I get a lot of questions about what to drink, eat or serve during the holiday season so below I put together a sort of greatest hits of what I usually do.
If you know me you know I’m consistent and don’t really experiment with trying out new cocktails. During the holiday season I don’t really change much, except I will add Champagne into the mix more than I would on a regular weekend. Martinis and Manhattans make more of an appearance, and an Old Fashioned or Boulevardier might coming into the rotation—and of course the Negroni. If you don’t have my Negroni book, I’m sharing the Author’s Negroni below, as well as sharing some of my favorite spirit, wine, and accompaniment makers.
Author’s Negroni
1 1/4 oz Campari
1 1/4 oz London dry gin
3/4 oz Punt e Mes vermouth
Slice of orange for garnish
Combine the Campari, gin, vermouth, in an old fashioned glass filled with ice. Stir and garnish with orange slice.
MY FAVORITE
Gins: Harris, Beefeater, Tanqueray 10, Number 3, Engine, Rivo, 44, Plymouth, Chemist, Bombay, Monkey 47, Botanist
Vintage spirits (like old bitters, vermouth and gin): Old Spirits Company
Tonics: Fever Tree, Jack Rudy, and Schweppes in a pinch
Champagnes: Drappier zero dosage, Bollinger, Ruinart, Billecart-Salmon rosé, Dom or Krug if it’s in the budget.
Sparkling wines: Gruet in the US (get the rose!), or I will pick up a good bottle of Prosecco, Cava or Franciacorta