What is your favorite movie from the past year? With these Oscars inspired cocktails, cast your vote with a toast and a sip.
Oscars inspired cocktails might be a creative way to throw your support behind a particular Best Picture Nominee. Looking through this year’s set of nominees in this Academy Award category, the diversity is extensive. From huge blockbuster hits to smaller thought provoking dramas, there seems to be a movie for every mood, person and experience.
When it comes to picking an Oscars cocktail, the options are just as diverse. For some people, they might choose a cocktail based strictly on its connection to their favorite Best Picture Nominee. Other people might cast their vote with a cocktail that has delicious flavors. Some people might want to try one of everything.
Just like movie trends, cocktails have trends, too. From trending ingredients, like activated charcoal, to particular flavors, like the increase use of bitters, cocktails change year after year. As people are willing to expand their comfort levels, these type of themed cocktails offer that opportunity.
As the countdown to Sunday’s Academy Awards show reaches its pinnacle, these Oscars inspired cocktails have topped our list of must sip libations. Which one will be your favorite?
Black Panther cocktail, photo provided by Slow and Low
Black Panther
Black Panther was a hugely successful movie. Some people found the movie’s storyline and message to be vital to its success. Other people saw the movie as an entertaining superhero masterpiece. It doesn’t matter the reason that brought people to the theater. It matters that people came.
As a Best Picture nominee, this film breaks many barriers. From its ensemble cast to its storyline, Black Panther is changing how the Academy views an award nominee. A box office success doesn’t negate its contribution to film. Success and importance can go hand in hand.
For this Oscars inspired cocktail, both the color and the flavor reference the movie. The sweet and sour cocktail is impressive visually, but also has a clearly defined flavor.
Here is how to make Black Panther “Vibranium”
"Black Panther “Vibranium” Ingredients: • 2 oz. Slow and Low • 1 oz. Lemon Juice • 1 oz. Simple Syrup • 1/4 tsp Activated Charcoal Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin. Shake vigorously with ice. Strain over large cube in an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a lemon twist."
Superfly,BlacKkKlansman inspired cocktail photo provided by Zaya Rum
BlacKkKlansman
This Best Picture nominee has a lot of importance. Finally, Spike Lee is getting recognized by the Academy for one of his films. While this film is set in the 1970s, the racially charged topics resonate in today’s difficult times.
This cocktail, called Superfly, is somewhat perplexing. The combination of hot chocolate and rum seems somewhat straightforward. The addition of bitters adds a savory note punch. Still, the flavor surprise lies in the whipped cream.
Brancamenta is a pungent aroma and flavor. This liqueur is herbal, boldly minty and definitely memorable. Some say that the liqueur has a balsamic taste. Others refer to the minty quality. Adding this liqueur to a whipped cream is definitely a game changer.
Here’s how to make Superfly.
"SUPERFLY Created by Gates Otsuji (The Standard, High Line, 848 Washington St, New York, NY 10014) Ingredients: • 1.5 oz Zaya Rum • 5 oz Brancamenta • Angostura Bitters • Hot chocolate (recommend dark chocolate) • Whole milk Directions: Pour 1.5 oz Zaya into a glass mug, and add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters. Steam 7 oz of whole milk with 40 g hot dark chocolate, and pour into the mug. Top with Brancamenta whipped cream** **Brancamenta whipped cream: Stir 5 oz of Brancamenta, and 2 tablespoons of superfine sugar into 26 oz heavy cream, dissolving the sugar. Pour this mixture into an iSi whipped cream canister, load 2 cream chargers, chill and dispense."
Bake and Wake, Bohemian Rhapsody inspired cocktail, photo provided by Slow & Low
Bohemian Rhapsody
Who hasn’t sung or clapped to a Queen song? Those songs have become part of the pop culture landscape. Within a few couple of bars, everyone can identify those favorite songs.
The film Bohemian Rhapsody was well received by many music fans. The story of Freddie Mercury and Queen offered a bit of escapism into the eccentric world of popular musicians. From music creation to the performances, these people are rock legends.
