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Photo Credit - Getty Images/Julia Sudnitskaya

The time is upon us.

The holidays.

For some, it is a time to get all the decorations down from the attic and begin the process of turning the “humble abode” into a winter wonderland. I mean, sometimes you just HAVE to show up your Cousin Eddie or your neighbors who have won Yard of the Month for seven months out of the year.

For others, it is a time to gather the family and reminisce about all the fun and wonderful times that were had. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents and siblings all coming to a central location to share in the comradery that is Christmas, have a meal together and pass along some gifts somewhere along the way.

Yet, there are a few that don’t really care to decorate or spend time with the family. Those that would rather spend the time with friends, old and new, and share some libations over a myriad of conversations.

Personally, I like all three. I have fun to decorate. I love my family and I really cherish my time with my friends. Hopefully, I can help everyone with this fun little menu.

I have decided to use my favorite Christmas movie for inspiration. Scrooged. Yes, Scrooged. The wonderful retelling of a classic story always seems to put me in the holiday spirit. With that, I would like to share four cocktails that are wrapped up neatly in a nice little theme.

With these, I would like to wish you all very happy holidays.

Stay safe and CHEERS!
 

• The Ghost of Christmas Past •
For this cocktail, I took my favorite recipe from “old” and gave it a slight change to make it feel a little more festive.
The Old Fashioned. Simple. Timeless. Classic. Deee-licious.
Here’s what I did:
2 oz.    Copper and Kings Butchertown Brandy
.5 oz.   Simple Syrup
2 dash Chocolate Bitters
2 dash Orange Bitters
I combined all ingredients into a mixing jar (a pint glass or shaker tin will do just fine) with ice. Stirred it really cold and then strained it into a rocks glass with a large cube and garnished it with an orange peel and a cinnamon stick.
 
• The Ghost of Christmas Present •
This recipe came to me in the form of a happy mistake and has become a new favorite of mine….for now. This is why I chose this drink. It was developed about a month ago and my tastes are always changing. So, here is a recipe that is easy to execute and tastes like lemonade for adults.
1 oz.    The Glenlivet Founders Reserve
1 oz.    Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey
1 oz.    Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz.    Simple Syrup
3 dash Orange Bitters
I combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass with new ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
 
• Ghost of Christmas Future •
This cocktail was a little tough. I mean, if I could see or predict the future…I would be in a different line of work! So, I will take my best guess going on the trends that I have seen come and go. I am putting my money on Gin. Gin has come such a long way and now in the wake of the boom of micro-distilleries popping up, all sorts of flavors, types, and variations of Gin are popping up…and I like it. The good folks at Treaty Oak Distilling are producing a barrel-aged gin that will work perfectly for this next cocktail.
1.5 oz. Waterloo Antique Gin
.5 oz.   Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
.75 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
.5 oz.   Simple Syrup
1          Egg White
Combine all ingredients into a shaker WITHOUT ice. Dry shake for at least a minute. Add Ice. Shake again for at least one more minute. Double strain into a coupe glass or a rocks glass without ice. I take a thin sliced lemon wheel, sprinkle sugar on the top and use a torch to brulee the sugar and float that on top of the cocktail (the foam should hold it up very well). If this is too much (or you just don’t trust yourself with an open flame) then a simple lemon peel will work as well.
 
Bonus:
This next cocktail is a little homage to Bill Murray. I know that he loves him some tequila, so I took it a step further by using Mezcal. This drink tastes like the liquid form of a grilled pineapple. No joke.

• The Frank Cross •
1 oz.    Ancho Reyes Ancho Chili Liqueur
.75 oz. Xicaru Mezcal
.5 oz.   Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz.    Pineapple Juice
3 oz.    REAL Pineapple Infused Syrup
Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a tall glass with new ice. I garnish with some pineapple leaves and a big wedge of pineapple.

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