Sunday marks the 35th anniversary of the passing of Jimi Hendrix, the rock-and-roll revolutionary whose unprecedented sonic explorations forever altered the landscape of popular music and, on a less favorable note, inspired millions of ungainly dorks like the Imbiber to embarrass themselves doing air guitar solos in bars. While pondering an appropriate way to mark the occasion and celebrate Jimi’s life and music, it occurred to me that there are several cocktails named after Hendrix tunes. While there is a certain irony to a booze-soaked tribute for a man who died after ingesting a lethal combination of alcohol and sleeping pills, something in the reckless hurricane blasts of noise he created suggests Jimi wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
So pop in “Are You Experienced?” and turn the volume up really loud. No fewer than three tracks from Hendrix’s incredible 1967 debut album were intoxicating enough to have drinks named after them. The most popular being a “Purple Haze,” which is usually prepared one of two ways — either with vodka, blackberry schnapps and orange juice, or vodka, raspberry liqueur and 7-Up. A “Foxey Lady” is Amaretto, crème de cacao and light cream shaken with ice and strained into a cocktail glass. Those with sweet teeth might want to try a “Red House” (Black Haus blackberry schnapps, sloe gin and cranberry juice). Jimi often made magic playing other artists’ music, and one of his most rousing covers was of the Trogg’s hit, “Wild Thing,” which appears on several of his live recordings. The drink that bears that name sounds pretty rockin’ as well: Tequila, club soda, cranberry and limejuice on the rocks.
Enjoy the weekend, friends, and here’s hoping Jimi Hendrix’s spirit and music move you. And with that, please excuse me while I kiss the sky.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 16, 2005. Read the original PDF.