Ever since they left The Farmer’s Cabinet, things have been relatively quiet on the Phistian (that’s Phoebe Esmon and Christian Gaal to us non-celeb types) front, as they’ve flitted around the city and the country these past few months, gypsy bartending, writing cocktail menus and spending time with Esmon’s family in North Carolina. But now they’re back, at least for the moment, and they’ve arrived with a purpose: to harness their considerable bar cred to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Starting tonight, 15 bars and restaurants around the city will be pouring specialty shots, highballs and cocktails mixed with donated liquor and giving at least half of the proceeds to the Red Cross for Sandy victims in New Jersey. Bars will charge $10 per drink and participate until their supplies run out. Other charity efforts the pair are organizing on behalf of the Philadelphia chapter of the US Bartenders’ Guild include a “Battle for New York” cocktail competition at suave 1 Tippling Place on Sunday to raise funds for New York bartenders suffering from the effects of the storm, and an event (still in the planning stages) that will bring together bartenders from up and down the east coast on December 16. Plus, starting right now, Cantina Dos Segundos is acting as a collection point for baby items, cleaning supplies, blankets, winter coats, etc.

Add that to Don Russell’s proposal that we all donate the price of a six-pack each time we buy one, and we can do some pretty charitable drinking over the next week.

UPDATED: Here’s the full list of participating establishments and brands for the Red Cross charity drinking that begins tonight. Big thanks to all and sundry.