The Winter Campfire

The Winter Campfire

One handle of Fireball Whiskey
A shot of Sriracha
A can of Red Bull
A Canada Goose parka
Bowman’s soaked pineapple to garnish

Winter Storm Juno is rolling in. It’s plastered all over the news; a potentially historic snowstorm will be descending upon Hanover in the coming days. Up to two feet of snow and ice are going to shut down New England. It’s time to make the preparations: stock up on Novack sandwiches, some KAF pastries, and overpriced bottled water. You make it back to your dorm just as the first snowflakes are beginning to dust the barren ground. This is going to be a rough night. Pull up the covers, put on a sleep playlist, and set your alarm for your 10A the following morning.

The alarm never goes off. You’re awakened in the early hours of the morning by the freezing cold temperature of your room. It’s still pitch black and you roll over to check your phone. It’s four in the morning, but it’s not charging; the power has gone out. Well, that explains the lack of heat. The blankets aren’t doing justice anymore, so you painfully stagger out of bed and slip on another layer of clothing, topping it off with your warm Canada Goose.

Then, your eyes fall on the handle of Fireball cinnamon whiskey sitting on the shelf. That might help a bit. The cold is simply overwhelming. You check the now-useless refrigerator for anything that might make the drink a bit more potable; there are a few cans of Red Bull, a bottle of Sriracha hot sauce, and a few large chunks of pineapple your friend left in a cup of vodka as an experiment. Perhaps that would make a nice drink. Got to find something to entertain yourself in the face of the snowpocalypse.

You first taste the burn of the whiskey in your throat; the spice of the Sriracha mixes well with the fizziness of the Red Bull. The pineapple rounds off the flavor fairly well. As soon as the liquid hits your stomach, you are instantly warmed by the mixture. Perhaps you might well survive the storm. Between your warm coat, plentiful blankets, and warming beverage, things might just turn out alright.

By Sheriff Rick Grimes