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Winter is coming! Now what should you drink?
By Allison Sylte The Rocky Mountain Collegian
Well, the weather outside is frightful, and the fire is probably more delightful than braving the cold (the unseasonably warm 70-degree days we’ve been having notwithstanding). But that doesn’t mean that there’s no place to go. You might be stuck inside this weekend (unless you’re lucky enough to go skiing), but if you’re gonna be stuck inside, why not be stuck inside at one of your local bars or coffee shops? After all, even though the temperature has dropped, it doesn’t mean Fort Collins’ fun factor has! You’re over 21? Cool! Enjoy some winter cocktails. Let’s be real: Eggnog is indisputably delightful, but c’mon, there’s a reason why you see it once a year. The mixologists over at Esquire magazine have compiled a list of 27 winter
cocktails to fight the cold: cocktails that range from Manhattans to Christmas rum punch to Negus, a holiday beverage pulled straight out of the land of Charles Dickens (To clarify, it came from the best of times, not the worst of times). Negus, according to Esquire, is comprised of one lemon, two tablespoons of sugar and one bottle of sweet red wine (although most evidence suggests Dickens didn’t make it with Franzia, you totally can). To make it, peel off the yellow rind of a lemon and put it in a double boiler with lemon juice, the sugar and the wine, stirring it until the sugar is dissolved. When that happens, heat it up, add one cup of boiling water, and strain it into a preheated pitcher. Pour it into glasses (or coffee mugs, if that’s how you usually drink your wine) and enjoy. This recipe serves 12 “light” drinkers. If you don’t have the motivation to make your winter cocktail, the bars in Fort Collins have you covered. The
Mayor of Old Town has multiple winter beers on tap, from Fort Collins staples like Snow Day and Isolation Ale to varieties from all over the country. “Old Rasputin is a really nice imperial stout,” owner Kevin Bolin said of his favorite winter beers. “... locally, I’ve been really enjoying New Belgium’s Cocoa Mole and their coffee stout.” Steakout Saloon has recently rolled out a menu of hot drinks which, according to Philip Linkchorst, a bartender and manager, can run for about $4.50. The most popular right now is the Irish creme. “It’s always nice when it’s cold out,” Linkchorst said. Elisabeth McNattin, a bartender at Lucky Joe’s, said she prefers a more classic approach when it comes to enjoying a winter drink. “When it’s cold, I love Guinness,” McNattin said. “It’s just so warm and fuzzy, and it’s on special a lot.” Maybe you don’t have the money to go to Old Town, but you still want to
responsibly enjoy an adult beverage. If that’s the case, Burnett’s has released its candy cane and sugar cookie holiday flavors... Which is clearly what vodka is supposed to taste like. If you plan to call RamRide after a night of revelry, remember that waittimes get longer once the threat of frostbite puts walking out of the question. RamRide is at it’s busiest when the weather gets bad, according to ASCSU Chief of Staff and Spokesman Robert Duran. “As for reducing [your] wait time, my suggestion would be to call in before you need the ride and be ready when they arrive for the ride,” Duran wrote in an email to the Collegian. If RamRide’s out of the question, always have a designated driver. Speaking of which... You’re under 21? Cool! Coffee and tea rock! You know that winter is in the air when Starbucks releases its holiday cups. But shockingly, there’s more to
Bizarre Bazaar: A strange shop
By Marcus Moritz The Rocky Mountain Collegian
Need something to get that picky hipster friend for the holidays? Perhaps they’d like the newest indie vinyl album. What about something for your grandparent so they can reminisce about days of old? Maybe a movie poster from the 50s would do the trick. “There isn't a store in Fort Collins where I can get these interesting and unique items for the holidays,” you might lament to yourself, sighing over Target’s dismal CD section. Fret no more, for you are mistaken. Bizarre Bazaar is the store that will help you with these and other exciting finds. The used book, movie, records and CD store was opened by Scott and Jane Makarchuk last October after they moved from their previously used
bookstore in the Northeast. “When we were working at the old store, which was mainly used books, he had a bunch of old records in the basement of the store,” said Jane Makarchuk. “Then there was this comeback of records. Bands were releasing on vinyl, and records became very popular and became about half our business.” The Bizarre will buy your old records, books, movies and CDs as well as sell them. Everything that they sell in the store is bought from another customer (unless it is a new record, which they will order every other week). “We get people who come to our store from Wyoming and Denver,” said Jane. “It's because … we pay pretty well when we buy something.” When you walk into the store, you are greeted with hundreds
of used records, shelves of used books and original old movie posters that decorate the walls. They are in the process of starting a coffee shop as well and are hoping to open it before the new year. “My husband [Scott] is very resourceful and creative, and he just started making everything,” she continued. “He hand-made pretty much every shelf in the store, and the counters. We also started making our own record cleaning solution.” As the music over the loudspeakers plays gently into your ears, you browse while the momand-pop essence starts to seep in. “We don't put anything up online or even use a database,” said Scott. “Part of what keeps us afloat is when people browse. For instance, if someone asks if I have a book, I know it might be over in that section, but you have to go
looking for it.” Browsing makes you find things that you would never before look for. “When something piques your interest, you have to look at it, then you find something new,” Scott declared. “You never know what you don't know.” The music industry is taking a turn, from whole albums and records to singles. “People love the new records because they have artwork and posters and lyrics and pullouts,” Jane said. “Records are more like eating a whole meal versus just having a quick snack. It's a story.” Indulge, fans. You never know what you don't know. Learn more at fortcollinsbazaar.com Entertainment writer Marcus Moritz can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com.
