Oscar-inspired cocktails

These cocktails are all winners in our books, but really, what’s not to love when they’re inspired by the five top awards given out at the Academy Awards on Oscar night?

It’s never easy to award a winner when nine incredible movies are nominated, but fortunately picking a cocktail to help with the celebration is. An inspired choice would be something classic that leaves you satisfied, with a lingering flavour that’s hard to forget. So how about a twist on a traditional ginger and bourbon?

Bourbon and ginger twist

Serving size 1

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 ounces Maker’s Mark bourbon
• 1-1/2 ounces carbonated water
• 2 ounces ginger ale
• 2 drops of bitters
• A twist of lemon peel to garnish

Directions:

Oh yes, the leading man… Five actors are in the running and are all very talented individuals, so what would be an Oscar-winning drink to toast this award with? This year’s pick would be something deep and smooth that commands our attention, such as a mixed cognac beverage.

Serving size 1

Cognac and Kahlua

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 ounces cognac
• 1-1/2 ounces Kahlua
• 1/2 ounce Amaretto

Directions:

1. Pour all the ingredients into a brandy snifter.
2. Swirl gently, and serve.

While each of the five women nominated in the leading actress category brings a strong performance to the big screen, they all possess a certain sparkle that helps bring their characters to life. What could be better than honouring these women with an elegant Champagne cocktail?

Champagne cosmo

Serving size 1

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce citrus-infused vodka
• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce cranberry juice
• 1/2 ounce orange-flavoured liqueur
• 2 ounces Champagne or sparkling wine such as prosecco
• A twist of lime

Directions:

1. Add the first four ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass or Champagne flute.
2. Top with the Champagne, and garnish with the twist of lime.

See here for more Champagne cocktail recipes >>

What makes a good director? How about someone who can pull all the components of a movie together and create an award-nominated film? While that might be a simplistic view on the process, a good cocktail does the same thing — blends different components together to make something wonderful, such as a flavourful rum punch.

Rum punch cocktail

Serving size 1

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 ounces white rum
• 1 ounce triple sec
• 1 ounce fresh orange juice
• 1 ounce pineapple juice
• Splash of grenadine
• Twist of orange for garnish

Directions: 

1. Add a large handful of ice to a Collins glass.
2. Pour the first five ingredients over the ice, and mix gently.
3. Add the grenadine, and top with a twist of orange.

A screenplay writer’s job is behind the scenes and could be considered the backbone of the film industry. Two awards are given out for the writing category, but to us, this classic cocktail symbolizes either award, as it relies on quality and its originality for the best result.

Original 10 martini

Serving size 1

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 ounces Tanqueray No. Ten gin
• 1/4 ounce dry vermouth
• Three olives

Directions:

More cocktail ideas

Cocktail trend alert: 3 Ways with gin
Seductive sippers: Valentine’s Day martinis
Vodka infusions