Stronger, colder, yummier. The Olympic credo of cocktails.
From Russia with Love…and Vodka.
The following were created in honor of the 2014 Olympics and thirsty spectators everywhere. But they are really just launching pads for your own winter-coping creations. This winter thing is serious stuff. You can either complain about it or embrace it. Being outdoor people, we of course choose the latter, though often we embrace with one hand while holding a frosty cold drink in the other. Really, when you gather round a bonfire with friends and pour something sweet and boozy over snow what can possibly go wrong?
For all the following drinks the set-up is the same:
Fill and pack your desired vehicle with clean snow (or finely crushed/pulverized ice). Mix all liquid ingredients in a separate container (*or mix and store in a lidded container for transport. All these individual recipes can be made in higher volumes, something strongly encouraged on a cold winter night). Pour carefully and evenly over snow. Stir, enjoy, repeat as necessary.
The Snowchi
(A Moscow Mule on snow. The unofficial off-site drink of the 2014 Games)
The Vehicle: For individual drinks, a small soup Thermos (It stays cold and if they think it is borscht you may be able to sneak it through security.) For high volume a sap bucket with the super long straws used in scary communal Scorpion Bowls.
- ¾ ounce ginger simple syrup (you know you are wondering how to use yours up)
- ½ ounce lime juice
- 2 ounce vodka
The twist: No ginger syrup? Make it with 2 parts ginger beer, one part vodka and a splash of lime juice. It will be more liquidy but will do the trick. Feel more aligned with Team Bermuda than Mother Russia? Sub dark rum for vodka. to make it a dark and stormy night.
Snowchis in formation, awarded to the worthy (or thirsty).
Our 12-year-old server confirms these are quite versatile. Try straight OJ, or the Polar Vortex sans vodka.
The Polar Vortex
As comfort to all who are freezing their butts off this winter, this elixir is white as snow with a sweet whisper of the tropics.
The vehicle: something clear to show off the frigid Polar whiteness of it all.
- ¼ cup light coconut milk
- ½ ounce Maple syrup
- 1½ ounce vodka
The twist: If you are trying to bulk up for your luge run use half and half or cream for the coconut milk. If you’re in training for your figure skating frock sub Coconut Dream or Almond milk for the coconut milk. It’ll be more slurpee-like than creamy but still effective. Aesthetics of clean white not an issue? Then give dark rum a shot, because we all know that dark rum goes with coconut like brooms go with curling, like Jamaicans go with bobsleds, like Russian judges go with cold hard cash.
*Coconut milk needs some serious shaking to mix evenly, so go with a lidded container and shake vigorously. Small caper bottles (see photo below) are perfect individual to-go containers.
The Alpen Pro
As a nod to après skiers everywhere, a classic rendezvous of bubbly Italian chic and sophisticated elderberry liqueur distilled in the heart of the French Alps.
The vehicle: A plastic champagne glass or something similarly shmancy. Individual servings only, unless you are drinking straight from the bottle. Above all, keep it classy!
- 4 ounce Prosecco
- ½ ounce St. Germain
The twist: Champagne is of course an option here as well, and sabering the bottle will earn you extra points among your bonfire mates.
This whole enterprise might need some exhaustive research to fine tune, but come on— it’s Olympic season and we have nearly three weeks to peak. I know you can all rise to the challenge.
The Set-Up. Some of the fixings, plus a couple of race ready Polar Vortexes to-go.
