Wednesday, June 20, 2007

I'm terrible about remembering birthdays, too

I can't believe I forgot this anniversary.

Thirty-five years and one day ago, five burglars, a novelist and a future conservative pundit launched the most successful publicity campaign in history for the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. They did this, of course, by botching a break-in to the Democratic national headquarters.

Their efforts launched the reporting careers of Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman and turned the word "gate" into an overused suffix. It also had the side effect of pushing Nixon out the door, although the funny thing is, he actually was re-elected before he was impeached maybe 20 months later. You can tell this because he's still in office at the end of "All the President's Men." Sorry if that ruined the movie for you.

Like the fake moon landing and the invention of duct tape, it was a news event that changed American history. So how about a delayed toast... I'll make it easy for you:

Watergate Martini

(Gin to vermouth at 7-to-1 ratio)

Pour a small measure of vermouth into an ice-filled shaker, shake to coat ice. Drain vermouth.

Add gin to taste to vermouth-tinged ice, shake and serve.



Cheers! It pairs well with the oysters....

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