"I'll Have a Busy Dad."
Monday, July 20, 2009 See that phrase above? I've got a vision. And after much contemplation, I've come to believe it's what I was put on this earth to accomplish.
I must have a drink named after me.
And now I fully understand why a usually well-prepared guy like me would drop the ball and not get around to printing business cards for BlogHer: my time in Chicago on July 23-26 was destined to be more than simply networking for my measly blog.
It was meant for launching the next Manhattan, the next Mai Tai, the next Tom Collins, the next Adios Mofo. The next great cocktail.
It all came to me quite by accident (like all the good things and 7 year olds in my life) a few days ago. I was pouring my usual Jack Daniels to end the evening when the unthinkable happened: I ran out. If you knew me at all, you'd know I would never let that happen. Frustrated that my glass was only half full, I scrounged around my bar to find anything else alcoholic I could throw in there. The only thing I could find that made any sense was a bottle of Frangelico. What the hey, I topped off the glass, threw some ice in it and tipped it back.
I was very pleasantly surprised. I toyed around with this combination a little bit more, Googled it to make sure it wasn't already an existing concoction and just like that, I invented a cocktail. Now, you all know the real story behind it, but here's the recipe with a PR/Marketing spin -- just in case the Food Network ever does a special on "Cocktails That Rule the World" and decides to interview me:
The Busy Dad
- 2 parts Jack Daniels (because I'm a card-carrying Tennessee Squire)
- 1 part Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur (because you gotta be one part nuts to be a successful parent)
- A splash of Diet Coke (because it's what gets me through each day when I am not allowed to drink beer).
Pour into a lowball glass with ice and stir with one of those long Lego pieces (because chances are you'll find one of those before any real stirring implement).
So, instead of business cards, I'm bringing a mess of those longish Legos. And if any of you attending BlogHer orders a Busy Dad, I'm giving you one. My hope is to return home Lego-less. But I guess if the drink doesn't catch on, at least Fury can make a really cool wall.
Also, since you're here reading this post, I guess this is a good time to tell you that I'm actually on a panel at this year's BlogHer. This panel was dreamt up by fellow Hot Blogger Calendar alum Avitable (and the brilliance of the subject matter and its title leaves no doubt that it was his idea). I'm just going to send you to his post about it and encourage you to submit questions to ask Avitable, ChildsPlayx2 and me.
I don't know how this is going to play out, but I do know that I'll do a lot better with a few Busy Dads within arm's reach.
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Reader Comments (45)
Best of luck in your endeavor, tis' a noble cause.
I had to take a break part way through reading because I heard some crazy woman shrieking right after I read how you ran out of Jack Daniels.
And then I realized that was me, screaming my fool head off.
I get what my friends call "Melisa's Big Girl Bottle" at Sam's Club. Maybe you should get a Big
GirlBoy Bottle too. Or two.I have to say, I'm a drinker, I can hold my own, but I'm pretty sure that few of those "busy dads" and I'd be knocked on my Lego playing arse.
Damn it to hell-why didn't you come up with this BEFORE I quit drinking? Great; one more thing I don't get to try. Like wine in those frosted bottles-they are so pretty! Could I stir my, um, lemon ice-water with one of those Legos? Wait; I am not going to BlogHer. Fuck. ANOTHER thing I don't get to do. I truly hate all of you and am just going to pout until the BlogHer hoopla is over. So there.
Necessity is the mother of invention. Sounds like a good drink, may have to try one of those out.
The long Lego is the deal-sealer, seriously. I'll have one. If they let me come. Which I STILL don't know for sure.
Would you believe, I have all three of those ingredients in my cabinet right now? I think I may very well give that a try tonight. I shall raise my glass in toast to Busy Dad.
I'm gonna try this and BTW you once again reminded me of a Simpson's episode. The one with the Flaming Homer.
I'm waltzing up to the Sheridan Towers bar and ordering a BusyDad. If they look at me funny, I'm gonna look at them funnier and be all, like, um Barkeep?
They'll learn ;)
Mr. Lady, if you can't make it then I'll drink yours for you.
Can you pour me one now?
That BusyDad sounds delish. I'll be looking for a Lego. Also, I totally didn't get cards either, despite the 15 post-its on my cabinets and mirrors saying "Get cards made."
Does it have to be diet coke? Alas, I'm not going to BlogHer, but I'm totally willing to try and make it a thing here at home!
