So, Set 'Em Up, Jóse

In recent years, before we moved to Spain, a drink with a meal was a rarity for me. Now, when we dine out, since a glass of beer is so cheap, I tend to have a small one with lunch or dinner. A common practice here — in the friendly places (which there seem to be an abundance of) — is for the "house" to buy us an after-dinner drink. Un chupito (click here for an important lesson on chupitos). That means that I quite often have not one but two drinks with dinner — and if San Geraldo doesn't like the chupito, I get to have three drinks!

Our friends Jorunn and Jesper have been visiting this week from Norway and Denmark. Jesper is a terrible influence. He now has me enjoying a carajillo after lunch. It's coffee with either brandy, whiskey, anís, or rum (ours have been with brandy). You may know it as Spanish coffee. Jesper, Jorunn, and I had just enjoyed a delicious lunch at a friendly place called Casa Kiki. With lunch we had gone through more than a pitcher of tinto de verano ("red wine of summer" — red wine with lemon-lime soda), which was delicious. Jesper then ordered three carajillos. DEE-licious. The owner of Casa Kiki then brought over three chupitos. Caramel vodka. DEE-LUSH-ISS. Somehow, I still got us home (the Mediterranean Sea is a good ... landmark.)

CARAJILLO, COMPLEMENTS OF JESPER.

CARAMEL VODKA, COMPLEMENTS OF THE OWNER OF CASA KIKI.

The night before our friends arrived, San Geraldo and I were at Meson Salvador for dinner. The owner, Jóse, not only bought us after-dinner drinks (vino dulce this time instead of the usual pionono), he also gave us a gift before we left — a bottle of new wine. The new wine is delicious, too. But I think I'm beginning to spend too much time at Sand Bar.

VINO DULCE (I GOT TO DRINK BOTH).
ON THE HOUSE AT MESON SALVADOR.

VINO NUEVO COMPLEMENTS OF JÓSE.
EVEN THE CATS WANTED IN (WELL, THEY WANT EVERYTHING).

BACK TO SAND BAR.

WHEN YOU START SEEING CHIMPS, IT'S TIME TO GO HOME. 

ONE OF THE ARTISTS DURING A PRODUCTIVE PERIOD.
CLICK TO MAKE THE DRINKS BIGGER AT SAND BAR.