To create a cocktail based on this movie, the options were many. This particular Oscars inspired cocktail combines a few ingredients that some musicians might enjoy. While a few ingredients can eliminated based on personal preferences, it does make a nice connection to the movie.
Here’s how to make Bake and Wake inspired by the movie Bohemian Rhapsody.
"Bake and Wake (Created by Sandi Hein at Hooch and Hive) Ingredients: • 1.5oz Slow & Low • .5oz Orange Liqueur • 1oz espresso • Honey • 1 drop of Hemp CBD oil (Not required) • Almond Milk Foam"
Woodford Reserve Tea Punch, The Favourite, inspired cocktail, photo provided by Woodford Reserve
The Favourite
Who holds favor with the Queen? In this Best Picture Nominee, the back and forth between women seeking favor is slightly humorous and something unnerving. Could someone else really be the power behind the throne? What about all that English decorum?
For this Oscars inspired cocktail, the classic tea takes an adult twist. Recently, tea has seen a resurgence in popularity. This beverage isn’t for afternoon sips with a plate of tea sandwiches. Tea can be the flavorful component of a delightful cocktail.
In this cocktail, the combination of tea and juice has a nice balance of sweet yet not overpowering the tea. It is bright, tart and, most importantly, bourbon forward. If you have one of these cocktails in the afternoon, try to eat more than a little tea cake.
"Woodford Reserve Tea Punch (Created by Elizabeth McCall) Ingredients: • 6 cups of Unsweetened Tea (3oz. per glass) • 3 cups Strawberry Lemonade (1.5oz. per glass) • 3 cups Orange Juice (1.5oz per glass) • 4 cups Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon (2oz per glass) Method: • Pour over ice • Garnish with a mint sprig and a cinnamon stick"
Proper Old Fashion, Green Book inspired cocktail, photo provided by Proper No. 12
Green Book
Green Book explores the real life struggles that African Americans faced while traveling throughout the United States. Needing his protector, the accomplished musician and companion forge an unexpected appreciation for one another.
In some cases, a historic cocktail from the era could have been a logical choice for this Oscar inspired cocktail. Instead, this cocktail takes a riff on a classic cocktail, which is a nice homage to the movie.
Transforming the classic cocktail, Old Fashion, with a robust, unusual syrup shows that unlikely flavors can be combined in a refreshing way. The Guinness Demerara syrup is definitely a new flavor experience and one that might change how you think about a classic Old Fashion.
Here’s how to make Proper Old Fashion.
"Proper Old Fashion (Created by Nick Fogel, Beverage Director, The Late Late Bar & Spirit Grocer) Ingredients: • 2 oz Proper No. 12 • .25 oz Guinness Demerara syrup • .25 oz Amaro Nonino • 1 dash Walnut bitters • Garnish: Orange Twist Directions: Method: Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, stir to chill. Strain into a rocks glass. Guiness Demerara Syrup Ingredients: • 1.5 quart Guinness • 1 quart Demerara • 2 sticks of cinnamon • 2 tablespoons of pink peppercorn Directions: • Bring the Guinness to a simmer in a saucepan and allow to reduce by approximately half. • Add cinnamon and pink peppercorn. Whisk in demerara sugar. Stir and simmer for five min allowing the mixture to thicken. Stain and cool."
Elevated Paloma, inspired by Roma, photo provided by Avion Tequila
Roma
Roma is a challenging film. Set in Mexico City in the 1970s, the story is part family drama and part political upheaval. During the 1970s, this area of Mexico City was supposed to be an upper/middle class enclave. Instead it was filled with danger and heartbreak. While resilience prevails, this drama is heart wrenching.
Today, the Roma area of Mexico City is an artistic, vibrant location. It has numerous well received restaurants and galleries. A trip to that area today does not resemble some of the despair of the movie.
For this Oscar inspired cocktail, a classic Mexican cocktail gets a slight twist. A Paloma is a classic cocktail that is bright with a hint of sweetness. It is perfect on a warm, sunny day.
