I think it’s fair to say that probably no one really likes martinis as beginning drinkers. Vodka martinis might go down a bit easier than gin, but to neophytes, martinis taste pretty much like straight booze, and not in a good way. No wonder most of us start with rum and Coke, screwdrivers, the hated (by me…even when I was drinking them) Long Island Ice Teas, and my early favorite, Kamikazes (I’ll probably do that one eventually). Indeed, the only reason I developed my early affection for vodka martinis, which later graduated to gin, was that I really love olives and found green ones tasted extra-delicious after soaking in alcohol for a bit. So, it was sort of refreshing to find that I can still acquire a taste, as this week’s drink did not go down well initially.

I wasn’t alone. Frankly, the Fernet Branca Cocktail doesn’t seem to have many fans. I got it from Harry Craddock’s classic Savoy Cocktail Book, which regular readers will note I’ve been referring to a lot recently. Still, this particular drink is more esoteric than most. Indeed, the only online reference I could find was a 2008 post from Erik Ellestad’s Savoy Stomp blog. Ellestad’s project (still ongoing as far as I can tell) is to make every cocktail in Craddock’s recipe-filled tome. He didn’t seem overly fond of this one. Still, I got to sorta like the drink named for perhaps the ultimate cult liqueur.

The Fernet Branca Cocktail

3/4 ounce Fernet Branca
3/4 ounce sweet vermouth (or, maybe, Punt e Mes)
1 1/2 ounce gin

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with tons of ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail shaker. Sip slowly, perhaps toasting St. Patrick, who was not only the patron saint of the Irish, but also of second chances.

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Harry Craddock promotes this drink as a hangover cure, and it’s true that Fernet began its life as a stomach medicine. Nevertheless, my initial reaction was that, while it might not be an effective cure for hangovers, it was probably nasty enough it might prevent future ones by discouraging you from drinking at all.

I tried it again. This time, though, I used one of my favorite ingredients, Punt e Mes, a delicious vermouth with more of a bitter edge than most brands. I seemed to like it better now. Was the chocolatey bitterness of the Punt e Mes somehow cancelling out the more acrid/medicinal flavor of the Fernet? Well, then I tried it again with good ol’ sweet Noilly Pratt and I found I liked it better still. I guess I was just getting used to it.

Now, will the Fernet Branca Cocktail ever become a personal go-to drink for me the way a martini is now? I really don’t think so. Still, it is a way to acquaint ourselves with the many odd, and I do mean odd, flavors of Fernet.

Beautiful Michelle Baena is the ultimate blonde bombshell!

According to leading American business magazine Forbes, electronic cigarette sales are expected to surpass $1 billion by the end of 2013. Known tobacco companies realize the potential profit of the e-cigarette and are making business moves to capitalize.

Lorillard (manufacturer of the brands Newport, Kent, True, Old Gold, Maverick, Triumph, Satin, and Max) purchased Blu ECigs, distributed it to 80,000 stores nationwide, and spent millions of dollars to heavily market the e-cig through all mediums of media.

Altria Group (Basic, Black & Mild, Copenhagen, Marlboro, Optima, Parliament, Skoal, Virginia Slims) created their own electronic cigarette to compete in the growing industry. “If the technology continues to innovate the way that it has been, in 10-15 years from now, we are the replacement to big tobacco,” says Andries Verleur, CEO and co-founder of e-cigarette maker V2 Cigs.

The question remains:

What is an electronic cigarette?

With media exposure covering all aspects of the electronic cigarette industry, it’s difficult to not be curious about the innovative piece of technology. According to the ProSmoke Electronic Cigarettes, the e-cig is an electronic device that vaporizes a solution of nicotine, water, and flavoring to simulate the feel and look of cigarettes.

“Unlike nicotine gum or the nicotine patch, the e-cigarette actually functions much like a regular cigarette. However, rather than burning and smoking, it vaporizes a solution that contains nicotine. The nicotine is still delivered to the body, but in vapor form rather than smoke which contains carcinogens and tar. ProSmoke E-cigarettes do not burn like a typical cigarette, yet feel the same and have the choice of multiple nicotine levels, including no nicotine.”

How does the electronic cigarette work?

Typically, electronic cigarettes are constructed using three components:

– Cartridge: The cartridge usually holds the liquid nicotine and is where the user inhales on the cigarette. The liquid in the cartridge is vaporized by the atomizer for the user to inhale. Users can refill the cartridge with various “flavors” of liquid nicotine or replace it with pre-filled flavor cartridges – usually sold by the vendor.

– Atomizer (or cartomizer): The atomizer is usually a small heating element in the center of the e-cig. High performance electronic cigarette brands have atomizers that can be used for months, while other brands combine the atomizer and cartridge together for less performance, but simpler usage.

– Power: Electronic cigarettes have rechargeable batteries and are usually the biggest part of the device. The battery is usually an electronic airflow sensor – activated when you take drags through the device. Other e-cigs use power buttons that must be held while inhaling.

The device vaporizes the smoke by heating the nicotine liquid with minimal temperature – just enough to create vapor instead of smoke. Usually, the liquid (most likely propylene glycol, which is a common ingredient of the e-liquid) is vaporized at 185°C – 210°C. Regular cigarettes are known to reach up to about 900°C due to the oxygen provided while inhaling – creating various carcinogens and tar in the process. In essence, common sense would say electronic cigarettes are fundamentally healthier for the human body than tobacco cigarettes for that reason alone.

Are they satisfying?

Some electronic cigarette users have successfully quit tobacco use by making a slow transition from one vice to another. With the many flavors that e-cig vendors offer, it’s difficult to not want to make the switch. Electronic cigarettes are typically $50 – $150 and sell cartridges (which can be an equivalent of multiple packs of cigarettes) for around $5 – $10. This can mean a cheaper vice for individuals who enjoy nicotine.

Tobacco smokers should consider the electronic cigarette if they’re interested in saving money, using an alternative to tobacco, and enjoy the rush of nicotine without the taste of smoke and tar.

Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Josh Gad, Gwyneth Paltrow, Patrick Fugit, Alecia Moore, Joely Richardson

Stuart Blumberg

Sex addiction is a tricky topic – some believe that it’s a genuine disease that deserves to be treated on the same level as drugs and alcohol, while others think it’s a convenient excuse for a certain type of behavior – which is probably why so few movies have been made on the subject. But whereas 2011’s “Shame” took a darker look at the effects of sex addiction, writer/director Stuart Blumberg’s “Thanks for Sharing” is more interested in the recovery phase. As a result, it’s bound to garner much less attention than the NC-17 rated Steve McQueen drama, and rightfully so, because this is pretty standard indie fare that’s only elevated by its ensemble cast.

The film follows the intersecting lives of three men in various stages of recovery. Eco-friendly businessman Adam (Mark Ruffalo) has been sober for five years, and when he finally jumps back into the dating pool at the behest of his sponsor Mike (Tim Robbins), he meets the beautiful Phoebe (Gwyneth Paltrow), who has obvious concerns about his “addiction.” Mike, meanwhile, is a 12-step guru who trusts so much in the program that he doesn’t believe his drug addict son Danny (Patrick Fugit) – who suddenly returns home one night after a years-long absence – could possibly get clean on his own. And lastly, there’s Neil (Josh Gad), a schlubby doctor who’s been court ordered to attend sex addiction meetings and assigned Adam as his sponsor. Neil is in denial about the whole thing, but when he gets fired from his job for secretly filming up his boss’ skirt, he decides to take the program more seriously with the help of a fellow sex addict named Dede (Alecia Moore, aka Pink).

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We love pretty models like Jennifer. The natural light highlights her lovely face.