6 Holiday Cocktails

Saturday, December 17, 2011

GoLocalProv Food + Wine Team

Nothing says the holidays like a champagne cocktail... with Coffee Syrup.

Guests are coming, friends are congregating, and it's time for holiday cheer. Are you ready? We are, with 6 easy-to-mix genuine winter cocktails that we've chosen for every holiday occasion. Each one of these recipes makes one, so do your math before drinking if you're making for two or more.

The Holiday Snuffles Pick-Me-Up: Maple Toddy

 There’s never a good time for a cold, but there’s no worse time than the holidays. A New England take on a medicinal classic, the Maple Toddy will soothe your cough and put a twinkle in your eye. One of America’s oldest spirits takes center stage in this drink, and is emphasized by the richness of maple syrup and the spiced notes of vermouth and bitters.

2 oz Applejack brandy

1 oz Sweet Vermouth

1 tsp maple syrup

3 oz hot water

Dash Angostura Bitters

 Dash Maple Bitters (optional)

 Lemon 

Stir Applejack and Vermouth with maple syrup in a mug until dissolved, add other ingredients and garnish with a lemon twist.

The Christmas Eve Knock-Me-Out: Ole Saint Nicky Finn

Adapted from Nicky Quattrociocchi, El Boracho

The kids are finally asleep and the presents are under the tree. Christmas morning squeals of delight are on the horizon and you’ve got a few precious hours of peace. It’s way past time for milk and cookies--Santa deserves something more. A fruity brandy and an orange liquor will have sugarplum fairies dancing in your head until the crack of dawn.

1.5 oz Brandy

1.5 oz Cointreau

3 Tbs lemon juice

Dash of Pernod or Absinthe

Shake. Strain into cocktail glass.

The After-Dinner Mint: The Grinch

You'll lose every bit of Christmas grumpiness after one of these. Also good for parents who've spent way too long assembling toys at 2 in the morning.

2 oz Absinthe

 1 Tbs Green Creme de Menthe

Dash of Peychuads (optional)

Pour all ingredients into a highball glass filled with ice.

The Stocking Stuff: Orange “Martoni”  

 A lil’ bit of everything....

 2 oz Gin

½ oz Sweet Vermouth

 ½ oz Campari

¼ oz Cointreau

Orange bitters

 Stir. Strain into a cocktail glass.

What Holiday Cheer!: The Neetop

A quirky riff on a Newport classic, the Neetop gives a friendly nod to the state's favorite coffee beverage. Don't be fooled though, this drink requires a tolerance befitting Roger Williams himself.

1 shot Brandy

1/4 Shot Eclipse Coffee Milk Syrup

Champagne

Angostura Bitters

Pour the Brandy, syrup, and bitters into a wine flute.  Fill with chilled champagne.

When You're Out of Booze: Angostura Sour

Adapted from Kirk Estopinal

1 egg white

3/4 oz fresh lime juice

1 1/2 oz Angostura bitters

1 oz simple syrup

 Pour the egg white and lime juice into a cocktail shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Add the bitters and syrup, fill with ice and shake hard for another 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

For more holiday and cocktail coverage, stay tuned to GoLocalTV, fresh every day at 4pm and on demand 24/7, here.

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