Love the lego as a garnish! Bars all over the country will be stocked with lego pieces alongside the olives, maraschino cherries, and little umbrellas. You gotta market this drink to Lola's.
I can't come up with anything, dude. Its the perfect cocktail. Marketable, brandable, has mass appeal and repeatability. When I open my bar for parents with child-seat equipped shuttles, can I use it on the menu?
Aw man! And I totally just gave up drinking!
That actually looks good. If I drank hard liquor I would totally try that. I really wish I was going to BlogHer, so many of my favorites are speaking and I keep finding out that more of you are on panels and such! You're going to do great! Can't wait to hear all about it. :)
Sweet. Except I'm not really supposed to drink any alcohol. You think 48 hours is enough time for you to make a non-alcoholic drink too? I really want a lego :)
and OF COURSE you added this to the Tonguegasmic list.. right?
Dood. Make me one.
I'll be your pimpette ;-) ha ha
damn... and here I went and bought myself the biggest bottle of rum I could find and made pina coladas when I COULD have been having myself a Busy Dad instead!!
Well dammit all to hell!!
Send me a lego- that sounds YUM!!
I would drink that just for the Lego. Awesome!
Somewhere a child is starving, because you're directing time and energy to this particular cause instead of the children's!
That being said, I just got a plane ticket to Chicago and plan to attend y'all's session moderated by Britt. I may or may not bring tomatoes.
Any chance you'll be offering the Busy Dad special at the door as we enter for the panel? Can you offer the drink as well?
I totally want a lego. But I don't drink whiskey. Ow.
The drink sounds awesome and I have already highlighted your session on my conference agenda.
If I can snag a Lego swizzle from you, my swag hopes will be complete.
the lego is perfect! and of course it can be individualized big time, being legos (at the very least bring different colors and maybe a mini man head).
And....for those dry fans of yours, they can have the legos to stir their diet cokes - I mean, er, virgin busy dads. Now there's a huge marketing opportunity. Take over diet coke!
That sounds yummy!! I'd order one - IF I was going to BlogHer. Waaaaaaahhhhh! I wanna go, but it's not in the cards (aka the budget) this year.
Have a great time!
The part about the Lego is hilarious. Congrats on the new drink. I will have to make it Busy Dad here I come.
Here's the thing: I like my Frangelico A LOT, but I like it wish a splash of half-n-half. Jack and Coke makes sense to me, but not Frangelico and coke. On the other hand Jack and milk might be a little odd. But I'm wondering if you might also want to offer the Busy Mom version of this drink, using milk -- you know, along the lines of a Black Russian and all those other milkier drinks. Would you please try that tonight, in the name of thorough research, you understand, and let me know tomorrow? Because I totally want to order one.
I won't be at BlogHer, but could you kindly bottle one up and ship my way? :D
Anything with JD has gotta be good...
Dying laughing at your swizzle stick.
well. yet another reason why i'm sorry i'm not going.
wait. i just live a hop, skip and a jump from you.
hmmmm... save me a lego, eh?
Is EVERYONE going to Blogher, but ME! Inventions, and drinks too, are born out of necessity. And it seems a drink was necessary!
Sounds like an interesting drink, i will have to try one.
It is just as well I couldn't make it to Blogher, since I would go home leggo-less. Cannot STAND Frangelico. I can take a little Jack and coke, but the hazelnut thing completely doesn't flip my skirt. I am a disgrace to my Italian heritage. All good Italians LOVE hazelnut. But my husband would totally drink that. If I ever serve it to him, I will make sure he knows what it is called and why.
Finally a practical use for Lego, lol.
Wow, I think I can feel my hangover by just looking at it! :)
Jealous! I don't have my signature cocktail yet.
It was nice to meet you and thanks for the Lego!
That i smy kind of drink.
this may be the best thing i have read all week! wish i had been at blogher to get the lego
The Flaming Homer is an all time favorite. Have to admit that it would be very cool to have a drink named after me.
I'd like one.
I could use a drink.
COOL!!!
The lego touch was perfect!!!
I soooo gotta invent a UrbanVox now!!! :)
Sorry I missed you this year (again). That dang kid of mine turned three during BlogHer, and I had to be at his party or... well, let's be honest, there would not have been a party. It's not like his father would have pulled it off, right? Right. Next year. I hear it's in NYC. I'll introduce you to Street Meat.
P.S. We'll need a few Busy Dads to kill anything residing in the Street Meat. But it will be the best dinner you'll ever have in that town.