those of you familiar with Intoxicated Zodiac know that pretty much every day is EARTH DAY around here! so i’m going to honor this holiday by paying homage to another that was sorely overlooked. that would be WORLD WATER DAY. it passed without much fanfare about a month back.

angus winchester wisely declares in the march 2007 issue of BARTENDER MAGAZINE, that the most important cocktail ingredient is not vodka, not gin, not lemon, nor sugar… it’s water! ice, ice, baby…

he states that “the most important thing he has learned in 15 years of bartending is a pint of water and two paracetemol before bed.” ok, i have no clue what para whatever is, but angus goes on to rightly claim that “bartenders should give them tap water at every opportunity. [he] suggests after a while those who drink water will feel better the next day and make the connection, or maybe you could use the reason you are encouraging water drinking to demonstrate your knowledge and increase your connection with the customer.” in [his] fantasy bar every cocktail would come with a water back.”

i could NOT agree more. i practically have to beg the bartender to get me water when i’m out for the night. not to mention, in a crowded bar who needs dehydrated bad breath? plenty water makes for more than just long lines at the lou, it helps freshen breath.

there are several types of waters which include mineral water, artesian water, sparkling water, spring water, sterile water and well water.

of course there are a zillion enhanced waters on the market. most recently, HOLY DRINKING WATER, has become available! yes, blessed water in a bottle.

last year, THE NEW YORK TIMES wrote a pretty groundbreaking piece on cocktails. it had to do with the spiritual quality of water and it’s effect on the taste of cocktails.

EMPLOYEES ONLY in NYC did an experiment inspired by a Japanese photographer Masaru Emoto, who believes that water is positively or negatively affected by energy. “By taking photos of frozen water molecules, Emoto found there was a difference in the crystal structures of water that had been blessed with prayer and water that hadn’t.” “So [they] conducted an experiment. Five bartenders, all making the same drink. A daiquiri. Measured pours. The same ice. And the drinks were all different. [They] repeated the experiment many times, and always the same result.” it brings a whole nother meaning to the phrase “think positive,” doesn’t it?

“We cannot know why this is,” Mr. Zaric said. “We can only observe the consequences.” But Mr. Zaric has a theory, of course. “If the bartender is relaxed and confident the drink will taste one way,” he said, pausing to shake a martini. “If he’s anxious, if his buttons are being pushed, the drink will taste another. The bartender doesn’t want to make you a bad drink — it just comes out that way.”

THE CRYSTAL ON THE LEFT WAS PHOTOGRAPHED WITHOUT PRAYER. THE ONE ON THE RIGHT WAS AFTER AN HOUR LONG PRAYER SESSION. a picture is worth a thousand words! (credit)

Below you’ll find some interesting water-related tidbits…

***the average amercian family consumes 300 gallons of water a day. when you count watering the lawn and washing dishes, clothes and cars. some ideas on recycling water:

1. while waiting for the tap to heat up, save the cold water in a pitcher and use it to flush the toilet. got a humidifier? empty it into the plants. and don’t let your pet’s unused water go to waste. don’t just dump it down the drain, dump it into a plant.
2. install a low flow showerhead.
3. collect rainwater. yes, you can set up a fancy gathering system. or just use a few five gallon pails to start with.

***the term WATER WAR refers not to kevin costners bombed movie, but a very possible catastrophe. corporations are buying up what was once free. forget about gold – water treatment stocks is where it’s at – but keep it diversified. not every company will make it, but the future is strong for liquid investments.

***if you’re in the big apple, catch the WATER=LIFE EXHIBIT running though may 26th, at the MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.

check out this cool water “bridge” recently discovered by scientists. VIA PHYSORG

celebrate this earth day by appreciating water. also, it wouldn’t hurt to check out my OFFICIAL LIST OF ECO-ALCOHOL or to peruse colleen’s EARTH DAY PIECE too.