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I Read the News Today, Oh Boy: The Southside, aka Al Capone's Cocktail

A Southside, which is still sold in Chicago as "Al Capone's Cocktail" or "Al's Favorite," has two parts gin, one part lime juice, sugar syrup and mint leaves. That sounds dangerously close to a mojito to us, but what do we know? Chicagoans also think they invented beef sandwiches, while Philadelphians and Angelenos both disagree. There is no disputing, on the other hand, that brownies were invented in the Windy City (for the enjoyment of attendees at the 1893 World's Fair—at least, the ones who did not get killed by the serial killer who was running around). However, the more "modern" type of brownie (as it were) was invented, as you might guess, in San Francisco.

For last week's theme, we gave two hints. The first was: "Bottoms Up!" The second: "If you're still working on the headline theme, we'll tell you that the staff mathematician approved heartily of this week's choice." And here is the solution, courtesy of reader G.B. in Utrecht, The Netherlands:

The theme of this week seems to be terms used in/for cocktails and drinks in general.

Trump vs. the Judiciary: Judges Fire a Shot, or Two, or Three Across the White House's Bow—Who doesn't need a shot (or two, or three) after reading about American Politics? A B-52, anyone?

Oy, Vey!: Carrie Prejean Boller May Have Shaken Things Up—Shaken, not stirred, Mr. Bond?

Arizona Politics: A New Twist in the Governor's Race—A twist of Lemon (or Orange) peel to add a bit of panache...

I Read the News Today, Oh Boy: Dream Chaser—...or a wedge of the same to chase a tequila? Anyone seen the salt?

This Week in Schadenfreude: White House Does Tim Cook Dirty—As in Dirty Shirleys, for example.

This Week in Freudenfreude: Jumpin' Jack Flash, It Was a Gas, Gas, Gas—Tough one. It may be "Jack and Coke", but adding some soda (gas) makes a great mojito, so I'll go for the later!

We intended "Jack" for the last one, but "Gas" is clearly valid, as well. "Bottoms up!" is, of course, a classic toast, while the staff mathematician is, of course, a classic drunk. The headline of this item adds "Cocktail" to the theme.

Here are the first 60 readers to get it right:

J.J. in Johnstown, PA
T.K. in Half Moon Bay, St. Kitts
G.M.K. in Mishawaka, IN
M.J, in Oakdale, MN
E.W. in Skaneateles, NY
R.S. in Landing, NJ
R.E. in Birmingham, AL
N.H. in London, England, UK
R.E.M. in Brooklyn, NY
D.E. in Ann Arbor, MI
G.M. in Gaithersburg, MD
K.H. in Albuquerque, NM
S.J.V. in New York City, NY
M.B. in Denver, CO
D.M. in Lexington, NC
J.S. in Huntington Station, NY
D.D. in Bucks County, PA
K.R. in Austin, TX
M.M. in Dunellen, NJ
T.F. in Craftsbury Common, VT
G.M. in Arlington, VA
J.N. in Zionsville, IN
P.H. in Buffalo Grove, IL
M.K. in Long Branch, NJ
R.D. in Cheshire, CT
D.S. in Layton, UT
R.W. in Bensenville, IL
M.T. in Simpsonville, SC
A.G. in Plano, TX
J.D. in Indianapolis, IN

S.K. in Ardmore, PA
M.W. in Altea, Spain
K.M. in Ypsilanti, MI
E.S. in Providence, RI
J.M. in Eagle Mills, NY
S.R. in Sammamish, WA
D.G. in Wood-Ridge, NJ
J.F. in Fayetteville, NC
K.F. in Berea, KY
M.S. in Canton, NY
M.A. in Park Ridge, IL
G.W. in Avon, CT
Z.K. in Albany, NY
S.L. in Glendora, CA
T.K. in Manchester, MO
M.T. in Wheat Ridge, CO
B.D. in Hood River, OR
P.H. in Bozeman, MT
E.B. in Bloomington, IL
M.K. in Seattle, WA
M.L. in West Hartford, CT
B.P. in Salt Lake City, UT
T.A. in Apex, NC
E.H. in Miamisburg, OH
R.C. in Eagleville, PA
K.J. in Paw Paw, MI
P.Q. in Metuchen, NJ
P.H. in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
M.C. in Falls Church, VA
B.U. in St. Louis, MO

The 60th correct response was received at 6:09 a.m. PT on Friday.

For this week's theme, it relies on one word per headline, and it's in the category People and Places. The first headline is not part of it, as we don't want to make a game out of sexual predation. For a hint, we'll guess that the musician Morrissey would probably have a pretty easy time with this one.

If you have a guess, send it to comments@electoral-vote.com with subject line "February 20 Headlines." (Z)

This item appeared on www.electoral-vote.com. Read it Monday through Friday for political and election news, Saturday for answers to reader's questions, and Sunday for letters from readers.

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