Bear Market
Bear Market
Bear with me as I pivot to a cocktail now, to drink while enjoying the beautiful tale that this puzzle box tells. The ripple effects of the world’s health are being seen in so many different ways, including the global economies. There are animals afoot here as well, dating back to the turn of the eighteenth century when a proverb warned it was unwise “to sell the bear’s skin before one has caught the bear”. The term “bearskin”, and later simply “bear”, became associated with an expected decline in stock prices, and a financial crisis in 1720 precipitated by the South Sea Company, known as the “South Sea Bubble” sealed the term’s fate. Alexander Pope wrote this poem in 1720: “Come fill the South Sea goblet full; The gods shall of our stock take care: Europa pleased accepts the Bull, and Jove with joy puts off the Bear.”
I'm feeling bullish about this bear
It’s important we keep our immune systems in top shape right now, so exercise, sleep, and healthy eating are essential. As far as cocktails go, it’s a great time for so called “low ABV” drinks – “low alcohol by volume” – because too much alcohol will lower the immune system and make you more susceptible to illness. Drinks that rely on lower proof spirits or contain a smaller proportion of high proof spirits fit the requirement. Here’s a delicious potion that will elevate the evening while going easy on your system. It features some homemade hibiscus tea, a sweet and vibrant drink favored by South American cultures that is full of antioxidants. A little honey never hurts either, and if you are in the mood, you can heat this drink up and enjoy it like a toddy as well. Here’s to the storytellers, and the stories they tell. Let me know your stories too – leave a little comment about something entertaining that happened to you recently. We could all use more stories right now. Cheers!
A pair of bear necessities
Bear Market
1 oz bourbon
½ oz honey syrup (1:1 honey : water)
½ oz sweet vermouth
½ oz lemon
3 oz hibiscus tea
Shake ingredients with ice if serving cold and strain into a favorite glass. For a Toddy, mix ingredients together in a cup and add a little hot water.