Manchurian Candidate Day – October 24th
On this day in 1962, The Manchurian Candidate, directed by John Frankenheimer, and starring Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury, and Janet Leigh, was released in theatres. The film was based on the novel by Richard Condon, published in 1959 following the Korean War and released just as the Viet Nam War was starting up. The story has clever insights on the nature of the Capitalist/Communist struggle for power in the midst of the cold war. It also introduces a scary, fascinating, and iconic profile of political games played using brainwashed/hypnotized soldiers. The remake of the film came out in 2004, starring Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Liev Schreiber, and John Voight.
Music Du Jour: Best of Frank Sinatra and Korean War playlist
Films Du Jour:
- Manchurian Candidate (1962)
- Manchurian Candidate (2004)
20 fabulous Garden Party ideas (if you know, you know)
Cocktail Du Jour – The Manchurian Candidate
This recipe is by Tobin Shea:
- 1.5 oz St. George California Citrus Vodka
- 0.5 oz Lustau Fino Sherry
- 0.75 oz King’s Ginger
- 0.75 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 4 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 2 oz Green Tea Soda
Combine all ingredients except the Green Tea Soda into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10 seconds and then top with Green Tea Soda. Strain into a Collins glass over ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
Mocktail Du Jour – The Manchurian Candidate Mocktail
- 0.5 oz Real Grenadine
- 0.75 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 4 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 2 oz Green Tea Soda
- 1.5 oz Ginger Beer
- 1.5 oz plain tonic water
Combine the grenadine, lemon juice, simple syrup, and bitters into a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice, then top with Green Tea Soda, ginger beer, and tonic. Stir and strain into a Collins glass over ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
Beer Du Jour
Blue Bee Cider’s Petite Manchurian (if you can find it). There are a few Manchurian Candidate craft beers out there, again hard to find. You may have better luck finding a Korean beer brand.
Wine Du Jour
Sake or the Korean wine of your choice