Here’s how to make an Elevated Paloma.
"Elevated Paloma Recipe: • 2 parts Avion Reposado or Avion Silver Tequila • 1 part Grapefruit Juice • ½ part simple syrup • ½ part fresh lime juice • Splash club soda Method: Build ingredients over ice in a Collins glass. Stir ingredients to chill. Garnish with a lime wedge."
Bittersweet Endings, cocktail inspired by A Star is Born, photo provided by Crystal Head Vodka
A Star Is Born
The Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga movie is definitely a tissue box required movie. If you can’t listen to those songs and not feel a tear coming to your eye, you are definitely a stoic personality. While one person blooms and the other person struggles, the fairy tale ending isn’t always written in stone.
For this particular cocktail, the idea of a bittersweet ending is the theme. The cocktail’s flavor comes from Benedictine. This herbal liqueur has a sweetness and a spiced flavor. There are notes of honey and warm spices, like holiday spices. Never overly sweet, it does have a robust flavor.
Legend has it that only three people know the actual recipe to Benedictine. It is definitely worth a try at least once. It might be the sweet and sad end to your evening of Oscars watching.
Here’s how to make Bittersweet Endings.
"Bittersweet Endings Ingredients: • 2 oz. Crystal Head Vodka • 1 oz. Benedictine Garnish: Lemon twist Directions: • Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice and stir gently. • Strain into a chilled coupe glass."
Inside Out, cocktail inspired by Vice, photo provided by Templeton Rye
Vice
Vice has had many people scratch their head over the United States political system. While today’s political climate might be chaotic, the power that politicians can hold is undeniable. Does power ruin the man or does the environment create a monster?
For this Oscar inspired cocktail, the flavor profile is quite challenging, similar to Chaney himself. Whether you liked him, hated him, thought him a bully or amazed at his political power, all those responses seemed to be jumbled into a single reaction.
For this cocktail, the combination of bold, in your face flavors, somehow combine together to create a very intriguing cocktail. Never would I have thought to mix multiple, strong liqueurs with rye and absinthe. But, somehow it all works.
Also, don’t worry about absinthe making your hallucinate or go crazy. That myth has long been debunked. Still, I wouldn’t drink too many of these cocktails.
Here’s how to make Inside Out.
"Inside Out (by Natasha David) Ingredients: • 2.5 oz Carpano Antica • 1 oz Templeton Rye • 1 tsp. Branca Menta • 1 dash Absinthe Method: Stir, Strain. Serve in a Cocktail Coup or V-Martini Garnish: Orange Twist"
Almost Famous, photo provided by Ketel One
My favorite movie wasn’t nominated
If you disagree with all of the Best Picture nominees this year, don’t fret. Why not pick a cocktail that reflects the idea of being almost famous.
Some of this year’s favorite, most beloved movies didn’t make the top eight list. From Crazy Rich Asians to Incredibles 2, those movies had legions of fans flocking to the theater.
Critically acclaimed hits like If Beale Street Could Talk and even the First Man weren’t recognized by the Academy. Although this year’s nominees were more inclusive, everyone has an opinion on a potential snub.
Why not raise a glass to the almost famous. This cocktail, Ketel One Vodka Almost Famous, is a bright, flavorful sip. The use of Suze is interesting. That ingredient is a French apertif. It is bitter, floral and sweet. In many ways, it could be considered like an umami element to a cocktail.
This cocktail is also a little trendy. The use of guava juice makes it feel a little exotic. Overall, the cocktail is just on the verge of discovery, just like an actor who is almost famous.
Here’s how to make the Ketel One Vodka Almost Famous.
"Ketel One Vodka Almost Famous Ingredients 40ml Ketel One Vodka 30ml Suze 15ml fresh lime juice 15ml agave syrup 2:1 (2 parts agave nectar 1 part water) 30ml fresh guava juice 1 dash Peychaud’s bitters"
Are you throwing an Academy Awards watching party? Will you be sipping on some Oscar inspired cocktails?
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