Bootlegger’s Blues Headlined My Augusta Caturday

By: Todd Kelsch

Despite the gloomy weather, I had quite the Saturday. My family and I started the day at Archer’s best friend’s birthday party. Happy birthday, London. Mike and Laurie Bach are always amazing hosts. I was then off to the 10th annual Bracken County Democratic Party’s cookout. Not only did I get to share some of my vision as a potential city council member but I also got to meet several great people who are running for office at the state and local levels. One notable conversation I had was with State Representative John Sims. Sims is part of a committee on sports betting in Kentucky and is a proponent of its legalization in our state. Sims is killing it in Frankfort. He has backed legal cannabis bills, has been very supportive of our public school teachers and their fight against cuts to public education and now has a vision for sports betting in the commonwealth that would include a sports betting app. I ran into my Uncle Tay who is running for mayor of Augusta. Tay had some really great things to say about his candidacy. He also mentioned to me that his daughter, my cousin, Mary was bartending at the Swingtime pre-party at the community center. So, being several Yuengling’s in, I thought it couldn’t hurt to have one more drink on my walk home. 

Mary was assisting Experience Augusta KY. Experience Augusta KY is a nonprofit organization that is interested in promoting our touristy attractions while also being creative in adding new attractions. My dear aunt Laurie Kelsch and Liz Earick have been very involved leaders of the nonprofit group. They created a bourbon-centric drink as part of their presentation at the Swingtime mixer. The Bootlegger’s Blues was amazing. I have to give the drink an A+ in every category. The drink starts with muddled orange peel and mint leaves. The bourbon is combined with creme d’yvette, a homemade simple syrup that includes star anise and caraway, and then you’re not gonna believe the garnish, A SMALL SCOOP OF VANILLA ICE CREAM! The drink is served on the rocks and when the ice cream starts melting, your taste buds become aroused. Ended my Saturday with something that hadn’t happened since 1986 (I was 3). The Cats went into the Swamp and beat the Gators. SNELL YEAH!