Reception Drinks Reviews

A committed lecture attendee and seasoned drinker reviews the weekly drink choice at YSOA’s lecture reception.

A FAMILIAR FRIEND ON THURSDAY NIGHT
08/29/2024

In an overflowing Hastings Hall, fresh from its makeover during the summer with fixed pews and new paprika-colored carpeting void of the inevitable coffee stains that will someday soon find their way back, Deborah Berke settles the applause and chatter following Issa Diabate’s lecture on his work in Côte d’Ivoire. In a recognizable cadence, she explains to our new students, returning characters, and visiting guests the tradition of Thursday nights: a custom cocktail by the one and only Andrew Benner. Barely legible over the excitement and preparation to rush to the second floor, the drink of the night is based on Diabate’s home country - a twist on the classic French 75 with the addition of tamarind. In a new exhibit, with new walls and new faces, it was a relief to get a drink from the familiar bartenders. The drinks flowed quickly and with the gallery at max capacity they ran out even quicker. I give the first drink of the semester 3.5 stars.

YOU HAD TO BE THERE
09/05/2024

Following the illuminating lecture by Shayari de Silva on the work and archive of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, Bimal Mendis took over for Deborah in the weekly ritual of announcing Andrew’s newest creation. This week, our resident mixologist took inspiration from the classic British summer cocktail, the Pimm’s Cup, and gave it a twist: subbing lemon soda for a ginger beer and Sri Lankan tea mixture, and garnishing with lemon, cucumber, and mint. Renamed for Bawa’s life-long project and garden get-away, Lunuganga, it was an apt pairing for touring the gallery that night - like much of Bawa’s work, a mixture of the influence from British imperialism and Sri Lankan flavors. It seemed a popular choice over the course of the reception - few drinks were left half-full and once the cocktail was gone folks were sad to turn back to the white wine. I give the Lunuganga, both the garden and the drink, 4.5 stars.

!LET’S GO OUTSIDE!
09/12/2024

An eclectic beverage for an eclectic lecture. While Amelia Brandao Costa and Rodrigo da Costa-Lima presented what seemed to be the full body of their work, the accompanying cocktail was, by virtue of design, a mashup of ingredients we might not normally see together. Portuguese orange soda and vermouth, together with Brazilian Cachaca rum - the unnamed Benner original sought to connect the lecturers’ homeland with their traveling studio’s pilgrimage in another geography-inspired cocktail curation. And much like the studio’s call to action, the profile of the cocktail could more easily be described by artificial intelligence than by those drinking it. Was it sweet? Was it full-bodied? Could you taste any alcohol in there? Hard to say, but it was Flavor for sure. The rarely worth mentioning non-alcoholic beverage this week made a splash in the tempting-to-steal mason jars with handles and with Dean Berke’s call for YSOA neutrality among flag colors. I give this week’s drinks a collective 4 stars (2 each).