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Stories in Proof that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
Champagne: Commodifying the women who built an empire
"Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!" Dom Pérignon, the French monk (incorrectly) attributed to discovering champagne, is romantically remembered exclaiming this as he sipped on the effervescent beverage in the 17th century (Epstein, 2011). Pérignon was followed by many other men in characterizing the refined beverage that is enjoyed at celebrations all over the world. In thinking of champagne, one might, as Becky Sue Epstein reminisced in her history on champagne, imagine popular male characters like James Bond enigmatically sipping on champagne, or male athletes popping a bottle open in celebration. Champagne is a drink synonymous with starry skies, black cocktail dresses, and the flowery words on a page of an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. He even famously wrote, "I'll drink your champagne. I'll drink every drop of it, I don't care if it kills me." It is universally accepted as a mood setter, an aphrodisiac as Catherine the Great was convinced (Epstein, 2011). It is recognized as a toast to celebration and accomplishment, Epstein (2011) writing, “champagne continues to be the beverage that signals special occasions and celebrations, no matter what the climate or the economy is like – in life as well as on screen” (p. 11). Historically, champagne has represented this idea of celebration since is acceptance in the 17th century, however, it has celebrated men and sexualized women despite the feminist champions who built the champagne empire as a whole.
Talia NicolePublished 8 months ago in Proof"In What Furnace Was Thy Brain?"*
*From "The Tyger" by William Blake Most amino acids build proteins. Undeniably important, they are the basis of the body's structure. Nevertheless, some amino acids have other roles, roles that help sew together the vast complex of protein structures into a seamlessly moving, thinking creature.
D. Thea BaldrickPublished 9 months ago in Proof
The Many Faces Of Fire Water
Moonshine is a high-proof liquor with a rich history. It gets its name from the illegal practice of making it. There are no rules to creating moonshine. Just four ingredients; cornmeal, sugar, water, and yeast, and simple equipment. It doesn’t require time to mature like wine, so it can be drunk on the same day it was bottled. The simplicity of making it is what attracts a lot of people to brew it at home. This smooth, slightly sweet, beverage began in Britain around the 15th century and is still being made today, despite its illegal status in most states. June 5th is the day we honor moonshine. So, today we’ll discuss its many uses outside of having a good time.
M.L. LewisPublished 10 months ago in Proof10 No-Fuss Cocktails for St. Patrick's Day
Every year for St. Patrick's Day, my husband and I celebrate in a rather heretical fashion: the American way. In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is not a boozy holiday, but a religious reminder of Saint Patrick and all of his kind deeds. Like most holidays, this Americanized Irish celebration has strayed far from the original intention and meaning, and been replaced with a favored popular pastime; drinking. So, in celebration, I have for you ten of our favorite easy to make cocktails to enjoy at home.
E.L. MartinPublished about a year ago in ProofThe Alcoholic History Of Vodka
I am no stranger to the bar, the cigar bar to be more precise. I have been requested to cover two things: A). History B). F*cked up stories from Florida
Jessica BuggPublished about a year ago in ProofThe Top 6 Healthiest Dry Red Wines That Undoubtedly Pack a Big Punch!
Do you need an excuse to uncork a bottle and take a sip of your favorite pinot noir or malbec? Of course not, right? Drinking red wines may offer many health benefits. It’s helpful in heart disease, cancer, low blood pressure, and so on.
Ashley Marie's Best Tequila Cocktails feat. Calirosa
Hey dolls! I hope you all are having a wonderful day wherever you are! If you know anything about me, you know that I love a good girls’ night. Getting dolled up and heading out for the night is fabulous, but sometimes you just need to take an evening to catch up with your sisters.
Ashley Marie RosasPublished about a year ago in Proof
To Kir, or Kir Royale?
Despite being the plebeian I am, I have been fortunate enough to have traveled well-beyond where I was born here in the United States of America. In fact, I can't actually remember the state where I was born. I was too young, and we moved when I was six months old due to my father being re-stationed. He was in the military.
Mimi SonnerPublished 2 years ago in ProofHow To Drink Beer And Avoid A Beer Belly
Well, this is a very common question from the crowd who frequently drink beer and get worried about putting on a few extra pounds in the form of a beer gut. If you face a similar issue, there are a few simple things to do. This can help you burn off those bulgy layers of fat like magic, without quitting beer altogether.
Hajii BrownPublished 2 years ago in Proof
The Free Wine Fountain in Italy
Have you ever walked past a fountain and wished for the water to come out as something else? Imagine a fountain that drenches your thirst with freshly squeezed lemonade or refills your pints with draft beer. A town in Italy has something that many of us can only dream of; a fountain filled with Italian red wine!
People! Just say Something!Published 2 years ago in ProofBrooklyn or Bust: Best 5 Bars in the Borough
My Love Letter to Bed-Stuy and Down-to-Earth Dives Bedford-Stuyvesant: My neighborhood since 2019. In my short time going out here, I've found something I've never been able to fully grasp and hold onto unlike anywhere else: community and dive bars within walking distance.
Heather WhitesidePublished 2 years ago in Proof3 Summer cocktails to stand out
With hot weather coming soon, it's time to ditch the Hot Toddy's and look forward to refreshing drinks. Summer brings people together and there is no better way to gather with the loved ones than with some amazing drinks to enjoy in the garden.
