December 21, 2010

Cocktail Hour is our monthly feature covering our latest concoctions from behind the bar.

Though milk is the peace offering de rigueur for Santa (just giving, no taking), it’s not your only option. In fact, he enjoys a rich variety of libations around the world. In France they leave Italian wine to get rid of it, while in Norway they serve the Potion of Yuletide Souls, or du snakker ikke norsk, which can only be prepared by the nation’s three oldest blind monks, who incidentally are blinded by the procedure (it involves staring at the sun).

If you’re feeling unencumbered by the shackles of tradition this year, we recommend some classically modern cocktails that could keep Rudolph’s nose red. But Santa, if you’re reading this, we know you won’t drink and sleigh.

Snow Shoe
This chilled shot of whiskey and menthol liqueur is straight from a Midwest fishing hole. We garnish it with a mint leaf clipped into a cranberry, just like those ice fishermen do.

Peppermint Martini
It’s Double Cross vodka, menthol liqueur, candy cane garnish, and shaken, not stirred.

Cranberry Cosmo
We give this holiday spirit some holiday spirit with top shelf vodka, cointreau, a splash of cranberry a rosemary and candied cranberry garnish.

First Frost
We take Double Cross vodka, amaretto, heavy cream, shake and serve on rocks with a chocolate dusting that brings to mind the season’s first chocolate snow.