Oscars 2012: Toast the winners with these Academy Awards-inspired cocktails
(CBS) While Hollywood's finest are gearing up for the Academy Awards, many more are getting ready to watch the ceremony at home.
And if you're planning a viewing party for Sunday's ceremony, make sure to toast the winners with an Oscar-themed cocktail.
Pictures: Oscar nominees 2012
Complete Coverage: The 84th Academy Awards
For a general awards-inspired cocktail, try this one from New York City's The London Hotel, inspired by a perennial awards season staple: The red carpet.
The London Red Carpet
Fresh raspberries
2.5 oz vodka
1 oz blood orange puree
1.2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz agave nectar
Muddle raspberries in a shaker. Add remaining ingredients, shake and serve in a martini glass. Garnish with Thai chili pepper-infused extra virgin olive oil.
Beefeater and Plymouth gins also have suggestions for Oscar cocktails, inspired by some of this year's nominees:
The Iron Lady (for Meryl Streep, best actress nominee for "The Iron Lady")
2 parts Plymouth Gin
1/2 part grenadine
1/2 part lemon juice (fresh)
3/4 part egg white (optional)
Give all ingredients a good shake, strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a slice of lemon.
Take the Reins (For best picture nominee "War Horse")
2 parts Beefeater London Dry Gin
3/4 parts lime juice (fresh)
1 part ginger beer
1/2 part sugar syrup
6-8 mint leaves
Mint sprig to garnish
Shake all ingredients, except the ginger beer, vigorously with ice and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top up with ginger beer and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Norma Jeane (for Kenneth Branagh, supporting actor nominee for "My Week with Marilyn")
4 parts Beefeater London Dry Gin
2 parts sweet vermouth
1 part Creme de Framboise
5 parts blood orange juice
2 parts blood orange sorbet*
1 bottle of champagne
Blood orange slices and raspberries to garnish
Method: Build all the ingredients, except the champagne, on rock ice in the bowl or jug. Stir to chill thoroughly and garnish with the blood orange slices and raspberries. Serve in Collins or punch glasses topped with champagne.
Notes: To make the blood orange sorbet, zest five blood oranges into a pan and then squeeze in their juice. Add 15 tablespoons of caster sugar and slowly heat to dissolve the sugar - make sure you don't let it boil. Leave to infuse, let cool for 30 minutes and then strain through a fine sieve.
Nick Van Tiel, ambassador for Beefeater and Plymouth gins, also has some tips for pulling off a perfect Oscar party:
- Chill your glasses in your freezer for professional presentation and the ultimate at-home cocktail experience.
- When entertaining guests of 6 or more, it's best to always have a punch made so that guests can enjoy a cocktail upon arrival.
- Make sure you have your home bar stocked with good ice, bitters and vermouth, along with your standard home bar set-up.
- Always use fresh juices in your cocktails - fresh squeezed is best.
- Take a cue from the red carpet and add a little extra fun to your cocktails. Be creative with your garnishes - like pomegranate seeds, sage leaves or edible gold flakes.
- Have the basics on hand - not everyone likes a custom cocktail. Sometimes a basic gin and tonic will do the trick.
Tell us: Are you planning an Academy Awards viewing party?
