Scofflaw & The Emperor

For this Solar Eclipse New Moon CC&T 🌑, pour your favorite beverage 🍹 or make with me my favorite version of the "Scofflaw" created by Julie Reiner from her book "The Craft Cocktail Party" . Julie is an OG of the cocktail world stepping on the scene round and about 25 years ago. She has opened world famous cocktail bars, is a judge in the Netflix Series "Drink Masters", and continues to elevate the craft cocktail scene. Julie's book is a go to reference in my cocktail library.

Gather Tools 🛠️ Ingredients :

Tools 🧰:

• Measuring Device 📏
• Shaker Set 🥄
• Fancy Glass 🍸

Ingredients 🌿:

• Rye Whiskey (Rittenhouse recommended)
• Dry Vermouth (Dolin Dry recommended)
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• Grenadine (Tasty Recipe by Jeffrey Morgenthaler another Craft Cocktail OG)
• Orange Bitters
• Twist of a Lemon

Your “mise” is ready , let's create some alchemy ✨🧪

Press play ▶️ on the #05 Lunar CC&T Jams 🎶 playlist then follow the recipe below 📝. Really enjoyed putting this one together.

Scofflaw

• 1.5 oz rye whiskey
• 0.75 oz dry vermouth
• 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 0.5 oz grenadine
• 2 dashes OJ bitters
• Method:Combine ingredients into your shaker set then add ice. Shake slowly at first then with a conviction of authenticity for 12 seconds.Strain into your fancy glass

Garnish: 🍋✨ With the fancy side of your lemon twist facing the top of your drink 🍸, give a quick squeeze and watch the oils alight ✨ on the surface 💚. Curl it 🌀 and place it on the edge of the glass of your liquid libation 🫧.

Take a moment... ⏳ 3 deep breaths...

After you have taken your moment bring the drink up to your nose 👃, breathe in the aroma and take a sip. Reflect on defiance, freedom, and the unyielding power of living authentically

Scofflaw & Prohibition

"Scofflaw" was a term coined for those who frequented speakeasies and defied the National Prohibition Act. The cocktail of the same name emerged shortly after. Prohibition, also known as the Noble Experiment, gave rise to speakeasies, where the allure of rebellion flourished. Interestingly, some of the era's most notorious lawbreakers were often more generous to society's underdogs than the nation's own leaders. One example is of Al Capone opening a Soup Kitchen for the pour during this time.

I live by my personal beliefs and follow the laws that genuinely serve me—like stopping at traffic lights or adhering to basic safety regulations. That said, I also value personal choice. The government, in my view, exists to uphold order and protect rights, not to enforce moral laws upon its people. Which brings one to ponder...what personal laws do we hold as moral and what laws do we believe the country should enforce?

Prohibition in my mind serves as an example of a misguided enforcement. Had I lived during that time, I know I would have been termed a Scofflaw. According to Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O'Meara, the temperance movement promoted the belief that banning alcohol would reduce violence against women and solve issues of poverty and crime. In my opinion the rigid laws put in place around issues of poverty often sweep it under the rug instead solve the problem and elevate the poor out of their situation that gives them a stable environment to thrive in.

Prohibition did not solve the problems of the temperance movement...it did however have unintended consequences: it gave rise to more inclusive drinking spaces where women were invited and welcomed. Establishments began catering to women, as the presence of female patrons made raids by authorities less likely. Communities and unlikely alliances were formed around cocktail parties, as the cheapest and safest places to drink were at home and women know how to host a party.
In addition during this time the victorian ideal that was imprinted on women loosened its hold and there was an exploration of a new kind of American Woman one who smoked cigarettes, drank, wore shorter skirts and flouted the social norms: the flapper. Helen Lowery 1920's writer for the NY Times wrote of the flapper "she is the first woman in history that has not been checked at home when man went forth alone in search of his pleasures. And because of her we have with us the most merry, least jaded nightlife yet."

For me, a lesson from Prohibition is that when governments attempt to box people in rigid laws, they often achieve the opposite effect. The independent, unconventional, and creative spirits within people gain greater agency. Their defiance becomes a testament to their freedom—a freedom far more genuine and liberating than the conformity society demands. These rebels, by forging their own paths, open the door to a more diverse, authentic and interesting world.

In a time when laws and harmful policies continue to emerge, I choose to meditate on building my own proverbial speakeasies—and what represents to me a celebration of uniqueness, freedom, and the unyielding power of living authentically. And with that, I’ll raise a glass to the enduring spirit of the 'Scofflaw.'
hmmmm....let's talk about The Emperor within Tarot 🔮.

The Emperor & Aries

Emperor & Aries:
Under the new moon, the sun and moon are in conjunction—side by side, locked in a quiet yet profound dialogue. The moon vanishes from the sky, leaving only the sun’s light, as if the two are conspiring on what truths to reveal from this zodiac sign bit by bit. It is also a Solar Eclipse in Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac, marking an unsteady, flickering bold beginning, which sounds unsteadying to be honest and yet maybe it is just what we need.

The Emperor, in tarot, symbolizes an embodiment of authenticity, stepping into ones own personal autonomy and what has taken root to get us here and now than deciding what we want to continue to take root.
It doesn't mean without others around us it means we have a role to play as does everyone else in this ecosystem of life. When we take agency in our own role, how it effects others, the proverbial ecosystem that supports both our growth and the growth of others can thrive. When we do not then none of the plants are watered, hail storms destroy what has grown and well....you get my drift.
One could also compare the Emperor to a Mixologist, the Mixologist chooses the glass that holds the combination of ingredients of a cocktail and all the ingredients in it. When The Emperor appears in a reading, it calls us to take a look at our own ingredients, how do they blend and support us showing up authentically as you are fully who you are? This could be as an artist, as a host of a party, as a parent, as a friend wherever this is in your life you are that proverbial cocktail and how does it taste?

If you do not like the flavors or ingredients this is good information. It is a great time to ask, Who are you in this unclear, dodgy, flickering light, solar eclipse time? Who do you want to be? What helps you to be more authentic more genuine more present and as the bigness of yourself? How do you step into the space in a way that says "I am here" period ? This is Aries, this is the Emperor. Intense I know.
(aren't journal prompts on a new moon awesome? (huge grin and wink))

With drink in hand contemplating the initiatory "I am here" energy of Aries and authentic leadership, presence of The Emperor find a place to ground in and step into your unique authenticity of presence—in the cocktail crafting of life. Whether you measure meticulously or free-pour with abandon, every ingredient you choose, every flavor you combine has influence and it matters.

I am taking another sip of my beverage for some liquid courage. cuz I need all the help I can get from all spirits willing to help me be genuine and authentic even when I'm quite nervous... in the case of Scofflaw the helping spirit is the Rye Whiskey and Rye Whiskey Spirit I would like to thank you in advance, feeling less jittery already. 🌑

I am truly glad you are here! This blog is helping me find my voice and be aware my own Emperor cocktail self. Eventually I have plans to make an Oracle Deck of cards based around the lunar cycles then pairing them with cocktails and this is another stage down that path.
Hope it these totally DEEP thoughts proved you with some amusement and libation for thought.
Till next time, Much Respect.

If you enjoyed the musings and the stars align ...