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Holiday Gift Guide: Boozy Stocking Stuffers 2019

December 12, 2019 by elana 1 Comment

We put some pretty sweet stuff in your stocking this year.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide 2019 // stirandstrain.com

This stocking is filled with wine but if it wasn’t, you could fit tiny cans of cocktails inside along with your samples of Japanese Whisky. A thimble sized cocktail shaker necklace is my idea of the perfect accessory, followed by boozy chickens, and a stylish telescoping metal straw. And don’t forget the home goods. I don’t have time for anything but fancy coasters, and excuse me, I’m taking a shower with my Negroni now.

1. Drinking with Chickens Pin 2. Whiskey Tasting Subscription 3. YAY! Stirrers 4. Cocktail Shaker Necklace 5. Negroni Soap 6. Capper 7. Lux Straw 8. Stocking Flask 9. Coasters 10. Rock and Rye Canned Cocktails

Catch up on all the gift guides here!

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Filed Under: Gift Guide Tagged With: bar accessories, bar tools, gift guide, gifts, holiday, home bar

Holiday Spiced Port Hot Toddy

December 10, 2019 by elana 2 Comments

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comThis post was made in partnership with Croft Port. Recipe and ideas are my own.

For the first time in forever SoCal actually feels cold for the holidays and I am HERE FOR IT! I’m dressing in layers, I turned the fireplace on (although, if you’ve been reading on here long enough you should know I do that when it dips below 70…), I broke out a winter coat I got on sale a few years ago and haven’t worn yet, and I’m drinking all the hot cocktails right now so that my hands stay warm. It’s heavenly.

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comOnce Thanksgiving comes to an end and I’ve eaten all my leftovers, my brain switches instantly into holiday mode. I want all the gingerbread cookies. I want to string up lights on every surface of my house (don’t worry, I don’t actually do that because that would probably be a fire hazard, but I do think about it a lot). And it’s baking spices in everything, including my drinks. While I can make a cocktail any way I want at all times throughout the year, in December I just want it to feel extra holiday-like. And so that brings us to today’s cocktail.

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comI’ve teamed up with Croft Port to show you all how to enjoy port in a hot cocktail, and more importantly, how to make it extra for the holidays. Extra holiday. Croft Reserve Ruby Port has some built-in holiday spices already in its flavor profile: clove, cinnamon, burnt caramel, cardamom, and a warm chocolate nuttiness. While delicious on its own, today’s hot cocktail will bring out those spices further with the addition of chai tea. While chai teas vary widely in spices, the tea I’m using goes heavy on the cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. A generous dose of freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a sharpness to the cocktail, cutting through some of the sweetness of the port, and the sweetness provided by my extra special ingredient, banana liqueur. That brûléed fruit flavor here is a welcome, unexpected addition to the drink, providing a deep, brown sugary sweetness that, again, makes me think of Christmas cookies.

When Croft Reserve Ruby Porto is warmed up, it also brings out the luscious berry notes and gives a rich, hearty mouthfeel which you want since you’re watering down the viscosity with the chai tea.

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comSo bring on those cold nights, I’ll be ready for them with some hot port cocktails. And so will you!

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comCroft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.comHoliday Spiced Port Hot Toddy

1 chai tea bag
3 ounces boiling water
1-1/2 ounces Croft Reserve Ruby Port
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 ounce banana liqueur

In a heat proof mug or glass, combine the tea bag and boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes. Strain out the tea bag and pour in the Croft Reserve Ruby Port, lemon juice, and banana liqueur. Gently stir to combine. Garnish with cinnamon sticks or dehydrated orange slices.

Croft Port Holiday Cocktail 2019 // stirandstrain.com

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: banana liqueur, Croft Port, hot cocktails, hot drinks, lemon juice, port

Monday Booze News It's the big 'ol list of holiday beverages edition!

December 9, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

  • First, we had a full week of cocktails with our Cocktail Pantry Twists. Find your new pantry staple favorite here!
  • Second, it’s time to start thinking about making some homemade gifts for the holidays. This is a good place to start.
  • Have you tried aging your eggnog? You should! It’s not as hard as it sounds either.
  • Then again, if you need some Nog right now, everyone’s drinking this particular recipe.
  • And then if you need that hot drink fix, you should have a Tom & Jerry too!
  • OOh! Like coconuts?! Tropical holiday drinks coming right up!
  • Spices and pears are so good in a cocktail this time of year. Try this one!
  • Tiny ice wreaths are something you should be putting in all your Christmas cocktails this year.
  • Need a dessert cocktail? You’re in luck. Here’s a sweet sipper for after dinner.
  • And finally, if you’re serving up a big batch of cocktails at this year’s holiday party. I think you need to go the full Griswold route.

