The American(o)

The American, directed by Anton Corbjin, is a slow burn, but a warm one. Clooney, playing Jack, evokes tension and terror as an assassin hiding in out rural Italy after a mishap in Sweden. His job is to craft a tricky gun for a woman, Mathilde, too beautiful to be an assassin. While doing this Jack falls for a woman, Clara, too beautiful to be a prostitute. The film does everything with taste and class. The sex is poetic. The violence is discreet. Jack’s craftsmanship is inspiring. This is a departure from most of Clooney’s resume, as he plays a tense and rather private portrait of a careful man, destroyed by his human side. The only issue is we do not see the antagonist until the third act. But it’s solving this mystery of antagonism that drives the movie: who is following Jack? How do they know about Sweden? Is Clara divulging information? Just as the majority of the movie operates in shadows, some of the films best scenes are spent in the shadows.



Clooney on the run. Props to the 70's style onesheet.

In light of this, I present you the Americano:

2 oz. Sweet Vermouth
2 oz. Campari
Club Soda

Pour vermouth and Campari into ice-filled highball. Fill with club soda and stir. Add a twist of lemon peel.

Campari is an apertif that is very delicious and sweet. This is best served, or drank, before dinner or some form of food consumption. Much like the slow pacing of the film, this is best drank slow and savored, thought and mulled over. Maybe while cooking something Italian this will give you something bubbly and tasty to sip on.

via Mr. Boston

The John Daly

1 1/4 Vodka
Finish with equal parts iced tea and sweetened lemonade
Garnish with a lemon

The Arnold Palmer drink, popularized by Arizona Iced Tea Co., is equal parts lemonade and sweetened iced tea. Arnold Palmer was an incredible golfer and, I believe, the drink first came around when he ordered it at the Masters in Augusta. Before it was named after him it was called a Half & Half. Arnold Palmer has since retired.

John Daly is a contemporary pro golfer who is generally conceived as an alcoholic redneck, although a wonderful golfer. He is, essentially, a fan favorite amongst the younger and rowdier crowds and this drink is why.

It's an alcoholic Arnold Palmer.

Start with the vodka in a highball glass with ice. Finish it with the two essential ingredients and then throw a nice lemon slice in there and booyah, you got yourself a delicious drink good for anytime between May and late September. Or any time you happen to be at a golf course.