Interview with the Liquid Muse

The name alone makes you want to find out what she's got to say: The Liquid Muse. What kind of liquids? How is she a "muse"? Those must be some good liquids, whatever they are.

But for Natalie Bovis-Nelson, being the liquid muse takes a special passion and talent. Hers is of the cocktail variety, usually. She's turned what is just an addition to a dinner party, or a way to wind down after a long day into a source of inspiration and artistry.

She's created the "Preggatini" for her pregnant friends who requested a non-alcoholic (but not boring) drink for their baby showers as well as the Liquid Muse Sustainable Sips, an eco-friendly cocktail program, which highlighs organic and / or sustainable spirits and cocktails, according to DigitalSpy.com, which has a great Q& A with Bovis-Nelson, which you can read here.

Bovis-Nelson's service, which she says is for the average Jane or Joe who "who wants to know more about cocktails but doesn't want to feel dumb at the bar," she says. " We've all had that sommelier who sneers at us when ordering wine, right? Well, I believe that by creating a cocktail community for consumers, where they can learn a bit about mixology, spirits and cocktails, they will feel empowered to ask for great drinks at great bars."

Here's one tip from the Liquid Muse directly to take into the weekend if you're host(ess)ing a soiree of your own: always use fresh ingredients.

"There is no reason to have a bottle of sweet-n-sour or premixed cocktails in your home. None at all. By simply squeezing a lemon or lime, muddling some fresh raspberries or mint, hand-shaking or stirring your drink, and using a decent (not always the most expensive) spirit, you will be giving yourself and your guests a quality and more healthful experience from the very first sip."

We'll drink to that.

Photo courtesy Jade Goodman@sxc.hu