Smoke has trailed k.d. lang's career. This is an artist who organized an entire album, 1997's Drag, around a suite of smoking-related songs, and whose voice sounds like it's emanating from somewhere behind a piano in some cigarette-drenched subterranean lounge. On lang's new album with Neko Case and Laura Veirs, case/lang/veirs, she takes another drag: "Honey and Smoke" is a classic torch song, burning slowly with desire. In it, the singer looks upon the object of her affection dancing with someone else. "I watch as they pour honey in your ear," she sings.
And yet: "They don't really love you like I do." That's all they can offer—only honey and smoke. It's a hoary old trope, isn't it? No one can love you like I do. A sign of insecurity or a stab at self-confidence—maybe both at once. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs sang about it, as did Band of Horses. Beyonce has something to say on the subject as well.
Anyways, it's a sentiment that always puts me in the mood for a drink. Something sweet, something bitter, something smoky—something with whiskey, probably, with its barrel-aged musk. How about a Smoke Signals?
That's a bit of a project, though—it involves literally smoking wood chips—and there are simpler options, even ones that include honey. For instance, the Brown Derby, a simple, classic cocktail that was invented in a diner in Los Angeles. The generally agreed-upon version goes as follows: First make a honey syrup by thinning honey with an equal amount of water. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce of grapefruit juice (either freshly squeezed or the pure bottled stuff, please; be sure you're not using a blend) and 1/2 ounce honey syrup, and shake vigorously with ice. Add a dash of Angostura bitters if you're feeling particularly in that mood. Strain the drink into a coupe glass and garnish with a grapefruit peel.
Whatever your poison, sip it while you're putting together this similarly sweet and smoky salad for dinner. It works well as a side, though since you're firing up the grill anyways you might as well cook up a piece of meat. Or not: You could make a whole dinner of this salad simply by putting an egg on it. Whatever you do, this song—and this meal—are probably enjoyed best by yourself.
