Ginger-Pear Cocktail and the Nihilist

by Lissa Townsend Rodgers, Posted Jan 1st 2009 @ 10:05AM

I do most of my cocktail inventing around the holidays. The reason for this is twofold. One, I always visit my parents and they possess a liquor cabinet that shames some bars, not only in actual number of bottles, but also in the array of top-shelf and/or rare liquors. Two, when does one find oneself in need of a drink more than the holidays?

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.

Filed Under: Drink Recipes, Holidays
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