Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Drinks With Something In Them

Posted 01-31-2008 at PFFA.

Drinks With Something In Them
with apologies to Ogden Nash

There is something about a Long Island,
A concoction of love from back east.
Its wonders can render one silent
When the flurry of mixing has ceased.
There is something about a Long Island,
This potion, this tonical healer,
So don't get it wrong
(It won't take oolong):
It's the gin, vodka, rum and tequila.

Here's to the worldly Manhattan,
A prize they award once a decade,
An invite from Countess Mountbatten,
Reprieves from the Order of Hecate.
There is something they put in Manhattans
That makes one feel learned and urban.
But the stem of a cherry
Is quite ordinary,
So I'm stymied. Unless it's the bourbon.

There is something they put in a mai tai,
And beachcombers know scuttlebutt,
So I always inquire when I tie
One on at the bar in the hut.
There is something Vic puts in a mai tai,
An ingredient destined to please ya:
An ocean of rum!
And ya know where it's from?
It's from Cali, dude, not Polynesia.

And here's to the frat party kegger!
I'm so drunk I can't see anymore.
She asked if I wanted to peg her,
And I ended up tapping the floor.
Three cheers for the frat party kegger--
Keep pumping until it runs clear!
And it might just be suds
That I puked on your duds,
But I (hic) think perhaps it's the beer.


-----

See comments for Mr. Nash's original poem.

1 comment:

  1. Okay, here's what I'm riffing on. I can't find a decent link to the full poem; most google hits turn up only the first verse:


    A Drink With Something In It
    by Ogden Nash

    There is something about a Martini,
    A tingle remarkably pleasant;
    A yellow, a mellow Martini;
    I wish that I had one at present.
    There is something about a Martini,
    Ere the dining and dancing begin,
    And to tell you the truth,
    It is not the vermouth --
    I think that perhaps it's the Gin.

    There is something about an old-fashioned
    That kindles a cardiac glow;
    It is soothing and soft and impassioned
    As a lyric by Swinburne or Poe.
    There is something about an old-fashioned
    When the dusk has enveloped the sky,
    And it may be the ice,
    Or the pineapple slice,
    But I strongly suspect it's the Rye.

    There is something about a mint julep.
    It is nectar imbibed in a dream,
    As fresh as the bud of the tulip,
    As cool as the bed of the stream.
    There is something about a mint julep,
    A fragrance beloved by the lucky.
    And perhaps it's the tint
    Of the frost and the mint,
    But I think it was born in Kentucky.

    There is something they put in a highball
    That awakens the torpidest brain,
    That kindles a spark in the eyeball,
    Gliding singing through vein after vein.
    There is something they put in a highball
    Which you'll notice one day if you watch;
    And it may be the soda,
    But judged by the odor,
    I rather believe it's the Scotch.

    Then here's to the heartening wassail,
    Wherever good fellows are found;
    Be its master instead of its vassal,
    And order the glasses around.
    For there's something they put in the wassail
    That prevents it from tasting like wicker;
    Since it's not tapioca,
    Or mustard, or mocha,
    I'm forced to conclude it's the liquor.

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