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: booze news, holiday, notes

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Maple Gingerbread Butter Flip

December 6, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Maple Gingerbread Butter Flip // stirandstrain.comThe Cocktail Pantry Twists Series is made in partnership with Stonewall Kitchen. Recipe and ideas are my own.

Hello and welcome to the third installment of the Cocktail Pantry Twists series with Stonewall Kitchen. Alas, it is our final day here… in my pantry. Which is fine. I was starting to get claustrophobic anyways. But as it’s the final day, as promised we’ve got a giveaway on our Instagram page today, so you should definitely head over there at 7am PST (or head over there now, turn on notifications, and let your phone tell you when the post is live!). All the details will be there about who can enter and what you’re getting. So check it out!

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Maple Gingerbread Butter Flip // stirandstrain.comAnd we’ve got a very delicious, creamy, after dinner, or anytime-you-want-it cocktail today. We have to duck into the kitchen to grab an egg, but hey, if you’ve got farm fresh eggs laying around then you might just have some in your pantry! It’s a Maple Gingerbread Butter Flip made with Stonewall Kitchen Gingerbread Butter and Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup. December is cookie season for me and after making batches of gingerbread cookies, I think it might be time to drink up those flavors instead. And this gingerbread butter delivers! With three kinds of ginger, the cocktail gets a nice kick of spice, reminiscent of those baking spices you might be using for holiday baking. And unlike some of the fruit butters out there, this is a lot thinner and smoother, so it incorporates into your drinks seamlessly. And if you want to just take a nip of the Gingerbread Butter by itself in between making drinks, that’s totally acceptable. I might have also done that once or twice…

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Maple Gingerbread Butter Flip // stirandstrain.comNow, if you’re not familiar with flips, you have to use a whole egg. No, not the shell too, but these rich cocktails require the white AND the yolk. I will state that there is always a risk with any uncooked egg health-wise, but I know where my eggs come from and I’m comfortable using them raw. You personally can make that choice for yourself.

This cocktail is so smooth, so rich, and such a holiday treat. There’s no “eggy” taste to the drink, instead it’s silky smooth with that deep richness from the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple syrup, and earthy, nutty, and spicy notes from the Gingerbread Butter. The lemon’s tartness cuts through the sweetness and balances out the drink.

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Maple Gingerbread Butter Flip // stirandstrain.comAnd speaking of fresh lemon. Even though winter is the season for citrus, if it’s not available where you are, check out these alternatives!

Lemon Juice Alternatives

  • Citric acid
  • Organic, all natural bottled lime juice
  • Lemonade
  • Tamarind paste

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Maple Gingerbread Butter Flip // stirandstrain.comI hope you’ve enjoyed this deep dive into how to use a few pantry staples in your cocktails, and I hope this one in particular gets made for you this holiday season. Remember to follow over on Instagram today and Stonewall Kitchen’s Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly, Pink Grapefruit Marmalade, Gingerbread Butter, and Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup can all be yours!

Happy entertaining and GOOD LUCK!

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Maple Gingerbread Butter Flip // stirandstrain.comMaple Gingerbread Butter Flip

1-1/2 ounces bourbon
1 tablespoon Stonewall Kitchen Gingerbread Butter
3/4 ounce Stonewall Kitchen Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice (or alternative from list above)
1/2 ounce coconut milk (not light) or heavy cream
1 dash aromatic bitters
1 whole egg
cinnamon and crystalized ginger for garnish

In a shaker, add the bourbon, Stonewall Kitchen Gingerbread Butter, Stonewall Kitchen Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice, cream, bitters, and egg. Shake hard about 20 seconds to combine the egg with the other ingredients (my secret weapon here is to use an electric hand whisk so that everything mixes well together and I only have to shake once!). Next, add ice to the shaker, and then shake hard about 30 seconds to chill everything and to make sure it is all well combined. Strain into a coupe, and then garnish with a dusting of cinnamon and a piece of crystalized ginger. Cheers!

 

Check out all the posts in our Cocktail Pantry Twists series here!

