Oscar cocktails: Best Picture cocktails are red carpet worthy

As movie fans prepare for Oscar parties, Oscar cocktails are an essential to any celebration. These Best Picture inspired cocktails are definitely red carpet worthy.

Oscar night is a huge celebration for movie fans. While the majority of us watch the celebration on television, an Oscar party is a great way to celebrate the best that the movies produced for the year. Oscar cocktails are a delightful way for bring some movie magic to the celebration. From Best Picture themed cocktails to red carpet worthy sips, these fabulous cocktails can make you feel like the ultimate celebrity.

While everyone has a favorite or signature cocktail, an Oscar themed party needs a little more than just a regular beverage. Whether you enjoy a riff on a classic cocktail or an elaborate drink based on one of the Best Picture nominees, the libations can make the whole evening extremely festive.

The Golden Age, Oscar cocktails, photo provided by Four Roses Bourbon

For a straight-forward, easy to make Oscar-themed cocktail, Four Roses Bourbon suggests The Golden Age. Thinking back to old-school, Hollywood glamour, this simple cocktail is a lovely option to sip and savor throughout the entire broadcast.

To make The Golden Age, combine “4 ounces Four Roses Bourbon, 4 ounces ginger beer, mix and serve over ice. Garnish the cocktail with a lime wedge.” The cocktail has a nice spice from the ginger beer while a slow warmth from the bourbon.

Cocktail Chameleon by Mark Addison, photo provided by Cocktail Chameleon,

Movie fans looking to have the ultimate Oscar-themed party, Best Picture themed cocktails are definitely the way to celebrate. Mark Addison, entertaining expert and Cocktail Chameleon author, shared with FoodSided some of this special libations for this year’s Best Picture nominees.

For the party host, these recipes can be a great way to create a theme for your Oscar party. The host can choose one particular cocktail that she thinks will earn the Oscar for Best Picture or she could have guests predict the winner with their cocktail choice.

While Addison creates a cocktail for all the Best Picture nominees, FoodSided is highlighting our favorite movies from his list. From riffs on old school libations to a non-alcoholic punch option, these Best Picture cocktails will make an appearance at our party Sunday night.

Darkest Hour

A classic champagne cocktail has an element of sophistication. While we might not get red carpet glam ready for the Oscar viewing party, a red carpet worth cocktail is a delightful choice. Addison’s Darkest Hour cocktail is inspired by a favorite Winston Churchill drink. Apparently, Churchill enjoyed Scotch whiskey. The Savory hotel would serve a whiskey and champagne cocktail to the statesman. This version is a variation on that cocktail.

The Churchill, photo provided by Mark Addison, entertaining expert and Cocktail Chameleon author

"“Darkest Hour”The Churchill(variation on the Champagne Cocktail)1 oz. Scotch whisky (Churchill preferred Johnnie Walker)1/2 oz. lime juice1/2 oz. sweet vermouth1/2 oz. Cointreau2 oz. champagneGarnish: lemon peelShake ingredients together with ice, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or coupe and top with chilled champagne. Garnish with the lemon peel."

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Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Sometimes Best Picture nominees are a difficult fit for cocktail inspiration. This movie, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” is a difficult cocktail pairing. Addison drew his inspiration from the location, Missouri, rather than the movie’s theme. His “3 Cocktails…” highlight Missouri based spirits.

While there are no cliché moonshine references, these cocktails offer an interesting take on the Missouri based spirits. Remember pickles and pickle juice is good for you. Don’t turn your nose up on that flavor combination until you have tried. It.

Three Cocktails from inside Missouri, photo provided by Mark Addison, entertaining expert and Cocktail Chameleon author

"Three Cocktails from inside MissouriMissouri Mule1 1/2 oz. Missouri Sprits Bourbon Whiskey3/4 oz. lemon juice1/2 oz. Campari1/2 oz. Triple SecGarnish: lemon wheelCombine with ice, shake and pour into a highball glass. Garnish with lemon wheel.Missouri Manhattan2 oz. Missouri Sprits Corn Whiskey1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth1/2 oz. Agave Nectar2 dashes Angostura BittersGarnish: maraschino cherry, one king ice cubeIn a mixing glass with ice, combine the ingredients and stir well. Strain over a king cube in an old fashion glass. Garnish with a cherry.Missouri Martini2 ounces Missouri Sprits Vodka1/4-ounce extra dry vermouth1/4-ounce pickle juice1 dash of hot sauceGarnish: dill pickle spearGlassware:Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain contents into chilled martini glass and garnish with pickle."

Shape of Water

Sometimes cocktails are chosen because they are pretty, have bright colors or have cool characteristics. This cocktail, inspired by the film Shape of Water, has all of those characteristics. The cocktail color, a bright green, comes from Crème De Menthe. While not a commonly used liqueur, it was popular during the 50s and 60s, which is this movie’s timeframe.

Also, this cocktail is a fizz cocktail. This style of cocktail became popular in New Orleans. The combination of acid (like a lemon or lime juice) with a carbonated beverage is the basis of a fizz cocktail.

In this Best Picture cocktail, Addison adds egg whites for an extra frothy component. Also, the egg whites are a nice reference to the movie. Don’t be intimidated by the egg whites. The key is to remember to shake the cocktail well.

Swamp Fizz, photo provided by Mark Addison, entertaining expert and Cocktail Chameleon author

"Swamp Fizz2 Oz. Gin1 Tsp. Green Crème De Menthe1 oz.fresh lemon juice1 egg white1 Tsp. Superfine SugarClub SodaGarnish: lime zestAdd gin, crème de menthe, lemon juice, sugar and egg white to your shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into Collins glass over ice and top with club soda. Garnish with lime zest."

Lady Bird

At any Oscar party, a non-alcoholic beverage is always a smart choice. While this punch recipe has alcohol, it can easily be omitted and still retain its bright flavor profiles.

Referencing the wanderlust struggle in the movie Lady Bird, Addison’s Kiwi Punch features an unusual combination of kiwi and mint. The fruit flavors are predominate, but the mint offers a nice balance to over the punch from becoming overly sweet.

After a few sips, you might be dreaming of traveling some place far away.

Kiwi Punch, photo provided by Mark Addison, entertaining expert and Cocktail Chameleon author

"Kiwi Punch (aka Flightless Bird)Serves 82 cups kiwi, peeled and diced12 mint leaves2 tablespoons sugar3 limes, juiced2 cups vodka2 cups tonic waterice cubes1 kiwi, thinly sliced for garnishGarnish: Star fruit slice, mint sprigsIn a pitcher, combine diced kiwis, mint leaves, sugar, and ½ lime juiced. Muddle the contents until fully combined. Fill the pitcher with ice and top off with vodka and tonic water. Stir, pour into eight tumbler glasses over ice making sure each glass receives equal amounts of kiwi and mint leaves. Garnish with a star fruit slice and mint sprig."

Next: Horror movie cocktail: Dare to sip?

These Oscar cocktails are just a few suggestions for Academy Award watching parties. Are you throwing a party? What will be in your cocktail glass?