In the Land of Cocktails

Light drinkers and heavy food.…

Posted by Cocktail Chicks on December 23rd, 2010

Swiz­zle Stick Bar Chef, Lu Brow, received a ques­tion recently from our friends and cock­tail enthu­si­asts, Kerry Keach and Lance Win­ters of Los Ange­les, CA regard­ing hol­i­day entertaining.

Hey, can you rec­om­mend a cock­tail for a hol­i­day gath­er­ing?  It can’t be any­thing too strong in alco­hol fla­vor.  Our friend, Sophie, put us in charge of the booze, but she is a light­weight and I think her hus­band, Mark, is too.  Any suggestions?

In her never end­ing gen­eros­ity Lu replied…

Hmmm.  Light drinkers and heavy food.

This is what I would do:

Cham­pagne cock­tails, but with a twist.

Per­haps this recipe:

In each flute pour 1 ounce of any of the following:

Triple Sec

Coin­treau

Cham­bord

Pama Liqueur

If you use either the Cham­bord or Pama you can add 1/2 ounce of either Coin­treau or Triple Sec, which would be fine in this cock­tail.  Top with cham­pagne; float dried cran­ber­ries or a twist of orange.  Really light and nice.

Maybe a pitcher of lime daiquiris if they have access to crushed ice.  If they don’t it will still be a decent drink, but not as spe­cial.  I like Cruzan Light rum, aged if they have it available.

Either pitch­ers of Side­cars or French 75’s.  I like cit­rus with heavy food.  Also, brandy is lighter in fla­vor and proof so it’s always a good choice for light drinkers.

I would def­i­nitely stay away from tequila, bour­bon, scotch or gin.  Well, I wouldn’t stay away, but I wouldn’t rec­om­mend it for light drinkers.

Cheers and here’s hop­ing they have a great hol­i­day season.

- Lu

We fol­lowed up with Kerry and Lance…

Being a fan of Pama Liquor we tried the cham­pagne with it and the result was a refresh­ing, light cock­tail that com­pli­mented our hol­i­day meal.  Even the guests who were not seri­ous drinkers asked for sec­onds and thirds.

Thanks, Lu.  Cheers and Happy Holidays!