Yes, we admit to focusing mainly on new kiddie products here at the Talking Walnut. But every now and then, it’s nice to shift gears and give a shout-out to the grown-up world. (After all, where would our kiddos be without us?). And because this Sunday marks our all-time favorite TV event of the year, we are paying tribute to the Academy Awards. In our house, we make scorecards and rate our favorite red carpet moments. (My 8-year-old can rate a dress “don’t” faster than the fashion police!) But if you’re hosting or are invited to an Oscars party for adults, these are some fun specialty cocktail recipes supplied to us by Polar Seltzer that you can mix up. We’re not sure which concoction we like best, but we’ll gladly sample them all. So whether you are rooting for Les Mes or Lincoln, Jennifer Lawrence or Jessica Chastain, be sure to have plenty of snacks (and ice) to sustain you through all those acceptance speeches. Cheers!
In a Nutshell: Grab your cocktail shaker and get busy behind the bar with these fab movie-themed beverages.
“THE SPARKLING BAYOU”-Inspired by / BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (pictured here)
1 lemon wedge
2 sprigs fresh mint
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
1/4 cup grape juice
Ice cubes made with filtered water and various berries Polar Blueberry Seltzer
1 small bunch Concord grapes, for serving Place lemon and mint in the bottom of a cocktail shaker; add sugar and muddle to combine. Add grape juice. Fill shaker with ice; cover and shake to combine. Fill a rocks glass with ice. Strain into prepared rocks glass and top with Polar Seltzer; garnish with concord grapes and serve immediately.
“THE LORD OF LIGHT” – inspired by Argo
Rose Water
Polar Cherry Pomegranate Seltzer
Simple Syrup infused with Cardamom
Garnish with mint, raspberries or pomegranate seeds In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add about a tablespoon of the cardamon syrup, then 1.5-2 ounces of the rose water. Shake and then strain into martini glass. Top with Polar Seltzer. Stir gently to combine.
Cardamom Simple Syrup Recipe:
1 part water
1 part sugar
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
In a saucepan combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Turn off heat and allow it to begin cooling. Once syrup is cool enough to be tasted (but before all the heat is gone) add cardamom. The infusion happens quickly and at low heat.
“THE GREAT EMANCIPATOR” – Inspired by / LINCOLN
Polar Granny Smith Apple Seltzer
Polar Premium Ginger Ale
Cinnamon sugar
Apple slices, garnish
Pour equal amounts of Polar seltzer and Polar ginger ale into a glass filled with freshly made. Garnish with apples and a dash of cinnamon sugar.
“THE EXCELSIOR” -Inspired by / SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
2 oz Gin
1/3 oz Maraschino liqueur
1/2 oz Fresh lemon juice
1/4 oz Creme de Cassis
Polar Vanilla Seltzer
Lime, garnish
Combine in a shaker, shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with Polar Seltzer, stir gently so as not to bruise the delicate bubbles.
“UNCHAINED WESTERN” -Inspired by / DJANGO UNCHAINED
2-3 chunks of frozen pineapple
1/2 oz. lemon juice
1 tsp. maraschino syrup
2 oz. rye whiskey
Polar Lemon Seltzer
Lemon twist, to garnish
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the pineapple, syrup, lemon juice and whiskey. Add ice and shake well. Strain into a coupe, top with Polar Seltzer. Garnish with lemon twist.
“REVOLUTIONARY KIR” – Inspired by / LES MISÉRABLES
4 parts French white wine
4 parts Polar Raspberry Lime Seltzer
1 part Créme de Cassis (Blackcurrant liqueur or syrup ) Blackberries, optional garnish In an old fashioned coupe glass, add the currant liqueur or syrup and then the wine, and then the Polar Seltzer. Garnish if you wish.
“ACROSS THE ATLANTIC” – Inspired by / LIFE OF PI
1 large slice crystallized ginger
4 splashes bitters
Polar Vanilla Seltzer
Julienne ginger and add to glass. Add bitters, and then Polar Seltzer just before serving. Stir gently.
