I blame Chaucer
(Image from Chaucer Parlement of Fowles)
On every bow the bryddes herde I synge
With voys of aungel in here armoyne
Some busied hem hir bryddes forth to brynge
The litel conyes to here pley gonne hye
And ferther al aboute I gan espye
The dredful ro, the buk, the hert and hynde
Squyrels, and bestes smale of gentil kynde
On every bough the birds I heard sing
With voice of angels in their harmony
Some busied themselves birds forth to bring
The little coneys to here play did hie
And further all about I could see
The dread filled roe, the buck, the hart and hind
Squirrels, and beasts small of gentle kind
(Image, Carl Wilhelm de Hamilton 1668-1754)
So, - Valentine's - all was fine until 1328 when Chaucer finished his poem A Parlement of Fowles on 14th February. February has traditionally been seen as the month when the birds choose their mates, and Chaucer's poem has all the birds but one finding love. From this date the concepts of courtly love and romance were born. Love tokens, trysts, secret passions and exquisite seductions.
In the spirit of the bitter sweet, and the complex nature of love, Mother's Ruin has been brewing up some cocktail bitters and these are almost ready for public consumption. they should be on sale in The East London Gin Palace within a month.
Not everyone has the stomach for the sugary confection that Valentine's day has now become and for those needing dark solace a tiny playlist:
Lou Reed — Pale Blue Eyes
Joy Division — Love Will Tear us Apart
The Cure — Close to Me
Mother's orange bitters macerating
And a strong drink...
Grounds for Divorce
Ingredients
2 oz Bourbon,
1/2 oz Amaro, Averna
1/2 oz Sweet vermouth,
1/2 oz Campari
Dash of Aromatic Bitters
Stir / coupe, no garnish