American Gods

With the Starz series starting, I decided I should tackle what looked like a monstrous book, but the type was large enough that this book turned out to be kind of a quick and easy read.

Strangely, this was my first real and complete reading of Neil Gaiman, other than the comic book mini series "Death and the High Cost of Living." My first impression is that Neil Gaiman is the master of fantasy pulp fiction, and I mean that as a compliment. The concepts and ideas are pretty celebral, but the writing is extremely accessible.

And as such, the cocktail itself, practically pours itself. Mr. Wednesday likes his Jack Daniels, and of course Mead itself is instrumental in his bond with Shadow. I played around with those flavors for awhile, and decided to go with a sour...adding Meyer lemon and sweetener to the Jack and Mead. The result is quite refreshing, and between a Bees Knees, with the hint of the mead, and a Whiskey Sour.

American Gods

2 oz of Jack Daniels

1 oz of mead (I used Runratty Meade, imported from Ireland, pour an ounce for Mad Sweeney)

0.5 oz of simple syrup or oleo saccharum

1 oz lemon juice (Meyer lemon preferred)

Pour into a shaker, and shake. Strain, and serve in an Old Fashioned glass with a giant ice cube, garnish with a small clunker and a lucky gold coin.