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…

A Star is Born: Gin Fizz

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

Directions:

Fill cocktail shaker with ice; add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds; strain into glass and top with Prosecco. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Bohemian Rhapsody: Harvey Wallbanger

Ingredients:

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

Directions:

Pour vodka and orange juice into a collins glass with ice. Layer the Galliano on top by pouring it slowly over the back of a bar spoon. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

Roma: Añejo Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

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

Directions:

In an Old Fashioned glass, lightly muddle the agave nectar, bitters and orange peel. Fill with ice and add the tequila. Stir and garnish with a brandied cherry.

Black Panther: The Famous Smoky and Cola

Ingredients:

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

Directions:

Take a clean, highball glass and fill with fresh, solid ice cubes. Squeeze in a wedge of orange and drop into the glass. Add Famous Grouse Smoky Black. Top up with cola, stir and serve.

Vice: Diplomatico Vice

Ingredients: