From Jane Alonso. Her passion for food and spirits leads her on frequent excursions into Borderstan’s land of bars and restaurants. Email her at jane[AT]borderstan.com. 

Looking for the perfect Oscar cocktail? Jane has some ideas and one involves the bubbly. (Rachel Nania)

Sunday is Oscars night, and if you are hosting a red carpet watching party, you may wonder what type of original cocktails you can serve to set your event apart from the rest. Here are five cocktails inspired by the top film nominees of 2013.

Happy drinking (and dress critiquing)!

Argo

We all breathed a collective sigh of relief for our American comrades upon hearing he words, “We have cleared Iranian airspace and alcohol can now be served” onboard the Swiss Air flight that evades the capture of the Ayatollahs at the end of the movie, Argo.

What better way to celebrate this victory than to serve a Persian Rose made with Canadian whiskey to honor Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor, who risked his life to hide the Americans for 79 days in his residence in Tehran?

The Argo Persian Rose

• 2 oz Canadian Club Whiskey
• ½ oz lemon juice
• ½ oz cherry-flavored liqueur
• ¼ oz rosewater
• ¼ oz simple syrup
• 1/8 oz of Pistachio liqueur (such as Dumonte Verdenoce)

Django Unchained

Quentin Tarrantino’s portrait of the brutality of slavery certainly erases any chivalrous fantasies of life on a Southern plantation. Part of the brilliance of the movie is how Tarrantino makes us realize that our preconceived notions of the period — fed to us by generations of films like Gone with the Wind — are not in keeping with the inhumanity of slavery.

For example, take the scene where Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio) sips a mint julep in debonair fashion (oh, how southern!) but moments later, watches with amusement as two slaves tear each other to pieces in the middle of his elegant living room.

As we root for the revenge that Django extracts from these despicable characters, consider sipping this mint julep with a fiery shot of habanero bitters that perfectly embodies the comeuppance doled out by this spaghetti western.

The Django Unchained Mint Julep

• 2 oz. bourbon
• 2 tsps of sugar
• 8 mint leaves
• 2-3 droplets of Bittermans Hellfire Habanerno Shrub
• Crushed ice

Les Miserables

Who didn’t cry at the end of this tear jerker? Even though I knew exactly what was going to happen because I saw the play a gazilion times in the 90′s (and listened to the music for hours on end in high school), I still bawled my eyes out as Jean Valjean says his final words in this beautifully adapted film.

Such is the power of French-inspired melodrama to touch our emotions — and what better way to commemorate this beloved musical than with a French-inspired cocktail featuring champagne, cognac, and Grand Mariner?

The irony, of course, is that the impoverished inhabitants of Paris — the “Miserables” of the novel/film’s namesake — would not have a chance of ever sipping these luxurious ingredients.

The Not-So-Miserables Champagne Cocktail

• 3 oz Champagne
• 1/3 oz cognac
• 1 tsp Grand Marnier orange liqueur
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters

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From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.

Send winter away. (Luis Gomez Photos)

Winter is here and its reality is settling in. The sidewalks are covered with snow and the temperature has remained below 30 degrees for several days now.

Chunky cable knit sweaters no longer look “cute” and “comfortable” — everything just looks gray and drab. And, unfortunately, my bank account can’t support my strong desire to jet off to some warm Caribbean island and “recharge” for the last few months of winter.

So, I am stuck here. In my chunky cable knit sweater under gray, January skies.

Thankfully, I am still somewhat of a lightweight, so after a few sips of something summery, I don’t know where I am, nor do I care.

Plenty of bars in the Borderstan neighborhood serve up some nice tropical cocktails, year round, which are guaranteed to transport you (at least, mentally) out of the District and into warmer weather.

Here’s what I recommend for those cold nights where you just need to feel like there is hope for summer.

• The boozy milkshakes from Satellite Room (2047 9th Street NW) are just like the kind you find on a warm, beachy boardwalk…only they contain booze so they are better.

• The Squealer from The Pig (1320 14th Street NW) is sure to transport you to a sandy hammock, overlooking the water. The refreshing drink is made of Green Mountain Vodka, Meyer lemon cordial, mint and seltzer.

• Masa 14 (1825 14th Street NW) mixes a mean mojito, which also makes an appearance on the Happy Hour menu so you can save your pennies for a vacation next year.

• The Green Monkey Cocktail from Level One (1639 R Street NW) is sure to snap you out of the winter blues. It’s a blend of Malibu Tropical Banana, melon liquor, sour mix and pineapple juice.

• For something strong yet citrusy, try Honest Abe’s Moonshine at Lincoln (1110 Vermont Avenue NW). The drink is made of Whiskey, house made ginger syrup, fresh lemon sour and orange bitters.

