COCKTAIL RECIPE: Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster

Here's what the Encyclopedia Galactica has to say about alcohol: It says that alcohol is a colourless volatile liquid formed by the fermentation of sugars and also notes its intoxicating effect on certain carbon-based life forms.

The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy also mentions alcohol. It says that the best drink in existence is the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster (invented by Zaphod Beeblebrox).

It says that the effect of drinking a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster is like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick.

The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy sells rather better than the Encyclopedia Galactica.

Excerpt from "The Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy" by Douglas Adams

Come let Edmund serve you right.

INGREDIENTS:

• Glass (Pint, Tulip Snifter or Collins)

• Rum (2 Brown)

• Rum (1 White)

• German Kirsch (beer)

• Premium Tequila

• Vodka

• Grenadine Syrup

• Cinnamon

• Oranges

• Lemon Juice

RECIPE:

Since it's quite difficult to find a bottle of that Ol' Janx Spirit these days, I've come up with something that might serve as an adequate substitute.

Part 1 of 2

1. Take three parts rum for that relaxed Carribean atmosphere. Make it two brown ones and one white one. Now think of the white beaches, the swaying palm trees and the gentle sound of waves breaking on the shore.

   
   

2. Add one part of strong German Kirsch (beer).

   
   

3. Blend one part premium Tequila (because you don't want the benzine-like taste often found in cheap stuff) into the mixture.

   
   

4. Add one part vodka, in memory of all those happy young boozers spending their holidays in Spain getting completely pissed every day for a fortnight.

5. Over the top of a silver spoon, float a measure of grenadine syrup, redolent of the heady odours of forbidden love in dark chambers, subtle sweet and mystic.

   
   

6. Stir, gently.

Part 2 of 2

In a separate mix:

1. Blend the juice of two freshly squeezed oranges with the juice of a lemon. Then, add to the first solution and watch the fire igniting in the drink.

   
   

2. Drop into the drink three crushed icecubes. Watch them dissolve, adding the coolness of a cold mountain spring.

   
   

3. Add sprinkle of cinnamon on top or an entire cinnamon rim to the glass.

   
   

4. Add a slice of orange for garnish.

   
   

Drink and enjoy, but very carefully!

NOTE: Beeblebrox recommends that a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster shouldn't be drunk in quantities greater than two per sitting unless you are a "thirty ton mega elephant with bronchial pneumonia".