So my first post on live like a European in Seattle was going to be a post-work, post-gym cocktail with Campari. The cocktail is stupidly simple and dead easy to make. But, only if you have Campari. 

The Campari is a most and the one thing I couldn't find at QFC my local grocery store. Needless to say, this is not a European cocktail  post today. 

Up until about a year ago, we had to buy any alcohol that wasn't beer or wine at a state own liquor store. It was something about taxes, access and safety(?) or maybe just power and control(!!). These state run stores had pretty good selection because well, the only thing they did was sell alcohol. 

The state run store in Walla Walla was smallish and kind of depressing. Nobody really decorates a state run liquor store. But the on very clever thing was that the shop was set up so that all the shelves could be stocked from behind. This resulted in an odd semicircle display of alcohol available to the public but these things happen. 

This store and those like it are no more. Grocery stores can now sell liquor. Ah, that's capitalism and democracy at its finest. The democratization of alcohol!!

In practice what this means is that you can liquor anywhere (well, almost) but the selection is pretty limited to the basics--or maybe it's better said this way: to the crowd pleasers. Whiskey, vodka, gin, rum. Yep, yep and yep. Campari? Not so much. 

That's okay. I guess half the fun is going to be the hunt. Wish me luck!!