It’s sassy, like pink drink!
    Pink Drink sounds yummy, by the by — very nice for porch sittin 🙂 I will try it this summer. I always like to have a specific cocktail for the summer. Thanks!

    Liked by 2 people

    • joey, I use recipes for baking, too. But most other foods or drinks that I make I make from memory and by looking at what I’m doing. Nothing is measured precisely, just generally. My friend, who is a great person overall, just cannot understand why I cannot give her a recipe with all the details quantified. I know it infuriates her, but I don’t do it on purpose.

      Like you I’m good at holding my tongue, smiling a Cheshire Cat grin while NOT saying what I’m thinking. But sometimes I do snap and whoever provoked me will never forget that they did. I call it balance, considering how fricking nice I usually am.

      The Pink Drink is a sipping drink, easy to make ahead. It’s perfect for warm days… should we ever get any. If you try it, I hope you like it.

      Like

  47. Nice much of the time. Not always. Ornery sometimes? Yep. I think experiencing the whole palette of human emotions is the way to live. (Plus, it’s unavoidable, isn’t it?) However, I hate (which is an emotion on that palette) people who think they have cornered the market on the “right” way to live, so what I mean is it’s the right way to live for ME.

    By the way, the drink you should be having now is the quarantini – a regular martini drunk alone at home. Ha ha! (Not the originator of that joke – just passing it along.)

    Liked by 2 people

    • The Travel Architect, I agree with you about experiencing a whole range of emotions. If’n I need to be ornery, I’ll do it. It’s not my default setting, so I feel justified when I do get ornery. Of course, there are degrees of ornery, but that’s a topic for another day.

      I like your name for a martini. Most clever. Of course there are two of us here at home now, so even if we had the ingredients for a martini on hand [which we don’t] we’d not be able to have a quarantini– unless we sat on opposite sides of the house I guess. 🍸

      Liked by 1 person

  48. That sounds like a lovely cocktail. I used to be very about the precise measurements for a recipe. I still am for baking but that’s it.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Katie, I measure when baking but when it comes to cocktails I’m more lax. I like The Pink Drink when it’s hot outside so it’s something to look forward to that will seem normal to me. 🙄

      Like

  50. I see nothing “not nice” about this, unless your friend is so obsessed with accurate weights and measures that their head literally exploded. You shared the RECIPE with them – and now with all of us, and I think that’s VERY NICE, indeed!

    Liked by 2 people

  51. I had to give this some thought and even looked up ornery and snarky in the dictionary. I’m pretty sure I claim a percentage of both at times. When I was working everything had to be politically correct. Once I retired, I think I have made up for all those suppressed thoughts and comments. 🙂 Great comments. I’d love the drink but don’t even have one of the ingredients on hand.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Judy, I can only imagine how limiting it was to do your job while remaining detached and saying things in a way that might not be your usual way of conversing. I’m happy to know that you’ve made up for things now that you’re retired. Be ornery and snark all you want. Sadly we don’t have the ingredients in the house for this drink either. Poor planning on my part to write about it without drinking one.

      Liked by 1 person

  52. My family’s language of love has always been sarcasm but as I grew older, I tended towards a kinder and more caring narative. But the snark and the imp are always there and sometimes they pop out. This sounds like one of those irresistible times. And that cocktail recipe sounds ABSOLUTELY DELISH. If only our supermarket shelves weren’t a total wasteland currently. Nevertheless, it’s being filed away for use when the world becomes more normal again. Till then, ’tis a virtual “cheers!” from this side of the pond 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deb, I came from an articulate family, too. Word play was the thing, so being a bit ornery comes naturally. Friend is a good person but honestly words work too. We don’t have the ingredients in the house for this cocktail, but when normalcy returns I plan on making a pitcher for us. As a celebration.

      Liked by 1 person

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