So Mrs. Sporkful is expecting, which of course has led to a variety of strange taste preferences and random cravings at Sporkful HQ. The doctor tells her to stay hydrated, but few beverages appeal to her. Periodically she decides that something sounds good -- "Juicy Juice!" -- and one of us runs out to buy it.

Unfortunately, she sometimes buys so much that the supply outlasts the craving.

Recently she thought the idea of lemonade seemed appealing, so she came home with a carton of it, along with a 12 pack of cans, so she could bring one to work each day. The next day, the very notion of lemonade's existence disgusted her.

I hate to waste food or drink, so I began mixing the lemonade with gin. I did this every day when returning home from work, and soon I began craving it by 3 pm. My craving, however, did not abate as quickly as Mrs. Sporkful's. It turns out that gin and lemonade is a great drink after a long day, even in cold, rainy weather. It's stiff but relaxing, an elixir that pairs perfectly with a two-year-old and a pregnant wife.

I know I'm not the first to mix these two beverages, but I believe I'm the first to name it. Henceforth, gin and lemonade shall be known as a Pregnant Wife.

It should be served on the rocks, two parts lemonade to one part gin. Some people add mint or basil and garnish with lemon. That all sounds fine in theory, but I have to say, while I know that pregnancy is infinitely harder for the pregnant, it's also hard for the POP (Partner Of the Pregnant). Sometimes you just want to get the drink in your drinkhole.

So whether or not you have a pregnant wife, I hope you'll have a Pregnant Wife. Unless you ARE a pregnant wife, in which case you should probably abstain.

UPDATE: Eater Zeke writes in to suggest that gin and lemonade has had a name for decades -- a Tom Collins. I should have made the distinction clearer, but a Tom Collins is traditionally made with some form of carbonation -- club soda, sparkling water, etc. The Pregnant Wife is not made with any carbonation.