I frantically searched for my phone in my mess of blankets. Must make it stop ringing before head explodes. “Hello,” I croaked when I found it, barely able to get the words out of my parched mouth.

“We are ridiculous,” Sara groaned from the other end, sounding equally as down for the count as me.

“This needs to stop,” I agreed, as I knocked over the glass of water on my nightstand. The glass of water I had meant to down before I passed out with my clothes still on (somehow I took my contact lenses out, go me!).

Yet again Sara and I had gone out agreeing we wouldn’t drink a lot, and yet again some kind stranger had bought us round after round of shots. And we accepted (because I’m pretty sure there’s a law that says you can’t turn down free alcohol). And yet again we were paying for it; and regretting it.

So, we decided we’d go two full weeks without drinking. Two weeks proving we could have fun without going out and going crazy. Two weeks without waking up with pounding headaches and feeling like we need to stay in bed the entire day. Two weeks without having to call each other first thing in the morning to find out exactly what happened the night before and wondering just how big of fools we had made of ourselves. We are getting too old for this ridiculousness. We wanted to see if we could go two weeks without drinking at all. Read More »

March 17^th is a wonderful day. Besides kicking off my birthday week (March 21^st and I love diamonds, if you were wondering), the 17^th of March also happens to be the day that we celebrate my favorite of Saints, the one, the only, Saint Patrick.

Like most people under the age of 30, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the top 3 holidays of the year, after Christmas (or Hanukkah) and before the 4^th of July. It is a day spent celebrating St. Patrick, one of the Patron Saints of Ireland.

Or, a day getting completely shitfaced and waking up in the morning with green teeth.

Which presents a problem on years such as this one when St. Patrick’s Day is on a Monday. Meaning, classes are in session.

I’ve been there. And I learned some difficult and painful lessons that I think everyone can – and must – learn from. Because when your friends decide to skip lecture and attend Keg and Eggs at 6am it will be hard to say no. You will rack your brain trying to come up with reasons why you too should not throw caution (and your Philo book) to the wind and partake in the festive meal. You will tell yourself that it is just one beer and you will be fine to make it to that review session/presentation at 4.

But take it from me. You will not be OK. It will not be one beer. And there is no way in hell you will be ready for anything besides cheese fries come 4pm. Read More »

Sometimes, when it comes to our drinks, all we want is simplicity.

Simple ingredients, easy to make, tasty, and above all—fun. Whether you’re out with your girls or hanging inside the dorm celebrating the end of a horrible midterm, fun shots that won’t break the bank are the way to go.

Here’s a two-ingredient shot that tastes awesome. It’s named after one of the best ice cream treats of all time, and, vodka has almost no carbs, so you can have your treat without feeling guilty.

…Although I would never advocate for the total elimination of ice cream from your diet. Ice cream is holy.

Banana Split

1 oz. banana liqueur
1 oz. good quality vodka*
maraschino cherries (optional)

Add the liqueur to your shot glass after the vodka. Stir once and drink. Bite into a maraschino cherry afterwards to take some of the edge off. Read More »

The recent invention of Red Bull has allowed many of us to experience nightlife like never before.

In the past, most of us fell into our beds on Friday night, the long week taking it’s toll on our brains and energy.

But these days, pour a little of that strange tasting liquid into a glass, and suddenly, we’re ready to run around campus in high heels, without a jacket, yelling loud hellos to whoever we happen to jump over.

If this week has been as long for you as it’s been for me (who gets sick twice in one month?!) take a shot of this before the clock strikes eleven tonight.

You should be rearing to go in no time.

Cherry Bomb

1 oz cherry vodka
3 oz Red Bull
1 splash grenadine syrup

Pour your vodka and Red Bull into a small glass. Add grenadine slowly so it sinks to the bottom for a cool layered effect.

Turn up some Journey, clink glasses, and get the night going! Read More »

You remember gumballs, right?

You’d go to the grocery store or movie theater as a kid, see those giant contraptions, and just need a gumball.

You’d die without a giant multicolored ball.

But your mom would always tell you no. And you’d hate her for awhile, because like, how could she deny you that amazing jolt of sugar?!

These days, I take a look at those huge gobs of processed chemicals and thank God my mom kept them away from my teeth.

As great as they tasted, I’m sure I’d have dentures by now had I always gotten one when I begged for it. This shot is an homage to those days spent screaming and stomping for a quarter:

Gumball

1 oz Jagermeister
1 oz Blue Curacao
1 splash Red Bull

Pour equal parts Jagermeister and blue Curacao into a cocktail shaker with some ice cubes. Add a medium splash of Red Bull. Shake briefly; strain into a shot glass, and serve…no whining required. Read More »

Days as a Freshman: 34
Current Mood: Anxious

“Grace!”

Naima grabbed me and screamed into my ear, doing her best shout over the booming speakers. Crystal and I had found a corner to stand in off to the side of the student center, a small alcove to watch hundreds of sweaty people gyrate and generally make fools of themselves in the name of Friday night.

“It’s packed tonight! Dances usually aren’t!” Crystal reached into her pocket and pulled out a small metal flask. “It’s because it’s the first one, I bet!” Unscrewing the top, Crystal passed her flask to me.

“What’s in this?” I held it slightly behind my back, nervous about who might see.

“Just straight vodka.” Crystal squinted into the crowd, holding a hand over the ear closest to the giant speakers. “It tastes horrible, but whatever. Does the trick!”

Naima reached behind my back and took the flask, smiling and putting it to her lips. “Bottoms up!” She shouted, taking a huge gulp.

I waited for the inevitable grimace, but nothing came. Naima just continued to smile and put the flask covertly back in my hand. Read More »

Oh, Snickers! I love you.

You have everything that was ever good stuffed together and covered in chocolate. You are my favorite candy bar. You are even better frozen.

But alas, you hate me. You do! Why? Because of how many calories are in you. Because eating you will give me all the fat I need in one day.

And yet, you tempt me so.

What’s a girl to do? Make a shot that’s the closet thing to your fat-abulous goodness, that’s what.

Snickers Bar

• 1/3 Frangelico
• 1/3 Kahlua
• 1/3 Bailey’s Irish Cream

Take a rocks glass (bigger than a shot glass, smaller than a plastic red cup) and fill it with ice. Pour your Frangelico and Kahlua into the glass, and then “float” the Bailey’s on top.

The best way to “float” a liquor is to hold a spoon upside down and drip the alcohol into you glass drop by drop. It takes a while, but it’s worth it—plus, you look cool. Read More »

Whenever I think about shots, I always think of something tasty, girly, and fun to swallow in a giant gulp. Drinking should be a social and enjoyable experience, and I usually equate taking swigs of hard liquor with being a sad, lonely drunk who may or may not be awaiting a liver transplant.

That being said, there’s always something impressive about a girl who can deal with heavy duty alcohol. Taking a ‘manly’ shot is a surefire way to impress whoever you happen to want to impress, and helps you feel like a badass—at least until it hits your throat and burns a thousand fires.

In honor of tough girls everywhere, this week’s shot is full of grit and bite, and definitely not for the faint of heart.

Silver Bullet

½ oz. vodka
½ oz scotch

Poor good quality vodka in your shot glass, top it off with a good quality scotch (skimping on cheap liquor will only make this a more difficult experience), give everyone your best tough-chick stance, yell “I’m not afraid of pain!!” and throw it down the hatch.

…just remember, nothing says “I can’t handle my liquor” like getting so wasted start dancing to music only you can hear.