Day 98: Higher & Higher
In 1967, soul singer Jackie Wilson released the song "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher," breathing life back in to a storied music career which had become stagnant. Now the song was originally written by the team of Carl Smith, Gary Jackson, and Raynard Miner, but Jackie's voice really put that upbeat feeling into the song, making it legendary. Producer Carl Davis told Jackie to put some pep into the song and not sing it like a ballad, the way he originally tried. The drums got going, and Jackie nailed it in one take. When we help each other out, we lift each other higher.
Hello my thirsty readers, and welcome back yet again. With a world full of so much tension, it seems like a little love sure would go a long way. It's so easy to focus on the negative around us, but the world can be a really beautiful place when you see those around you bringing joy to others.
In 1989's Ghostbusters II, New York's favorite team of ghost-fighting scientists return in a battle of good versus evil. While investigating the sewers, they discover a river of slime under the streets below. The slime is the result of all the negative energy generated by the daily lives of New Yorkers, but they learn it can also be "positively-charged," when they play music.
In an over the top spectacle, the Ghostbusters cover the statue of liberty in slime, then play some up-beat music to give the slime that "happy-charge." What song did they choose? "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" of course! I don't think I can hear that song without smiling and remembering that now iconic scene.
So I'm at work today, and I'm grabbing a few items from our prep kitchen. As I'm loading up the usual juices and syrups to work on some new drinks, what song should come on? That's right, those happy tones immediately put an extra skip in my step, and I knew where I was going with today's cocktail.
There's a really great verse in the song that goes "Now once, I was down-hearted. Disappointment was my closest friend. But then you came and it soon departed. And you know he never showed his face again." I couldn't help but remember how I was feeling this time last summer. I certainly wasn't wearing the same smile.
About a year ago, my thirsty readers, I dove into a deep depression. As it turns out, some people don't enjoy my work the way you all do, and a few of them decided to destroy everything I had worked for my entire life. I felt absolutely devastated, as I was labeled the thing I hated the most. I considered suicide more than once, but I somehow pushed through everything. I guess it's a good thing I did too, otherwise you would've all missed out on a lot of recipes over the past few months.
Now this certainly isn't meant as a "woe is me" kind of moment. That's certainly not why I'm telling you this. The point I'm trying to make, is that I wouldn't be here today without the support system I have in my life. These people know who they are, and I wouldn't be here without them. They believed in me, and they stood by me, even when things got tough. They're the ones who've lifted me higher and higher, and I can never thank them enough.
Higher & Higher
1oz London Dry Gin
1oz Green Chartreuse
1oz Creme de Menthe
1oz Lime Juice
1oz Pineapple Juice
1oz Coconut Cream
2 dashes Absinthe
3 dashes Angostura Bitters
Tall Footed Glass
Ship shake and pour unstrained.
Top with crushed ice.
Top with Angostura Bitters.
Garnish with tea leaf, orchid, parasol, and freshly grated nutmeg.
*If it tastes like what you'd imagine Christmas on the beach is like, then you're on the right track!*
Lifting each other up isn't just something nice to do. At this point in time, it's our obligation to one another. You never know, you could be saving someone's life in the process. Be good to each other my friends, don't let the world bring you down too much, and of course, keep shaking.