The Liquid Muse

Milking Holiday Cheer

“Twelve Cocktails of Christmas” available through Epiphany

This is the cutest holiday cocktail idea. (I only wish I had thought of it!) Luckily, we have 1789 Restaurant to thank for the Twelve Cocktails of Christmas! If I were in Washington tonight, I’d gather some friends for a little sing along at 1789. One-two-three... On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A partridge in a pear tree
“Sugar Daddy” made with Pear Cognac

Two turtle doves
“Dove Champagne Cocktail”
(Angostura bitters, brandy, orange liqueur, a sugar cube and champagne)

Three French hens
“French 75”

Four calling birds
“Absolut Snowbird”

Five golden rings
“Golden Chain”

Six geese a-laying
“Rob Roy”
GREY GOOSE La Vanille Espresso Martini (Six Geese a Layin)
2 parts Grey Goose vanilla vodka
1 part Irish cream
1 part coffee liqueur
Espresso

Pour GREY GOOSE La Vanille Vodka into a shaker over ice, add Irish cream, coffee liqueur and a half shot of espresso. Shake until chilled, strain into glass and top with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. Garnish with espresso beans.

Seven swan’s a-swimming
“Sink or Swim”

Eight maid’s a-milking
“White Christmas Dream”
(Amaretto, heavy cream and vodka into a shaker and strained into a chilled glass garnished with ground nutmeg)

Nine ladies dancing
"Ladies Cocktail"
Several dashes of Angostura bitters
Several dashes of Pernod
1 1⁄2 oz. whisky
1 tsp. anisette
Pineapple stick

Mix all ingredients, except pineapple stick, with cracked ice in a shaker or blender and strain into a chilled Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a pineapple stick.

Ten lord’s a-leaping
“Leap Frog”

Eleven pipers piping
“Piper at Arms”

Twelve drummers drumming
A “Dram” of premium malt scotch

My only word of advice is not to try all twelve in one sitting. Or, if you do, please email me with all the sordid details… we could end up creating a thirteenth day of Christmas… 13 pounding headaches!

* Photo Credit: Jonathan Quigley