WEIRD HOLIDAY GIFTS BOOKS
For the excessively nosy: How To Do Psychic Readings Through Touch - $4 For those interested in Japanese satire Kappa - $5 For the middle school scientist in all of us: How To Fossilize Your Hamster - $6 For the dreamer. Read: Get your own Star Wars poster - Not for sale For the introspective Being Dead - $6
For the promiscuous and analytical Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex - $4 For the fan of adult graphic novels Bottomless Bellybutton - $15 For the collector (they are out of print) Space and Beyond: Choose Your Own Adventure - $3 For the satirical and the Anglophile Monty Python and Philosophy - $8
RECORDS
For the pro-Amendment 64 voter Scientist – In the Kingdom Of Dub - $22 For the fans of Bad Religion The Queers – Punk Rock - $15 For the nostalgic Captain Kangaroo – A Treasure House of Best-Loved Children’s Songs - $? For those willing to gamble with their $6 Mountain – Go For your Life - $6 For fans of funk and natural highs Bloodstone – Natural High - $8
the winter drink industry than a caramel brulee latte or caramel apple spice. Martha Stewart, the inmate and oracle, has a whole slideshow of nonalcoholic holiday drinks on her website. Some of the recommendations include non-alcoholic cherry bombs, delightful grapefruit margaritas (minus the tequila) and mulled cranberry cocktails. This isn’t powdered hot chocolate. This is legit. In addition, multiple coffee shops in town have rolled out winter drinks, from Mugs with their classic oatmeal cookie latte to the Alley Cat with their classic house chai. Even though they sell it year-round, this is the season when sparkling cider is socially permissible to drink. Buy some, chug it like a champion, and make fun of your friends who are over 21 and pretending to enjoy the taste of cheap champagne. Editor in Chief Allison Sylte can be reached at editor@collegian.com.
“Fellas, top your outfit with a fedora and you’ll be the most mysterious (read: attractive) guy in the joint.”
How to look hot when it’s cold By Emily Smith
The Rocky Mountain Collegian Holiday-themed drinks are fantastic … but no matter how many of them you choose to imbibe, you won’t have much luck picking up that cutie across the bar if you look like a wooly mammoth wearing sweatpants and snow boots. The temperature may be dropping below 30 degrees, but you don’t have to sacrifice your entire fashion sense when going out on the town this winter. Ladies, remember that skin-tight, glittery mini dress from your summer nights at the club? It works just as well for winter when you pair it with black opaque tights, a fierce leather jacket and heeled booties in a wintery tone like dark red, purple or black. If you’re going for a slightly more casual look, dress up a pair of black skinny jeans with fabulous heels and a sweater or long-sleeve top that has what I like to call a “sexy factor.” This can mean any-
thing from a dangerouslylow back to an embellished collar to an off-the-shoulder neckline that exposes your oh-so-dainty lace bra strap. Just put on your best “come hither” face and you’re set. For the gentlemen, layers are your best friend. One look you could opt for is a classic pair of jeans with a sturdy winter vest layered over a long-sleeve tee or classy sweater. Also — give the “man scarf” a try. You may be hesitant, but every girl I know appreciates a guy who knows how to properly tie a scarf around his neck. My final tip? Accessorize! When you can’t show as much skin, you must grab the opposite sex’s attention in other ways. We all know men are attracted to shiny objects, so, pile on the jewelry, female readers. Fellas, top your outfit with a fedora and you’ll be the most mysterious (read: attractive) guy in the joint. Collegian writer Emily Smith can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com.