8 Comments
User's avatar
Sandra Yvonne's avatar

"Such caustic effect made me wish that I was licking off some rusty water pipe, rather than passing by an opened vodka." 😂 Also, cinnamon sticks in vodka?!

Beautifully written, Helen. Didn't know an essay about licorice and vodka could be so good!!

Helen's avatar

Thank you Sandra!! Really appreciate your kind words! <3

Ahhh allow me to clarify: licorice roots, when soaked in liquid, would look like big cinnamon sticks. It was the licorice roots and licorice extracts that the locals add to their vodka.

Michelle Varghese's avatar

Could smell the vodka and taste the licorice! Great writing per usual Helen!

Helen's avatar

Awww thank you so much Michelle! Happy that the effects came across!

Karena's avatar

This has to be one of the most uplifting reads in a long time, Helen. The power of nature to overcome salt and grey. Your visual and sensory language has my mouth contorting! This essay is going to stick with me for a while. Not a big fan of licorice, but I may have to start stocking some now.

Helen's avatar

Awww thank you so much for your kind words Karena! So happy that the senses could get across! <3

Rachael Tiss's avatar

I love this line: "As a teetotaler, I couldn’t tell a Two Buck Chuck from a Johnnie Walker Blue. But I could smell a Qarataw from a mile away." ha!