The Black Tie

So apparently there are these things called "movies" that people see in a gigantic room on a ginormous screen at a "theater". I'm not sure who these people are, but they must enjoy this activity because there is an awards show devoted to the very best movies from the year. I thought the only movies out there happened on Friday nights while eating pizza and playing Candy Land. And they typically involve animated characters and musical dialogue. No?

Well, if you are fancy enough to watch the Oscars this weekend, you should make it a real event by whipping up one of these Black Tie cocktails. This is basically a slightly sweet martini made with black vodka, Créme de Cassis, and an egg white for a little added drama.

Enjoy with popcorn, potato chips, or fancy two-bite appetizers while sticking your pinky out in a delicate manner and judging red carpet dresses. (You know you're going to!)

Black Tie

Makes 1 cocktail

Total time: 5 minutes

• 1 1/2 ounces black vodka
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• Scant 1/2 ounce Créme de Cassis
• 1 egg white

1. Combine all the ingredients except black vodka in a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ice for 10 seconds until frothy.
2. Add a few ice cubes and shake until chilled for an additional 10 seconds.
3. Strain into a glass and set aside.
4. Rinse cocktail shaker and fill with a handful of ice. Add black vodka and shake until chilled.
5. Pour the vodka into a chilled martini glass, then pour the frothy egg mixture over the vodka.
6. Enjoy!

*Notes: Adding the black vodka after shaking the egg white helps keep a more clean, white foam for the top of the drink. The Créme de Cassis may create a slightly rosey color to the foam, but it won't be as noticeable.

Cocktail Friday: The Pumpkin Patch

Of all the holidays, I think Halloween is the one I get the least involved in. I can't watch truly scary movies, I am not great at coming up with creative costumes, and (gasp!) I'm not much of a candy eater. While I may not be on board with all of these things, I am on board with seeing my little boy dressed up in his cute dragon costume, carving pumpkins, and enjoying festive cocktails that reflect the festivity of the season.

Pumpkin Patch Cocktail Ingredients | Set the Table

I stumbled on this cocktail recipe while browsing through Pinterest (are you following me yet?) and I knew it would be delicious. Plus, it uses egg whites which I've been dying to use more in my cocktail recipes. Rather than using the silver tequila as called for in the original recipe, I opted for bourbon. I'm sort of on a bourbon-kick lately and it worked beautifully here.

The Pumpkin Patch {a Halloween Cocktail} | Set the Table

Halloween Cocktail Recipe | Set the Table

This is not really an ideal party drink, but it is ideal for quiet evenings that call for something special to toast with. The frothy top is perfect for supporting a healthy sprinkling of pumpkin spice and balances perfectly with the sweet and sour cocktail below. I might be able to make it through a super scary movie with this in my hand...

Pumpkin Patch Cocktail | Set the Table

The Pumpkin Patch

Yield: Makes 1 cocktail
This recipe is adapted from The Daily Meal.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 3/4 oz lime juice
• 1 egg white from a medium-sized egg
• 1 3/4 oz apple cider
• 1 1/2 oz bourbon

Instructions

1. Combine the brown sugar, honey, lime juice and egg white in a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake vigorously until the honey and sugar have dissolved and the egg white is frothy.
3. Add the cider and bourbon and stir gently until just combined.
4. Pour the cocktail into a chilled snifter or other cocktail glass.