• Lauriol Plaza (1835 18th Street NW) and El Centro D.F (1819 14th Street NW) are both famous for their margaritas. Why island hop when you can bar hop?

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From Alejandra Owens. You can find her at her food blog, One Bite At A Time. Alejandra also writes for City Eats DC, a Food Network site, where you can book dinner reservations. Email her at alejandra[AT]borderstan.com and follow her on Twitter at @frijolita.

New Year’s Eve. Synonymous with champagne, kisses and that scene from When Harry Met Sally.

For the cynics among us, New Year’s Eve is just another night — a night with unreasonably high expectations for merriment and finding someone at the bar to smooch with. Yet, for the hopeful, it’s about new beginnings, good times with friends and making memories. No matter which side of the coin you fall on, we can all agree on one thing: New Year’s Eve is all about the booze.

I mean, really people, those memories aren’t just going to make themselves, now are they!?

For starters, make sure you’re all set up and ready. The Bon Appetit Cocktail Party Manual has all the golden rules for throwing a boozy party — and more. Don’t forget food, Stephanie has you covered with tons of easy recipes to make, and, in some cases, make-ahead treats that you can serve. But now, on to the reason we’re all here.

Be Safe: If you are out and about for the evening, please drink responsibly and remember, you can even get free taxi rides (see our 2012 article on SoberRide). Whatever you do, please don’t drink and drive Borderstanis!

Punch Cocktails

Punch cocktails are the original big batch party drinks. You may poo-poo these at first glance, but don’t let rings of lemon slices frozen in water fool you.

These drinks pack a… no, I won’t say it. It’s just too cheesy. I like the idea of these drinks because (1) you don’t have to fiddle with recipes to make them for a crowd, and (2) they’re a nice way to ease everyone into a festive spirit.

Boozey, but not too much, so it’s not going to get anyone hammered in the first hour. This is a marathon, not a sprint, after all.

• Peppery Punch anyone? The Bitten Word has a spicy punch for you.
• White Whiskey Punch is a fun twist on a traditional whiskey drink.
• Church Lady Punch by Hanks Oyster Bar, anyone? Oh, yes.
• Want to set your punch bowl on fire? Flaming Brandy Punch might hit the spot for you then!
• For your friend who loves white russians, mix it up a bit with this Hot Coconut Milk Punch 
• Passion Fruits’ Mulled Cider

Wine

For the oenophiles among us, having a well-stocked wine counter, one featuring sangrias or mulled options even, is good for friends and family who don’t do hard liquor. Not everyone can love bourbon as much as I do, and I can respect that.

• Simply Recipe’s has a Honey Mulled Wine for a sweeter option.
• Urban Bohemian has the Best Sangria and the Better Than The Best Sangria.
• Metrocurean talked to five Sommeliers for their favorite supermarket selections.
• We’ve got two great wine rec posts if you want to support retailers in the neighborhood.

Cocktails

There’s no reason you can’t turn your favorite cocktail for one into a pitcher for 10. Just carefully convert the recipe to suit a larger crowd and provide the appropriate cooling option — ice cubes and a shaker for a shaken/stirred cocktail — at the table.

Also, if you like, you can always print out simpler cocktail recipes and leave them on a table with all the appropriate measures, liquors, mixers, bitters and garnishes. That way everyone can make the drink to their liking and get in on the mixologist fun. (Cause don’t we all have that one friend who used to bartend in college…)

• There’s Todd Thrasher’s Cider Car.
• Get spicy with Mrs. Wheelbarrow’s Jalapeno Margarita.
• The Bitten Word boys have Momofuku Ko’s Gingersnap Cocktail for something festive.
• Urban Bohemian also has a simple recipe for the Sweet Clementini that is easy to make for a crowd.
• David of David’s Table gets us in the holiday spirit with two cranberry cocktails.
• If you love bourbon, try The Passion Fruts’ Brown Derby or a Classic Manhattan courtesy of the Washington Post.
• How about a Tamarind Ginger Fizz from Not Derby Pie.
• The Moscow Mule is a classic and a crowd pleaser… also from The Bitten Word.

Last but not least, some resources in case you need help or more ideas:

• The boys over at Scofflaw’s Den are local and feature awesome cocktail recipes.
• Speakeasy Cocktails App on iTunes is pretty nifty.
• City Eats DC runs a weekly column called Bottom’s Up featuring the city’s best cocktails.

Champagne

Oh! And how could I forget? Don’t forget the champagne! Bubbly and kisses. That’s what New Year’s Eve does! Julian Mayor, the sommelier at Bourbon Steak DC in the Four Seasons, contributed to this really lovely list of boutique champagnes. I have Julian to thank for a serious love for Pierre Peters — a champagne you should still be able to get at Cork & Fork on 14th Street. Many others on this list are easy to find as well — just give your liquor/wine store a ring and undoubtedly they’ll have an option for you.

