Stilettos, Stoli & Scribbles ~ Served With A Twist

graphic via flightmuseum.com

Happy Total Solar Eclipse Day!  No matter where you call home, unless you’ve been living in a cave (or any place else with no wi-fi) for the past couple of weeks, you have no doubt heard that North America  will experience its first transcontinental eclipse of the sun in nearly 100 years.

Eclipse-mania has already reached its zenith, and I’m not just talking about the emails from stores using it as an excuse to have a sale. Intrepid sky-watchers have been trekking to remote locales in Nebraska and climbing mountains in Wyoming all weekend, to set up their tents and their telescopes in preparation for the big event.  Carbondale, Illinois, home to Southern Illinois University, whose population has probably tripled in the last 48 hours, is where you really need to be today for the very best view of the moon blocking out the sun.  They’re holding their viewing party in the football stadium.

We here in Boston are nowhere near the “path of totality” that cuts a swath through the country from Oregon to Georgia, so we will only get a partial version.  A partial eclipse is, judging from social media, nonetheless a completely legitimate reason to do some day drinking. On a Monday.

While NBC News is reporting that American companies will lose $700 million in lost productivity due to the 20 minutes people will be away from their desks and outside looking skyward (seriously? Pffft), many people, including here in Boston have just taken the day off.

I wish I’d thought of it.  NASA has party planning tips, but what would I serve at an “Eclipse Party”?  Sun Chips and Moon Pies, those are a given, but the internet has not been very helpful when it comes to food. I can’t image anyone I know wanting to eat something called “Galaxy Bark”.  I could stock the bar with Skyy Vodka and Blue Moon Belgian White (to be garnished with an orange slice). There is, of course, something called a “Solar Eclipse Cocktail”.

photo via abcfws.com

In case you’re interested:

1.5 oz Patron XO Cafe
.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
.5 oz Simple Syrup
4 oz Italian Orange Soda
Orange Slice, for garnish

Fill a highball glass with ice and add all liquid ingredients. Garnish with half a slice of orange. (recipe via abcfws.com)

No party can be a success without the perfect musical accompaniment.

and last, but not least:

Oh well, would have been fun. I guess I’ll have to wait for the next one.

However you plan to mark the occasion, be safe. Don’t forget your NASA-approved goggles!