Ah....fascinating.

There is also a theory that he suffered from migraines, and that the hyperreal vibrancy of his colours reflected the way he saw the world through the 'aura' of classic migraine. Mind you, I imagine wormwood would give anyone a migraine! (Whatever it is).

But then Van Gogh and theories...it is now strongly contended that he was shot by a teenage boy with a cowboy complex, and did not commit suicide at all.

Oh and back to the game -

B - Bourbon

C Chambord

I agree that absinthe has a fascinating history!

C - Champagne! That's a great cocktail ingredient.

Hadn't heard the cowboy theory - is that real or are you teasing me? I was just getting my head into "Lust for Life," a historical/fictional account of his life (by Irving Stone - love him!) when that crazy fire broke out and broke my ability to concentrate on just about everything. Haven't really been able yet to settle back down to a novel-sized reading project but the mind will be back soon. I feel it making appearances every now and again.

D Dubonnet

Yes Sandy - a new biog of Van Gogh, came out early this month I think. There was a boy - 16 or so - who apparently had a wild west complex. He followed Vincent around, put chilli powder in his tea, teased him - and it seems he carried a gun around and aimed it at people.

When Van Gogh got home, fatally wounded, he said something like 'It was no one else's fault, it was what I wanted to happen' or something. They (the authors) say he was protecting the boy.

No, not a joke - I'll look it up for you and post back.

OK - here's the link to BBC news -
Did Van Gogh really kill himself?

E - Egg Yolk

In advocaat - in a snowball
(Phew!)

French vermouth (I don't know how French vermouth is different, but certain recipes I've read call for it specifically.)

G - Guinness (hey, a black-and-tan is a mixed drink, right??)

H
Herbs and herbal liqueurs to add some exquisite flavors

I - Ice (crushed)

May seem a bit of a cop out, but I??