This article was originally posted on December 27, 2011. But, it’s that time of year again, and we find that this type of advice remains true throughout the years (and especially around the holidays). So get out your glasses, put on your party hats and pour your poison of choice!

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Cocktails are king in Borderstan’s bar scene. (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Dan Segal. Email him at dsegal[AT]borderstan.com and find him on Twitter @segaldg.

It’s hot out there. Some people turn to A/C units, community pools, or cold showers; but I turn to alcohol in this time of need (I know this may not be the healthiest solution). Here’s a listing of some good spots to get your drink on in the Borderstan area along with my recommended drink selection (and even one extra cocktail to try just in case you’re picky).

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but captures a decent assortment of spots in the Borderstan area. Some are a huge “duh”, while others may surprise you. The point is: these are all places where you can go and have an enjoyable time (and isn’t that what it’s all about?)

Bar Pilar: Dark n’ stormy. A fitting drink for the recent derecho storms. Theirs is done right, with sharp ginger beer in a tall glass. Also try: Moscow mule.

Black Jack: It’s popular for a reason. Try the El Dorado. Jalapeno flavored tequila, mezcal, pineapple, orange bitters, and habanero make this drink fiery, which is perfect for a hot summer’s night. Also try: Pearl Cup.

Dan’s Café: A squeeze bottle. Not sure you can even call it a mixed drink. It’s a squeeze bottle of liquor and a bottle of coke (or other mixer). But, there’s something about it. Maybe it’s just the fact it’s 1 AM and everything seems better later in the night.  Also try: Another liquor out of the squeeze bottle.

Estadio: Slushitos. Just saying the word slushito makes you feel boozy. My current favorite is the Coconut, Rum, Lemongrass, and Lime one. Also try: Calimocho (red wine and cola). It is refreshing beyond belief.

Gibson: One of the best DC cocktail bars. I went last weekend and had a Mezcal old fashioned that blew me away. Like a classic old fashioned, only with mezcal for a smoky kick. Also try: Asking your server what they think you would enjoy. They will pick something good.

Hank’s Oyster Bar: Church Lady Punch. First off, there’s the name, which is just a gem. This punch is an ode to the brightly colored church social punches, but this one has been spiked. Also try: The Getaway.

Jack Rose: Known for its scotch selection, Jack Rose also does some nice cocktails. I go for the Gin Rickey. A true DC classic (it was invented in the city) that is like air conditioning in a glass. Also try: Trailer Park Bride (what a name).

Larry’s Lounge: Ok, Ok… I may have added this one in simply because it is my neighborhood comfort spot. Never too crowded, always has good service, and great prices. I like a simple gin and tonic. Also try: Something from the happy hour specials list. It has some of the best prices in the city.

Teaism: A tea shop? Ok, I snuck in one non-alcoholic beverage on this list (you can thank me later). Get the chai shake. You will thank me later. Also try: A ginger or mango margarita. That’s right, they also serve alcoholic beverages.

The Big Hunt: I like beer (see my previous post). Sometimes all you want is a cold glass of draft beer from somewhere that isn’t overly crowded or fancy. The Big Hunt is perfect for this.

Have some other favorite spots that I may have left off this list (there are probably many)? Post them in the comments section.

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All the secrets you want to know. (Alejandra Owens)

From Alejandra Owens. You can find her at her food blog, One Bite At A Time. Alejandra also writes for City Eats DC, a Food Network site, where you can book dinner reservations. Follow her on Twitter at @frijolita and email her at alejandra[AT]borderstan.com.

You know when your friend is slicing cheese in this new, different way that somehow makes the cheese so perfect and the slicing so easy? And your mind is blown and you’re like, whoa! Why didn’t you tell me about that? That would have made my life so much easier!

Yeah. That moment. When you realize you’ve essentially been doing something wrong forever. Let’s try to minimize those moments, yes? I poked around on my favorite DC-based food blogs for top tips, guides and advice all geared toward doing *fill in the blank* better. In no particular order

• How To Build A Cheeseplate from Not Derby Pie
• The Secret To Perfect Sugar Cookies from Passion Fruits
• Secrets To Successful Canning from Mrs. Wheelbarrow
• A guide to Tools For The Home Bar from Scofflaw’s Den
• 10 Rules For Amateur Bakers from Pete Bakes
• How To Quickly Peel A Head Of Garlic on Dine Like A Pauper, from the folks at Saveur
• Pitting A Cherry Without Fancy Tools from moi (and a slew of other tips)

What’s your favorite kitchen, baking, cocktail tip? Whether it yields perfect results, or makes you look like MacGyver in the kitchen, we want to hear them all!

P.S.: And just for giggles, here’s a French guy opening a bottle of wine with a shoe. Because sometimes you may forget a wine opener.

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