No worries on confusing the rum with the tequila now!
Jack meet Martha. Martha meet Jack.
My inner pirate and my inner domestic style diva finally agreed on something…and that’s pretty rare.
I was freshening the bar set-up…which BTW lives in a space too small to even be called a nook…and decided I wanted to make full use of my decanters.
They’re a good looking bunch, acquired over the years, and most often used for dinner or cocktail occasions. I had never fully switched over to using them as general spirits inventory as I could never reconcile the labeling issue. The traditional pewter hanging collars have never floated my boat, and I tried a few times to come up with more interesting alternatives. But somehow they all seemed to get in the way of pouring, and didn’t do much for the look of the decanters. But without them how do you tell the silver tequila from the white rum? I don’t trust my memory any more…or my nose either. After a few sniffs it all just smells like alcohol, and doing it by taste is…well, let’s call that not a very good idea!
Bar wall…space too small to even be called a nook!
I’ve considered a variety of write-on /stick-on labels over time. They don’t get in the way of pouring, but look kind of dull and are a mess when they get wet…which happens a lot when I make drinks. So…nix on the traditional metal ones, nada on the crafty ones, and no again for the paper sticker ones. SIGH.
Then, on my way out of Williams-Sonoma recently, I saw these chalk board sticker labels…not paper, but heavy vinyl…removable and reusable. I backtracked and purchased, and then made a stop by Michael’s for a chalk marker. Not just chalk, but a chalk marker…yes, there is such a thing and it makes an important difference. Trust me on this.
Here’s the end result. Easy to stick on the decanters, and easy to remove and reuse…wipe ’em clean with water and re-stick. One tip…do write the labels before you put them on the glass…much easier and fewer spills 🙂
It’s a practical and inexpensive solution to my spirit labeling conundrum…and I think it has a dash of pirate panache. I can see Captain Jack Sparrow taking a slosh straight out of the PNR bottle (that’s my shorthand for Pusser’s Navy Rum). Savvy?
So, both Martha and Jack agree on this one. It’s a good thing!
Cheers ~ Bluwatergal
PS> The bluwaterlife 3rd anniversary is just around the corner! I’ve been working on some site improvements and other nice things for this anniversary. And I have enjoyed working with some very talented folks this go ’round. Finally decided my staff of three (that’s me, myself and I) needed some professional design and web help. I can envision what I want to do, but HTML is not my thing. And though Bluwaterguy is our tireless technical supporter, paying him in Coke Zero only goes so far! I’m VERY EXCITED about the new stuff. The ta-dah launch is end of the month. Stop by for the new look :-)Bwg
