MIXOLOGY 101

All it took was one question...

 

A single, seemingly harmless question that  abruptly flip everything upside down. But to be fair, Nier had no idea Hops would be so persistent. 

 

"So...how do you do it?"

 

"Do what?"

 

"This mixology thing... I mean, of course I've seen you do it before, but is it really as simple as you make it looks?"

 

And that's how, a few days later, after saying these few words, he found himself  behind the bar with Hops on a calm day at the Rabbit's Hole while she taught him how to make her prized drinks.

 

 "You're going to love it Nier!" Hops said, with contagious enthusiasm and a wide grin on her face. "Mixology is a art! It's the creation of a symphony of tastes that dance on the taste buds, arousing feelings and memories on those who taste it!

 

A short pause, that was soon filled by Nier's voice

 

"Look....it's not as if I'm not 'happy' to be here with you, but .... can you remind me again how did I end up in this situation ?" Nier gently sighed as he scanned the assortment of bottles on the shelf behind Hops. 

 

Hops chuckled, a hint of malice in her voice. 

 

"Well, my friend, you have yourself to thank for this little problem. You asked about my mixing skills and I couldn't resist the opportunity to show off a bit. Besides, you still owe me one, remember?"

 

Nier hesitated before grudgingly admitting that Hops' remarks were true. 

 

Finally, he gave in and sighed in resignation.

 

"You are right."

 

Nier hesitantly took a seat behind the bar counter and studied the collection of curved glasses and andinstruments that were totally alien to him.  

 

"Perfect! Now tell me, what your favorite drink? If you're interested, I can start teaching you that one!"

 

"Humm... Although I also enjoy a decent Dracquiri, I truly appreciate a Peach Helini....Wait! Shouldn't you start by teaching me the most basic recipes?"

 

"Details, details, young padawan...." - Hops chuckled lightly, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, and went to get some ingredients from the refrigerator. - “But honestly, Peach Helini is a super easy recipe,” - she said, setting a bottle of Chmapaing, some fresh peaches and a box of raspberries on the counter. - “So don’t stress your cute little head over it too much!"

 

The fizz of the champagne being opened echoed in the air and a burst of bubbles started to came out from the bootle, the liquid sparkling like stars. 

 

Nierl watched as Hops  began cutting the fresh peaches into small, juicy cubes, and then putting it all on a blender toguether with the  raspberries and some lemon juice she had just squeezed, before turning the machine on. 

 

When the mixture was well blended and smooth, Hopps stirs the puree through a fine sieve and then transfering the contents into a shaker, her fingers deftly manipulating the metal container as if it were an extension of herself.

 

"Now, Nier," began Hops as she added something she had taken from a mysterious bag into the shaker, "the key to a perfect Peach Helini is balance!"

 

Nier listened intently, his eyes fixed on Hops' hands, which moved with precision and grace, and with a practiced flick of her wrist, Hops continued...

 

"The sweetness of the peaches needs will balance with by the tartness of the lemon juice and the slight tang of raspberries. But most importantly, you must handle the champagne with care. It must be added gently, allowing it to mix with the other flavors without overpowering them!"

 

Hops gracefully poured the champagne into the shaker, making a  effervescent and sweet  scent  filled the air.

 

While still observing, Nier couldn't help but watch Hops with a mixture of curiosity and admiration; despite his initial reluctance, he couldn't deny that the whole process was really interesting.

 

"Here, here! Take a sip!" Hops spoke excitedly when she had completed the drink, filling a beautiful glass with the liquid and adding a little more champaing to make the drink a little frothier.

 

Nier took the proffered glass, its delicate stem cool against his fingers. The vibrant swirl of the puree and the champagne looked really delicious and the aroma tickled his nose in a funny way. Hops watched it with great anticipation, her eyes sparkling like the bubbles in the champagne.

 

Nier took a sip of the Peach Helini...

 

And his taste buds instantly exploding with a cacophony of flavors. The delicate sweetness of the peaches danced in harmony with the tangy burst of raspberries, while the effervescence of the champagne tickled his palate.

 

"Fuck, this is incredible!" Nier marveled, his voice filled with genuine admiration and taking another sip of his drink, relishing the explosion on his tongue. 

 

Hops couldn't help but grin widely, her peachy eyes sparkling in delight as Nier praised her creation. 

 

"Isn't it divine?" Hops exclaimed, her voice tinged with an infectious enthusiasm. "Come on, come on! I don't mind if you keep praising me!"

 

Nier couldn't help but chuckle at Hops' exuberance. Her infectious enthusiasm was impossible to resist, and he found himself genuinely appreciating her skills.

 

"You really are a master of your craft, Hops," Nier admitted, his voice filled with genuine admiration. 

 

"So! Are you in then?"

 

Nier stared at Hops, momentarily caught off guard by the question, not really getting what she was talking about. 

 

"In? In what?" he finally managed to stammer out, his confusion evident on his face.

 

Hops watched Nier's confused expression with a mix of amusement and exasperation. She couldn't help but burst into laughter, her melodious voice filling the otherwise still air of The Rabbit Hole.

 

"Come on! Have you forgotten already?" Hops exclaimed, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Didn't we agree that I would teach you how to make drinks if you agreed to work with me? You know the bar is always in need of employees!"

 

Nier blinked in surprise as Hops' words finally registered in his mind.

 

"As far as I remember, I was coerced into accepting, but that's okay," Nier chuckled as he finished the rest of his drink. 

 

He set the empty glass down on the counter, a wistful smile playing at the corners of his lips. He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest as he regarded Hops with an amused glint in his eyes.

 

"You know, although the idea of working for Angora doesn't really appeal to me, I have to admit that learning how to make driks doesn't seem so bad." Nier said with a smirk. "I promise I'll think about it."

 

"For sure?!" Hops beamed.

 

"For sure."