Let’s be honest, a night at the bar can be a rollercoaster. The camaraderie, the music, the carefully crafted drinks – it’s often designed to lift spirits and create a memorable experience. But this week’s “Cocktail of the Week” from *The Observer* has taken things to a whole new, unsettling level. They’re championing a blue cocktail called ‘The Blue Monday,’ and reports are surfacing about it actually triggering feelings of sadness and distress in those who consume it. This bizarre experiment is sparking a serious rethink about the purpose – and potential consequences – of our evening drinks, and whether the pursuit of novelty is sometimes detrimental to our well-being.
The Observer’s Gamble
The initial concept, as outlined in *The Observer’s* article, utilizes butterfly pea flower tea – a naturally vibrant ingredient known for its stunning color-changing properties when combined with acidity. The tea, when mixed with citrus, transforms from a pale lavender to a deep, captivating blue. However, the twist here is the deliberate addition of components designed to evoke a sense of melancholy. The recipe, as far as we can piece together, involves butterfly pea flower tea, lemon juice, vodka, and a “splash of something bitter.” It’s a bold, if somewhat perplexing, experiment – one that raises immediate questions about the motivations behind such a concoction. The article describes it as “a deliberately gloomy cocktail designed to explore the relationship between color and mood.”
The Observer’s approach is to lean into the inherent instability of the color change, suggesting it reflects a fluctuating emotional state. They highlight the drink’s visual transformation as a metaphor for the transient nature of feelings. While visually arresting, the intention seems to be far more complex than a simple aesthetic delight.
Whiskey Advocate Weighs In
Adding fuel to the fire, *Whisky Advocate*, a leading voice in the whiskey world, is strongly suggesting a far safer, and frankly, more cheerful, alternative. “Relying on readily available, cheerful spirits like a good Scotch is a far safer bet when you’re trying to combat the gloom,” they note. “A robust, warming spirit offers a tangible sense of comfort and relaxation, precisely what’s needed when you’re actively seeking to avoid negative emotions. This ‘Blue Monday’ experiment seems to misunderstand the very purpose of an evening drink – to unwind and enjoy, not to deliberately induce discomfort.” The Advocate’s commentary underscores the fundamental disconnect between intentionally seeking a sad drink and the desire for a relaxing evening.
Why You Should Care
Let’s be clear: nobody wants a cocktail that actively makes you feel down. It’s like a mood ring, but for your stomach, and potentially your mind. The whole concept feels inherently morbid – the idea of intentionally depressing yourself with a drink is, frankly, a little sad. Beyond the immediate psychological impact, the butterfly pea flower itself is already notoriously difficult to work with, requiring careful consideration to achieve the desired color effect and ensuring the drink isn’t overly acidic. This adds another layer of complexity to a drink already designed to provoke negative emotions. The recipe, left unrefined, risks creating an experience that’s not just unsettling, but actively unpleasant.
Furthermore, the article’s focus on using a color-changing ingredient to trigger a specific emotional response raises broader concerns about the potential for manipulation within the drinks industry. While novelty and experimentation are welcome, there’s a line between engaging with sensory experiences and deliberately exploiting our vulnerabilities.
The Takeaway
While the “Blue Monday” cocktail might be visually striking – a stunning shade of blue that changes with every sip – the potential for unintended psychological consequences raises serious questions about the role of alcohol in our lives. It serves as a cautionary tale about prioritizing experiential novelty over genuine well-being. Perhaps a classic Old Fashioned – built with bourbon, sugar, bitters, and a citrus twist – or even a simple Gin & Tonic, with its refreshing juniper and botanical notes, is a better choice when you’re looking for a relaxing and enjoyable evening, rather than a deliberately gloomy one. Ultimately, the conversation sparked by *The Observer’s* experiment highlights the importance of mindful consumption and understanding the potential impact of our choices, both on our bodies and our minds.
Resources:
* [The Observer: Cocktail of the Week – The Blue Monday](https://observer.co.uk/style/drink/article/cocktail-of-the-week-the-blue-monday)
* [Whisky Advocate](https://www.whiskyadvocate.com/)
Source: https://observer.co.uk/style/drink/article/cocktail-of-the-week-the-blue-monday
