I Have to Drink a Shot

I almost never drink liquor. On a very rare occasion, I’ll have an after dinner Cognac, brandy, etc.

On an even more rare occasion, I’ll drink champagne. The bottom end of what’s good is Moet, so that cuts down on the occasions.

Beer, wine? Good stuff. Beer regularly and there are a lot of good wines.

Back to the liquor – when I was a kid they didn’t have the premium stuff. You had vodka, whiskey, tequila, gin and so on. Back then you drank to feel the effects of the liquor of your choice. Years ago, I realized I couldn’t enjoy the effects if they came on too quickly and strongly. So I don’t.

My friend the Atlanta cop has a tradition with a friend of his, a retired cop, that they drink a shot every time a police or fire officer dies in the line of duty. After 9/11 it took four months and a few sick days. They then expanded the tradition to toasting to the passing of someone famous that they liked.

For whatever reason I thought of that today when talking to my friend the cop at the neighborhood bar. I blurted out that I’d do a shot at Tony’s wake on Friday night. If there is going to be an occasion for me to do it, this will be it. I then realized that that would lead to other things and regretted it. But I said it, and I’ll do it.

So here’s the problem. Tony wasn’t a big drinker. When he drank liquor, it was Crown Royal. I said that’s what I would do. I got disapproving looks. The shot of choice I was told is Jack Daniels. I’ve never had either.

So what should I drink? I’m not going to be driving. I throw it out to you. The first one will lead to others (mentioned abovem that I’ll regret). Low road, high road? Pricey? Rotgut?

Whatever your suggestion, don’t call me to early on Saturday.