So it’s the start of December and the discerning gent knows exactly what’s ahead of him during the next three weeks…Christmas party season. It’s the time of year where office parties, client entertainment and glitzy awards are the evening’s entertainment. Alongside these you’ll also have multiple calendar invites for catching up over drinks and merriment. With all this to look forward to, there’s no need to taint the experience and lessen the quality of the tipple consumed.
For the discerning drinker poorly mixed cocktails certainly won’t do. Standards have been set and just because it’s the season of good will, it doesn’t mean cocktail choices need to tapered down or limited to the usual suspects. That’s why Elysium Magazine sought out the man in the know when it comes to cocktails and mixology – Salvatore Calabrese of Salvatore’s bar at the Playboy Club London to recommend the cocktails of choice for the party season.
With over 30 years in the drinks business, Salvatore’s experience has earned him the title ‘The Maestro’ within the industry for his talent of combining flavours. So when Elysium Magazine needed a few cocktail recommendations for the discerning drinker during party season, it had to be him.
Speaking to Elysium Magazine about his creations, Salvatore said “As you might be able to tell by the names Blizzard and Avalanche etc. I have taken my inspiration from Bing Crosby’s song “White Christmas”. That song sums up Christmas to me and our Rat Pack will be playing all the classic Christmas songs from Bing and Frank Sinatra over Christmas at Salvatore’s Bar, Playboy Club London. As you can guess, I am dreaming of a white Christmas and I hope my guests will be too, as they enjoy this special range of cocktails.”
Salvatore Calabrese – Christmas Party Cocktails
Alaska
Ingredients
60ml Gin
20ml Yellow Chartreuse
Dash of bitters
5ml Gomme (sugar syrup)
Method
Shake together all the ingredients
Prepare a coupette with a pear sugar rim
(To make a pear sugar rim, run a slice of pear around the rim, then roll the rim in sugar)
Pour into the coupette and serve
Avalanche
Ingredients
30ml Creme de Banana
13ml white Creme de Cacoa
15ml Amaretto
30ml double cream
Half banana
Method
Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth
Pour into a highball and garnish with toasted almonds
Blizzard
Ingredients
30ml Vodka
15ml Limoncello
15ml white Cacao
10ml Orgeat
30ml double cream
Method
Shake all the ingredients together
Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a grated lemon twist
To see more of Salvatore perfect Christmas serves visit him at Salvatore’s – The Playboy Club