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The Potable Christmas Tree
By
Hugh Merwin
Published Dec 4, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Hugh Merwin
Published Dec 4, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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With street-side Christmas trees going for more each year and the average apartment size decreasing, we propose the adoption of a new holiday standard: Enjoy your Christmas Tree in a highball glass. To wit: Clear Creek Distillery’s Eau de Vie of Douglas Fir, 375 milliliters of pine flavored brandy, found at Red Hook booze and esoteric spirits emporium LeNell’s. This small, $45 bottle is cheaper and has a lesser environmental impact than deforestation, and will definitely last longer than most trees (at least if used sparingly). Made in Oregon from the actual buds of Douglas Fir trees, the Eau de Vie has a faint green color that’s not surprisingly “all natural.” Sample cocktail: Substitute some Douglas Fir brandy for half the amount of rum called for in a traditional mojito recipe. Keep the mint and the lime, and call it a Tannenbaum. Start a new household tradition today, but enjoy responsibly – this tree could burn your liver down.
In-store events at LeNell’s remain a draw for those unallured by pine-scented liquor, and this Saturday from 7-9 PM is a bonzana of classic cocktails from Mixologist David Wondrich, who will be signing copies of his new book, Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, A Salute in Stories and Drinks to "Professor" Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar. Jerry Thomas is considered by some to be the father of the modern mixed drink, so in his honor, Wondrich will be making Blue Blazers and serving Tom & Jerrys “from an antique punch bowl.” Glug, glug, glug.
While we’re at it, after the jump you'll find a new cocktail recipe LeNell developed for the lounge menu at P.D.T., the “secret” annex of Crif Dogs on St. Mark’s Place. Because P.D.T. stands for Please Don’t Tell, publishing this recipe sort of feels wrong, really wrong. But maybe it’s just the whole bump and grind of this drink: Containing a couple of aphrodisiacs, LeNell says the following recipe was inspired by Mae West.
Mae West Royal Diamond Fizz
2 oz. goji berry infused bourbon*
.5 oz. Pama pomegranate liquer
1 oz. fresh pink grapefruit juice
1 egg
Brut Champagne
“hot sugar”**
Shake all ingredients except for sugar and champagne, at first without ice. The mix should emulsify. Add ice, shake again (at least for 30 seconds). Strain into “hot sugar” rimmed glass (rim using a grapefruit slice); top with champagne. Garnish with a couple of bourbon soaked goji berries impaled on a toothpick.
* For the goji infused bourbon: macerate 4 oz. of dried goji berries in a 750 ml bottle of Four Roses Single Barrel 100 Proof Bourbon. Let sit at least overnight. [Gothamist note: goji berries are available at health food stores. Bourbon is not.]
** For the “hot sugar”: Mix 4 tbsp. granulated sugar, 1/4 tps. Cayenne pepper, and one pinch of cocoa.
Clear Creek Distillery
Eau de Vie of Douglas Fir
$45, 375 ml;
David Wondrich book signing
Saturday 12/8, 7-9 PM
LeNell's
416 Van Brunt Street
Brooklyn
(718) 360-0838
Tagged
bar
Blazers
christmas
christmas tree
Clear Creek
crif dogs
david
David Wondrich
dogs
drinks
events
food
holiday
Mae
Mae West
oregon
Please Don
publishing
red hook
spirits
Hugh Merwin
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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