Christmas Day may have come and gone, but the parties are far from over. With New Year’s Eve approaching, you can bet that the drinks will be flowing again in abundance (if it has stopped for you) in a few days time.
If you’re looking for some posh, but simple cocktails to serve during your party, why not give these three cocktails that chefs’ themselves swear by:
The Red Hook (Blake Royer)
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces rye whiskey
- 1/2 ounce Punt e Mes or other sweet vermouth combined with
Campari
- 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur
Directions:
briskly until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.
The Aviation (Blake Royer)
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
Directions:
Pour ingredients into a shaker with a generous handful of ice. Shake well until your fingertips ache. Strain into a martini glass and serve.
Grand Champagne Cocktail (Chef Bobby Flay)
Ingredients:
- 4 shots orange-flavored liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
- 4 teaspoons honey
- 4 fresh strawberries, tops trimmed
- 1 bottle Champagne, well chilled
- Special equipment: 4 chilled Champagne flutes
Directions:
Add the orange-flavored liqueur, honey and strawberries to a food processor and process until smooth. Fill the chilled glasses halfway with the strawberry mixture and then fill the rest of the glass with Champagne.
Each of the cocktails above offer a very different taste so you can choose whichever will suit your palate best. The Red Hook is “dark, seductive, brown, and just a little bitter”, while the Aviation is “bright, gin-y, and tart with lemon juice.” The Grand Champagne Cocktail, on the other hand, is pretty sweet and probably has a more universal appeal.
Recipes and images via ThePauperedChef and FoodNetwork
Originally posted on December 28, 2011 @ 10:26 am
