Chicago bar serves up $950 cocktail

[Scooter24]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-12-17-ruby-red_x.htm

CHICAGO (AFP) — A jeweler turned drink designer has made a splash in the Chicago bar scene with a new cocktail that costs a whopping $950.

The Ruby Red is a tangy mix of vodka, champagne, cognac, pomegranate liqueur and orange juice. And it comes complete with a 1-carat, grade-A ruby.

"We kind of were playing with an idea that someone could come in and have something to celebrate and remember the night by," said Pete Gugni, a manager at the trendy Reserve club in downtown Chicago.

Gugni said the club wanted to come up with something more memorable than opening a bottle of champagne.

"That's where the stone comes in — at the end of the night they can take it home."

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Who want's to be the first to buy me one? :D

[Newsjock]

1. Thus reinforcing my notion ...

... that the top marginal federal income tax rate it not nearly high enough, and ought to be roughly what it was in the 1950s, adjusted for inflation: 92% on net income above roughly $3.5 million.

[Straight Shooter]

2. I know 10 people who could really use $95 for their heating bill.

This kind of silliness of including a ruby in an alcoholic beverage is precisely why so many of the wealthy are often viewed in contempt. Anyway, it was probably dug from the earth by some low-wage worker who is barely getting by under bad conditions.

[NightOwwl]

4. I must confess...I think it's kind of a neat idea....

and if one has the money to spend on a whimsical fancy, well, what of it?

I think the views that state one must never have fun with their hard-earned money is why (and I'm generalizing here) Democrats have a reputation as elitists.

[Beam Me Up]

6. Hard earned or hardly earned?

Most of the wealthy I know barely work at all but live off trusts.

[NightOwwl]

8. Most people I know worked hard for their money....

but the point is, I don't like to generalize. Good, bad, rich, poor...there are plenty of each to go around.

[Beam Me Up]

14. Then they aren't the wealthy I'm speaking of.

There are people who choose not to work at all. They have inheritances, investments and trust funds. Some of them could care less about politics, some identify as Republicans because their investment portfolio iS their employment. On the other hand, I know one with a conscience who does very important, non paid, political work for the left, and another who lives almost like a monk.

[Jed Dilligan]

16. Why make distinctions?

There is too much disparity in wealth no matter how the rich got their money. It's time to take some of it back, whether they live like monks or shwill thousand dollar cocktails.

[Beam Me Up]

20. No argument from me.

My point was to Night Owwl that not all wealthy people earn their incomes from jobs.

[Straight Shooter]

7. I still think it's silly.

Let people have fun if they want, but this is ridiculous. Again, JMHO. I get my kicks out of helping people, not fishing rubies out of alcohol. :shrug:

[NightOwwl]

9. Maybe some of us can do both. n/t

[Straight Shooter]

10. Maybe some of us, but I doubt if those bar patrons will. n/t

[fishwax]

12. thinking its wasteful to drop a grand on a cocktail makes one elitist?

that doesn't really make sense to me. :shrug:

[teknomanzer]

21. You want to know what Elitism is?

Dropping a grand on a five dollar cocktail and taking home a colored rock and calling that a memorable evening.

[QC]

24. I'm still trying to figure that one out myself. n/t

[Left Is Write]

28. It's not a grand on a cocktail, though.

It's a grand on a ruby dipped in booze.

[KittyWampus]

23. It's A Fucking BEAUTIFUL Idea. No Matter How Much Money People

do or don't spend... there will be those who are in need. How do the sanctimonious DU'ers know whether someone indulging in that drink hasn't donated huge amounts of money and/or time to others?

And you are spot on about the prevalent attitude on this thread showing why Dems are so easily labelled "elitist" despite the fact they try to mindful of those not well off financially.

I am reminded of the thread where Will Pitt squee'ed about a really expensive dinner he had with his girlfriend at the time. People posted really shitty things about him for going all out.

[UncleSepp]

13. Here's a high-concept restaurant idea

I wonder if someone might operate a restaurant that served $5 meals for $50 and donated the excess over the reasonable profit margin to feed the hungry? Maybe the gimmick at the restaurant could be that no matter how many people there are in your party, there's always one extra chair at the table to represent the people who are sharing your table. It could be an interesting challenge for the chefs, too - put a limit on the cost of ingredients for the food, and get as beautiful and creative as possible within a budget that represents what a low-income family has to spend. It could be a way for people to still show off and have a great night out on the town, but know that their splashy night helped others.

[Missy Vixen]

15. Come to Seattle and have dinner at Fare Start

>It could be a way for people to still show off and have a great night out on the town, but know that their splashy night helped others.<

Fare Start is a local nonprofit that trains the homeless to work in the restaurant industry. Every Thursday night is "guest chef night"; chefs from well-known restaurants in Seattle come in to offer instruction and help the students prepare dinner for a dining room full of guests. A four-course excellent dinner is $19.95, which is a fraction of what dinner would cost in restaurants like Tom Douglas' Dahlia Lounge, to name one chef that's been there quite often. It's a truly enjoyable evening, and every dime of the proceeds go to Fare Start's programs.

If you live in or are visiting Seattle, be sure and visit Fare Start. You can learn more about them and their programs at the following: http://www.farestart.org.

Julie

[UncleSepp]

22. I live in Seattle - FareStart's great!

I haven't been to FareStart, but I've been at parties catered by FareStart. I am a huge fan of the concept. I'll have to check out those Thursday nights, that sounds great!

[datasuspect]

18. high carb, high fat, high sugar meals

for $100. and they get to eat it among the homeless in a shelter or church basement. under gunpoint. and they have to use the bathroom facilities.

[JVS]

3. I wonder how the people drinking those tip

[KharmaTrain]

5. No Wonder I Woke Up And My Wallet Was Gone...

How come I think this concotion is being made at the Blue Dolphin...sucking in those tourists ($$$$)...Drink up, suckers....ROFL!

Remember, Chicago's the home of the infamous Mickey Finn...looks like someone's come up with a 21st version. :rofl:

[Swamp Rat]

11. People are living in tents on the Gulf Coast.

Don't choke on that ruby Pete Gugni! :eyes:

[mark414]

17. i would love to give anyone who buys one of those

a good swift kick in the balls

[QC]

19. 100% tax on large incomes and estates. NOW!

Karl Marx himself could not have come up with a more compelling argument than this one.

[KittyWampus]

25. Does the same comment apply to idiots spending 100's on sporting event

tickets or concert tickets?

[spacelady]

26. Good Point. Face it , people will spend on whatever they want,

and sometimes cannot afford. The balance in encouraging these same spenders to give to those in need is what is desirable. Case in point: my husband was laid off at the beginning of * first "term". We scrimped & saved for 3 years to not go broke. Now, for this Christmas, we have spent more than usual because we feel just a little more secure. Maybe in the future we will be feeling more charitable, in a monetary way. But money is not the only way to help people, I try to give back in other ways.

[supernova]

27. Oooh! I want one!

Rubies are my favorite, and my birthstone. :-)

Good quality Rubies are hard to find.