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Seasonal Sipping
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 'Tis the season for indulgent cocktails that are tasty and tongue-tingling enough to draw your attention away from shopping-at least for a few minutes.
By Carlie Partridge
The new generation of holiday drinks has a sophisticated sauciness and an exotic flair, invigorating the shopper's senses while packing a potent punch. And while recreating that charming, comforting, wintry feeling is often a tall order in the tropics, several Ala Moana Center restaurants offer toasty, seasonal sips-some traditional; some with an Island twist.
Our favorite autumn concoctions go a step or two beyond eggnog and rum-spiced cider. This season, steadfast holiday flavors, such as cinnamon, cranberry, apple, cherry and pumpkin, fuse with top-shelf vodkas, rums and liqueurs and rich fruit nectars. Unlike summer spritzers, wintry drinks are not so much refreshing as rich, warm and tart like candy or nectar.
Pomegranate is certainly the season's star player, adding a bit of passion and playfulness to many classic drinks, not to mention some health-enhancing antioxidants! The ultimate Christmas-cheer cocktail is Morton's The Steakhouse's Pomegranate Mortini, hand-mixed with Absolut Vodka, Monin Pomegranate syrup and passion fruit puree and finished with the restaurant's "heavenly" foam, a creamy, frappe-style topping.
From table to glass, cranberry is also one of the season's most popular flavors. The tart fruit makes an appearance in Morton's Yuletide spin on the legendary Cosmopolitan, the Heavenly Cosmopolitan, made with Ketel One Citron, Grand Marnier, lime juice, cranberry juice and, naturally, the heavenly foam. While a cranberry-infused quaff is definitely seasonally sound, you may consider venturing into new territory and trying some plum wine, available during the holidays at many of Ala Moana's Japanese restaurants, including Kirin and Tanaka of Tokyo. Both restaurants offer Takara brand plum wine, which is made from sweet Japanese ume plums, and is served chilled or on the rocks. Kyoto Ohsho carries Choya plum wine, a holiday inspiration sweet with apricot and clove overtones. To indulge creatively, mix the plum wine with equal parts sparkling water and a spritz of fresh limejuice.
Sugarplum Fairy Spritzer
Makes 1 serving.
Ingredients
¼ cup Japanese plum wine
¼ cup Sparkling water
5 Tbsp. Lime juice
2 Lime slices
Ice
Method
In a glass, pour Japanese plum wine, sparkling water and 1 Tbsp. limejuice.
Garnish with lime slices, serve.
 
Homemade Pomegranate Martini
Inspired by:
Morton's Pomegranate Martini
Makes 1 serving.
Ingredients
2 oz. Pure pomegranate juice, such as POM
1 oz. Citrus-infused vodka, such as Absolut Mandarin
1/2 oz. Triple-sec
1 Lime slice to garnish
Method
Mix ingredients over ice in a shaker to chill. Strain into martini glass and garnish with lime slice.
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If you prefer libations that conjure dreamy images of a cozy living room with a fireplace and your hands clasped around a hot, ceramic mug, you'll warm to Longhi's Restaurant's Longhichino, served in a classic coffee mug. The drink is a feisty brew of flavor, with regular or decaf espresso, homemade whipped cream, orange Curaçao liqueur and a garnish of tangy orange zest. |
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Hot Orange Coffee Cloud
Inspired by:
Longhi's Longhichino
Makes 1 serving.
Ingredients
1 shot Espresso or decafespresso, or 1/2 cup strong black coffee
1/2 shot Orange Curaçao
1/2 cup Homemade whipped cream
Orange zest for garnish
Method
To warm the glass, place teaspoon in glass and add boiling water.
Empty hot water.
Add Curaçao liqueur.
Add shot of espresso or coffee.
Pour the whipped cream over the back of the warm teaspoon (teaspoon should be just above the level of the coffee). This ensures that the cream floats on the coffee.
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Another elegant treatment of the coffee-based drink can be found at Romano's Macaroni Grill, which brings an Italian café; spin to its holiday drink offerings with the velvety smooth Caramel Macchiato Martini. The deliciously chic martini is rich with coffee cream liqueur, vanilla vodka and caramel essence, an excellent choice for a digestif, or after-dinner drink.
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If caffeine isn't your thing, you might opt to harness the health benefits of another ubiquitous holiday flavor: mint. From candy canes to peppermint ice cream, mint's cooling presence is a welcome holiday staple. Think outside the minty Mojitos and luxuriate at the Pearl Ultra Lounge, where you'll find a Mint on Your Pillow, the hotel-room treat's cocktail alter-ego. This one bursts with sweet Bailey's mint chocolate chip liqueur and raspberry liqueur with an effervescent attitude. Take a sip and exhale as you end a long day of shopping, and catch your second wind for some family time at home-Santa needs his (or her) rest.
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