The good news that in 2010, we are enjoying a new enthusiasm for fine cocktail craftsmanship -- a trend which I welcome whole-heartedly.
The bad news is that the dark forces of Reaction and Homogenization remain a constant menace.
These two products illustrate the latter point: The first are prefab flavored martinis, sold in plastic martini glasses. The second is single-serving shots of booze, sold in wee plastic packets.
Both are fascinating and horrible, each in their own way.