Ladies and gentlemen we have a paradigm shift! No
longer do Bourbon and Whiskey rule the oak infused liquor shelf- heavyweight
Absolut has stepped into the ring! That's right, vodka is stepping up its game
and giving our winter cocktails a run for their money with Oak by Absolut.
But it’s only in a few select markets – and Boston is one of
the lucky ones.
Utilizing a quick aging on a combination of American and
Swedish oak as well as former bourbon barrels, the vodka takes on subtle
flavor. Notes of chocolate, caramel and toasted oak make Oak by Absolut
incredibly malleable. Paired with almost anything or served on its own,
versatility is its knockout punch. Below are some inspirations for everyone in
Boston looking to enjoy some festive and delicious cocktails at home.
Fall Harvest
I'm never quite ready to abandon the light crispness of
summer white wines when the temperature begins its descent, so I created this
fall inspired sangria, utilizing a robust rose wine to help ease the
transition.
o 1
bottle rose wine (I suggest one made from Garnacha or Sangiovese)
o 1
cup Oak by Absolut
o 1
tbsp honey
o 1
Macintosh Apple, cored and then cubed
o 1
Bartlett Pear, cored and then cubed
o 1
orange, sliced, halved and cut into quarters
Instructions: Combine wine, Oak by Absolut and honey in a
large pitcher, stir well. Add the fruit, and serve over ice. If a
little fizz is appealing, top with seltzer water (local favorite Spindrift in
the lemon flavor is perfect).
The Mighty Oak
The advent of the Fall season is always welcomed with warn
sweaters, comfy boots and all things apple. A base of good apple cider,
combined with the oak flavor of Oak by Absolut and the nuttiness of Amaretto makes
this cocktail king of the fall.
o 1
cup good apple cider
o 1
shot Oak by Absolut
o 1
shot Amaretto
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with
ice. Shake well, pour into glass, serve.
Flannel and Cords
While the fashion this time of year might be oh so
"basic", this cocktail is anything but. Nutrients burst out of
this one to help ward off the common cold, and it pairs perfectly with your
perfectly trimmed beard, and of course the standard flannel.
o 1
cup pure carrot juice
o 1
shot Oak by Absolut
o 1
tsp turmeric
o 1
tsp cayenne pepper
o 2
tbsp pepperoncini juice
o 1
pepperoncini (for garnish)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except for the garnish
in a shaker over ice. Shake well. Serve over ice in a mason jar,
garnish with the pepperoncini and a handlebar mustache. Basic.
The Snow Shovel
It's coming...we all know it is. Soon enough our days
will be spent shoveling- sidewalks, parking spaces, driveways, outdoor
bars...shoveling will be done. It's a task that desperately needs a cocktail
to fix that inevitable throbbing back. Enter, The Snow Shovel.
o 1
cup Oak by Absolut
o 2
tsp good maple syrup
o 1
tsp vanilla
Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake
well. Serve straight up. Shake off the chill.
Comm Ave
Winter brings ice, snow, and the obligation to shop.
The obligation to shop with thousands of your favorite Bostonians, all jamming
into stores and creating crazy traffic at every turn. The Comm Ave is an
ode to all those brake lights that line our favorite "mall" during
the winter, and it's sure to calm your nerves from a stressful drive.
o 1
cup cranberry juice
o 1
shot Oak by Absolut
o 1
shot Cointreau
o Orange
zest
Combine all liquids in a shaker over ice. Shake
well. Strain into a martini glass, squeeze the zest of an orange peel
into the glass and add as a floater. Be glad your drinking and not
driving.
Noche Nevada
Once the winter settles in, we're all looking for ways to
escape the doldrums, and start cashing in those miles to get to the nearest tropical
location. For those of us whose points don't add up enough, fear not:
Noche Nevada is your ticket to island time
- 1 cup pure coconut milk
- 1 tsp grated cinnamon
- 1 tsp grated nutmeg
- 1 tbsp good maple syrup (optional)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with
ice. Shake very well. Serve in a martini glass and picture the sand
between your toes.