Whether it's the merriment of celebration, the release of stress, or simply the desire to take a breather from all the socializing by indulging in a brief respite behind the bar, December is the time for mixing. And also for giving, so allow me to give you my two newly-invented cocktails for 2008: the Ginger-Pear Cocktail and the Nihilist.
Ginger-Pear Cocktail
3 oz. Grey Goose La Poire
1 oz. Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur
1/2 oz. Pear nectar
1 thin slice pear
2 small pieces candied ginger
Mix all liquid ingredients with ice in cocktail shaker. String into chilled martini glass. Take toothpick or cocktail spike and put on one piece of candied ginger on toothpick, then pear slice, then other piece candied ginger. If you can think of a prettier way to put these things together, by all means do so.
Nihilist
4 oz. Blavod black vodka
1/2 oz. Opal Nera black Sambuca
Shake ingredients with ice in cocktail shaker. Strain into chilled martini glass. Do not add garnish: There is no point to adding garnish. Or to anything.
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