Originally, Derek was ‘just’ my bartender. The dapper gentleman who introduced my friends and me to Sidecars at Palena in DC’s Cleveland Park.

I should have known that he had a lot up his sleeve, so to speak. Among other things, Derek has a company called Laughing Cocktail with business partner Angie Salame. He owns The Passenger with his brother, Tom, and has also lobbied successfully for the Rickey to be named Washington, DC’s native cocktail.

There’s more – lots – but let’s have Derek do the rest of the talking.

OneChicklette: Your favorite qualities in a love interest

@betterdrinking: It may be the least romantic thing to say but a sense of wonder. We’re goddamn lucky to live in such an amazing world and it’d be hard to spend time with someone who didn’t get how special that is. Also, someone who understands that the world is fickle. I’m tempted to use the word humor, which originally meant fluid but then specified ever-changing moods. Someone not bewildered by that change and can see what really matters.

Lastly, the ability to laugh at oneself. We can be certain that by the time that we can articulate our purpose, we will long live past our abilities. My grandfather used to joke about how my grandmother was shrinking. It wasn’t sad anymore, to be old. It was silly. It made loss and pain sometimes easier to handle. If you’re going to love someone, you have to see them down the long haul.

OneChicklette: Your chief characteristic (one word)

@betterdrinking: Thirsty.

OneChicklette: What you appreciate most in your friends

@betterdrinking: I appreciate friends who enjoy both high and low culture, a great Scotch or a can of beer. Truly, I’m as happy at a rare-Scotch tasting as I am at a baseball game and I don’t want two sets of friends–one who dresses up and one who dresses down–when each occasion arises. So, I’m lucky that my friends are not snobs or slobs, they’re both!

OneChicklette: Your idea of happiness

@betterdrinking: Going to the farmer’s market and grabbing a few things, taking it home and cooking, seems like as good of a way to spend the time as any. Although I also love reading and writing. Really, thinking. So, I suppose it’s two things. Simple, sensual pleasures and a rich mental life. That’s what makes me happy.

OneChicklette: Your idea of misery

@betterdrinking: My idea of misery is enduring the activism of stupid people. I understand stupidity. I’m sometimes caught in its spell too. Hell, we’re all born into it. It’s those people who foist it upon the world in an aggressive and proud manner. Dealing with them is the very definition of misery to me. Oh, and drinking kiddy-flavored vodkas like Whipped Cream or Pumpkin Pie.

OneChicklette: Your favorite fictional character

@betterdrinking: Al Bundy. I just love his steadfastness, how he still finds meaning and courage to endure despite having a horrible job, sometimes loveless marriage and selfish, greedy children. And yet there is love. And purpose. He’s a modern-day Sisyphus.

OneChicklette: Your favorite thing to eat, and also to drink

@betterdrinking: Well, this is a hard one. My entire job is to seek out great things to eat and drink. So, it depends on so much. Like what time of day, etc. Here are a few examples:

5:30 P.M. Monday. @3StarBrewery Peppercorn Saison with a kimchi hot dog @passengerdc.

7 P.M. Tuesday. Fino Sherry with Surryano ham and olives at Columbia Room.

8 P.M. Wednesday. Scotch & Soda and oysters @RappOysterBar.

9:30 P.M. Thursday. Sazerac and gumbo @TabardInn.

3 A.M. Friday (karaoke). Irish Whiskey. Undisclosed location.

2 P.M. Saturday (hungover). Beer and tomato juice. That’s right, together.

All day Sunday. Champagne, any kind. Anywhere.

But maybe my favorite cocktail of all is the Dry Martini. So, throw that in the mix too.

OneChicklette: Five tangible things you can’t live without

@betterdrinking: Books, whiskey, gin, friends and whiskey.

OneChicklette: What’s the number one item on your bucket list? (question via @SaraLang)

@betterdrinking: Someday I want to do standup comedy. I’d have to be a lot funnier first.

@OneChicklette: Who do you know via social media that you’re dying to meet in real life? (this question came via @floridagirlindc)

@betterdrinking: Maria Popova, aka @brainpicker. Love her Tweets. I’m a diehard fan.

@OneChicklette: What is your most under appreciated tweet? (this question came via @MikeKelton)

@betterdrinking: Geez, every one of them. I mean every 140 characters I write is just pure poetry, right? I don’t think I’ll take the bait. I’m just glad anyone pays attention.

OneChicklette: A question I should ask the next participant

@betterdrinking: Be honest, what was the first alcoholic drink you had?

OneChicklette: Random shout out (can be a person, your business, a web site, a favorite product or brand…anything)

@betterdrinking: Shout out for @dcdistillers. Love their Green Hat Gin.

 

Related post:

• Many more Twitter Spotlights