A few years ago, one of the gals I worked with said she was going to a Galentine’s dinner. That was the first time I’d ever heard of Galentine’s day and now it’s a favorite idea I love. It’s the day before Valentine’s Day and it’s meant to celebrate your “besties” for being just that, your good friends who see you through thick and thin.
The year after I was introduced to it, we hosted a party at the store for lunch and
invited Christian Rollich to make one of his famous cocktails.
. 
The Green Goddess
GLASS
Tom Collins
PREP
1 Persian cucumber
1 jalapeno, seeds removed
COCTAIL
2 ounces Green Tea Vodka (see recipe below) 1 ounce fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
3⁄4 ounce Arugula Simple Syrup (see recipe below)
1⁄2 ounce fresh cucumber juice
1 drop jalapeno juice, plus more to taste
GARNISH
Absinthe rinse
3 thin cucumber slices
A fresh mint sprig
Green Tea Vodka
1⁄2 teaspoon loose-leaf green tea leaves
12 ounces grain vodka
Arugula Simple Syrup
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
3⁄4 cup water
1 cup loosely packed arugula
See the detailed recipe in Christian’s book
The Bar Chef
It was so much fun.
That was right before covid closed all of us down for a while so the memory has been all the more special.
We’re always looking for a reason to celebrate the people that we love and this gives us one more opportunity to do just that. This year, I was thinking of doing a little bag with a special heart of blown glass, wood, or zinc, some candy, and a note to drop off at a couple of my girlfriends’ front door who are having a challenging season. I know it will be fun for them to know they are thought of and appreciated. Spoil them just a little bit.
Happy Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day!
