A Cocktail for All Seasons
It’s served in high balls, low balls, tall and short, wine, margarita, martini and snifter glasses. What is it? It is an American favorite – the cocktail.
by
Kelly
Tokarski
It comes in colors such as brown, white, red, yellow, blue, pink and green. It comes shaken, stirred, whipped, blended, straight and over rocks. It's served in high balls, low balls, tall and short, wine, margarita, martini and snifter glasses. What is it? It is an American favorite - the cocktail.
Who didn't love watching Tom Cruise shake, rattle, roll and flip cocktails in the movie "Cocktail?" Okay, so maybe some didn't enjoy that film, but for others, it was symbolic of their everyday lives (or at least their weekend lives). Why? Because Americans love their spirits, and we're not talking ghosts here. No, spirits as in cocktails, ranging from martinis to margaritas to daiquiris to specialty drinks, and no other beverage has garnered as much attention and money as the cocktail has. Cocktails are popular everywhere and fit in with almost any type of occasion such as dinners, parties or holiday celebrations. Whether it's a football game, a big promotion or a quiet evening at home, Americans love to celebrate any occasion with cocktails.
Imagine going to a party, wedding reception or restaurant without access to cocktails. Not to say that alcohol is needed to enjoy these occasions because it's not, but for those of us who enjoy an aperitif or two, it's what we want, look for and crave at these special events. Cocktails are fun to drink, make and serve. There is a cocktail for every season, occasion and event. Just take a look at restaurants throughout the country that use any excuse to bring patrons in with promotions of special cocktails. And with the holiday season quickly approaching, restaurants and retailers will be pulling out all the stops to persuade Americans to consume their one-of-a-kind cocktails.
"We like to feature special drinks each month that coincide with a holiday or special occasion," says Nick Ruggles bartender at Cedar Creek Inn in Laguna Beach. "For instance, green dye is used in cocktails around St. Patty's Day, and we'll offer a special 'love cocktail' around Valentine's Day -- people love it, and it keeps them coming back."
At Chimayo Restaurant in Huntington Beach, everyday is a reason to celebrate with cocktails. The restaurant features an array of classic cocktails as well as their own concoctions created for festive celebrations. "People go wild for the 'Chimayo Cocktail,' which was created with a tropical theme," said Raymond Garcia, bartender at Chimayo Restaurant. "The long marinating process makes the flavors of this drink so intense and delicious." The Chimayo Cocktail consists of a tropical blend of fresh fruit, tequila and orange liqueur, which marinates for eight hours before being poured over ice, shaken and then strained into a martini glass.
Finding restaurants and retailers that offer specialty and seasonal cocktails is simple, but so is making them at home. So, instead of going out for special cocktails, save some money and marvel friends, family and co-workers by shaking up a few seasonal or anytime-cocktails like the ones listed below.
Bourbon Furnace: 6 ounces hot apple cider 3 whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick Combine all the ingredients in a stemmed mug and serve.
Malibu Baked Apple: 2 ounces of Malibu Rum 2-3 ounces of heated cranberry juice 2-3 ounces heated apple juice Combine all the ingredients in a stemmed mug and serve.
Cosmopolitan Martini: ½ ounce Cointreau 1 ounce vodka Juice of ½ lime Splash cranberry juice Pour all ingredients in mixing glass half filled with ice, shake and strain into chilled Martini glass.
Cranberry Margarita 1 ¼ cup cranberry juice ½ cup sugar 1½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries, rinsed ¾ cup tequila ½ cup Grand Marnier Pour all ingredients in a blender with ice or shake it in a tin cup and serve over ice.
A Cocktail for All Seasons