Rusty Nay-sayers

There are so many haters out there trying to bash alcohol consumption.

But the truth is that alcohol in moderation can be good for you. Here's the coles notes of the benefits of a drink a day.

Dementia: reduced in drinkers. (This will help you remember which drink you're on)

Gallstones: risk is reduced by 50%. (Helps if you're into pub food)

Heart Health: less chance of dying from heart attacks or hear disease! (For those who have a wife, and or kids)

Ischemic Stroke: Careful, this one is a fine line, drinking moderately reduces risk but heavy drinking will offset and may increase your risk of Ischemic stroke.

Type 2 Diabetes: Same goes for this, moderate good, excess baaad. (If you see yourself developing a beer belly, you're probably drinking excess)

Vascular Benefits: I think this means breathing benefits, so smokers have a drink with that cancer stick.

General Health: I gotta feeling, that tonight is going to be a good night!

For the more "technical" article, click here.

By the way, when you indulge in your moderate consumption of alcohol, don't do it before bed. Alcohol can help put you to sleep, but research shows that your quality of sleep will be diminished.

To all those alcohol bashers or nay-sayers, I toast my Rusty Nayl to you!

1 part of Good Laddie Scotch (not actually a brand)

1 part of Drambuie (mint with a slight bit of whiskey nose)

For more information on Scotland's famous liqueur (fit for a prince) check out this review (or just go to their webpage)

Rusty Nay-sayers

Manhattan Megalomania

What's more indie than something that's a little retro? Hence an ode to the Manhattan. This understated drink has stood the test of time. It's a man's drink, something that was good enough for your dad, if your dad had class that is. This drink transcends white collar and blue collar dichotomies and has stood the test of time. The simple mixture of whiskey (bourbon to make it indie), sweet vermouth, a dash of bitters and garnished by a single cherry is not only great tasting and smooth to drink, but it is also a statement of who you are. Smooth and slightly smokey, a modicum of mystery, not simple yet it is straight forward. Complex: yes. Convoluted, it is not.

This classic and masculine drink isn't for young strapping studs who would prefer shooters and beer, or slimy old sedentary drunks drinking swill. The Manhattan is a drink for gentlemen who know how to appreciate the finer things in life. The Manhattan is poetry, a metaphor for meditation; the drink shows that you appreciate and can find beauty that is clandestine and concealed: complex and complicated.

Manhattan Megalomania