East German Day – October 7th
On this day in 1949, Delegates of the People’s Council enthusiastically created communist East Germany. Wilhelm Pieck, the first President of German Democratic Republic (GDR), known as East Germany, declared the birth of the first “workers and peasants state on German soil.”
The Soviets had been occupying the territory since the end of World War II after the Nazi’s surrendered. On August 13, 1961, The Berlin Wall was erected to cut off West Berlin from the surrounding East Germany, separating families and friends. The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, and an area known as the “death strip” that contained trenches, nail beds and other brutal defenses.
The Berlin Wall finally fell on November 9, 1989, and East Germany was reunited with West Germany.
Here’s a lovely story about visiting East Berlin in 1978 and having drinks with the locals at a bar near Checkpoint Charlie.
Music Du Jour: For the holiday, the GDR President has generously allowed you to peacefully listen to the following patriotic playlist.
Films Du Jour: some good movies including East Germany
- Bridge of Spies
- Wings of Desire
- Hedwig and the Angry Inch
- The Lives of Others
- Good Bye, Lenin!
- Atomic Blonde
Snacks Du Jour: East German Soft Pretzel mix and recipe and small tub of Bautz’ner Hot Mustard. Here’s a restaurant that’s keeping nostalgic East German dishes alive.
Cocktail Du Jour – Berliner Luft Mohito
The Berliner Luft is an East German specialty spirit distilled from sugar and peppermint. You can substitute with any peppermint liqueur or peppermint schnapps.
- 75 oz White Rum
- 75 oz Berliner Luft 40 Strong (peppermint liqueur)
- 1 Lime
- 4-5 Mint leaves
- 25 simple syrup
- Sparkling water
Divide lime into quarters and muddle three of the quarters with the mint in a cocktail shaker. Add the rum, the simple syrup, and the peppermint liqueur, and shake for 10 seconds. Pour all contents into a highball glass, add ice, top off with sparkling water. Garnish with remaining lime quarter.
Mocktail Du Jour – Apfelsaftschorle (Apple Spritzer)
- 4 oz apple juice
- 3 oz sparkling water
Build over a rocks glass, stir, and garnish with thinly cut apple slices fanned on a skewer.
Beer Du Jour
Any Helles, Pils, Gose, Berliner Weisse, or Bockbier
Wine Du Jour
Any Eiswein, Riesling, or German Sparkling wine
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 attributions: “The fall of the Berlin Wall – November 1989” by gavinandrewstewart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
