Angostura and Soda…Happy 100th Birthday, Julia Child!

As I type I’ve got my feet up on my backyard patio ottoman and am imbibing in what I’m told was Julia Child’s favorite cocktail, the Angosoda – a simple, sophisticated, scarcely-alcholic and incredibly refreshing mix of Angostura bitters, soda and lime on the rocks. Julia would have turned 100 years old today and I am proud to raise a glass in her honor.

Keep Calm and Add ButterWhen I was a little girl watching “The French Chef” on TV, I thoroughly believed Julia Child was actually French. It was the name of the show, right? And her high-pitched warbly voice, rising and falling as she deftly walked us through each dish sounded…well…foreign to my ears. Clearly, I didn’t know much about her back then. I never would have guessed that she was from California, just like I was, that she worked as a spy (kind of) or that she didn’t publish her first cookbook until she was 49 years old.

I wrote a tribute to Julia Child on the PBS website last month in which I described how I’ve been inspired by the way she lived her life – “how she challenged herself, pursued uncharted territory and taught what she learned to others”. I have yet to prepare her iconic Sole Meunière or Boeuf Bourguignon – in fact, this Angosoda is the first recipe of Julia’s that I’ve ever made – but I nonetheless feel connected to her as someone who loves food, cooking, sharing, laughing…and butter. 🙂

Happy 100th birthday to a remarkable woman who continues to inspire cooks all over the world. Cheers!

Angostura and Soda...get the recipe at www.cookingontheside.com

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4 Comments

  1. What a way to celebrate Julia… with a beverage! This looks so good and a perfect end of the summer cocktail!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  2. This sounds so refreshing – perfect for these warm summer days!

    Posted 8.16.12 Reply
  3. I used to watch the French Chef too! It’s amazing how timeless her episodes are.

    Posted 8.17.12 Reply