Drunk baker aims to lift the spirit

The Drunk Baker’s Lemon Olive Oil Cake with rum cream cheese and strawberries (left) and Whiskey Brownies.—CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS FROM JOEY SILVESTRE BY MARK TAN

I have to confess, there are days like today when the pandemic just gets to me.

Since the quarantine was first imposed in this country, I have already attended four Zoom funerals and hosted two.

One of my best friends’ sister-in-law just died last week. The week before that, another best friend’s barkada died. Two weeks before that, yet another best friend’s partner died. The stench of death is in the air.

To make matters worse, those in power who can actually do something about it seem to have lost not just their sense of smell, but also their sense of urgency, sense of decency and common sense.

So what can we mere citizens do?

Well, first, we can pray.

Second, we just have to adapt. Disinfecting everything is the new normal. Wear a mask and do social distancing not for yourself but for those around you.

Finally, I guess for some of the luckier ones, just be calm and have a whiskey.

Or in the case of The Drunk Baker, a brownie with whiskey.

Whiskey brownies

The Drunk Baker has adapted to the pandemic by cleverly making spiked desserts. After all, if you can hit two birds with one cake, why not?

Joey Silvestre, creator of this brand, works at a bank but is also a weekend baker. She also loves a good whiskey.

When the quarantine started, she started tinkering in the kitchen.

“Baking is more of a form of relaxation for me so baking became my therapy. Having a background in the food industry and being exposed to quality food, I know for a fact that alcohol enhances food flavors. So I went for it using my old recipes,” Joey shares.

It was while drinking that she thought of adding alcohol to her cakes. She also realized that it offered something unique. On Independence Day, she launched the Drunk Baker (@DrunkBaker on Facebook and @The.Drunk.Baker on Instagram).

Today she has two spiked offerings: Lemon Olive Oil Cake, with an option for rum cream cheese, and Whiskey Brownies.The Lemon Olive Oil Cake has two virgin options: a plain one and one with strawberries. This is a cake that uses olive oil instead of butter and, as described by Joey, “with a kiss of lemon for that refreshing taste and just the right amount of sweetness.”

The brownies, on the other hand, are “dark chocolate fudge brownies with a hint of whiskey.”Joey recommends to pair these with coffee. I would recommend a separate glass of whiskey—just because we need an extra swig these days.

These are just some of the many new creations that the pandemic has brought us, along with ube pandesal and now taco bake.

Keep those new creations coming. Because God knows we need more good news. And with the way those in power are addressing this pandemic, we also need more whiskey. INQ

The Drunk Baker. Call 0917-8438138 to order.

More from the author at margauxsalcedo.com.