Feb 28

Feb 28 Special Post: Cocktails for the Best Picture Nominees!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for a look at some cocktails inspired by the 2016 Academy Awards Best Picture Nominees! Some of these are classics and some are my own creation, but all are delicious and the perfect addition to your Oscars Watch Party!

In no particular order:

The Revenant: The Sazerac

Everything about this movie makes me cold. So what better way to warm up than with a Sazerac. Whiskey, bitters, and a little bit of Absinthe to take off the winter chill.

The Sazerac

1.5 oz Rye whiskey – I’m using Woodford Reserve Rye

¼ oz Absinthe

3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

1 sugar cube

Rinse rocks glass with absinthe and discard. Combine whiskey, bitters, and sugar in a cocktail shaker with ice and stir until cold. Strain into rocks glass. Garnish with lemon peel.

The Martian: Sunset over Mars

Let’s be honest, after being stuck on Mars, I’m sure Matt Damon would drink anything, but this drink has a little sparkle and a little kick, while also evoking the red planet.

Sunset over Mars

2 oz El Jimador Blanco tequila

1 oz Cointreau

1 oz lime juice

3 dashes of pomegranate juice

4 oz chilled Italian Blood Orange Soda

Orange wedge for garnish

Combine tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and pomegranate juice with ice into cocktail shaker. Stir with long spoon until ice cold. Strain into tall glass. Top off with Italian Soda. Garnish with an orange wedge.

Brooklyn: The Gin Gimlet

I imagine Saoirse Ronan, wearing those fabulous fifties’ frocks, and drinking a fifties’ classic, the Gin Gimlet.

Classic Gin Gimlet

2 oz Bombay gin

1 oz lime juice

1 oz simple syrup

Cucumber wheel for garnish

Combine ingredients with ice into cocktail shaker. Stir with long spoon until ice cold. Strain into martini glass and garnish with cucumber wheel.

The Big Short: The Schadenfreude

Nothing says making money off a failing economy like champagne cocktails!

The Schadenfreude

2 oz brandy

4 dashes peach bitters

Brut champagne

Lemon wheels for garnish

Combine brandy and peach bitters with ice into cocktail shaker. Stir with long spoon until cold. Strain equally into two champagne flutes. Pour champagne to top, then float a lemon wheel for garnish. Serves two because you’ll want someone to cheers with.

Bridge of Spies: The Moscow Mule

The Cold War calls for at least a little vodka. What better than a Moscow Mule while we defend Soviet spies! (Even if I can't find my copper mug...)

Moscow Mule

1.5 oz vodka

4 oz ginger beer

Juice of a lime

Lime wedge for garnish

Combine vodka and ginger beer in a copper mug or highball with ice. Add lime juice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Mad Max: Fury Road: Fury Fuel

I imagine all of the War boys taking a shot before they go out for battle - something spicy to make them feel alive.

Fury Fuel

1.5 oz Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire

2 dashes of Tabasco sauce

Pour Jack Fire into shot glass. Add Tabasco and shoot accordingly. Charlize has no time for sipping.

Spotlight: Irish Coffee

Something to keep you up while you're exposing the Roman Catholic Church. And Irish because Boston.

Irish Coffee

1.5 oz Jameson Irish whiskey

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Freshly brewed coffee

Heavy cream, slightly whipped

A little cinnamon for sprinkling on top

Pour coffee into mug until glass is ¾ full. Add brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Stir in Irish whiskey. Top with cream, sprinkling a little cinnamon on top to finish. (By the way, I can never get my cream to float, but I actually love the beautiful mocha color with the cream mixed in.)