Classic Great Mary Idea: The EverClear Cocktail Party Starter Kit

The EverClear Cocktail Party Starter Kit: Consist of 2 martini glasses, 2 regular cocktail glasses, a shot glass, cocktail shaker, some food coloring, 1 gallon of EverClear, and maybe 10-20 "starter" essences of gin, bourbon, tequila, single malt scotch, vermouth, bitters, etc. and possibly a cute bar rag and napkins all in some kind of cute retro "cocktail generation" style case. You would mix 1 shot Everclear with the appropriate "essences" and H2O to make cocktails. (Would come with instruction booklet.)

The idea is that this would allow you to be ready at a moments notice to make up any kind of drink your friends might request without the hassle of having 30 different bottles of booze cluttering up your tiny apartment.

Slogan: "All you add is friends and water! (and you don't even really need the friends)"

Wow your guests with your suavity. Add scenario: Host: "What would you like to drink?" guest: "What do you have?" host (smugly): "EVERYTHING!"

Same place that sold it would also carry all kinds of other accessories so you could add on endlessly with madori, peach & cinnamon schnapps.

Other kits: "Pacific Northwest Microbrews" in a fake woodgrain case, maybe birds-eye-maple and plaid flannel lining and bar-rag, essences ranging from pilsner to Guinness also lemon & lime bottles for hefeweizen and mexi-brews). "Boat Drinks" kit with umbrellas, plastic mermaids and freeze-dried fruit, "like the astronauts drink." A hand-held, battery operated blender for frozen fiesta drinks on the go and get tie-in with EverReady batteries. The "Wine Snob" kit (for the older kids) w/essence of lots of snooty wines; a cigarrete & cigar line maybe (basic lousy Top or Bugler tobacco, a mechanical roller, and different kinds of papers and wrappers with cigar & cigarette essences to add, including cloves, Cubans, disposable "Breakfast at Tiffanies" style cigarette holders, ashtrays.

Side line: genuine cocktail generation frozen snacks and hors de oeuvres, canapés, baby quiche, cheese platters (wine), little smokies, pickled eggs (microbrews) etc.; or is that what Trader Joes does already?

Also tie-in with music marketing people: some kind of green stamp deal where when you spend so much you get a free "cocktail generation" CD -- a la Starbucks.

Sell to Silocon Valley junior mogul types and others wanting to take part in the "new cocktail generation" and swing movement but unwilling to commit to the out-and-out debauchery and investment of a fully-stocked bar. Caters to but simultaneously mocks (with that essential ironic twist) the whole sin-connoisseur thing but also authentically echoes the ethos of the first cocktail generation itself with its soup-mix approach to cooking. Wedding/housewarming gift. Venues: Urban Outfitters, William Sanoma.

Scoop alert update: they actually sell essences of things like Rye Whiskey, Gin, Brandy etc. at wine making supply stores! and they've one-upped me by offering things like essence of Long Island Iced Tea and Singapore Slings! They even call them essences! But they don't mention Everclear. It's a French company.]

This was a very early product inspiration and I remember telling one of my dissertation chairs about it while standing by the department buffet table. He said he thought I should go work for the "History Channel" instead.