THE HOLIDAY COCKTAIL MENU
“Your guide to entertaining in the era of a Pandemic.”
Introduction
 |
| House of Bols Bar Amsterdam |
I must be reading too many nonfiction books, as suddenly - when I’m outlining my blog post - I’m thinking in the context of Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc.
A recent acquaintance mentioned to me that she would like to have my list of cocktails for the holiday season. Apparently, she’s planning on doing some very heavy entertaining and needed some tips from me.
All that notwithstanding, nor the entertaining aspect of just her and her husband, I put together a few cocktails, just a few for the 12 days of Christmas. Naturally getting a little bit excited about this, it may go a little bit beyond 12 days.
Chapter 1 Le Menu du Bar
The holiday prescription for entertaining with you and your spouse, lover, girlfriend (as in my case), children and grandchildren – no, no, that’s not a good idea, regardless of how old they are. Putting this together, I reached out to several sources all over the world, well only the UK; inasmuch as they are now breaking from Europe, I consider them back to all over the world. "The sun sets … blah blah” ...
December 24
The Eve - Vin Chaud, Gluhwein or Feuerzanganbowle
December 25
Christmas Day – Eau De Vie – Poire William, Egg nog or Champagne
December 26
Boxing Day or St Stephen’s Day - Jack Rose Cocktail
December 27 Fallen Angel
December 28 Gaelic Coffee
December 29 The Vesper Cocktail
December 30 Negroni or the Italian Sbagliato
December 31
New Year's eve - French 75 Champagne Cocktail
January 1 Fishhouse Punch
January 2 Bellini Cocktail
January 3 Dark & Stormy
January 4 Boulevardier Cocktail
January 5 Flannel Cocktail
January 6
the Day of Epiphany - Epiphany Cocktail
If & when appropriate, make a non-alcoholic ...
Chapter 2 Ingredients
These are the key ingredients you’ll need to have on hand in order to fulfill your goal of celebrating a different cocktail each day of the 12 days of Christmas. It’s going to take some entrepreneurship on your part as I’m not going to give you all the ingredients that you’ll need for these cocktails.
Your challenge will be how to manage the ingredients with what you have on hand. So, think of it this way. “I don’t have apple brandy, what if I used some brandy or whisky and added a little apple juice?” Or “Mint, no mint! I guess I'll take some mint leaves and mulled them in the glass?” Or “I guess I could use mint extract: hm … good idea Sally!” - as you say this to yourself.
SHOPPING LIST
Champagne, and more champagne,
Gin, Whiskey, Rum, Campari, Port and Sherry, Brandy or Calvados or Apple Jack,
Dark Rum like Stroh's 80,
Red wine, William Poire Eau De Vie
Chapter 3 Resources you can use
Difford’s Guide diffordsguide.com
The Spruce Eats thespruceeats.com
Google, yes that is correct “Google”
Your local cheese mongers
If you’re not particularly satisfied with this list, I’m going to add some substitutions you might include for example the Randy Old-fashioned, the Christmas Special, the Kir Royale or more simply the Kir, the Reindeer, and SAISON L ‘HIVER.
Chapter 4 Skill, Tips and Information
 |
| Le Reine Elizabeth Fairmont Hotel, Montreal |
First, we’re talking “bespoke cocktails” here, meaning they are made to order. This is not “prêt-à-porter cocktail” because you’re not at a bar and able to turn to Dave, the bartender, and asking him - Hey I’d like to have a Fallen Angel Cocktail tonight.
This is going to call for some research on your part. But what the hell else do you have to do other than sit at home with a close companion, most being isolated and quarantined. So, you have time. Don’t give me a hard time here. That’s why I gave you resources that you can call upon.
Think of this as part of your education in life. Preparation for socializing in 2021 and beyond. A primer on how to spend your Coronavirus $600 Relief allocations or your EU Finanancial Relief. Did I say $600? Let's make that $2000! How about that.
Which leads me to the inventory. Unless you're going to spend your entire allocation at your favorite liquor and wine shop, you will need to learn the skill of improvisation. That is, no apple brandy? then try brandy or use whiskey and cut back a little on the portion. Experiment with what you have on hand. Such as mint syrup or mint flavoring. For a bitter you can use a digestif which comes in a small bottle, such as Jägermeister or Leib Wachter.
Let’s not forget techniques. Ice that coupe glass, and ice that mixer before you add fresh ice. Rinse the ice cube going into a final drink. Always have a garnish. Consider a New Year's Resolution of making your own clear ice cubes! It’s easy to make Grenadine and Simple Syrup (hint - thespruceeats.com). Lecture your partner to hold the coup by the stem, not the bowl. Be patient and practice your Yoga mindfulness. Rub lemon or lime on the rim, and – as they do in Munich’s Schumann's – rub it on the stem. When icing the glass, rinse the glass with a flavoring such as absinthe or peach.
The worst that can happen is you make a mistake and create a new cocktail, such as the Sbagliato! Wouldn’t that be cool?
& don’t forget music – The Messiah!
 |
a Salut from guests at House of Bols Museum and Bar, Amsterdam |
Merry Christmas, Happy Boxing Day
&
Happy New Year
Constantine
Spirit Snob
