Bona Fide Potents

Twice As Nice For Twice the Price

This Friday, November 24th is the second annual Reverend Al’s Bona Fide Anti-Black Friday Sale. That’s right folks, I will be taking Internet orders to raise money to keep fighting the good fight. Last year we raised just over $1000. Every product will be priced at double the normal sale price with proceeds going to these fine organizations:

The Southern Poverty Law Center to fight hate because there weren’t good people behind Charlotsville.

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project to protect our newest or most vulnerable citizens and those looking for a path to citizenship

Feed253 to feed food insecure families in the 253.

Oasis Youth Center to provide a safe space for gay teens.

Everytown to end gun violence.

Take yourself on a funky ride. The Purple One will sex up your average margarita you'll almost want to give it some privacy. Use this with white or repasado tequila or leave out the lime and double the Purple to mix it up a bit.

1½ oz. Tequila

½ - ¾ oz. The Purple One (to taste)

½ oz fresh lime juice

½ - ¾ oz triple sec

ice

salt for the rim

Local legend and bartender MURRAY STENSON created the THE HOT CHARLOTTE at Zig Zag Café below Pike Place Market. Sometimes Seattle gets it right.

1½ oz. Hendrick’s Gin

1 oz. English Cucumber & Meyer Lemon Elixir

½ oz Elderflower Liqueur

½ oz lemon juice

Tabasco sauce (to taste)

1 cucumber wheel (for garnish)

Sit back and breath. Picture a beach and a Purlple Paloma in your hand. Smell the berries and grapefruit. Taste the salt rim. Sip and relax. Indulge in the knowledge that life is beautiful without walls.

2 oz. silver tequila or mezcal, my friend

½ - ¾ oz. the purple one

2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice

club soda

sea salt

grapefruit wedge (garnish)

Tacoma! Who wants a good punch recipe for their Festivus parties and get togethers? I do! Here are a a few that I worked on and Potent-ified for your festive drinking pleasure.

Hello you beautiful people, you. I wanted to give you a quick update on how the sale went and shipping.

–1. The numbers: It appears that after fees and expenses, we will have raised a little over $1000 for our list:

The Southern Poverty Law Center to fight hate

The ACLU to defend our rights.

Planned Parenthood to keep our families healthy.

National Immigration Law Center to help our newest and future citizens.

Oasis Youth Center to provide a safe space for gay teens.

Everytown to end gun violence.

–2. I will begin shipping orders early next week. They'll arrive in plenty of time if you ordered the Potents as a gift. BTW- how generous are you? In case anyone asks, very. That's how generous.

More updates soon but thanks to everyone who shared, tweeted, reblogged or ordered during the sale. It exceeded my expectations both in sales but more importantly helped lift my mood. It's encouraging to see that there is an America that cares about civil liberties, ending racism and creating safe spaces for each other over baseless fear and selfish interests.

If you are still struggling with how you can help or what to do, check out Wall-of-Us. It issues four easy to do actions each week. For example, here's who to call and what to say at the Senate Judiciary Committee requesting that they reject the appointment of Sen. Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. Easy.

https://www.wall-of-us.org/weekly-acts-of-resistance/2016/11/26/reject-sessions

Take care, all and let me know in the comments if there are other helpful resources out there.

This Friday, November 25th is the first ever Reverend Al's Bona Fide Potents Anti-Black Friday Sale. That's right folks, for the first time I will be taking Internet orders to raise money to fight what's turning out to be an aggressively regressive administration. Every product will be priced at double the normal sale price with proceeds going to these fine organizations:

The Southern Poverty Law Center to fight hate.

The ACLU to defend our rights.

Planned Parenthood to keep our families healthy.

National Immigration Law Center to help our newest and future citizens.

Oasis Youth Center to provide a safe space for gay teens.

Everytown to end gun violence.

2 oz dry gin

1/2 oz Dolin Blanc vermouth

1/4 oz Cocchi Americano

1/2 - 3/4 oz English Cucumber Cooler

Mint

salt

citrus bitters

Gently muddle mint in a shaker, just pressing until bruised, add ice, gin, vermouth, americano, the Potents and a pinch of salt. Stir well and pour into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Add a few dashes of Bona Fide Potents Citrus Bitters.

You could substitute a dry vourmouth if you don't have the Dolin Blanc and Cocchi.

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted so I want to give you an update.

First, new products! Yay! Everyone loves new things, right? I know you do, Tacoma. Three weeks ago, I released my ninth Potent, an elixir I’m calling the “Goddess of Autumn.” It’s made with Granny Smith apples, a smoked tea called lapsong suchong, lemon zest and cedar tips, nettles and other spices. Think a brisk, clear day with woodsmoke in the air and that pretty much sums it up. It’s beautiful with light and dark rum, pisco, whiskey, especially Irish whiskey, AND it’s caffeinated.

The second new product is a refreshing ginger drink made with maple syrup and apple cider vinegar that’s great hot, cold, mixed with soda, tonic or on its own. It’s tangy, sweet and spicy and ready to drink. I’m excited about this one and it will serve as the base for a number of drinks to come so stay tuned.

Come by the booth for a sample of my new Potents at the Proctor Farmers’ Market Saturdays from 9AM to 2PM, rain or shine and everything in between.

Finally, when I started Bona Fide Potents, I put together a pretty simple list of what kind of company I would run.

“I’m a senior citizen on a fixed income. Can I just give you some money to donate?” She handed me a dollar.

Later, when I was telling my wife about my day at the market, I finally started to process just how compassionate and generous you are, Tacoma. And it brought me to tears. It was just so beautiful and I am thankful that I got to see it. I felt that web, that tangible connection between the local farmers and vendors I buy ingredients from, to my customers and something bigger than myself. That no matter how modest, I can make a change, so can you. It’s so easy to channel our resources, talents and relationships into making the world a little better for each other. Even if it is “just a buck.”

I put up a little note about my pledge to donate 100% of the profits from Saturday’s sales to Oasis Youth Center and Everytown and Tacoma responded.

“Can I write you a check for a donation?”

“You need to make your sign bigger and I’ll take one of each.”

“Thank you.”

“Thanks for doing this.”

No, no, Tacoma. Thank you. I’m so moved that I’m kicking in a little extra– plus my OCD made me make it a round number. Together we are a donating $200 each to Oasis Youth Center and Everytown.

Hello, all. Welcome to the future Internet-base of Reverend Al’s Bona Fide Potents™– a collection of all natural, nearly mystical, alchemetical ingredients lovingly formulated into bitters, elixers, tinctures, and shrubs.

I am Reverend Al, but you can call me "Albert" for short. There are still a number of buttons to push and base metals to transmute, so thank you for your patience. I’m very excited to let people know what I’ve created and can’t wait to share them with you.

Until then, here’s where to find me:

@bonafidepotents

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Proctor Farmers’ Market, Saturdays from 9AM-2PM