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: bitters, bourbon, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup, cinnamon, Cocktail Pantry Twists, coconut cream, cream, ginger, Gingerbread Butter, holiday, maple, shaken, Stonewall Kitchen, whole egg, winter

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Marmalade Daiquiri

December 5, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comThe Cocktail Pantry Twists Series is made in partnership with Stonewall Kitchen. Recipe and ideas are my own.

Hello and welcome to day two in our Cocktail Pantry Twists series. We’re back with Stonewall Kitchen to show you how a breakfast staple can make a tasty addition to your drink.

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comMarmalades refer to jams made with citrus fruits, and while orange is most often associated with marmalade (I grew up with Paddington Bear and his marmalade toasts), all manner of citrus fruits can be used. For today’s cocktail, we’ll be using Stonewall Kitchen’s Pink Grapefruit Marmalade. This sweet tart jam is a delightful partner to rum. We’ll be using a white rum today so that the sugarcane and grassy notes found in the rum shine alongside the sweet-tart richness of the marmalade.

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comThis twist on a Daiquiri cocktail utilizes the sharp tartness of the grapefruit to compensate for limes that might not be the best in flavor, or if you’re using an alternative to lime juice (see the list below), then this will give it the citrus boost your drink needs! I find the sweetness of the marmalade to be enough for me, but if you’d like your drink to be a tad sweeter, try adding in a 1/2 ounce of simple syrup.

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comNO LIMES? TRY THESE ALTERNATIVES:

  • Meyer Lemons
  • Orange Juice
  • Organic, all natural bottled lime juice
  • Lemonade

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comPink Grapefruit Marmalade Daiquiri

2 ounces white rum
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice (or alternative, see list above)
1 heaping tablespoon Stonewall Kitchen Pink Grapefruit Marmalade
1/2 ounce simple syrup, optional
dried citrus wheel garnish

In a shaker, 2/3 filled with ice, add in the white rum, lime juice, Stonewall Kitchen Pink Grapefruit Marmalade, and simple syrup if using. Shake hard for 20 seconds, and then strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with citrus wheel.

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comJoin us back here tomorrow for the final installment of our Cocktail Pantry Twists series! And remember to follow us on Instagram as we’re giving away ALL the Stonewall Kitchen products we used this week in our drink series!

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Cocktail Pantry Twists, Fall, lime, Pink Grapefruit Marmalade, rum, Stonewall Kitchen, white rum, winter

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly Margarita

December 4, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

Hot Pepper Cranberry Margarita // stirandstrain.comThe Cocktail Pantry Twists Series is made in partnership with Stonewall Kitchen. Recipe and ideas are my own.

Hello and welcome to my pantry. Yes, my actual pantry.

In these cold weather months, sometimes it’s hard to come across some fresh ingredients to make drinks with. Or the ones we find at the store are flying here from thousands of miles away and, well, come with a hefty price tag too. So to beat those winter blues, we’ve teamed up with Stonewall Kitchen, who have been gracing my shelves for years (Like almost two decades now. I. AM. OLD.), to add some great flavors to our drinks with their assortment of jams and condiments.

Hot Pepper Cranberry Margarita // stirandstrain.comI’ll be taking over their Instagram Stories on Friday the 6th to share some how-to videos and be a talking head, but you all get the recipes here first! And there’s three this week! Also, I’ll be having a giveaway Friday as well on my IG page and you’ll have a chance to win ALL the products to make the recipes with. It’s like getting a holiday basket delivered to your door except better because you’ll be able to make cocktails with everything inside.

First up in the series of cocktail pantry twists is a Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly Margarita made with Stonewall Kitchen’s Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly. It’s holiday time and I love the sweet-tart cranberries that are a ubiquitous part of the season. And I love a Spicy Marg too. This cocktail mixes up blanco tequila with a sweet, spicy, and sour flavor profile. It’s bursting with delicious ingredients and I think it’s just the drink to kick up our taste buds when we are craving those juicy fruit flavors.

Hot Pepper Cranberry Margarita // stirandstrain.comNow, since your grocery store may or may not have citrus (even though winter is when citrus is in season!), and we’re all hanging out together in my pantry, I’ve got a few substitutions for fresh lime juice below. Now some might seem a bit out there, but this is also keeping in mind that you’re using cranberries in this Margarita and they have their own sourness, so you can mellow the citrus out a bit and use something like orange juice.

