It's Christmas time! (Please note, it's not the "Holidays" as I am neither a member of the ACLU nor the governor of Rhode Island.) In honor of the birth of the Savior of Mankind, I offer you a new way to drink alcohol... and it's not eggnog.
So it's time for THE CANDY CANE MARTINI, a drink designed to remind you of that tasty hard candy that's either a shepherd's crook, or a "J," or just a hard piece of candy to make your breath smell better under the mistletoe (I'm talking to you Richard Dawkins).
Now, I know what you're thinking, "Candy Cane Martini? That's easy! Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, shake, pour, done!" Sorry, but that's a Peppermint Martini. Nothing wrong with it. Peppermint is tasty, but it's not quite like a candy cane. To truly capture the Candy Cane Martini follow the recipe below:
1/2 ounce Vodka
1/2 ounce Absolut Peppar or Pepper Vodka (click here to infuse your own)
1 ounce Sambuca
1 ounce White crème de mente
1 ounce White crème de caacao
1 miniature candy cane
Combine all the alcoholic beverages in a shaker half filled with cubed ice (not crushed). Shake for a count of 30. Pour into a cocktail glass. Sip very slowly. Basically, one of these should last for all twelve days of Christmas (that's everything from Christmas to January 6th or the Epiphany- the day traditionally accepted as the arrival of the wise men to witness the incarnation of Christ).
This drink is probably best after or during a hardy meal, like this Marinated Brisket.
This being Cocktails of Note, and this being a Christmas drink, then, it stands to reason, that the recommended album should be a Christmas Album. Now here's the debate: Do you go with something classic (i.e. Bing Crosby), a smooth jazz rendition (Diana Krall), or something
different?
After much debate, I have decided to recommend the brand new Queen and King of the Hipster set's Holiday Album, "A Very She & Him Christmas."
If you haven't heard of She & Him, it is a duo band consisting of Zooey Deschanel (best known for her new series New Girl, or my personal favorite (500) Days of Summer.)
M. Ward also has a fantastic solo album entitled Hold Time. Their voices together are most reminiscent of the harmonies of The Carpenters, and if you don't know who they are then get out! Stop reading my blog, because nothing I say will be relevant to you. OR...go to Amazon and pay $10 for their singles album.
The She & Him album is inspired by such seminal Christmas albums as rendered unto us by The Beach Boys and Elvis Presley. If you're looking to "Rock Around the Christmas Tree" this is not the album for you (although it is on here). It's a quiet, intimate album; something to listen to as you smile warmly at the ones you love.
Musically, their rendition of "Christmas Day" is the type of song you don't hear too often, and its crisp opening and then multi-layered chorus just begs you to sit back in a recliner, take a long pull on your Candy Cane Martini and watch the kids put together a puzzle.
(Wait...you don't have the Christmas Puzzle Tradition? You know, the day after Thanksgiving you bust out the latest Christmas themed puzzle and put it together over the next few weeks. Was that just my family? You don't do that? Huh. Weird.)
Meanwhile, "Jingle Bell Rock" is the least grating of all versions of this song, and is perfect for sharing this martini with a group. For a gender switch the 2/4 time version of "Baby, it's Cold Outside" where M. Ward is trying to shake off the advances of a sly Zooey Deschanel provides a quick tempo rock that's perfect for slamming the last of your martini and asking "what's in this drink?"
Still, for my money, it's Zooey singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." This version makes me want to sit on my couch with my dozing lover snuggled on my right side, while I cradle my drink on my left. The lights are low, and the tree glows with lights illuminating every ornament hung with love. Does it really get any better?
Merry Christmas and thanks for drinking,
The Giant
