Holiday Cocktails

With the onset of holiday head, I’ve been somewhat preoccupied with the idea of hosting a gathering to showcase a series of perfect holiday cocktails.  I don’t know exactly what it is that so attracts me toward the mixing and sipping of cocktails as a form of celebration, but I suspect it has far less to do with the actual drinking than with the beauty, flash, splash, and presentation of the kaleidoscope of colors the liquid libations offer in the vast variety of gorgeous glass cocktail containers.  Each cocktail is like a beautiful little feast for the eyes, a substantive (and sometimes challenging) presence in the hand, and a thrilling chill on the tongue.  During the winter holidays, cocktails seem to be accompanied by the smell of a warm fire and earthy evergreens as well as surrounded by the sounds of smooth jazz and happy chatter.  At least that’s the scene that causes the preoccupation in my mind.

In light of this, when I saw this book at the library yesterday, I scooped it up. 

From Publishers Weekly, here is part of its review on Amazon:

Meyer has long been a hero to New York City restaurant goers via his eclectic and acclaimed eateries—the upscale Gramercy Tavern, exotic Tabla and low-down Blue Smoke and Shake Shack. Now, perhaps in a nod to the economic climate, Meyer befriends the stay-at-home crowd with an excellent guide to the affordable luxury known as the artisanal cocktail.

I so enjoyed simply touching the lush pictures of the artisanal cocktails in the book that I concocted my imaginary party right away. 

In an effort to branch out from my vodka-as-the-only-tolerated-spirit rigidity, yet maintain the festivity of the sight, smell, taste, sound, and touch orgy that is the holiday cocktail, I decided to choose at least four of the following:

Venetian Spritz – Prosecco, Aperol (a bittersweet aperitif with rosy color), and a sugar cube to boost up the effervescence?  Festive? Hell ya!

Adonis – No questions, please. (Sherry, vermouth, bitters in a martini glass.)

Blue Smoke Martini – If I were of a mind to stuff my own olives with bleu cheese, this would be my signature drink: a vodka martini with a splash of Scotch for the smoke.  Well, half of one probably followed up by many glasses of water would be my drink.

Ginger Tonic – Ginger-lime infused gin. This one is touted as the “gin drink for the non-gin drinker.” It looks gorgeous and refreshing in its tulip-shaped glass and ginger smells like the holidays to me.

Pomegranate Gimlet – Gin drink garnished with lime and pomegranate seeds – how festive! I’m not usually a fan of the sweet drinks, but this one looks so pretty I may have to try it.

Cranberry Daiquiri  - Drunken cranberries (recipe pg. 219 in the book) are an essential item in this visually stunning rum drink.

Winter Vacation – With sprigs of lavender, scotch, and lavender syrup, it sounds like vacation to me.

Honorable Mentions

The Guilty Kilt – Really? With a name like that, how can a Scotch drink go wrong?

Pink Lady – Gin, brandy, some pretty layering action, and we have egg whites! Plus I love Stockard Channing in Grease.

23 Skidoo – Slang used during prohibition to get out quick probably derived from the area (23^rd Street) of the Flatiron Building area of NYC. The perfect name for any drink including this gin, elderflower liqueur, and thyme treat.

Hang Thyme – Vodka drink. I just love thyme.

Winter Solstice –Pretty name for a brandy drink with Grand Marnier and a rosemary garnish. Mmmm...rosemary.

I would recommend this beautiful book for its stunning pictures alone, but the fun and informative commentary on the drink recipes makes it a real treat.  And it would make a great hostess gift!   If you know someone who might appreciate this book but the $30 cover price seems a bit too much, how about giving a $15 magazine with a similar intent? Or, if you plan to drink only seltzer water, why not bring your own pretty stemware and leave it behind so you too can contribute to the festive feel?

But most importantly, which of the drinks above (or share one of your own favorites) would you like to try if, say for instance, I invited you over for a holiday cocktail?