5 Cocktails Serving Best Picture Nods Ahead of Oscars 2019

The 91st Academy Award ceremony will be held this weekend, and that means two things. The first is that many of you will spend the evening of February 24, 2019 perched on the edges of your seats anticipating a big Oscar win for your favorite actor/actress, animated feature, film director, and so on. The second is that those of you planning to make an event of viewing the awards with friends will want to drink something fun. Here are five easy cocktail recipes that speak to the latter of those points, each of them themed after one of this year’s award nominees for the Best Picture category. Whatever spirit you favor, this collection features something for every taste, serving the likes of Benham’s Gin, Diplomatico Planas Rum, Partida Añejo Tequila, The Famous Grouse Smoky Black, and Ravo Vodka.

In preparation for this post and for our own Oscars night sipping, we received samples of two of the above-named spirits: The Famous Grouse Smoky Black and Partida Añejo Tequila. Here are our honest thoughts on both, just in time for you to select a winning cocktail rotation for your Academy Awards-viewing get-togethers.

The Famous Grouse Smoky Black (previously known as The Black Grouse): This is a russet-hued blended whisky that does not fail to deliver on the smoke referenced in its name. This first comes through in its aroma, bringing along warming essences of wood and baking spice. A supple presence on the palate, it tastes of candied stone fruits like apricot and black cherry with undercurrents of peat, fired oak, and charcuterie. It finishes smoother than many of its kind, with faint sweetness woven through a meaty, smoky character that some drinkers may take issue with, but more are likely to appreciate. Drink it neat by itself or with smoked meats and fish or flavorful cheeses like Stilton or Roquefort.

Partida Añejo Tequila: Aged for 18 months in American oak barrels, this golden-colored tequila offers a bouquet redolent with citrus and tropical fruits. Amidst these lurk peppery notes that brighten its nose. When tasted, it delivers a full-body with piquant, spicy character supporting flavor impressions of orange, lime, and passionfruit. Its finish is warm and smooth, characterized by echoes of candied citrus peel and black pepper. Drink it alone, or with Spanish tapas, tacos, sushi, or grilled meats, seafood, and shellfish.

And now on to the cocktails. Your nominees are…

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Benham’s gin
• 3/4 oz Fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz Simple syrup
• 1 oz Chilled Zonin Prosecco
• Lemon twist, for garnish

• 1.5 oz Ravo Vodka
• 4 oz Fresh orange juice
• 0.5 oz Galliano L’Autentico
• Orange slice and cherry, for garnish

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Partida Añejo Tequila
• ¼ oz Agave nectar
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 1 Orange peel
• 1 Brandied cherry

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Famous Grouse Smoky Black
• .05 oz Cola
• Orange wedge

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Daiquiri concentrate (frozen)
• 2 oz Piña Colada mix (frozen)
• 2.5 oz Diplomatico Planas Rum

This article first appeared on FlavorfulWorld.com.