mix•ol•o•gist // [ mik-sol-uh-jist ] // noun
as in a person who has studied the art of mixing drinks, selects the right ingredients, understands the impact of each one in turning a drink into a work of masterful art.
as in a poet.
as in a lyrical genius.
as in you and me and anyone who appreciates the power of storytelling–the holy offering of words carefully chosen, measured, mixed, then slid across a bar to be sipped, savored, sunk into the icy inky sea.
Taylor Swift slid her mixology manuscript across our desks last night in her album The Tortured Poets Department. I consumed all 31 songs in a blanket of darkness and candles and headphones. Like the mixologist that she is–or shall I say alchemist–our dear Chairman of the Tortured Poets Deparment crafted us an anthology, a liturgy, a cocktail with the exact right ingredients. It’s so masterful I can not even begin to process just yet.
You know who else is a mixologist? A baker. Meet my friend
. Like Taylor, Amy and I share a love of words and inspiration and storytelling. Baking is a story, just like mixing a drink, crafting a song, penning a poem. Together, we carefully curated a story in the baking of cake and mixing of cocktails in hopes that it reflected the story we imagined Taylor would tell in her album. Or at the very least give us comfort while we listen to sad songs in the dark.This “album” we created includes flavors of the five stages of grief. You have lavender for delusion, whiskey for anger, sweet honey vanilla syrup for bargaining, earl gray tea for sadness (so long, London), and finally, when you have mixed all of this in a glass of chilled icy feelings, swirling veins of pitch black (tea) ink, you are ready for the soft gentle blanket of acceptance with cream.
I can’t begin to help you process what we received last night. But I can make you a drink.
As Taylor said…
✨All’s Fair in Love and Poet-Tea✨
1 earl gray tea bag or favorite black tea
1 t dried lavender
2 oz whiskey
1-2 T vanilla honey syrup
4 oz milk/cream
Brew tea & lavender with 4 oz hot water. When chilled add to glass with whiskey, syrup, and tea. Stir until mixed. Add ice and top with cream.
P.S. Don’t forget to check out Amy’s contribution below!
Tell me, which song is your favorite?? I know it's like picking your favorite child, but ... if you HAD to choose.
You and Amy are both so awesome. I love that you collaborated on this. And I LOVE love love everything you had to say about the album so far. She gave us so much!