Shake it up: Stanley Tucci’s Christmas cocktails

A Christmas cocktail

Here is my holiday version of a Cosmopolitan.

Serves 1

You will need

• 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds
• 50ml Ketel One vodka
• 25ml Cointreau
• 25ml cranberry juice (either unsweetened or cranberry juice cocktail, your preference)
• 25ml pomegranate juice
• ice
• 1 raspberry, 1 mint leaf and fresh rosemary, to garnish

Method

Put the pomegranate seeds into a shaker and muddle. Add the booze, the juices and ice and shake well. Strain into a coupe or Martini glass and garnish with a raspberry and a mint leaf, skewered with a small stalk of rosemary. Drink and have a happier holiday!

The Old Fashioned

A great drink for any season – or reason. You could also make this with Scotch or Irish whiskey, if you prefer.

Serves 1

You will need

• 1 tsp simple syrup
• a few dashes of Angostura bitters
• 2 shots of rye or bourbon whiskey
• ice
• 1 slice orange, twisted, and cherries, to garnish

Method

Add the simple syrup into an old fashioned glass (aka a rocks glass). Next, add the bitters, then the booze and ice, stir, and garnish with the fruit skewered on a cocktail stick.

A Negroni-up

This past year I began a relationship with a Negroni and I am happy to say it’s going very well. There are those who consider serving this ‘straight up’ (shaken with, but served without, ice in a cocktail glass) to be an act of spirituous heresy.

But they needn’t get so upset: I never planned on inviting them to my home anyway.

Serves 1

You will need

• 50ml gin (my favourite is Tanqueray No Ten)
• 25ml Campari
• 25ml sweet vermouth
• ice
• 1 slice orange, twisted

Method

Pour the booze into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a slice of orange, sit down, drink, feel the sun in your stomach.