Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen, Bing Crosby, and Danny Kaye star in this classic 1954 holiday musical, White Christmas. The movie is made stellar not just by the singing and dancing (Vera Ellen is unreal), but also by the costume design of Edith Head. Every single costume is a work of art, and I spend the whole movie dreaming of a White Christmas- a white fur Christmas specifically. After watching the movie on repeat last season, I developed a Christmas cocktail for my mom and sis and me during a baking day, and this was the result.
Brandy is an underutilized spirit in the cocktail world. Especially here in bourbon country. We like how brandy is a bit mellower than whiskey and gives this cocktail a lovely finish. While whiskey is distilled from fermented grain, brandy is typically distilled from fermented grapes/wine or other fruit. It is a sweeter spirit and has a lovely long finish. This cocktail pairs brandy with our Orange Ginger Cranberry Shrub and prosecco or other dry bubbles.
Sister’s Mister
1.5 oz Brandy or cognac
1 oz Orange Ginger Cranberry Shrub
¼ oz Fresh orange juice
Dash of orange bitters
Prosecco or other dry bubbles
Add the first 4 ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until very cold. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with prosecco. Garnish with orange twist and fresh cranberries.
The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing
3 oz Vodka
.75 oz Fresh lemon juice
.75 oz Honey Lavender Elixir
Chill a martini or coupe glass as you mix this cocktail. Add ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until very cold. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with a twist
Loaded Potato Chips with Blue Cheese Fondue and Bacon Jam
1 bag of your favorite kettle chips. I like the crinkled ones. They hold more of the fondue and jam.
For the Fondue
2 c Hellman’s Mayo
1.5 c Sour cream
1 Shallot, minced
2 Cloves of garlic, minced
Juice of one lemon
3-5 Tbs White vinegar
16 oz Crumbled gorgonzola blue cheese
⅓ c Fresh parsley, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
In a blender, add mayo, sour cream, shallot, garlic, lemon juice, and gorgonzola. With the blender running, add vinegar 1 Tbs at a time until fondue is thin enough to drizzle over the chips.
For the Bacon Jam
1 lb Bacon
2 Extra large sweet onions, quartered and thickly sliced
.25 c Brown sugar
.25 c 7 Syrup
1/3 c Strong brewed coffee
1 Tbs Balsamic vinegar
Black pepper to taste