Thirsty Thursdays: Tax Man Edition

I don't know how you feel about April 15th - personally, I'm not a fan. Fraught with stress, filled with bitterness and, usually, a midnight run to the all night Post Office on 34th Street - its a day I'm happy to see end. I don't even do my own taxes, but I'm still a Last Minute Lucy.

Generally, we cap off the evening's festivities with a good stiff drink. Last night was no exception.

The Tax Collector:

• 1 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 oz. dry vermouth
• 1 oz. sweet vermouth
• 2 oz. premium vodka
• 2 - 3 dashes Angostura Bitters

• some ginger ale for topping up

Garnishes:

• a slice of orange, lime or lemon
• optional - knife for opening veins so that IRS can bleed you dry

Place the first 5 ingredients (grapefruit juice through vodka) in an ice filled martini shaker. Shake and pour over ice into a rocks glass. Top up the drink with some ginger ale to taste. Serve and enjoy, repeat as necessary!

Knowing full well the depths of my bitterness, this drink required a bitter base - hence grapefruit juice. You could certainly opt for oj if that is your preference. I'm not going to lie, as written this is an astringent little beverage. It would be lovely served as a summer refresher, on a nice warm day - though it was equally good for taking edge off last night ... when both the mood and the temperature were bitter.

Let's face it, vodka makes everything better - even April 15th!

Cheers!