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Virginia Bartender Mixes Cocktails And Curiosity In New Book

University of Virginia Press

The holiday season is here and for some people that means parties, rich food and traditional drinks.  This year there’s something new to guide the creation of those cocktails – a book called The Imbible

It was written by a Virginia bartender with a masters degree in linguistics and a unique view of his trade. 

Talk to the bartender at Alley Light in Charlottesville, a dimly lit speakeasy with no sign out front, and you’ll get a surprisingly academic explanation for his current career. 

"I was really interested in the culture surrounding people getting together and merry making," says Micah LeMon.

LeMon has thought deeply about craft cocktails, analyzing their essence.  " You need an alcohol base. You need to sweeten it, and then you need to balance it with something either acidic or something bitter or in some cases a little of both."

He shares his philosophy and his recipes in a new book from the University of Virginia Press – the Imbible, and in the course of this interview he shared his thoughts on a holiday favorite -- eggnog. "Eggnog is kind of an interesting theoretical beverage, because mention sweet, sour, bitter – eggnog does not have the third component in, but it has an alternative component, which is fatty or savory."

He’s also generous with advice on how to avoid a hangover. "Not drinking too much," he says is the most sure-fire way. But if it’s too late for that, here are his thoughts on the morning after. "I would have a big breakfast.  Wifey likes to have a Bloody Mary.  Drink some coffee, try to go to the gym."

Ironically, LeMon had one obstacle to overcome as he moved into the world of mixology.  He comes from a devout Pentecostal family where drinking was strictly forbidden.