Hot Pepper Cranberry Margarita // stirandstrain.com

No limes? Try these alternatives:

  • Meyer Lemons
  • Orange Juice
  • Organic, all natural bottled lime juice
  • Lemonade

Hot Pepper Cranberry Margarita // stirandstrain.comHot Pepper Cranberry Jelly Margarita

  • 1-1/2 ounces blanco tequila
  • 1 tablespoon Stonewall Kitchen Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly
  • 3/4 ounce orange liqueur
  • 1/2 freshly squeezed lime juice (or a substitution from the list above)
  • kosher salt for rim

First, take a lime wedge and wet the edge of a rocks glass, and then roll the outer edge of the glass in the salt. Set aside. In a shaker 2/3 filled with ice, pour in the tequila, the Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly, orange liqueur, and the lime juice. Shake hard 20 seconds and then strain into the rocks glass. Garnish with a small spoon topped with additional Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly. Enjoy!

See you tomorrow for the next recipe in our series!

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: blanco tequila, Cocktail Pantry Twists, cranberry, Fall, jalapeno peppers, lime, margarita, Stonewall Kitchen, tequila, winter

Monday Booze News HOT drinks, generous bars, and Tina Turner!

December 2, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

Monday Booze News: Fill 'Er Up // stirandstrain.com

  • First! We’re still in the middle of our Black Friday/Shop Small Saturday Lightroom Preset sale over on our Cocktail Presets page! Get all six bundled and you get TWO free presets! NO coupon needed!
  • Second, we’ve got another bottled cocktail recipe and it’s ready for the holiday season: The Black Christmas* Bottled Cocktail (*you do not have to celebrate Christmas to enjoy this drink)!
  • Fever-Tree, maker of all those lovely mixers, now has it’s own bar in NYC.
  • It is COLD in Boston. Here are some HOT drinks to try!
  • Will PDT be the same after Meehan’s departure?
  • I love Chartreuse and I more so that it’s still being made by Monks and only THREE people on earth know the recipe, but my favorite takeaway from this article is the one monk not having any idea what a cocktail is.
  • Leftover cranberry sauce? Make some cocktails!
  • Tina Turner turned 80 last week, which seems unfathomable to me, but it did spark some GREAT cocktails based on her songs in this article!
  • Some feel good news: over 8K was donated to charity from a bar in NorCal when they removed all the dollar bills stuck to their ceiling.
  • And finally, if that bottle of booze tastes like sh*t, it might actually in fact be made from sh*t.

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Filed Under: Booze News, Notes Tagged With: booze news, notes

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktails

November 29, 2019 by elana 8 Comments

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktail // stirandstrain.comInstead of hitting the Black Friday sales today (and let’s face it, it’s slim picking at this point since they all started on Monday anyways), let’s hit the home bar and think ahead towards the next several weeks. It’s going to be busy… you should have some cocktails ready.

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktail // stirandstrain.comNow, I named this spin on a Black Manhattan “Black Christmas” because it’s mostly a Black Manhattan with a touch of Allspice Liqueur, which is pretty much Christmas in a bottle. I did not name it to coincide with the remake of Black Christmas that is being released in a few weeks. If anything, I may have had the original Black Christmas movie in my head when naming it, not a remake, let’s be clear on this.

And this drink really is the brooding, moody sister to your classic Manhattan, except in a holiday sweater. The baking spices from the allspice liqueur provide a warm finish to the drink, which is a bit spicy from the rye at the start. The bittersweet Averna lends a nice balance to that spiciness (If you can’t find Averna near you, choose an amaro that leans a little on the sweeter side and not too vegetal. Ramazzotti would also work here.) Those baking spices give this inky drink an unexpected extra layer as well, which I appreciate. If you remember to add a brandied cherry then you’re really in for a treat.

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktail // stirandstrain.comAnd the best part of all this? It’s bottled with a water dilution so it just needs to chill and it’s ready to serve. No ice needed! No stirring! No fuss! Just what you need around the holidays to give you a few extra minutes of peace.

One thing to note: if you can wait a few weeks, age it all in the fridge. Letting it sit for about 4 weeks really allows the flavors to intermingle and I found the mouthfeel to be extra velvety. However, if you can’t wait, it’s great the same day as well. Just make sure it’s chilled well first.

