Featured Holiday Recipe: The Dorian

(The actual Dorian pictured with the drink!)

Background & History

The French 75 is a perennial crowd pleaser; not too heavy, accessible, celebratory. The Dorian takes the basis structure of that classic drink and turns it into a festive holiday cocktail. Like its namesake (our adorable office dog Dorian), it is fun-loving while maintaining some sophistication. It balances bittersweet notes with holiday cinnamon and spice. Easy to whip up in large batches for a festive gathering, with just a little planning ahead.

Makes 6 cocktails:

– Ingredients

5 1/3 oz apple cider

1 whole cinnamon sticks

2 or 3 whole star anise

2 2/3 oz Giffard Crème de Pamplemousse

1 1/3 oz Bourbon Whisky

2/3 oz Campari

20 oz Sec or Doux (sweet, high sugar) Champagne or Prosecco (just under a bottle)

– The Setup

Start by simmering the apple cider, cinnamon sticks and star anise in a small saucepan on medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. Let cool to room temperature or colder.

Add the Crème de Pamplemousse, bourbon and Campari. You now have your base, enough for about 6 cocktails. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve so it’s nice and cold.

– Serving

When you’re ready to serve add 1 2/3 oz of the heavily chilled base mixture to a Champagne flute and top off with 3 1/3 oz of Champagne or Prosecco.

If you only have a Brut (dry, low-sugar) Champagne, add 1/4 oz of simple syrup (sugar dissolved in water) to each cocktail.

 

Enjoy and happy holidays!