Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Ladies of Mystery

Kate Warne, (AKA: Kay Warne, Kay Waren, Kay Warren, Kate Warne, Kate Waren, Kate Warren, Kitty Warne, Kitty Waren, Kitty Warren, Kittie Warren, Kittie Warne, Kittie Warren) was the first female US spy and detective. Warne was hired by the Pinkerton Detective Agency when she applied for a secretarial position in 1856. Able to act as an undercover agent infiltrating social gatherings, collecting information no man was able to obtain. She was able to wear disguises, change her accent at will and became a huge asset to the success of Allen Pinkerton and Pinkerton National Detective Agency.

She eventually directed training of an all-female investigative staff for Pinkerton, during a time when there were no female police, female detectives and females did not have the right to vote.

Cloak and Dagger
- 1 part gold rum
- 1/2 part Dagger rum
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 part lime juice
Mix with fine ice in electric mixer and serve in a champagne glass.


Eleanor Jarman, dubbed "The Blond Tigress" by the press, was tried and imprisoned for complicity in a murder that occurred during a clothing store robbery in Chicago's West Side in 1933.

In 1940 she heard that her son was about to run away, and concerned about her children, she escaped the prison August 8 1940. She apparently went to Sioux City, Iowa, confirmed that her children were all right and then went underground. She was put into FBI's Most Wanted list but was never found.

Midnight Alarm
- 1 1/2 oz light rum
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 oz pineapple juice
Shake vigorously with ice, and serve in a wine glass.


Etta Place was a companion of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Little is known about her; both her origins and her fate remain mysterious. Despite her companion's fame, by the mid-20th century it was the mysterious vanishing of Place that sparked the most interest, which continues to the present day.

The Shady Lady
- 1 oz tequila
- 1 oz melon liquor
- 4 oz grapefruit juice
Combine ingredients in a highball glass over ice. Garnish with a lime and a cherry.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Martha Washington's Rum Punch

In honor of this, the anniversary of the birth of our nation, the ladies of LUPEC are raising a glass to our original First Lady.

It is well known that Martha Washington took her duties as First Lady very seriously and entertained in a formal style. Her wish was that our new country and government would be seen as equals to it's well established European counterparts. Most of Martha's events would begin with her signature cocktails being served before dinner at their Virginia home, Mount Vernon. The cocktails would utilize spirits from their distillery which was one of the largest and most profitable during the colonial era. And now a toast to our premiere First Lady using a recipe from her notes!

Martha Washington's Rum Punch

4 oz Lemon Juice
4 oz Orange Juice
4 oz Simple Syrup
3 Lemons quartered
1 Orange quartered
1/2 tsp grated Nutmeg
3 Cinnamon Sticks broken
6 Cloves
12 oz Boiling Water

In a container mash the lemons, orange, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Add syrup, lemon and orange juice. Pour the boiling water over the mixture. Let it cool. Strain out the solids. Heat the juice mixture to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Let it cool and refrigerate over night.
In a punch bowl combine:

3 parts juice mixture
1 part Light Rum
1 part Dark Rum
1/2 part Orange Curacao

Serve the punch over ice. Top with grated nutmeg and cinnamon.

Cheers!