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktail // stirandstrain.comBlack Christmas Bottled Cocktail

8 ounces Rye
4 ounces Averna
2 ounces Allspice Liqueur (can’t find it where you are? MAKE IT!)
4 dashes Angostura bitters, or another aromatic bitters
4 dashes orange bitters
2 ounces water

brandied cherry garnish, optional

Combine all the ingredients in a large, spouted mixing glass, like Pyrex, that can accommodate at least 16 ounces, stir to combine, and then funnel into a swing top bottle. Store refrigerated until ready to serve. For one cocktail, portion out ~3.25 ounces into a cocktail coupe. Optionally top with a brandied cherry.

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

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Filed Under: Make It, Recipes Tagged With: allspice, allspice dram, averna, bottled cocktails, Fall, holiday, make it, rye, whiskey, winter

Gilded Thanksgiving Bar Cart Styling

November 21, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

Roll on up Turkey Day with this gilded bar cart. It’s more impressive than your Granny’s stuffing.

Thanksgiving Gilded Bar Cart // stirandstrain.com

This year I’ve decided to do away with the rustic red and brown tones of November and step it up a notch with a gilded, glittering bar cart. From golden bar tools, to shiny embroidered napkins, to 22 karat dipped tumblers, it’ll definitely add a little sparkle to your holiday table. And of course the bubbly will be golden too. Just try not to knock over the champagne tower.

1. 22 Karat Gold Dipped Tumbler 2. Liquid Gold Bitters 3. Gold Jigger 4. Gold Wine Opener 5. Gold Embroidered Napkins 6. Gold Dipped Carafe 7. Gold Rimmed Glass and Ice Set 8. Bubbly Cocktail Book 9. Gold Champagne 10. Champagne Tower Glasses 11. Gold Bar Cart

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Filed Under: Gift Guide Tagged With: bar accessories, bar cart, bar tools, champagne, entertaining, Fall, gift, gift guide, holiday, home bar, thanksgiving

Why I Decided to Create Presets Just for Cocktails

November 19, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

If you follow along on the Stir and Strain Instagram, then you may have learned that we rolled out our first set of presets for Lightroom Mobile on Friday. This set of presets is based on 6 classic cocktail recipes. But with so many presets out there already, you might be asking yourself… why? Why more presets?

Manhattan Cocktail Preset // stirandstrain.com
Manhattan Before
Manhattan Cocktail Preset // stirandstrain.com
Manhattan After

Well, here’s my reasoning. A lot of presets I find out there are mainly for lifestyle and fashion photographers (there are definitely ones for the food industry as well but I don’t personally see those as much); these are not those. These are made to work with cocktails and beverage photography. I’ve heard from many followers that they aren’t ready to invest in a DSLR camera and just want great photos from their phone. Guess what? You can totally have that. Presets make efficient use of your time editing on your phone too and take out a lot of the guesswork of how to make your photos pop.

Many of the lifestyle presets out there are blowing out everything and it’s all in soft focus (Because FYI, they’re not really 22. Well, some are…). The sharp clarity and range of colors and tones that comes with cocktails gets lost here. The glint of light on the edge of the glass, the sharp edges of a crystal clear ice cube, the velvety texture of a Luxardo cherry in syrup… these presets cater to this style of photography.

Old Fashioned Cocktail Preset // stirandstrain.comI’ve been creating my own presets to use on my phone and on my desktop so I would be more efficient with my editing. And when I’m editing it on my phone, it also means it’s less steps before I snap a photo and it lands on the internet. I love for my workflow to be as streamlined as possible and presets help a lot with that.

Gin & Tonic Cocktail Preset // stirandstrain.com

 

I’ve been testing these out with followers all weekend and a few questions and comments came up I wanted to mention.

  • First, you do not need to be any level of pro photographer to use these. These are meant for everyone regardless of how much time you’ve spent with a camera, or even just your smart phone.
  • Lightroom mobile is FREE, and once you download it, there are some very helpful guides to get started with. There are also some quick and easy YouTube videos as well on the general functions of the app.
  • We will be releasing other themed presets over the next few months with other types of cocktails in mind (we have a REAL FUN one coming up!).
  • Presets are not a one size fits all type of thing. Please read the descriptions to see what preset will work with the photos you are trying to edit. Once a preset is applied, you can always make adjustments in exposure, contrast, etc…
  • And, if you need help downloading and installing your presets, we’ve got a handy guide for that HERE!

Avation Cocktail Preset // stirandstrain.com

 

Thanks for reading, and for checking out this new fun project we’ve been planning for awhile. And if you have some feedback on the presets, shoot us an email! We’d love to hear from you!

You can find all the presets here on the Gum Road shopping site.

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