On this day in 1940, American actor and patron saint of Puerto Rico, Raul Julia, was born in San Juan. The Daily Telegraph named him one of the best actors to never have received an Academy Award nomination.

Julia found acclaim starring alongside Meryl Streep in Taming of the Shrew in 1978, which began a celebrated career on Broadway, although his Shakespeare appearances were vast before and after that play. He also played Rafael the Fix-It Man on Sesame Street in the early seasons of the show. His film performances have been lauded in Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Morning After, Presumed Innocent, Moon Over Parador, Romero, and the cult classic, Street Fighter, but his role as Gomez Addams in the Addams Family may be his most memorable film icon.

Julia died young in 1994 after complications from a stroke. He left a legacy of good deeds after decades of charity work focused on at-risk youth, the Latin American community, and promoting the arts to young people in several countries, for which he received multiple awards.

Music Du Jour: Tango Playlist

Films Du Jour:

• The Addams Family (1991)
• Addams Family Values (1993)
• Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
• Presumed Innocent (1990)
• Romero (1989)
• The Morning After (1985)
• Frankenstein Unbound (1990)
• Street Fighter (1994)
• Moon Over Parador (1988)
• Tequilla Sunrise (1988)
• Tango Bar (1987)

Snacks du Jour:

• From Addams Family: Girl Scouts Cookies, Tombstone pizza, and anything that squirms or shrieks
• From Romero: here’s a link to Salvadoran recipes
• From Tequila Sunrise: here’s a recipe for Rigatoni Quattro Formaggi
• Here’s a video on Addams Family Values drink concoctions

Cocktail Du Jour – Tequila Sunrise

The original Tequilla Sunrise is credited to the Arizona Biltmore Hotel around 1940 and included Tequila, creme de cassis, lime juice, and soda water. The current orange-juice version was popularized in California in the early 1970s and was a favorite beverage of the Rolling Stones.

• 5 to 2 oz Tequilla Blanco
• 1 oz lime juice
• 4 oz orange juice
• 5 oz grenadine

Pour grenadine into a Collins glass. Fill glass 3/4 with ice. Pour in Tequilla and juices and then stir until the lower half of the glass is pink. Top with a little seltzer (optional). Garnish with an orange wheel and a cherry.

Mocktail Du Jour – Tequila Sunrise Mocktail

• 5 oz non-alcohol Tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 4 oz orange juice
• 5 oz grenadine

Pour grenadine into a Collins glass. Fill glass 3/4 with ice. Pour in non-alcohol Tequilla and juices and then stir until the lower half of the glass is pink. Top with a little seltzer (optional). Garnish with an orange wheel and a cherry.

 Beer Du Jour

Medalla Premium Light from Puerto Rico is available in 13 U.S. states. Craft beers include Western Herd Flora and Fauna Double IPA, Uncle Fester Sour by Sudwerk Brewing Co., and Cara Mia by Sun Lab Brewing. A Sam Adams is a good backup.

Wine Du Jour

Raul Julia was a lover of fine wines. His favorites included Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Burgundy, and Vega Sicilia labels from Spain.

Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer. 

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Photo credit: “Gomez and Morticia” by Shi Devotion is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.