Christmas Cheer

Now that Christmas is just around the corner, I'm starting to feel festive.  One manifestation of that feeling is being in the mood for a special holiday cocktail.  I generally just stick to wine, keeping it simple and uncomplicated like all other things in my life, but the holidays call for something special.

I started searching for cocktail recipes and came across this in Food and Wine.  Its called the Evergreen Swizzle.
     

1. 18 ounces gin
2. 6 ounces Yellow Chartreuse
3. 6 ounces Zirbenz (pine liqueur)
4. 6 ounces strained fresh lime juice
5. 18 ounces water

1. Combine the ingredients in a pitcher and stir well.  Chill for at least 4 hours, until very cold. Serve with small rosemary sprigs.  Lest the proportions alarm you, this recipe is for 12 drinks.  (Credit to Jamie Boudreau and Food & Wine).

Now, that just sounds really good to me, wintery and fresh and herbal.  The problem is, I'm guessing it would be impossible to find pine liqueur here in Mexico.

So . . . my next choice is a French 75, a fizzy, lemony drink, usually made with gin, but this one calls for cognac.  Sounds good either way.  And, the ingredients aren't hard to come by.

1. Ice
2. 1 1/2 ounces VSOP cognac
3. 1/2 ounce simple syrup
4. 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
5. Sparkling wine

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the cognac, simple syrup and lemon juice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass, top with sparkling wine and serve.

(Recipe:  Neal Bodenheimer  Image:  Paul Costello)


So here's to your Merry Christmas!
Cheers, 

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