Men and Women Can’t Be Friends

Even without having seen the film, most people could tell you where the famous diner scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal is from. I didn't watch the movie until my mid twenties, and now it’s an annual tradition for me and my friends. Funny, emotional, and a little cliché, “When Harry Met Sally...” is a rom-com gem. It hits all the tropes of the cheesy film genre it belongs to, but its sincerity shines through and that is what has made it a classic. Written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner, “When Harry Met Sally…” is the perfect New Year's Eve flick, and the film that inspired our latest cocktail creation.

Harry and Sally meet for the first time as they travel together from college to New York City. The two do not hit it off and argue the entire drive from Chicago. Harry insists to Sally that men and women can never be friends, sex always gets in the way. Once they arrive at their destination they part ways and hope to never have to see each other again.

Five years later they cross paths, life has changed, Harry is getting married and Sally’s fallen in love. Trapped on an airplane together, they argue most of their flight. They part ways again and it’s another 5 years before they run into each other at a bookstore. But this time, life has left them both humbled and alone. Harry’s divorced and Sally dumped. So this time they give friendship a chance.

From enemies to best friends, Harry and Sally deny the inevitable. Over the next two years they grow closer and eventually fall in love. And even though it took them 12 years to get there, Harry finally confesses his love for Sally on New Year’s Eve, the most magical night of the year.

“What does this song mean? My whole life, I don't know what this song means. I mean, 'Should old acquaintance be forgot.’ Does that mean that we should forget old acquaintances? Or does it mean that if we happened to forget them, we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot 'em?” - Harry

“Well, maybe it just means that... we should remember that we forgot them, or something. Anyway, it's about old friends.” - Sally

To toast in the new year with Harry and Sally we put a tasty spin on the traditional glass of champagne. In a champagne glass we soak a sugar cube in Peychaud’s Bitters. Peychaud’s flavor is bright and sweet, with notes of licorice, caramel, and cloves. Then we add a quarter ounce of Creme de Cassis that brings a rich dark berry flavor to the cocktail. We top off the drink using our favorite type of bubbly, any kind will work but preferably a brut so the cocktail isn’t overly sweet. Named after the most iconic line in the movie, What She’s Having is a sure way to kick off the new year right. Happy New Year!

What She’s Having

Ingredients:

1 sugar cube

4 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

.25 oz Creme de Cassis

Brut champagne

Instructions:

1. Place a sugar cube in a champagne flute and soak in Peychaud’s Bitters.

2. Pour in .25oz Crème de Cassis.

3. Top with chilled Champagne and enjoy!